Oneida Indian Nation Celebrates the Arrival of the First Phase of the $400 Million Turning Stone Evolution – Grand Opening of Luxury Hotel, The Crescent, and Fine-Dining Restaurant, Salt

Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (June 17, 2026) – The Oneida Indian Nation celebrated the completion of the first phase of the historic $400 million Turning Stone Evolution today – a monumental development project that includes a new luxury hotel, The Crescent, signature fine-dining restaurant, Salt, and Rome Health Convenient Care at Turning Stone, a health center for team members, their families, guests and the greater community.

The grand opening celebration brought together Oneida Indian Nation leadership, elected officials, business and tourism leaders and community representatives as the Turning Stone Evolution ushers in a new state of luxury in Upstate New York. In grand fashion, a toast of traditional Oneida strawberry drink was raised to commemorate the evolution and Turning Stone’s transformation into New York’s Largest and Meetings and Convention resort, a transformation that will be complete come Labor Day when the resort opens The Grand Expo, doubling its event space to 225,000 square feet.

“Today, the first phase of the vision for the Turning Stone Evolution comes to life,” said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises CEO. “It is our boldest yet and a generational investment into the resort and our region. It represents our unwavering commitment to expanding economic development and creating new opportunities with our partners. And yet this is not an ending. It is a new foundation upon which together we will build even greater things for all of Upstate New York.”

The Crescent, the resort’s fourth hotel on property features 258 refined guest rooms decorated with modern textures, furniture and luxury amenities. The hotel provides seamless access to Turning Stone Resort Casino’s world-class spas and wellness programs, restaurants, entertainment, golf and gaming. The first floor of the hotel is home to a new grab-and-go café, The Pantry, and Oneida Sky, a heritage shop featuring handmade crafts, artistry, jewelry and products by Members of the Oneida Indian Nation. The Crescent Park, a beautifully designed natural landscape with waterfalls, flowers, shrubs and sculptures honoring the Oneida Indian Nation’s Wolf, Bear and Turtle clans welcomes guests upon arrival. Reservations for The Crescent can be madehere.

Salt, which spans the entire seventh floor of The Crescent, stands out among restaurants in the Northeast and rivals the best restaurants in the world. Officially opening on July 22, the restaurant is the finest of both a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant with two expansive terraces for three-season outdoor dining. The views welcome in and celebrate the beauty of the Mohawk Valley. The restaurant’s four private dining rooms provide unique experiences for plated group dining. A menu filled with elevated items embodies the definition of upstate luxury that will feel accessible in a vibrant environment. Legendary restaurant developer and strategist, Elizabeth Blau, known for shaping top dining destinations in Las Vegas and across the world, was brought in to develop the Salt experience. The full menu can be viewed and reservations can be made on Salt’s website.

“I can tell you with confidence: Salt stands apart from anything else in the Northeast, and it rivals the best dining rooms in the world,” said Elizabeth Blau, Blau Founder and CEO. “This is not my first time working with Turning Stone, and every time what strikes me is the caliber of talent here–and more than that, the culture. This is a team that treats hospitality as a craft.”

“The bar for the entire Turning Stone Evolution has been set higher than we ever thought it could be,” said AnneMarie Czyz, Rome Health President and CEO. “It is a dream come true to be able to provide convenient, flexible, high-quality care closer to where people live, work and play to serve Turning Stone Enterprises team members, resort guests and our entire community.”

“Oneida County is moving like no other in Upstate New York,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. “The amount of investment in the last five years totals in the billions. It begins here with the Oneida Indian Nation and spreads out. That’s something no other community can say for every type of business and industry, and the Turning Stone Evolution may put us in the same class as New York City for tourism spending.”

“Many leaders can talk about doing something bold. Sometimes it seems impossible,” said Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Cunningham. “But it’s been done by the Oneida Indian Nation in this region through countless investments and now, the Turning Stone Evolution.”

“Not only have you made our economy stronger, but you have helped reinvigorate this region after challenging days,” said New York State Senator Joseph Griffo. “We are so grateful for this partnership and what we see here in this $400 million investment is that you continue to make Turning Stone a top destination – something that is so important for all who live here and all who visit.”

“Today we recognize not just the expansion of Turning Stone, but continued growth and innovation, as well as confidence in our community and this region,” said Verona Town Supervisor Scott Musacchio. “This moment is so meaningful because it means new jobs, living wages, lifelong careers, opportunities for young people and new energy in our economy.”

For photos of The Crescent and Salt click here.

About the Oneida Indian Nation

The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Nation’s enterprises, which employ more than 5,000 people, include Turning Stone Resort Casino, YBR Casino & Sports Book, Point Place Casino, The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, The Cove at Sylvan Beach, Maple Leaf Markets, SāvOn Convenience stores, Verona Collective, a seed-to-sale cannabis operation, RV Park, and marinas. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation’s economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members.