Palace Casino Resort
Biloxi, Mississippi
OWNERS: Robert and Lawana Low
ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN: Cuningham Group
INVESTMENT: $45 million
OTHER AMENITIES: Palace SportsZone and a 100-foot bar
The economy may have stalled construction in parts of the gaming industry, but renovation was imperative at the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, devastated in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina.
The $45 million renovation, which will be ongoing through 2011, is the largest casino expansion on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since Katrina. The 110,000-square-foot project will include a 64,000-square-foot expansion, as well as the upgrade of existing areas.
An additional 38,000 square feet of gaming space will include more than 1,000 slot machines, 26 new table games, an eight-table poker room and a high-limit salon. There will also be a new 300-seat buffet, a new sports bar and a 50-seat, 24-hour café and grill.
The resort’s hotel will also undergo significant improvements, with a new front desk and concierge area, a new gift shop, a deluxe spa and fitness center, and all-purpose meeting spaces designed to attract more convention business to the city, situated on Biloxi’s Back Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
“Prior to the storm, we were a four-diamond resort,” said Palace General Manager Keith Crosby. “We’re bringing back many of the amenities we lost to again provide our guests the complete package.” A first-class marina and award-winning restaurant, Mignon’s, are back in service, as is the Palace’s signature golf course, the Preserve, designed by championship golfer Jerry Pate.
Cuningham Group, an internationally renowned design firm with offices in Las Vegas as well as Biloxi, is in charge of architecture and interior design work for the expansion.
Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway said the project reflects “the confidence and vitality of the Biloxi market.”
Casino owner Robert Low said, “We are very excited to have this opportunity to further invest in the city of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The key to our success over the past 12 years has never been based on the bricks and mortar, but rather the hard work of our dedicated associates and the high quality of personal service they provide to our guests.”
