December 31, 2013
By Sun Herald
BILOXI -- Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant Biloxi announced Tuesday it will break ground on a new hotel in the spring and estimates that construction will be completed in the spring of 2015.
The new hotel will feature 250 rooms -- 170 deluxe rooms and 80 two- and three-bedroom suites. In mid-2013, city officials heard the company expected to spend $50 million to $60 million on the hotel tower, though on Tuesday company officials would not give an estimate of the total investment.
In addition, Margaritaville will become one of the first resort properties to offer timeshare units.
"Margaritaville Biloxi will be making a considerable investment in creating a resort destination the likes of which Biloxi has never seen," said Doug Shipley, president and CEO. "The addition of timeshares to our hotel will attract a whole new type of customer; one that's not currently visiting the Biloxi area. It truly is an exciting opportunity for our city."
The city has plans to extend Back Bay Boulevard to Fifth Street, it announced at a council meeting in August. Officials at the time expressed hope the $5 million from the Mississippi Development Authority to complete Phase I of the road construction would prompt casino development in the area.
In addition to the hotel, Margaritaville Casino Biloxi announced Tuesday it will expand and completely renovate the casino floor, adding meeting space and a resort-style pool and spa. The property will also create a new buffet, and introduce a steakhouse with a view of the Biloxi Bay waterfront.
Along with the renovations and expansions, Margaritaville Biloxi will re-engineer the marina to provide more enhanced and secure overnight docking accommodations, as well as developing a one-of-a-kind bayfront resort pool and pool bar with outdoor gaming.
"We want to bring Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville state of mind into a state of being," said Stacey McKay, vice president of marketing. "That's what we're building here. A resort that lives up to the brand that is beloved around the world."
Cuningham Group was selected to be the designer and architect of the new project. The McDonnel Group of New Orleans has been selected as the general contractor. Both companies are known for their award-winning designs and resort development projects.