KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Entertainment Properties Trust (NYSE:EPR) and Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: NYNY) ("Empire") along with MSEG, LLC today selected Hart Howerton Partners, LTD. of New York City to be the Master Planners for the development of the former Concord Resort Property owned by EPR in Sullivan County, New York.

The Master Plan is the first step in establishing a new vision for the revitalization of the former Concord Resort. Under the agreement Hart Howerton will create a new Master Plan for the mixed-use of the property envisioned to include an anchor casino with harness racetrack, hotel, two golf courses, specialty lodging, complementary retail and recreational uses, along with new residential communities.

David Brain, President and CEO of EPR commented, “This is an important milestone in our efforts to revitalize this part of New York State and we are confident that a concept that realistically accommodates a variety of resort destinations will be well-received. Hart Howerton brings the proven success and experience necessary for this important role and we are pleased to be partnering with them.”

About Entertainment Properties Trust

Entertainment Properties Trust (NYSE:EPR) is a specialty real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in properties in select categories which require unique industry knowledge, while offering the potential for stable and attractive returns. Our total assets exceed $2.7 billion and include megaplex movie theatres and adjacent retail, public charter schools and other destination recreational and specialty investments. We adhere to rigorous underwriting and investing criteria, centered on key industry and property level cash flow criteria. We believe our focused niche approach provides a competitive advantage, and the potential for higher growth and better yields. Further information is available at www.eprkc.com or from Brian Moriarty at 888-EPR-REIT or info@eprkc.com.

About Empire Resorts

Empire Resorts owns and operates, through its subsidiary Monticello Raceway Management, Inc., the Monticello Casino & Raceway, a harness racing track and casino located in Monticello, New York, and is 90 miles from midtown Manhattan. For additional information, please visit http://www.empireresorts.com.

About MSEG LLC

MSEG LLC is a real estate development and management company which concentrates on properties in the sports, entertainment and hospitality industry. MSEG LLC has been selected by the City of Davenport as the developer of the new land based casino in Davenport, Iowa, MSEG LLC is also involved in the ownership and operation of the Lake Erie Crushers in Avon, Ohio. The Crushers are a professional minor league baseball team that plays in the Independent Frontier Baseball League.

About Hart Howerton

Hart Howerton is a creative team of land planners, urban designers, architects, landscape architects and development strategists with four decades of experience optimizing the value of real estate assets. With offices in New York, San Francisco, London and Shanghai, Hart Howerton handles complex projects in sensitive locations throughout the world. Their industry-leading approach (“Designing Complete Environments”) combines market-driven planning and design with economic feasibility, development and marketing savvy, environmental sensitivity and entitlements expertise. Working with leading developers, institutions and landowners, the firm has delivered successful world-class real estate ventures and places of lasting legacy in their communities. The firm is currently working in more than 30 countries worldwide. Hart Howerton projects include nine of the top twenty-five resorts on Travel + Leisure’s Top 100 Places to Live, 2009, and seven of America’s Top 10 Golf Communities, according to Travel + Leisure Golf. Visit www.harthowerton.com for more information.

Source: Entertainment Properties Trust

Entertainment Properties Trust

Brian Moriarty, 888-EPR-REIT

info@eprkc.com