After having received the second and final full scale casino license for Philadelphia from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on November 18, 2014, the Philadelphia Planning Commission today approved the proposed master project plan for the facility to be known as Live! Hotel & Casino Philadelphia.

The Planning Commission approved the $500 million project with the caveat that future City Council actions could modify certain elements including zoning that the Council must relax to fit the project into the “special purpose entertainment” zone.

The proposed casino would be built by Stadium Casino L.L.C., which is a partnership between Cordish Cos. of Baltimore, and Greenwood Racing Inc., and would be located in Philadelphia’s stadium district at 900 Packer Ave.

Further approvals are needed and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is reviewing challenges from rival developers who claim that Greenwood Racing’s interests in Parx Casino should have precluded Stadium from getting license approval.

If fully approved and the project comes to fruition, Live! would become the second casino in the city after SugarHouse Casino which opened on the river in 2010. Plans call for a 100,000 sq. ft. casino with 2,000 slot machines and more than 125 table games, dining, and entertainment facilities as well as a 19 story boutique hotel and 7 story parking garage with a landscaped rooftop. The entire facility would have about 2,000,000 square feet of usable space and be immediately proximate to the Philadelphia Sports Complex, which draws over 8 million visitors a year to the area.

“We extend our thanks to the Planning Commission for its thoughtful consideration of the Project plan,” said Joe Weinberg, Managing Partner, The Cordish Companies. “With our preeminent location, innovative, world-class architecture, interior design and exciting resort, dining and entertainment venues, guests from all over the world will experience the country’s first comprehensive gaming, resort, entertainment and sports destination right in Philadelphia’s Stadium District.”