SugarHouse Casino officially celebrated its completed expansion with a unique appreciation ceremony and ribbon cutting pm Monday, May 9. The ceremony included remarks from casino leadership and public officials, in addition to tours of the brand new amenities.

The ribbon cutting showcased the casino’s new attractions, including the SugarHouse Marketplace (featuring Philadelphia brands Saxbys Coffee, Tacconelli’s Pizzeria, Geno’s Steaks and a brand-new local concept, Revolution Grill), Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House, the multipurpose Event Center and the first-ever Poker Night in America Poker Room.

“We are excited to wrap up our much anticipated expansion and welcome guests to the bigger, better SugarHouse,” said General Manager Wendy Hamilton. “From world-class entertainment and dining to expanded gaming, SugarHouse is certainly one of Philly’s premiere destinations for an evening in town or to carry a bunch event.”

Expansion Summary

On July 22, 2014, SugarHouse broke ground and commenced construction at the $164 million expansion to the casino. The expansion, designed by Cope Linder Architects of Philadelphia, increases SugarHouse’s 108,000-square-foot facility to approximately 260,000 square feet, not including the brand new seven-story parking garage of approximately 600,000 square feet. The bigger gaming areas offer 44 additional table games, 289 new slots and a 28-table poker site. The growth also brings in new non-gaming amenities, including additional restaurants and The development Center.

About 500 new, full-time jobs have spread out at SugarHouse end result of the expansion, bringing the present total to approximately 1,700 Team Members. SugarHouse was voted a “Best Place to Work” and “Top Workplace” by its Team Members annually since opening, without exception.

The Marketplace of Philly Favorites

Four new dining options have arrived at SugarHouse Casino with the completion of The marketplace The marketplace allows guests to benefit from the Philly flavors just steps from the gaming floor. SugarHouse Casino now hosts Saxbys Coffee, Tacconelli’s Pizzeria, Geno’s Steaks and the brand-new Revolution Grill. Each restaurant brings its own unique taste and magnificence to the casino, offering guests sit-down or to-go dining options. 

Saxbys Coffee – The Philadelphia-based coffee company specializes in hospitality while offering specialty coffees, espressos, smoothies and various breakfast items. (Opening in early June 2016.)

Tacconelli’s Pizzeria – Tacconelli’s, famous for its fresh brick oven tomato pie, is now firing up its delicious pizzas right on property at SugarHouse.

Geno’s Steaks – The “Philadelphia Original” brings its classic cheesesteak to SugarHouse Casino’s Marketplace, offering thinly sliced rib-eye cheesesteaks on oven-warm bread, and guests always give you the chance to reserve “wit or wit-out” onions. 

Revolution Grill – Revolution Grill is SugarHouse’s own grab-and-go outlet. The grill offers fresh and made-to-go order salads, wraps and paninis which might be perfect for a sit-down meal or for eating at the run. 

Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House

The legendary steakhouse icon Gibsons Restaurant Group has opened its first and only Philadelphia restaurant, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House, right inside SugarHouse Casino. This will likely be Gibsons’ 13th location, and it’s the one restaurant group within the country to have its own USDA Prime Angus beef certification, which Hugo’s serves at SugarHouse.  

Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop Home is located within the northwest corner of the primary floor of SugarHouse’s expanded property. The combined seating within the bar and dining rooms accommodates greater than 300 guests. The restaurant also includes a riverfront patio for outside dining. Stylistically, Hugo’s marries a classic steakhouse with contemporary design and seamlessly blends upscale and casual.

As a part of its extensive menu, Hugo’s is serving USDA Gibsons Prime Angus Beef, that's aged for fifty days and cooked in an 1,800-degree infrared broiler. This offers the steak a thin, charred crust to assist seal within the natural juices. The “Philly Cut” is a 12-ounce rib eye cap, topped with smoked provolone, crispy shallots and fried herbs. This steak is served only at Hugo’s SugarHouse location.

Gibsons Restaurant Group could also be the exclusive caterer for the brand-new SugarHouse Casino Event Center, which boasts customizable menus that feature iconic cuts of USDA Gibsons Prime Angus Beef and a pristine collection of fine seafood.

The Event Center

The Event Center boasts a 30,000 square-foot multipurpose space, now available for booking. Located at the second floor of the casino, the power is tailor-made for corporate events, wedding receptions, black-tie galas, major performances and more. It features floor-to-ceiling windows and wonderful panoramic views of the riverfront and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Minutes from Center City, the SugarHouse Casino Event Center can accommodate small and massive groups of greater than 1,000 guests for standing room only, or as much as 800 people for banquet seating, and is out there for all ages.

Since opening, The development Center has hosted the Philadelphia Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists Celebration, in addition to performances from renowned country singer LeAnn Rimes and world-acclaimed comedian Trevor Noah. Both Rimes and Noah performed sold-out shows to kick off The development Center’s entertainment schedule.

Poker Night in America Poker Room 

The upsized SugarHouse Casino features a greater than 6,000 square-foot dedicated poker space, named the Poker Night in America Poker site. The state-of-the-art Poker site features 28 tables and 252 seats. The Poker Night in America Poker site is the primary of its kind, becoming a house base for the preferred CBS Sports TV program. SugarHouse welcomed Poker Night in America in April to record an installment of the show with one of the most famed names in poker, including Joe McKeehan and Matt Glantz. 

Expanded Gaming and New High Limit Lounge

The brand newly expanded gaming space brings in 44 additional table games and 289 new slots, a 20 percent increase from SugarHouse’s previous gaming offerings. The new High Limit Lounge offers an individual atmosphere, while still being part of the casino action. Guests will enjoy high limit gaming, concierge service, private parking and more.

Parking Garage

The complimentary parking garage offers 1,500 new spaces for guests to park, with direct elevator access to the casino floor. Through a partnership with the town of Philadelphia’s Public Art Program, an urban light sculpture was installed at the façade of the garage facing Delaware Avenue. Designed by East Falls, Pennsylvania-based artist Lyn Godley, the beautiful, colorful display spans 290 feet wide and 60 feet high. The artwork consists of a chain of sunshine boxes and façade lighting that vary colors throughout the day and inside the night to mirror similar patterns within the flow of the Delaware River.

Read More... [Source: Gaming Industry News]