North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction is progressing rapidly on the $1 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, N.C., where crews have marked significant milestones in the first year of development. The resort, located just off Interstate 85 about 35 miles west of Charlotte and near the South Carolina border, is on track to transform into one of the region’s largest entertainment destinations.
The general contractor is the joint venture Yates‑Metcon, comprised of Yates Construction Company and Metcon Buildings & Infrastructure. The team was tapped to oversee the construction of the entire resort, including the casino, hotel, parking garage, restaurants, and event venue.
The Catawba Nation reports that foundational work for the expansive casino and hotel complex was completed months ago. Steel is now rising for the 24-story, 385-room hotel, which currently stands at 10 stories, with new floors being added nearly weekly. Once completed, the hotel will connect directly to the casino.
The casino complex has already reached its full height and is now expanding horizontally. The structure will ultimately include:
- An introductory casino on the ground floor
- Three levels of covered parking
- A back-of-house level
- A top-level main casino floor with restaurants
The introductory casino is scheduled to open in spring 2026
It will replace the temporary pre-launch casino currently operating on-site, which will celebrate its fourth anniversary on July 1. That facility has steadily grown in popularity since its opening.
The main casino complex, slated to open in 2027, will span approximately 2 million square feet and include:
- 4,300 slot machines
- 100 table games
- 11 dining outlets, including a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, food marketplace, café, and grab-and-go options
- 11 bars, including a center bar and sports bar
- A player’s lounge
- A 2,700-space parking garage below the casino and 800 surface parking spaces
Construction has already generated hundreds of jobs, and once complete, the resort is expected to employ 2,200 regional workers, including members of the Catawba Nation.
“This casino resort will be an economic game changer for Catawba citizens and a force to drive the economy of Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain,” said Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris. “This project is a testament to our resilience, our commitment to self-sufficiency, and our determination to build a better future for ourselves and our future generations.”
The temporary casino is already contributing to community and charitable causes in the region, with those contributions expected to increase as the permanent resort comes online.
Project leadership includes the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority under Vice President Trent Troxel, with Yates-Metcon as general contractor, Delaware North serving as the gaming and hospitality consultant, and SOSHNY Design as the architectural team.
Infrastructure work supporting the casino development has also progressed. Two key upgrades—doubling the size of the Dixon School Road Bridge over I-85 and installing new sewer lines near the casino—have been completed and funded by the Catawba Nation.