Prior to the year 2000, the Greenbrier Resort located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, had the prestigious five-star Mobil Travel Guide rating.  In May of this year, businessman Jim Justice purchased the Greenbrier Resort out of bankruptcy for $20.1 million.

Mr. Justice plans to open a small casino at the four-star resort this fall, with a few table games and slot machines.  But he plans to have a full scale gambling establishment in place by April 1, 2010.

Architectural drawings of the proposed casino have already been unveiled.  There are shops and restaurants, including a sushi bar and steakhouse, that would be built under the resort’s front lawn.  Guests would reach the casino area via stairs and elevators near the front of the hotel.

There would be nothing in the approach to take away from the appearance of the current resort.  Designer Christina Romann stated that the goal is to bring the elegance of the resort into the casino.   Greenbrier’s new vice president of casino operations believes that adding the excitement of a casino creates an “exquisite” property.

All of the drawings are not yet complete, but should be finished shortly.  Groundbreaking will begin shortly after all the drawings have been revealed.  Jim Justice promises it will all be elegant and tasteful, and that gambling will be an amenity, not the focus of the resort.