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Non-Gaming Amenities for Integrated Resorts • $10 A GGB publication

2018

THE AUTOMATED BAR | THE BRINKERHOFF LEGACY | BUILDING EXCITEMENT

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Refined Rustic• Choctaw Casino Hotel, Grant, Oklahoma •

In the hyper-competitive Oklahoma gamingmarket, tribal casinos must take different ap-

proaches to attract and retain loyal customers.The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is wellaware of this. Whenever it opens up or reno-vates a property, it adds non-gaming amenitiesthat the competition lacks.

HBG Design’s architecture and interior de-sign team worked with the Choctaw Nation onkey improvements to the existing operation,with goals of alleviating traffic flow challenges.They added a new 96-room hotel tower with23 luxury suites, an expanded pool andbar/lounge environment, new and expandedfood and beverage venues, and new gamingamenities.

The Choctaw Casino Resort in Grant,Oklahoma is a great example of the upgradesthe nation insists upon. With architectural du-ties handled by HBG, it coined the term “re-fined rustic” to explain the design approach. Atonce contemporary, edgy and rustic in its inter-pretation, the concept builds on the Choctawbrand’s warm color palette as well as the exist-ing property’s affinity for transitional styling,natural textures and materials, wood tones andwooden trim. Designers worked to enhance thematerials currently in use, while introducingseveral new surprises involving unique texturesand distinctive detailing.

They drew inspiration from the surround-ing Oklahoma landscape: tall, tan grain stalksblowing in the fields, the vast open sky aboveand a deep contrast of colors all helping to in-

10 CASINO STYLE 2018

and more accommodations. The Concord’s legendary golf course, the Mon-

ster, will also be revived in a new Rees Jones design.The Monster was often rated in Golf Digest’s list ofthe Top 100 American Golf Courses.

Entertainment was long a staple of the Con-cord—as in other “Borsht Belt” hotels—and RWC isrestoring that crown as well. Singers, bands and comedians—including Jerry Seinfeld at the grandopening—will make RWC the entertainment capitalof the Catskills once again.

Celebrity chefs like Scott Conant and others willresurrect the dining elegance once experienced onlyat the Concord. Along with Conant’s Cellaio, RWCoffers two Asian-themed restaurants, two sports bars,a diner, the Food Hall—RWC’s buffet—and severalother options.

It’s only the beginning in this magical part of thecountry, with possibilities and plans just ready tohappen. —Roger Gros

OWNER: Empire Resorts ARCHITECT: JCJ ArchitectureFEATURES: 332 suites, 2 pools, 2 fitness centers,100,000-square-foot casinoINVESTMENT: $900 million

Back to the Future• Resorts World Catskills •

At the midpoint of the 20th century, NewYork’s Catskills Mountains were considered

among the chicest and most desirable of vacationdestinations. Dozens of five-star hotels and resortsdotted the smallish peaks and valleys, providing awelcome getaway for the millions who inhabitedAmerica’s largest city at that time, New York City.During the summer, a short train ride or bus triptransported visitors from the steamy city to thecool breezes of the mountains. Gambling may nothave been a legal activity, but it was certainly oneof the amenities offered at the mountain palacesand surrounding properties.

The Concord was a premier hotel of the re-gion, featuring 1,500 rooms and a dining roomthat sat 3,000. But its mid-century heyday wounddown; it closed in 1998, and was demolished soonafter.

It took a few years, but like a phoenix risingfrom the rubble, Resorts World Catskills (RWC)made its debut in February 2018. It may replicatethe success of the Concord at its height—com-plete, this time, with legal gambling.

The last of four “northern tier” casinos to openin the last two years, RWC has the most going forit. Only 90 minutes from New York City, it hasmore amenities than the other Empire State gaming halls. With almost 100,000 square feet ofgaming (out of a total property square footage of1.6 million), gamblers can enjoy the latest slot machines, table games and a poker room.

The 332 room all-suite hotel has alreadyturned heads for its in-room amenities and contemporary style.

The best part of RWC is that it will eventuallybe part of a vast entertainment complex with awater park, additional food and beverage outlets

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and high-limit room became instant attractions.Live monthly tournaments include Top 3Blackjack, Bad Beat Jackpots, Craps, High CardFlush, Mini Baccarat, Mississippi Stud, Omaha,Roulette, Texas Hold’em and Three-CardPoker. The high-limit room features high-limitblackjack and mini-baccarat with the DragonBonus side bet.

The casino exterior features more than38,800 color-changingLED lights for a three-dimensional facadethat engages and entertains guests. Inte-rior wall-mountedLED video ribbonsalso enhance the at-mosphere.

Accommodationsinclude the on-siteEvansville Hotel andboutique LeMerigotHotel, and 10 suiteswith spacious living

and dining areas, master bedrooms and spatubs.

In April, the company agreed to sell Tropicana’s real estate to Gaming and LeisureProperties Inc. and merge its gaming and hoteloperations into Eldorado Resorts, Inc. The$1.85 billion deal is scheduled to close in thesecond half of this year.—Dave Bontempo

OWNER: Eldorado Resorts (pending)ARCHITECTS: SOSH Architects and HaferDesignFEATURES: Indiana’s first land-based casinoINVESTMENT: $50 million

form the palette. Designers were especially takenwith the shape and texture of the area’s weatherworn grain silos. These aged structures have atimeless, iconic aesthetic that combines wood and metal in a multitude of patterns, textures andpatinas. It is this raw materiality within a distinctive contemporary form that designershave crafted to create visual interest and consis-tency between new and existing building elements.

Continuity of the “Choctaw red” color accents further solidifies the expansion designwithin the context of the existing property andserve to reinforce the brand.—Patrick Roberts

OWNER: Choctaw Nation of OklahomaARCHITECT: HBG DesignFEATURES: 96 rooms, expanded pool, additional F&B optionsINVESTMENT: $50 million

Evansville, Indiana has 50 million reasons forexcitement—in the state’s first land-based

casino, a $50 million development that openedin October.

Orchestrated by SOSH Architects andHafer Design, Tropicana Evansville showcasesEvansville’s scenic location on the Ohio River atthe juncture of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.Three states within short distance of one newgaming facility? Geo-graphically, that’striple 7s.

The project,which replaced Trop-icana’s riverboatcasino, not only fitmarket needs andanticipated futuregrowth, but is de-signed to transformthe city by drawingcustomers from sur-rounding states, en-hancing revenuesand bolstering the local tax base.

Revenues were reported at $15.7 million inMarch compared to $11.6 million for the samemonth last year. The successful expansion playeda big role.

Tropicana’s 75,000-square-foot entertain-ment development includes a single-level45,000-square-foot gaming floor, two newrestaurants and an ultra-modern live entertain-ment lounge called 421. Havana-inspired colors,textures and other visual cues were woven intothe design in keeping with Tropicana’s brand.

Gaming elements include 1,175 slot ma-chines and more than 30 table games includingblackjack, roulette and craps. The poker room

Rollin’ on the River• Tropicana Evansville •

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