Loving the Lobby
HARRAH ’ S LOUNGE AND LOBBY
BAR Atlantic City , New Jersey
HARRAH ’ S RESORT ATLANTIC CITY sought to modify some of its nightlife attractions and offer guests a more subdued option to its high-energy nightclubs . SOSH Architects , the Atlantic City-based architecture and interior design firm , was brought in to create a new lounge and lobby bar adjacent to Harrah ’ s guest check-in and VIP registration areas .
“ SOSH was tasked to create a traditional whiskey bar with a twist of the unexpected , to capitalize on the synergy of this location and to help welcome guests while they check into the property ,” says Michael Mangini , the firm ’ s director of interior design . “ This location is the epicenter of everything that is about to happen with the guest experience .”
The high-profile lobby bar seats 12 with an additional 2,000 square feet of lounge area . It opened in November . The team created a traditional space with library-like detailing , while incorporating a modern twist in lighting and artwork . The overall space creates a relaxing , comfortable environment , while incorporating impact pieces designed to spark conversation between patrons . Some of the highlights ? “ Interior detailing using library-like millwork throughout while incorporating a modern approach to lighting 500 bottles of rare and unique whiskeys from around the world ,” says Mangini .
“ The whiskey is both front-lit and backilluminated to create an atmosphere of intimacy utilizing acrylic ghosted panels behind the liquor bottles . This juxtaposition is again interpreted using traditional furnishing but upholstered in an unconventional way .
“ Some of the artwork subject matter uses x-ray images of common architectural and personal objects to help emphasize that they are familiar and yet unique and unexpected . It is seeing something common , but in a new light to spark conversation and dialogue .”
Other features include 40 faux tortoise shells of various shapes and sizes adorning the
walls , and velvet drapery surrounding traditional millwork detailing of the walls .
“ A few key elements were custom-designed to help relate both to the traditional architectural detailing and also the modern era in a post-industrial manner ,” Mangini says .
“ The use of custom copper metal panels riveted to the bar die wall and a customdesigned black iron foot rest that was inspired from a single railway track is raised and bolted to the Baltic gray marble floor tile , which is laid in a herringbone pattern .
“ A solid four-inch-thick Peruvian walnut bar top was designed to evoke the warm feeling of a whiskey bar from long ago . Some of the more contemporary detailing was used , such as a modern approach to display the amber alcohol of the bottles . There are three customdesigned glass display boxes suspended overhead at the entrance into the bar .
“ This design element celebrates the whiskey bar by proudly displaying its offerings and also acts as a casino identifier inviting the visitor into the space .” — DAVE BONTEMPO
OWNER : Caesars Entertainment GENERAL CONTRACTOR : TN Ward ARCHITECT / INTERIOR DESIGN : SOSH Architects INVESTMENT : $ 1.5 million
Hometown Racino
MIAMI VALLEY GAMING RACETRACK & CASINO Lebanon , Ohio
TAKE A PRE-ENGINEERED METAL building and bring the whole project to completion in a third of the budgeted time and half the cost — that ’ s a cause for celebration . But the Miami Valley Gaming Racetrack & Casino , developed on 130 acres in Lebanon , Ohio , while located in a simple square building , gives off vibes of something rich and exciting , but also comfortable , so that people are starting to identify it as their “ hometown ” casino .
The racino , owned by Delaware North Companies and Churchill Downs Inc ., opened in December 2013 . It offers harness racing with 1,600 video lottery terminals ( VLTs ) and no tables , with room for up to 2,800 VLTs . It is one of seven racinos in Ohio .
“ The exciting thing about this project is that from approval to design to development took 13 months ,” says Nick Schoenfeldt , vice president , principal and senior project manager for Thalden Boyd Emery Architects . “ We built on a very tight budget and brought it in $ 6 million under budget .”
It is a simple building — a large square with appendages — but a lot has been done with it .
Guests arrive in a grand lobby with split-face marble on the walls . Cars can be brought directly into the lobby for giveaways or display . Patrons are immediately immersed in an environment of richness . “ Everything that people touch is real : marble , real stone , wood , and reclaimed barn wood in some of the restaurants ,” Schoenfeldt says . “ It ’ s become the place that people identify as their hometown casino .
“ It wasn ’ t under-designed or overdesigned ,” he says . “ People feel comfortable with it . It has the right mix of pattern and color and it feels cohesive .”
The interior and exterior lighting for this large atrium is provided by programmable color changing LEDs . This provides a lot of variation in the lighting and a lot of touch points . It brings the building to life at night . Video boards along walkways leading to the entrance inform guests what is going on inside .
The floor layout is very simple , creating a restaurant-row effect for the fine dining area , buffet area , sports bar , casual dining area and coffee bar . The gaming floor in the shape of an L allows for expansion .
Although many casinos are trending away from catering to smokers , the Miami was designed with an outdoor smoking area served by lottery terminals .
It came in under budget and way ahead of schedule because everybody worked from the same page . “ All three of us , including the construction manager , worked with the goal of getting the property open ,” says Schoenfeldt . “ It was a synthesis of all of the groups . It was integrated project delivery without the contractual operations . We were all on the same page from the first moment .
“ Bill Farish , chairman of Churchill Downs , has said , ‘ Wow , this is our finest facility !’ That ’ s something we love to hear .”
— DAVID ROSS
OWNERS : Delaware North and Churchill Downs ARCHITECT : Thalden Boyd Emery Architects CONTRACTOR : L . P . Ciminelli INVESTMENT : $ 160 million
12 CASINO DESIGN 2014