BUILDING EXCITEMENT
THE 12-STORY HOTEL FOLLOWS THE CURVE OF THE COASTLINE , FRAMES THE PALM- FRINGED OUTDOOR POOL , AND STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO THE REGION ’ S RECOVERY SINCE HURRICANE KATRINA .
Heart of Glass
PLATINUM TOWER , HARD ROCK BILOXI
Biloxi , Mississippi
IF NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF invention , the people behind Hard Rock International ’ s new Platinum Tower , on the Gulf Coast of Biloxi , Mississippi , are the Edisons of architecture .
The resort started with a good problem : more demand for rooms than it could consistently handle . But the only land available for expansion was a narrow tract hugging the waterfront adjacent to the original Royal Hotel .
The design team turned that limitation into an asset with its innovative “ svelte tower ” approach . The $ 32 million , 12-story hotel , which opened in February , follows the curve of the coastline , frames the palmfringed outdoor pool , and stands as a testament to the region ’ s recovery since Hurricane Katrina , when Mississippi ’ s former riverboat casinos first moved ashore .
The building ’ s horizontal banding complements that of the existing tower , and silver glazing inspired the “ Platinum ” brand . The sleek design continues inside . The curvilinear guest rooms are contemporary but uber-comfy , with lighted zebra-wood wardrobes , built-in seating , plush wall-towall headboards , double vanities , custom furnishings and art , and contemporary accent lighting . Suites are outfitted with personal wet bars , and make abundant use of millwork on the walls and ceilings .
The room layouts turn tradition on its ear . “ Because we had a very narrow site to work with , we rotated the rooms 90 degrees , so the longer dimensions are along the outside walls ,” says Brad Schulz , vice president of architectural firm Bergman Walls & Associates of Las Vegas . “ It ’ s one of the first times this has been done in the United States . It ’ s a very popular look , and it ’ s been wellreceived by the public .”
That skewed orientation continues in the baths . Dispensing with the box-withina-box design that is typical of most hotel bathrooms , Bergman Walls pushed the baths to the outside walls . As a result , natural light floods in through banks of windows . “ They have a provocative aspect to them ,” observes Schulz . “ If you don ’ t put the drapes or blinds down , it could get kind of interesting . But it ’ s sexy , and people are having fun with it .”
The baths are richly appointed ; many have oversized showers and marble Australian soaking tubs fitted with multihead rain-shower faucets .
Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows , the
140 guest rooms , first-floor Cabana Suites and penthouse-level Sky Suites are akin to glass houses , with panoramic views of the city , the Gulf , and that iconic , neon-lit Hard Rock guitar .
The style , like the brand , is playful , irreverent and hip . And of course , the resort
is packed to the rafters with music memorabilia from superstar rockers : Gene Simmons , Buddy Guy , Sammy Hagar , Bret Michaels , Johnny Cash and many others .
Lucky guests can even get a glimpse of Elvis Presley ’ s pajamas , proving this place is really fit for a king .
— MARJORIE PRESTON
OWNER : Premier Entertainment Biloxi , LLC ARCHITECT : Bergman Walls & Associates INTERIOR : Tandem Interior Design Studio CONTRACTOR : Roy Anderson Corp . INVESTMENT : $ 32 million
8 CASINO DESIGN 2014