Rivers Casino Portsmouth, in partnership with Rush Street Gaming, has officially announced the groundbreaking of The Landing Hotel, a significant addition to the city’s entertainment landscape. The project, set to commence on October 15, 2025, will be a massive $65 million investment in the future of Portsmouth. Scheduled to open its doors in early 2027, the eight-story hotel is poised to redefine both the city’s hospitality offerings and its broader economic prospects. The addition of The Landing Hotel underscores Rivers Casino’s commitment to enriching Portsmouth’s tourism and business sectors while contributing to the ongoing revitalization of the Victory Boulevard corridor.

The Landing Hotel: More Than Just a Hotel

The Landing Hotel is more than a conventional hospitality venture. It represents a strategic effort to integrate more immersive entertainment and luxury into the Rivers Casino experience. At its core, the $65 million investment will create an upscale property with 106 guest rooms, including 32 expansive suites and two ultra-luxurious “super suites” that offer both indoor and outdoor spaces. Designed to appeal to high-end tourists, business travelers, and families, the hotel will also include a lobby bar, executive meeting rooms, and facilities that seamlessly connect to the casino’s various amenities.

What makes The Landing Hotel particularly exciting for visitors and the city is its direct integration with the existing Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened as Virginia’s first permanent casino in January 2023. This connection is not just physical—The Landing Hotel’s design will offer easy access to the casino’s gaming floor, dining options, and its 25,000-square-foot Event Center. These elements work together to create a comprehensive destination for both entertainment and lodging, helping to keep visitors in Portsmouth for longer periods, which in turn boosts the local economy.

The decision to build The Landing Hotel is part of a larger plan to establish Portsmouth as a key player in the Hampton Roads area’s entertainment district. While Norfolk is also expanding its own casino and entertainment offerings, Rivers Casino has positioned itself as the anchor of the area’s entertainment district. The addition of The Landing Hotel serves not only as a luxury accommodation option but also as a strategic defense to ensure Portsmouth remains competitive in the market.

The development of The Landing Hotel is also a direct response to the growing need for overnight accommodations. Having a hotel on-site will provide more reasons for visitors to stay in Portsmouth, rather than seeking lodging in nearby cities like Norfolk. As such, the hotel will play a vital role in driving additional tourism dollars to the region, adding to the already significant impact that Rivers Casino Portsmouth has had on the city’s economy.

In addition to attracting visitors, the hotel is designed to host a variety of events, including conventions, corporate meetings, and concerts, with its modern executive meeting rooms and event space. The versatility of The Landing Hotel’s facilities is intended to keep revenue on-site, ensuring that visitors do not have to leave the area to find accommodations or meeting venues.

S.B. Ballard Construction: A Key Partner in Growth

Rivers Casino Portsmouth has once again partnered with S.B. Ballard Construction Company for this ambitious hotel project. Based in Norfolk, S.B. Ballard has earned a reputation for successfully managing large-scale commercial developments, including the original construction of Rivers Casino. The decision to work with a local firm reinforces the casino’s commitment to supporting regional businesses and fostering economic growth in the Hampton Roads area.

S.B. Ballard Construction was selected in July 2025 as the general contractor for The Landing Hotel, ensuring that the project is in capable hands. The company’s previous experience with the casino project, completed in 2023, makes them a natural fit for The Landing Hotel, which is expected to require complex, high-end construction capabilities. The local construction firm’s involvement further underscores the growing synergy between Rivers Casino and the Portsmouth community, emphasizing that local businesses are integral to the project’s success.

Stephen Ballard, CEO and owner of S.B. Ballard Construction, expressed excitement about the collaboration, saying, “This project represents more than just a new hotel — it’s a continued investment in Portsmouth’s future.” He added, “We’re honored to collaborate with Rush Street Gaming and Rivers Casino on The Landing Hotel, bringing together our shared commitment to quality, community, and long-term growth.”

The economic impact of The Landing Hotel on Portsmouth is expected to be significant. By providing much-needed accommodations and event space, the hotel will attract visitors from across the state and beyond, generating additional revenue for local businesses. The hotel’s luxurious offerings are designed to meet the demand for higher-end accommodations that the region has lacked until now. Moreover, the additional space for conventions, corporate meetings, and entertainment events is designed to keep tourism dollars within Portsmouth, rather than letting visitors stay at hotels in neighboring Norfolk.

The city’s economic outlook is expected to improve considerably due to the ongoing investments from Rivers Casino Portsmouth and its affiliates. With construction underway, the hotel’s expanded offerings will be a powerful magnet for tourists, businesses, and conventions alike, which will benefit not only the casino but also local restaurants, retail stores, and other hospitality-related businesses. The $65 million investment in The Landing Hotel is part of an even broader effort to diversify the city’s economy and enhance its competitive edge in the increasingly crowded Virginia entertainment market.

As Portsmouth continues to embrace its transformation into an entertainment hub, The Landing Hotel is set to be a key part of the city’s future. The planned 2027 opening is seen as a turning point for the region, with the hotel serving as both a luxury accommodation provider and a cornerstone of the area’s growing appeal as a prime destination for tourists and business travelers.

According to WAVY, Rush Street Gaming’s Tim Drehkoff, CEO of Rivers Casino Portsmouth, emphasized the long-term vision for the project, stating, “We are proud to continue our investment in Portsmouth and to be working again with a local company to expand our offerings for the Hampton Roads community and the Commonwealth of Virginia.” With The Landing Hotel, the city is poised to reap the benefits of a new phase of growth, bringing a new level of luxury and excitement to Portsmouth’s entertainment sector.