Developers are underway on a $1 billion expansion project at a resort and casino in the Bay Area. 

Graton Resort & Casino — owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in Rohnert Park, California — will see upgrades to its hotel, casino and amenities, and will also get parking structure enhancements. 

The project team, including developer ECL Development LLC, architect Bergman Walls & Associates and general contractor SMC Contracting Inc., broke ground on the expansion project last week, according to a press release obtained by Hotel Dive. 

The first phase of the project, slated for completion in 2025, will build a five-story parking structure with solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations. 

Subsequent project phases will be dedicated to a new five-story hotel wing with 200 rooms — double the property’s current hotel room count — and a 144,000-square-foot casino floor expansion featuring 2,000 new slot machines, a new poker room and a rooftop restaurant. The resort and casino also will get a new sports bar, expanded swimming pool area and a 3,500-seat theater.

“We’ve been working on these plans for several years, and we’re excited to create new job opportunities here in Sonoma County,” said Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris. The expansion project will employ 2,000 temporary construction workers and create 600 permanent Graton Resort & Casino jobs, the release detailed. 

Currently, Graton Resort & Casino features 200 hotel rooms, 20,000 square feet of event space, 3,000 slots and more than 120 live table games within its casino, plus various restaurants and amenities, including a spa.