The Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut, US – owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority – is set for a 1.4 million sq ft (130,000sq m) expansion costing US$740m (£391m, 577m euro).

The scheme, dubbed Project Horizon, will comprise a new 1,000-bedroom House of Blues hotel – owned and operated by Mohegan Sun – featuring a 20,000sq ft (1,860sq m) Mandara Spa and a 6,000sq ft (560sq m) Kids Quest II childcare centre. The hotel will be completed in spring 2010.

Additional facilities at the resort include a 1,500-capacity House of Blues Music Hall featuring live music, a 300-seat restaurant and a poker room. Both venues are expected to open in autumn 2009.

An additional 115,000sq ft (10,360sq m) of restaurant space will comprise a 200-seat Japanese restaurant; a 175-seat American contemporary restaurant; a 200-seat family-style Italian restaurant and a 90-seat Burger Bar as well as three quick-serve food outlets.

A further 40,430sq ft (3,700sq m) of retail space will house a 30,000sq ft (2,800sq m) adult recreation lounge featuring bowling and billiards. The joint restaurant and retail area is slated to open in fall 2009.

Project Horizon will also include a new 64,000sq ft (5,900sq m) Casino of the Wind with 42,000sq ft (3,900sq m) of gaming space housing more than 900 slot machines, 10 table games and a House of Blues themed poker room with 45 tables, operated by Mohegan Sun. The new casino is expected to open in spring 2008.

The existing Casino of the Earth will gain a new Asian gaming area featuring a 5,000sq ft (465sq m) bus lobby, a 4,000sq ft (370sq m) Hong Kong Street themed food outlet and a 12,000sq ft (1,100sq m) gaming floor offering 46 table games such as Baccarat, Sic Bo and Pai Gow Poker. The area is scheduled to open in summer 2007.

Architects Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) designed Mohegan Sun’s exterior, and the Rockwell Group designed the new gaming space, hotel lobby, retail and dining areas. Las Vegas-based restaurant planning and development firm Elizabeth Blau & Associates will oversee the dining outlets.

Construction on the new hotel and casino will begin in summer 2007.

Bruce Bozsum, Mohegan Tribe chair, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil the next phase of our evolution. The future of the Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Sun shines bright, as we continue to develop as an overall entertainment destination and position Mohegan Sun as an industry leader. Our Project Horizon will further expand upon our cultural heritage and traditions to offer our customers a spectacular, one-of-a-kind experience in the north east.”

Mohegan Sun is a 240-acre (97-hectare) entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destination located along the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut, US. Details: www.mohegansun.com