Our team supported the establishment of Live! Casino and Hotel in Philadelphia with structural and site/civil engineering services, helping transform a former hotel site into a major gaming, hospitality, and entertainment destination that accommodated approximately 2 million square feet of program area.
KCI contributed to the project’s successful delivery by engineering key structural elements, including long-span framing that allows for large, open interior spaces within the gaming and event areas. Our team designed structural support to integrate the signature architectural features such as an undulating steel ribbon that unifies the parking structure, casino, and hotel tower. These elements required complex framing solutions to accommodate their curved geometry and varying attachment points across the building facade and roof levels. Key structural elements included the single-column porte cochere with 155-foot plate girder spans at the main entrance, a free-standing, 160-foot, 3D truss arch entrance feature on the 10th street entrance, and variable size event space on the 2nd level.
In addition to structural design, KCI provided comprehensive site and civil engineering services, including utility coordination, roadway and access improvements, and stormwater management strategies suited to challenging site conditions. The team developed solutions that supported shallow foundations, managed runoff without overloading surrounding infrastructure, and incorporated low-impact development features such as a three-cre green roof, micro bio-retention facilities, and permeable paving.
Through integrated coordination across disciplines, the project was completed as a functional, flexible, and recognizable entertainment complex. The facility now brings together gaming, dining, live performances, and hotel accommodations in a highly visible urban setting that attracts both local residents and visitors.
