UNCASVILLE, CONN.—During a press conference last week attended by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Mohegan Sun executives shared details on a second hotel being added to the flagship property in Uncasville, Conn. The seven-story, 400-room Earth Hotel will allow for an opportunity to recapture the almost 500,000 roomnights turned away in 2014.
At the event, Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe remarked on the Tribe’s commitment to the state, “Many of you here today, I’m sure, can remember when the Mohegan Tribal Nation first entertained the notion of developing a casino and entertainment complex in Uncasville. Since that time, we have invested well over a billion dollars that has made the tourism industry sit up and take notice. We take very seriously our role in Connecticut’s tourism industry and economic welfare.”
Mitchell Etess, CEO for the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA), added that, “The Earth Hotel could not come at a better time as we position ourselves for the increased regional competition.” , and ensure that we continue to be the premier entertainment and gaming destination on the East Coast. Many team members here have been working tirelessly on this project for a long time. It’s exciting to see their efforts come to fruition.”
Many Jobs Will Be Created
While the $120 million project is exciting for Mohegan Sun, the hotel project is welcomed news for the local tourism industry and state as it will help to continue to draw people to southeastern Connecticut, while also preserving and creating new jobs.
More than 1,000 construction and permanent jobs are anticipated to be created or retained because of the hotel project. Roughly an additional 1,200 indirect jobs will be created and/or retained for suppliers helping to service the project.
Modeled after the existing Sky Hotel design, the Earth Hotel reflects the Tribe’s sensitivity to the natural landscape and pays homage to the geological and natural forms present on the property’s riverfront site.
Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF) out of New York is the architectural firm of record. KPF was also the master architect for Mohegan Sun’s existing 1,200-room Sky Hotel which opened in 2002. A/Z Corp., with headquarters locally in North Stonington, Conn., has been hired as general contractor for the project and has a long history of various completed projects at Mohegan Sun.
The Earth Hotel is anticipated to open in fall of 2016.
Go to Mohegan Sun.
