River Spirit Casino Begins Construction On $365M Expansion

Construction is rolling along on the river as crews are working on a $365 million expansion at River Spirit Casino.

The new resort will transform the south Tulsa skyline, and we were able to get a sneak-peek at what it will look like when it's complete.

The Arkansas River is the lifeblood of Tulsa, and now it's the focus of a local casino's expansion.

"When phase two is completed the Muscogee Creek Nation will have invested $600 million in riverfront development here," said Pat Crofts with Muscogee Creek Nation Casinos.

Crews are moving in dirt over 14-acres behind the River Spirit Casino at 81st and Riverside.

The new development will host a 27-story luxury hotel tower with close to 500 rooms, a new resort style pool, Riverside Jogging trail, a 3,000-seat theater venue, an additional 1,500 parking spaces and of course the highly anticipated Margaritaville.

It's a project that's been in the works for a while.

"We've waited about a year or two to get our permit and we wanted the world to know we're ready, building now,” Crofts said.

10/15/2014 Related Story: Creek Nation, River Spirit Casino Approved To Continue Margaritaville Expansion

Now they are ready to build as another development near the river gets underway as well.

“Between that and what's going on with the Gathering Place we hope that this is you know a multiplier for things to happen up and down the river," said Crofts.

The Creek Nation said construction should take about two years.