New amenities open ahead of schedule at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

DOVER, Del. — Dover Downs Hotel & Casino announces the early opening of several outlets in the company’s Phase VI casino expansion plan, named The Colonnade. Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House, Sweet Perks Too, Fire & Ice at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and more than 500 slot machines will be fully operational and opened to the public on July 10 beginning at 10 a.m. Two more restaurants and four retail outlets are scheduled to open in late summer.

The $56 million expansion began in May 2007 and was originally projected for completion in fall 2008. Friedmutter Group is the principal architect and T.N. Ward Company is the construction manager. Both companies are industry leaders in casino and hotel design and construction, having worked on previous projects at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, as well as an extensive list of properties in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

“We are absolutely thrilled to open the doors to The Colonnade two months ahead of schedule,” said Ed Sutor, president and CEO of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. “The Colonnade has generated a buzz not only among our customers, but also around the community and with our employees as well. Through our research and resulting product mix, we feel confident that we are delivering a unique and compelling dining, entertainment and leisure experience. When you add the amenities of The Colonnade together with our 500 room Four Diamond hotel, luxurious Toppers Spa/Salon, great casino action, harness racing and headline entertainment, we feel that Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is strongly positioned as a premier Mid-Atlantic gaming and entertainment resort destination.”

The 68,000-square-foot expansion project includes a new grand casino entrance with large porte-cochere, four valet parking lanes and a fountain to match the hotel’s entrance. A glass vestibule opens to a two-story, sky-lit atrium featuring hand-lain marble and granite floors. The atrium lobby extends to an orbital walkway with a gazebo at each corner, accentuated with bronze domes and distinctive European-designed chandeliers. Rotunda ceilings are highlighted with trompe l’oeil skies by artist Michael Irvin, whose work is showcased in hotels and casinos in Japan, Canada, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

The new casino space features more than 500 slot machines in some of the latest reel, video, multi-denominational and progressive game formats on the market in penny, nickel, quarter, $1 and $5 denominations. Modern, adjustable seats provide added comfort, and additional cashiers, ticket redemption kiosks, cash machines, a player’s card duplicator, free beverage stations, informational LCD screens, smoking areas and touchfree restrooms have been integrated throughout the new spaces. The Capital ClubŪ player’s club and the Security station were upgraded, repositioned and operational in mid May.

The first of three planned restaurants to open is Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House, operated by Dave Magrogan Group which owns several highly-successful restaurant concepts in Pennsylvania, including Kildare’s Irish Pubs . Doc Magrogan’s features a vintage-style atmosphere evocative of 1920’s seaside oyster houses with a raw bar selection of clams, mussels, crab, lobster, shrimp and oysters flown in fresh daily from around the world. A broad variety of oysters are shucked and prepared to order including Atlantic Blue Point, Malpeque, Wellfleet, Wareham Cove, Kumamoto, Olde Salt, and Rappahannock River. Doc Magrogan’s serves the finest hand-crafted beers and offers a superior selection of wines. A varied menu of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees and burgers complement daily specials like Buck-a-Shuck Mondays, ‘80s Ladies Thursdays and Sunday Blues Brunch.

The new casino lounge - Fire & Ice at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino seats 200 and features both a fully-stocked bar and an inner lounge with dance floor and performance stage. The unique circular bar is surrounded by glass panels highlighted by dynamic lighting displays. A 6’ crystal sculpture at the bar’s core uses LED imagery to mimic fire melting ice. The bar is equipped with 35 HDTVs which broadcast the latest headline news and sporting events; broadcasts will include the full NFL Ticket beginning this fall. An enormous 24’ by 15’ screen lowers from the ceiling for high definition projection during major sporting events. The inner casino lounge has Las Vegas influences with a dance floor, performance stage and comfortable seating including an intimate VIP area with sofa seating. A variety of live performances are featured on Friday and Saturday nights. The Marvelettes will be the first headline act to appear on July 11 and 12 with shows each evening at 9:30 and 11:00.

Sweet Perks Too serves gourmet coffees, lattes, cappuccinos and hot or cold specialty drinks. Also served are oversized muffins, brownies, cheesecake, housemade Gelato and other desserts, fresh juices, fruits and a selection of grab-and-go salads, wraps, soups and sandwiches.

More establishments are expected to open in late summer including Public House restaurant which serves All-American fare, Marabella’s Italian restaurant, Fashions of The Colonnade featuring designer apparel and accessories, Godiva Chocolatier, Swarovski Crystal, and The Colonnade Marketplace which will carry a line of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino logoed apparel, accessories and collectibles.