The former Heinz plant on the Back Bay in East Biloxi, Mississippi is one step closer to becoming the Biloxi Boardwalk Resort and Casino. Owner Chris Ferrara recently entered into an agreement with Warner Hospitality to develop and manage the property, which will include a casino, 300-room hotel and conference center. Warner Hospitality President William Warner was an executive at Station Casinos for 15 years before founding Warner Gaming.
Ferrara said the agreement with Warner will add credibility and help complete financing for the project.
“In searching for the right management company, I felt as though Warner Hospitality was the best fit for this project. Warner and his extensive team have a deep background in gaming and resort development and management, and they will certainly assist in bringing this project to the next level,” said Ferrara, president of Ferrara Fire Apparatus, owner of the Biloxi Boardwalk Marina and the Hook Up Restaurant and one of the largest land owners in Biloxi.
Added Warner, “We are pleased to be working with Mr. Ferrara in developing a casino and resort like no other Biloxi has seen.”
Warner Entertainment manages Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and is developing Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City, Iowa. The company also manages and is overseeing development of casinos in New Mexico, Nevada, California and Washington.
Also in Biloxi, the rebranding of the Grand Casino into Harrah’s Gulf Coast this spring will feature the recreation of celebrity chef Kelly English’s Memphis restaurant, Magnolia House. English, a James Beard Award semifinalist who was named Best New Chef by Food & Wine Magazine, said his Biloxi restaurant will have intimate dining rooms in a home-like setting, where guests can dine in the living room, wine cellar, bar or sun porch. Magnolia House will present English’s signature surf and turf stuffed with Gulf oysters along with new dishes based on Gulf Coast cuisine.
