Eastern Cherokees approve $200M expansion of flagship casino

Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo: Harrah's Cherokee

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The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians announced plans for a $200 million expansion of its flagship gaming facility in North Carolina.

The Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort will see about 100,000 square-feet of convention center space, a new hotel tower with 600 to 800 rooms and a new parking deck. The project ensures that the facility remains the largest hotel resort in the state.

"We are excited to add yet another amenity to the Harrah's Cherokee brand and be able to offer accommodations and meeting space to the strong convention sales business that has taken root in North Carolina," Brooks Robinson, a senior vice president who serves as general manager of the casino, said in a press release. "The addition of hotel rooms will also allow us to accommodate destination and leisure travelers as well, increasing tourism dollars to the Qualla Boundary and Western North Carolina."

The expansion comes on the heels of a $13 million bowling alley and entertainment center at the casino. Work on the 50,000 square-foot project is expected to be completed this fall.

Construction on the $200 million expansion has already begun, The Asheville Citizen-Times reported. A completion date wasn't given.

Read More on the Story:
Cherokee casino banking on $200M hotel, convention expansion (The Asheville Citizen-Times 1/26)
Harrah’s Cherokee announces new expansion (The Cherokee One Feather 1/20)
Harrah’s Cherokee announces new convention center, hotel tower (WSPA 1/17)
Harrah's announces plans for hotel expansion, convention center (WLOS 1/17)
New details released on Harrah's Cherokee expansion (WLOS 1/17)