Yates Construction, based in Philadelphia, MS, and Tishman Construction of New Jersey, with offices in Newark and Atlantic City, will collaborate to manage construction of the massive expansion program. The companies teamed up in the same capacity for the original 4.95-million-sf hotel property, which opened just over two years ago and cost $1.1 billion. Joint-venture architects Bower Lewis Thrower and Cope Linder Associates are designing both expansion phases.

Work on the first phase is starting immediately, comprising a low-rise wing attached to the property's existing low-rise section. At a cost of $200 million, it will add casino space, two nightclubs, retail space and several restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck Café, Bobby Flay Steak and Michael Mina Seablue, according to Borgata officials. The phase is expected to be ready to open by mid-2006.

The second and larger phase will consist of an 830,000-sf tower and 1,600-car parking garage that will add 800 guestrooms, including 100 suites to the property. The 40-story tower, which will connect to the properties existing casino, will also include indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and fitness center, additional meeting space and more retail shops. With a price tag of $347 million, it will start construction during Q1 of 2006, with completion targeted for late 2007.