Halifax casino folds on downtown location, bets on new Dartmouth facility

Casino Nova Scotia is relocating to Dartmouth, leaving questions about what will replace the space it’s held on the Halifax waterfront for 25 years.

The new casino facility in Dartmouth Crossing — located near the IKEA on Cutler Avenue — is expected to open in 2029. The province announced on Wednesday that the casino’s downtown location will continue operating during construction of the new facility.

The province didn’t indicate what’s planned for the waterfront property, but Rachel Boomer, a spokesperson for the Finance and Treasury Board, said, “It’s a good opportunity to maximize the value out of the downtown location for taxpayers, and also create a new and modern facility in Dartmouth.

“In the contract, we have an option to purchase the land for what’s called nominal consideration, so we buy it for a dollar and then we sell the downtown land,” said Boomer.

Patron Greg Sutton, who’s been coming to the Halifax location since it opened, said he’ll go to the casino less once it moves to Dartmouth.

“It’s a little better for folks in that area. But for us, it means an Uber ride over, and an Uber ride back,” he said. “Maybe I’ll go every once in a while, but it’s not going to be frequent.”

Great Canadian Entertainment, owner of Casino Nova Scotia Halifax, will build, own and operate the new Dartmouth casino. The company operates 22 casinos across Canada, including the province’s only other casino in Sydney. 

In a news release, Great Canadian said the new casino “will redefine entertainment and economic opportunity in the region, and establish a new tourism anchor in Nova Scotia.”

Great Canadian wouldn’t comment on when construction will begin on the new facility. 

The provincial government receives revenue from casino operations and expects to take home “about the same” amount from the new location, according to Boomer, who said the province won’t financially contribute to construction. 

The casino’s current property at 1983 Upper Water St. — adjacent to the long-awaited Cogswell interchange development — has an assessment value of almost $48.6 million according to property records. 

“The Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) never likes to see a business relocate/leave Downtown. However, in this case, especially with the new Cogswell District — it opens a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Jayme Lynn Butt, communications manager for the DHBC, in a statement to The Signal.

CBRE Halifax — a commercial real estate firm — will list the building for sale in the coming weeks, the province said. No plans for the waterfront property have been released, but Great Canadian said the province will “sell the property to a third party for the best possible value.”

In 2024, the DHBC released a report with 18 priorities downtown Halifax “needs to have” by 2030 to “thrive.” Butt said some of the priorities, like a 1,500-seat performing arts centre, new location for the art gallery, permanent outdoor public event space or connected transportation hub, “would fit perfectly in this space.”

Boomer said the province has been in talks to sell the downtown land for at least 10 years, but is selling now because it’s the right time.  

The opportunity came “to sell the land for development and create something new on the Halifax waterfront,” she said. 

The sale was discussed in cabinet, but Boomer said talks are confidential, and wouldn’t reveal why the government decided it was time to sell.