Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
Official Publication of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers 2024 CASINOStyle Finally, the Fontainebleau! After 16 years, the multibillion-dollar resort has opened on the Vegas Strip. Also new: Station’s Durango, a reimagined Rio, and the return of the Sahara BUILDING EXCITEMENT|MIRAGE: END OF AN ERA|RESTAURANT REVAMPS Reel Changes Open concepts and more entertainment options are redefining the slot floor The Fast &the Fabulous Food halls rule for hungry patrons on the run Nightclubs: Small is the New Big A new generation of club-goers are looking for a more intimate vibe Global Gaming Womenwww. sosh arch.com architecture interiors planning Celebrating 45 years of gaming excellence .FEATURES: 22 Night Vision Mega-clubs are made for the special-occasion splurge. But smaller clubs and lounges are coming into vogue. Here’s why. By Marjorie Preston 26 Outside the Boxes On the slot floor, big-box machines in endless rows have given way to carousels and other friendlier configurations. By Frank Legato 30 The Hunger Games Who needs casino buffets? Food halls serve up great grub in a fast-paced, marketplace setting. By Jess Marquez 34 Farewell, Mirage When the Mirage opened in 1989, it set the standard for both spectacle and service. After almost 35 years, the iconic resort is closing its doors. 50 Hotel History: French Lick Gaming has sustained Indiana’s historic French Lick resorts. By Patrick Roberts 2024 CASINO STYLE 3 16 Cover Story Winning Pair A behind-the-scenes look at Las Vegas’ two new casino resorts: the Fontainebleau and the Durango. Plus: return of the iconic Sahara and the off-Strip Rio. By Roger Gros CONTENTS COLUMNS: 38Purchasing Restaurant Redo Carl Long DEPARTMENTS: 4Editor’s Letter 6Building Excitement A roundup of the year’s most innovative and unique casino design projects. Style Spotlight 40 Cuningham 41 HBG Design 42 R2Architects 43 KdG 44 Purchasing Management Intl. 45 Sbarro 46 SOSH Architects 48 TBE Architects 2024 GGB publication a CASINO StyleRoger Gros, Publisher | rgros@ggbmagazine.com X: @GlobalGamingBiz Marjorie Preston, Editor mpreston@ggbmagazine.com Jess Marquez, Managing Editor jmarquez@ggbmagazine.com Monica Cooley, Art Director mcooley@ggbmagazine.com Terri Brady, Sales & Marketing Director tbrady@ggbmagazine.com Beck Kingman-Gros, Associate Publisher & COO bkingros@ggbmagazine.com Lisa Johnson, Communications Advisor lisa@lisajohnsoncommunications.com X: @LisaJohnsonPR Columnist Carl Long Contributing Editors Frank Legato |Patrick Roberts |Cole Rush _____________ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Official Publication GGB 4 CASINO STYLE2024 A GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PUBLICATION 2024 I n the 21st century, the pace of change has quickened almost beyond recognition, or our ability to keep up. So, where and how does change really originate? In his 2015 book The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge, author Matt Ridley refuted the belief that change comes from the top down, as dictated by Big Government, Big Business, Big Tech, Big Brother, and various other “bigs.” According to Ridley, revolutionary change actually comes from the bottom up, as everyday people demonstrate with their time, money and attention what they’re willing to invest in. His thesis: the view from the top is really informed by the wants and needs of the masses at the bot- tom—meaning you and me and millions of other consumers of goods and services. It’s a recurring theme in this edition of Casino Style , starting with the cover story, on page 16. Roger Gros writes about two new resorts that opened in Las Vegas last year—the long-awaited Fontainebleau on the Strip, and Station Casinos’ Durango in the valley—as well as two other properties that have undergone major remodels, the Rio and the Sahara. All these changes were motivated by consumer demand and the deter- mination of operators to serve the customer niche, as they define it. On page 22, Frank Legato explains how slot floors—still the bread and butter of casino revenue—first changed in response to Covid- 19 safety protocols, and ended up creating a new and better player experience. On page 26, we look at a growing trend away from vast nightclubs and million-dollar DJs to more intimate, personal and social spaces—a phenomenon driven by people’s desire for entertainment that is democratic, affordable and inclusive. Turn to page 30 for a look at casino F&B as embodied by food halls. Jess Marquez asks industry experts how these marketplaces improved on both casino buffets and food courts, and revitalized the fast-casual dining scene for patrons on the move. For an example of the inevitability of change, see page 34 for our bittersweet farewell to the Mirage. When it opened in November 1989, Steve Wynn’s Mirage was the most expensive resort in the world, at $630 million. News accounts called it a “Fantasy Island” come to life, a “South Seas dream” with 3,000 hotel rooms, cascading waterfalls, a tiger habitat, and the property’s signa- ture feature: a volcano that spewed lava every quarter-hour. The Mirage kicked off the mega-resort era and set a new standard for Strip entertainment and hospitality. But all things must pass, and the Mirage will soon close, to be rebranded as a Hard Rock property. This issue of Casino Style is all about change, and the bottom-up demand that informs it. It also asks: What’s your change management strategy? Marjorie Preston, Editor By Popular Demand EDITOR’S LETTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS • MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES TRANSFORMATIVE DESIGN Lucas Oil Live Event Center at WinStar World Casino and Resort Thackerville, OklahomaBUILDING6 CASINO STYLE 2024 T he recently opened Landmark Casino in Deadwood, South Dakota, seamlessly blends modern luxury with the town’s historic charm. Lo- cated in an 1890s-era structure known as the Adams Block building, the casino brings life back to a vacant space that was nearly demolished. The Landmark Casino’s historic facade evokes the region’s frontier past, while its updated interior features contemporary elements such as sleek glass surfaces and dynamic lighting to complement the gaming floor’s 100-plus slot machines and six gaming tables. Cuningham provided interior design services for the project, which includes a split floor layout: a casino floor and slot machines on the ground level, a sportsbook and table games on the sec- ond floor, and two bars (one on each level). Due to its location within a historic district, the Landmark Casino could not use flashy signs or bright screens on the building’s exterior to attract pa- trons. To create intrigue for passersby, Cuningham designers added a striking, statement art piece strategically positioned in a prominent corner of the building and allowed the large glass windows at the street level to show off the flurry of activity inside. The art piece—appropriately titled “It’s Raining Gold At The Land- mark”—is a meticulously crafted 26-foot-tall chain sculpture that evokes the vibrant hues synonymous with Black Hills Gold. It was a collaborative effort between Cuningham and Kriskadecor in Montblanc, Spain. Not only does the piece establish a visual cohesion between the two levels, it effortlessly mar- ries contemporary aesthetics with an homage to Deadwood’s regional context. The existing space had seen multiple tenants and several haphazard addi- tions throughout the years, leaving designers to contend with a piecemeal lay- out contrary to the large, open-space gaming floors typical of most modern casinos. Cuningham’s designers navigated these spatial eccentricities by adding creative solutions for flow and wayfinding within the interior. Swooping lines on the ceilings and floors create a sense of movement and guide users through- out the space, while elements like trim and lighting are carefully designed to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, doubling as wayfinding cues. Cuningham’s design leaves the original brick exposed and integrates its red clay color throughout the interior material palette. Imperfections from time and wear are highlighted, rather than concealed, creating a visible connection to Deadwood’s history as a frontier town. By pairing this approach with sleek, modern design elements, Cuningham creates a casino that thoughtfully bal- ances tradition and innovation, establishing it as a standout destination in the vibrant gaming landscape. Modern Luxury, Frontier Charm The Landmark Casino • Cuningham Architects2024 CASINO STYLE 7 concerts and more, further solidifying its position as a regional hub for enter- tainment and commerce. This is the seventh casino owned and operated by the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin, joining Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls, Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa, Ho-Chunk Gaming Tomah, Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells in Baraboo and Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg. Specializing in the design of high-profile large-scale resort destinations, HBG Design has extensive knowledge of the Ho-Chunk Gaming brand, having crafted and delivered multiple successful architecture and interior de- signs for the Ho-Chunk Nation. HBG previously led the planning, design and delivery of Ho-Chunk Gaming’s expansions and renovations across its Wisconsin Dells, Black River Falls and Wittenberg, Wisconsin properties. Those projects were completed in 2018 and 2019. Building the Future Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit • HBG Design A fter years of anticipation and plan- ning, the Ho-Chunk Nation is gear- ing up to kick off construction of what will be a transformative development for the regional gaming industry, the nation, and the city of Beloit, Wisconsin: the new $405 million Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit casino complex. Set to break ground in fall 2024, the project is being designed by leading national hospitality design firm HBG Design, and will mark a significant economic boost for the Wis- consin region. The approval granted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in May 2022 paved the way for the construction of the casino on a 33-acre site at Willowbrook and Colley roads near Interstate 39-90. This deci- sion represents the culmination of years of federal processes and discussions and negotiations between tribal representa- tives, local authorities and community stakeholders. “We are thrilled to advance our de- velopment plans in time for a fall groundbreaking, moving forward with the final design by HBG Design, the in- frastructure work and construction,” says Robert Mudd, executive director of busi- ness for the Ho-Chunk Nation. “In the gaming market, our competitors are stepping up, as they should. Each offers a unique product, and that’s our aim too.” The construction timeline is ex- pected to span 18 to 24 months. A large 1,500-to-1,800-slot casino with 44 table games will open as early as feasibly possible, followed by an 18- story, 300-key hotel tower; multi-purpose convention center, and multiple food and beverage venues. Plans also include sports betting facilities, avail- able through an agreement between the Ho-Chunk Nation and the state of Wisconsin, showcasing the project’s commitment to offering a compre- hensive entertainment experience geared to customer interests. One of the most significant aspects of the development is its potential to generate jobs and revenue for Beloit and Rock County. During con- struction, the project will create an estimated 3,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, it will offer around 1,500 permanent positions. Furthermore, the casino’s revenue-sharing agreements with the city and county are expected to provide up to $3 million annually, contributing to local infrastructure improvements and community services. Beyond its economic impact, the complex promises to enhance Be- loit’s tourism and hospitality sectors. With its expansive convention center and other amenities, the city aims to attract business conventions, expos,8 CASINO STYLE 2024 Jewelin the Desert Jamul Casino Expansion • JCJ Architecture J CJ Architecture was the creative force behind the new luxury expansion of the Jamul Casino in Jamul, Califor- nia. The project, to be complete in early 2025, features a 16-story hotel tower spanning 371,000 square feet and a new parking structure. JCJ served as the design architect, ar- chitect of record and interior designer for the highly antici- pated expansion. The hotel will resemble a crystalline jewel box against the backdrop of the majestic Jamul Mountains and sur- rounding valley. Drawing inspiration from the existing property’s horizontal lines, the architectural concept incorporates a striking horizontal plane that extends from the casino and embraces the hotel tower. This deliberate gesture symbolizes unveiling, as if ceremoniously presenting the valley with this exquisite glass box. To convey a sense of refinement and ambition, the exterior palette pays homage to the casino while elevating its neutral tones into an elegant and aspirational language of design. The eastern facade of the tower showcases a striking 10-story fritted glass logo, ensuring a prominent and unmistakable display of the property’s iden- tity to all who approach. On the southern side, a captivating pattern of verti- cal fins is seamlessly integrated into the curtain-wall system, enhancing the aesthetic appeal. In the northeastern corner, a distinct acute angle emerges, accentuated by a continuous arrangement of suite balconies that gracefully extends from the top to the bottom of the tower, for a striking articulation. The hotel lobby is thoughtfully positioned on the third level, offering con- venient access to the casino via a skybridge that facilitates movement be- tween the spaces. Envisioned as a retreat from the dynamic energy of the casino floor, the hotel component will guide guests through a curated collection of experi- ences, a journey designed to inspire the senses through the sculpting of space and top-class amenities. A specialty food and beverage venue cantilevers off the lobby with expansive views of the valley to the north, while a luxurious spa on the fourth floor offers roof access and serves as a private veranda. Topping the tower is a rooftop pool that is not only a recreational retreat but converts into an exclusive outdoor event space. Central to the entire guest experience is the directive that the tower provide a suite-heavy bespoke guest room complement, which allows the casino to recognize the value of its most loyal patrons. The hotel’s interior masterfully creates a tranquil oasis, offering a seamless transition from the vibrant casino to a realm of retreat and relaxation. Imbued with the essence of the picturesque Jamul Valley, the interiors embrace the spa- tial qualities and materiality that effortlessly bring in the natural palette and captivating beauty of the surroundings. This intentional design approach nurtures a profound connection with na- ture, reinforcing the underlying message of solace and tranquility. The aesthetic choices evoke a sense of harmony with the natural world, enveloping guests in an immersive experience. The expansive and breathtaking natural surroundings inspired meticulous efforts to capture and harness abundant natural light, for a serene ambience and captivating, sweeping views throughout the property. The addition will elevate the gaming adventure and establish a new bench- mark for hospitality in the region.Next >