S.B. Ballard Named Lead Contractor for $65M Landing Hotel Project in Portsmouth

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S.B. Ballard Construction Company has been selected as the general contractor for a $65 million hotel development in Portsmouth, Virginia. The project, backed by Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Rush Street Gaming, will introduce The Landing Hotel as a new hospitality offering adjacent to the existing casino facility.

Set to rise eight stories along Victory Boulevard, The Landing Hotel will sit beside Rivers Casino Portsmouth. It will offer 106 guest rooms, 32 of which will be suites and two designated as “super suites” featuring both indoor and outdoor areas. Planned amenities include a Lobby Bar, executive boardrooms, and additional hospitality services situated on the ground level.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, and the hotel aims to open in early 2027.

Rush Street Gaming Chief Executive Officer Tim Drehkoff emphasized the company’s ongoing dedication to Portsmouth and the wider region. “We are proud to continue our investment in Portsmouth and to be working again with a local company to expand our offerings for the Hampton Roads community and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Drehkoff said.

Based in Virginia Beach, S.B. Ballard Construction is no stranger to the area. The firm was responsible for completing the main Rivers Casino Portsmouth complex, a 270,000-square-foot entertainment and gaming venue that officially opened in January 2023. That facility holds the distinction of being the first permanent casino to open in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Landing Hotel project is intended as a luxury hospitality addition and an engine for local economic activity. Approximately 200 temporary construction roles are projected to be created throughout the build phase. Once operational, the hotel is expected to support 60 permanent jobs at the casino property.

As part of the project’s development approach, S.B. Ballard Construction plans to engage minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses at every step. The company will prioritize subcontractors and suppliers from these groups as part of its broader community engagement initiative.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer and founder, Stephen Ballard, said the project symbolizes shared values between the builder and the casino group. “We’re honored to collaborate with Rush Street Gaming and Rivers Casino on The Landing Hotel, bringing together our shared commitment to quality, community, and long-term growth,” Ballard stated.

“From design through delivery, we’re proud to be building a landmark that reflects the strength of this partnership and the promise of this city. This is another step forward in the economic development of Portsmouth and the region,” he added.

Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming will independently own and manage the Landing Hotel in Portsmouth. The group also oversees similarly branded properties in Pittsburgh and Schenectady, and the Riversuites in Philadelphia.

This project marks another key milestone in Portsmouth’s expanding real estate and hospitality landscape. It aims to strengthen local tourism and long-term economic development throughout southeastern Virginia.