Harrah's, teaming with Jimmy Buffett, has penciled summer 2010for the grand opening. Harrah's obtained the property at 195 BeachBlvd. in a property and license swap last summer with PinnacleEntertainment Inc. A spokesman for the Las Vegas-based Harrah'ssays the project will include renovation of the existing hotelrooms and an addition of 420 rooms.

The first phase will include a 100,000-sf casino, full-servicespa and 66,000 sf of meeting space. Harrah's is partnering as wellwith Simon Property Group Inc. to develop 250,000 sf of retailspace on the site as well. The Indianapolis-based developer plansto bring a similar concept as its Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace inLas Vegas to Biloxi.

The Harrah's spokesman says the Margaritaville Casino &Resort represents the single largest investment in the state sinceHurricane Katrina. "Margaritaville Casino & Resort representsHarrah's ongoing commitment to, and vision for, Biloxi, the tourismindustry in Mississippi, and the regeneration of the entire GulfCoast," Charles Atwood, Harrah's vice chairman, says in a pressrelease about the project. "We are pleased that Simon PropertyGroup, the largest retail real estate company in North America,will be partnering with us to deliver such a significant retaildevelopment to the Gulf Coast area."