Norfolk Casino Towering Above Waterfront as Construction Hits New Milestone

NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 13, 2026 - The future HeadWaters Resort & Casino is rapidly transforming the city's waterfront skyline, with the hotel tower, casino structure, and parking garage now clearly visible above the Harbor Park construction site as work continues on the $750 million development.

New video footage released by local television station 13News Now highlights the project's steady progress nearly one year after construction began. What was once a foundation and excavation site is now taking the recognizable shape of a full-scale destination resort.

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Norfolk casino construction update - Courtesy of 13News Now, Sep 9, 2026. Available from YouTube

Project officials say the development remains on track for its planned late 2027 opening.

"We are on schedule, we are on budget. This is really happening," said Ron Bailey, general manager of the Norfolk casino project.

The project is being developed by Boyd Gaming in partnership with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, bringing together one of the nation's largest regional casino operators and Virginia's first federally recognized tribe.

Hotel Tower Begins Defining Norfolk Skyline

One of the most striking signs of progress is the resort's future hotel tower. According to project officials, the tower has already reached approximately six stories, placing it at roughly half of its planned 12-story height. As construction continues, the structure is becoming one of the most prominent features along Norfolk's waterfront corridor.

The completed resort hotel is expected to feature 200 guest rooms and suites, helping position the property as a regional destination capable of attracting overnight visitors, entertainment guests, business travelers, and convention attendees.

"The garage itself, as you can see, is moving very quickly. I think we're on the sixth and seventh floors. The hotel is moving up very quickly and the casino floor, as you can see, the construction there is going very well," Bailey said during a recent construction update.

The tower's rapid ascent is providing residents with their first real glimpse of the resort's final scale, while construction crews continue work on multiple sections of the development simultaneously.

Major Construction Milestones Reached

Recent construction reports indicate that crews have already utilized more than 1,000 tons of structural steel and poured approximately 35,000 cubic yards of concrete as work continues across the site. The adjacent parking garage is also rising quickly and will ultimately provide approximately 1,300 parking spaces, including designated parking for Amtrak passengers.

When complete, the resort will include a 65,000-square-foot casino floor, approximately 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, multiple restaurants and bars, meeting space, a spa, pool facilities, entertainment amenities, and outdoor gathering areas overlooking the Elizabeth River.

Economic Impact Focus

Project leaders continue to emphasize the broader economic benefits expected from the development.

"This is a great, large, privately funded venture that's going to really drive some economic development, not just for this property, but in the whole area and the whole community," Bailey said.

According to project representatives, the resort is expected to create more than 800 jobs when operations begin. More than 300 construction workers are currently active on the site each day as the development continues advancing toward its targeted opening in late 2027.

"The construction team is doing such a great job of keeping us on task and on schedule that we're going to be ready to open in the latter part of next year," Bailey said.

While construction continues on the permanent resort, gaming operations remain active at the property's interim gaming facility, which opened to satisfy Virginia's gaming requirements while the full-scale destination casino is being built.

Source: 13News Now construction update video and project statements from Norfolk Resort Casino management.

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