The nation of Georgia's largest development partnership has teamed up with a pair of US-based businessmen to announce the creation of an entertainment and leisure company – Iconic Entertainment.

The Georgia partnership – formed by Orbi Group and Block Group – has joined Mark Advent, founder and creator of Las Vegas casino New York-New York, and Bill Allen, former chairman and CEO of Bloomin' Brands, to pursue casino, hotel, entertainment and leisure developments in Tbilisi and Batumi, Georgia.

The developments in Georgia are part of an initial phase of projects as the partners consider larger international opportunities.

The group's first project – a 1,400-room luxury integrated resort and retail centre on Kazbegi Avenue, Tbilisi – is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in Spring 2025. The property will feature a 40,000ft² casino and a 20,000ft² entertainment and multi-purpose venue that will host a calendar of concerts and private events.

Iconic Entertainment will soon be announcing a portfolio of new integrated resorts in Batumi as it further expands the seaport resort destination.

Iconic Entertainment – jointly owned by Orbi, Block, Advent and Allen, with offices in 25 countries – is finalising licensing agreements with a number of entertainment and lifestyle brands and will soon announce plans to launch its initial line-up of experiential and lifestyle resort development projects in Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, Las Vegas in the US, and other gateway markets.

Mark Advent commented: "We are all committed to creating casino, hotel, leisure and entertainment destinations that will raise the bar and usher in a new era of "must-see" experiential experiences with global appeal."

Major hotel groups such as Accor and Radisson have recently opened hotels in the growing market of Tbilisi.