CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA Following record snowfall in February that caused a casino roof to partially cave in, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is planning a US$52 million renovation to repair the gaming area and construct a new hotel tower.
The project will add 100 suites to the 350-key resort, which is owned by Cherokee Nation Entertainment. The new hotel tower will also include 10,000 sq. ft. of dining and entertainment space and 45,000 sq. ft. of gaming space. The development will occur within the footprint of the snow-collapsed casino.
David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Entertainment, tells Cherokee Phoenix that the hotel addition is needed to meet soaring occupancy rates that have lately exceeded 90%. The recent opening of The Joint, a 2,700-seat music venue, has helped drive demand.
Construction is expected to begin this month, with completion scheduled for this time next year. Once completed, the property will be the largest hotel in the Tulsa metropolitan area.