Kansas Star Casino , Mulvane , Kansas
project slated for 2016 . The existing business model is a twostory hotel about half a mile away from the gaming space . A Dreamcatcher hotel will be built , the casino will be connected to the hotel and there will be a parking structure and multi-purpose room .
Flexibility is one aspect of casino design . Volatility , and its ramifications , presents another . The Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel in Charenton , Louisiana , belonging to the Chitimacha tribe , has officials crossing their fingers , holding their breath and proceeding with faith . The casino renovation , with Cuningham providing architecture and interior design , unfolds with uncertainty . Oil prices substantially affect this property , which taps the southern Louisiana and Texas markets .
“ When oil prices plummeted , it raised concerns regarding employees of the companies in that area ,” Ewing says . “ If they lose their jobs , the casino may lose customers . Fortunately for all of them , oil prices are coming back at this time .”
The dilemma indicates the power of precise planning . If oil prices plunge mid-project , the company must usually live with the consequence .
The Little River Casino Resort renovation and expansion in Manistee , Michigan , offers another lesson . Cuningham provided master planning , architecture and interior design for the renovation of the main lobby , casino and buffet and the addition of a new sports bar , steakhouse and spa / salon / pool area . The client is the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians .
“ We probably spent close to a year and a half finalizing that plan ,” Ewing explains . “ What we can tell clients is that the best use of your funding is during the planning and paper phase . That ’ s when you can turn over everything and can eliminate potential problems . Once you start digging and pouring concrete , that ’ s when the money is going to be spent . Those that can afford to be patient — carefully studying potential pitfalls — benefit in the long run .”
Ewing says tribal philosophies vary regarding cultural expression . Most want some form of it , many will reserve it for their museum and others will weave accent pieces like art or a basket pattern into the carpeting . Hotel rooms and lobbies provide the best vehicle for cultural expression .
“ Something always fun and interesting is knowing that a family comes with these projects ,” Ewing says . “ In the non-tribal world , MGM can go buy Wynn , but a tribe is always a tribe . They are never going to be merged . They are creating their projects for generations . We always have a liaison between the tribal family and ourselves .”
MAXIMIZE SPACE
“ FOR MANY GAMING TRIBES ACROSS THE COUNTRY , A CHALLENGE is not trying to figure out what to new-build next ( unless market opportunities and demand warrant ), but how to aggressively maximize or reinvent every square foot of existing space ,” says Dike Bacon , principal for the Memphis-based Hnedak Bobo Group , which has a rich tradition with tribal gaming projects .
“ Many larger , older facilities were designed and built during times when excess or underutilized space was of no consequence ,” Bacon says . “ Public spaces , lobbies , casino floors , guest rooms , and many backs of houses were huge simply because they could be , and they got financed . There are always plenty of opportunities to renovate and refurbish , but often the biggest opportunity to directly affect the bottom line is to adaptively repurpose these kinds of inefficient existing spaces into new non-gaming revenue generators and entertainment experiences .”
The changes don ’ t always have to entail bells and whistles . They can be subtle .
“ Things don ’ t have to be overcomplicated ,” Bacon says . “ Maybe inject some old-school glamour and turn an oversized lobby into an elegant , multi-dimensional entertainment space .
44 CASINO DESIGN 2015