Rivers Casino is hoping that the $51.5 million hotel it plans to build on the North Shore will make the gambling venue an even bigger destination than it is now.
The 221-room, full-service hotel will be built on the Ohio riverfront on the east side of the casino property next to the Carnegie Science Center. The casino wants it to be a stop for gamblers and visitors to the city as well.
“It’s really completing the destination casino aspect that we’ve always wanted to do, and now is the time to do it. The market has been fairly stable the last few years and this gives us the opportunity to grow, especially that destination business,” said Craig Clark, Rivers general manager.
The casino briefed the city planning commission on the proposal Tuesday. If the plan is approved, the hotel construction is expected to start near the end of the spring and take 13 to 16 months to complete.
“This is really to enhance the North Shore. One of the really important things is that this is full service, unlike some of the limited-service hotels on the North Shore,” Mr. Clark said.
It also will give the casino an opportunity to keep gamblers on site who now rent rooms at other North Shore hotels or Downtown, Mr. Clark said.
The casino is aiming for a four-diamond rating. According to AAA, a four-diamond hotel is “refined, stylish with upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.”
Mr. Clark said the casino is still evaluating whether it will operate the hotel itself or hire a third party manager. Room rates have yet to be set. The project will be privately funded.
The hotel will feature a restaurant, a bar and a fitness center, as well as an outdoor terrace on the top floor.
Guests also will have access to a spa within the casino itself. The hotel will be attached to the gambling venue and make use of the existing 3,737-space parking garage, under the plans presented to the planning commission.
A portion of the North Shore riverfront trail is slated to be widened as part of the project but otherwise will be unaffected by the construction. The casino also is planning rain gardens to capture water runoff from the hotel.
The hotel’s lobby will double as a pass through from Casino Drive to the riverfront park and trail. While guests have to be at least 21 years old to enter the casino, that will not be the case with the hotel.
The project is expected to create 1,400 construction jobs, plus 128 permanent hotel and casino jobs. Casino officials estimate it will produce another $10.5 million in tax revenue each year.
Mr. Clark sees opportunities for the hotel to do package deals with the science center and some of the other North Shore venues like Heinz Field, PNC Park, and Stage AE.
“As a casino operator, I hope they are all there to gamble. Our goal is to actually put gamblers in the rooms that are coming for both the casino experience, as well as the other Pittsburgh opportunities that are out there,” he said.
At least one member of the planning commission was impressed by what he saw of the hotel, which features metal panels and lots of glass. Paul Gitnik said he found the design “visually appealing.” The hotel was designed by Stantec, with Strada providing the planning and landscape design.
The project has been in the works for years. The casino was finally able to move ahead after getting a paper street — one that appears on maps but does not actually exist — vacated by the city in December after trying to do so for more than a year.
Also Tuesday, the commission was briefed on plans for a new retail center on Liberty Avenue between South Atlantic and South Pacific avenues in Bloomfield. It is expected to feature a mix of local and regional retail chains, such a children’s toy and clothing stores, a fitness center, and a furniture store.
Mark Belko: mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.
First Published: January 25, 2017, 5:00 a.m.