Peppermill Expands * Reno Nevada Casino adds $230 Million to Reno Property

The Peppermill Hotel Casino, on of Reno's premier casino properies, has outlined plans for a $230 million expansion project that promises bring the feel of Las Vegas resort properties to Northern Nevada.

The Tuscan-themed expansion, slated to open in late 2007, will have several components including a 600 room all-suite hotel tower, a 50,000 square foot clear-span convention and entertainment center, a new pool and entertainment area, a new 1,610 space parking garage, a luxurious spa and salon, a large grand entrance and porte cochere, and a new 10,000 square foot, two-story nightclub. In addition, many existing areas of the Peppermill, including the tower rooms and hotel lobby, will be remodeled and updated to match the Tuscan design theme of the new buildings.

The expansion will center on a new 17-story glass hotel tower which will offer Peppermill guests stunning mountain and city views. The tower's 600 elegantly appointed Tuscan-themed suites will be available in a variety of floor plans, featuring upscale amenities such as foyers, large plasma screen televisions in both the living and bath areas and oversized marble bathrooms with separate water closet, shower and whirlpool tub. The Peppermill will have 1,700 guest rooms upon completion of the expansion.

With the addition of the 50,000 square foot convention and entertainment center the Peppermill will be able to offer 90,000 total square feet of convention and meeting space. The new clear-span structure will be able to accommodate 276 10X10 trade show booths, banquet seating for 3,000 and concert seating for 4,000, and it will also be equipped with a state-of-the-art audio-visual system suitable for an array of events, including headliner concerts.

The new pool and entertainment area will offer a beautiful Tuscan-styled oasis for Peppermill guests. Situated between the existing Peppermill hotel towers and the new all-suite tower, the pool and entertainment area will feature private cabanas, a poolside area that may be reserved for special events, and light and fountain shows choreographed to music for poolside entertainment. The cabana level rooms on the first floor of the new hotel tower will open directly onto the pool deck, as will a new espresso bar and restaurant located by the convention center.

The new 10,000 square foot spa and salon will be a luxurious retreat for Peppermill hotel guests and locals alike. The salon will be Tuscan-themed, offering an array of spa treatments for men and women, a full-service hair salon and a full specialty nail salon. There will be a convenient parking and a special entrance to the spa so local guests may enter without passing through the casino.

The new parking garage will increase Peppermill's parking capacity by 1,610 spaces, offering speed ramps for more convenient access and an enclosed skyway connected to the main hotel tower and check-in area. In addition to the parking garage the Peppermill's entrance will get a face-lift with the construction of a new grand entrance and eight-lane porte cochere. The casino will expand into the area occupied by the existing porte cochere, increasing in size by 14,000 square feet.

The addition of a new 10,000 square foot nightclub will bring Las Vegas style nightlife to the Reno area. The two-story club will build on the Fireside Lounge theme, complete with poolside fire pits, water features and light shows. A 10,000 square foot arcade will also be added to the expansion area. The arcade will feature an interactive game rooms and the latest in video game technology.

Other aspects of the expansion project include moving Romanza Ristorante Italiano to a new and bigger location in the new hotel tower, adjacent to the convention center; remodeling the hotel lobby area, adding escalators that will lead up to a new mezzanine area on the second floor; and the addition of new retail outlets in the hotel lobby area.

The Peppermill expansion is a fantastic plan that shows the confidence Peppermill's management has in the Reno market. Peppermill Director of Casino Marketing Bill Hughes says, "Our owners have always been very committed to the Reno-Sparks area and to providing an outstanding experience for our guests. We're very excited about this expansion, and we believe it will be a great addition to the Reno marketplace."

With this project the Peppermill will truly set the standard for hotel casinos in northern Nevada. A luxurious resort property, the new Peppermill will be on the same level as the luxurious hotel resorts found in Las Vegas and other major tourist destinations, and it is a project the people of Reno will be proud to have in their community.