Silverton’s $120 million expansion to open this week

By Ashley Livingston

Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008 | midnight

As employees bustled around preparing for the grand opening of the Silverton Casino Lodge's new Starbucks, resort President Craig Cavileer discussed the construction of a fountain centerpiece in the $750,000 coffee shop.

"We've made the most over-designed Starbucks in the country," he said with a smile.

Scheduled to open prior to Thanksgiving, alongside the other new amenities included in the Silverton's $160 million expansion, Starbucks' granite table tops, golden orb chandelier and tile-bedecked fountain set a tone of elegance that is carried throughout the new space.

Occupying the new expansion are 800 new gaming machines, a center bar, gaming rooms, and a parking garage that Cavileer said put the Silverton, which is owned by businessman Ed Roski Jr., on a level playing field with other off-Strip casinos.

Cavileer said the expansion will add about 40 employees to the hotel-casino's 800-person workforce.

Despite ringing in the new amenities in a climate of economic downturn, Cavileer remains hopeful. He said a new marketing campaign featuring the new amenities is set to begin soon.

It will celebrate the Silverton's new tagline, "That's living lodge," a play off of the casual but upscale atmosphere of the property, he said.

Two new casual restaurants, Lucianos and Tommy Rocket, are next to the new Starbucks.

In an effort to avoid the food court counter look, Cavalier said they were designed in such a way to favor more of a sit-down experience.

Across a sea of new state-of-the art machines are the chandelier-lit high-limit room and a poker room featuring six plasma televisions.

Set to open in time for Christmas visitors is a new center bar that Cavileer said will feature 240 3-foot-tall chandeliers with changing LED lights.

Aiding in guests' arrival to the casino is the new 1,500-space, $29 million parking garage complete with a valet waiting room with air conditioning, couches and television.

When asked how many of those guests are filling up hotel rooms this year as opposed to last year, Cavileer said the hotel is fine.

"We're holding up close to last year," he said, "We're packaging different incentives."

The 300-room property has, however, put on indefinite hold plans for a new hotel tower that would have added 375 rooms.

But that doesn't mean construction on the property is finished.

A new 70,000-square-foot pool and entertainment area is in the works, Cavileer said.

When the project is complete, the area should be able to accommodate concert crowds upwards of 2,000 people, he said.

Ashley Livingston can be reached at 990-8925 or [email protected].