Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack
Chester, PA
Project Description:
TN Ward Company performed as general contractor on the 500,000 SF casino complex and harness racing venue on the waterfront in Chester, Pennsylvania. The “racino” type facility was constructed in 20 months and includes a 100,000 SF gaming area with 2,500 slot machines, 75 table games and a 5,000 SF poker room. Food & beverage amenities are provided by multiple restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. The complex also includes a 14,000 SF event center. The adaptive reuse of this 48-acre site development required selective demolition of an existing Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Plant and utilization of the building frame to build the casino structure. Guests park in an eight-level precast concrete parking garage with 3,000 spaces that was built adjacent to the casino with a connection lobby.
The racetrack facility is constructed for 5/8-mile harness racing, with simulcasting facilities. This section of the complex includes a 1,500-seat grandstand and 300-seat clubhouse dining area. A portion of the race track was built over the Delaware River, which required a special bridge structure. The project also included a horse paddock that can hold 130 horses on race day.
Owner:
Caesars Entertainment Corporation
Architect:
SOSH Architects
Awards:
ACI | 2008 Industry Award for Bridge Construction
GBCA | 2008 Excellence in Safety Award
Construction Communications | 2007 Building of America Award
GBCA | 2007 Excellence Award for Best Commercial Project over $7 million
McGraw Hill Mid-Atlantic Construction | 2007 Best Adaptive Reuse Project