Parx Casino has purchased an existing Bensalem hotel, which it plans to renovate and open sometime in 2025, leaving unanswered questions about the original plans for a luxury hotel on the complex property approved last year.
Parx's parent company, Greenwood Racing Inc., announced Monday the purchase of The Inn at Fox Chase, 3327 Street Road a little more than a half mile from the casino and racetrack complex, also on Street Road. A sale price was not disclosed.
Bucks County property records show an entity called IHM Bensalem LLC purchased the 4.7-acre hotel property last June for $13.75 million.
The 167-room hotel will be upgraded through an extensive renovation project over the next six to 12 months, according to a Parx press release. The renovations will include updates to guest rooms and public areas as well as the transformation of the top floor of the hotel into 16 all-new suites.
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Upon completion of the renovations, the hotel will be rebranded, though a name has not yet been announced, according to the release.
The hotel will remain open throughout the renovation process and current reservations and group bookings will be honored. Current employees of The Inn at Fox Chase will have an opportunity to stay on the new hotel owner as part of the transition.
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What does the purchase of the Inn at Fox Chase mean for Parx approved plans for a new luxury hotel?
Parx previously announced its long-anticipated plans to build a 13-story hotel with 300 rooms, a 14,000-square foot banquet hall, day spa, and a rooftop restaurant on the casino grounds with groundbreaking set for late 2023, and a 2025 opening. The hotel would include a walkway connecting it to the existing casino.
Parx representatives presented renderings to Bensalem Council in March 2023, but township officials heard nothing more about plans to build after approving the plans. It’s not uncommon for development projects to stall after receiving approvals, officials said.
Parx moved one of its casino restaurants to make way for the hotel. The space where it was remains empty, according to Bensalem Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo.
On Monday, DiGirolamo said his understanding is that Greenwood still intends to build the original hotel on the casino grounds at some point, but that they wanted a hotel in the interim.
The most recent hotel owner had renovations done, but Greenwood would need to submit plans for additional changes, DiGirolamo said. Those renovation plans would be reviewed by the township's professional staff, which will sign off on them. Council approval is not necessary, he said.
A Greenwood Racing spokeswoman did not immediately respond Monday to emailed questioned about the sale and any plans for a second hotel at the casino complex.
In recent years, Parx added the Xcite Center, bringing music, comedy acts, psychic mediums and more to Bucks County. The 30,000 square-foot entertainment venue is inside the casino.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Parx Casino not waiting to build its hotel. Instead it bought this one in Bensalem
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