Gaming and Leisure Properties to Acquire Land and Fund Hard Costs of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia

Core Viewpoint - Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) has announced the acquisition of real estate in Petersburg, Virginia, for the development of Live! Casino and Hotel Virginia, marking an expansion of its relationship with The Cordish Companies at an accretive cap rate of 8.0% [1][2] Group 1: Transaction Details - GLPI will acquire land for $27 million and fund $440 million in hard costs for the project, with the cap rate on both transactions set at 8.0% [1][2] - The land purchase is expected to be funded in Q1 2026, while the remaining financing will be drawn from H2 2026 to Q1 2028 [2] - During construction, Cordish will pay rent on the drawn funding, which will escalate by 1.75% per annum after the first anniversary of the casino's opening [2] Group 2: Project Overview - Live! Virginia will be a $600 million project located on a 98-acre site, part of a larger $1.4 billion development that includes hotels, retail, dining, and residential features [3] - The permanent casino facility is anticipated to open in late 2027, featuring an 80,000 sq. ft. casino, 1,440 slots, 84 tables, and various amenities including a concert venue and conference center [4] Group 3: Strategic Importance - This acquisition represents GLPI's fourth property with The Cordish Companies, enhancing its geographic diversification and strengthening its portfolio [2][5] - The project will mark GLPI's entry into Virginia, expanding its presence to 21 states and reinforcing its partnership with a proven tenant [5]