BUILDING EXCITEMENT
12
A dozen of the best contributions to the gaming industry by the leading architects , designers and builders
Earth Meets Sky
MOHEGAN SUN , UNCASVILLE , CONNECTICUT
TRIBAL HERITAGE IS EVIDENT THROUGHOUT the Mohegan Sun complex , operated by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority . The hotels speak to oneness with nature — hence ,
the high-rise Sky Tower and the all-new Earth Tower , which debuted in November .
The 242,000-square-foot , $ 139 million Earth Tower grew out of “ our overarching need for more rooms to accommodate overwhelming guest demand ,” says Ray Pineault , president and general manager of Mohegan Sun . “ Earth Tower is roughly a third of the height and total rooms of Sky Tower , but incorporates much of the exterior look and feel .”
The new tower offers state-of-the-art in-room technology including intelligent thermostats with occupancy detection , ultra-fast Wi-Fi , and in-room tablets to provide information about goings-on at Mohegan Sun . There are video dining menus with ordering capabilities in every guest room .
The tower also has 39 suites , including Horizon Suites ( a minimum of 770 square feet ) located at the end of each hall . They include pull-out sofas , separate living room areas and views of the Thames River .
The hotel lobby is home to indoor and outdoor lounge areas as well as the Bean and Vine Café & Wine Bar . The outdoor Earth Tower Terrace features gas fire pits and food and bar service , weather permitting .
The 2,800-square-foot Mandara Spa ( at left ), a Steiner Spa Resorts brand , is designed exclusively for massage and facial therapies . It features a seven-room refuge with a couple ’ s suite , six dual-use rooms , a waiting lounge and retail area .
Earth Tower is a short walk from its sister structure and is linked by a scenic connector constructed from the Sky Tower lobby . Earth Tower also connects to the Casino of the Earth .
“ In other words ,” says Pineault , “ Earth Tower , while set off from much of the casino action , still allows folks to easily access Mohegan Sun ’ s original casino and hotel with all its amenities .” — William Sokolic
OWNER : Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority ARCHITECT : Kohn Pedersen Fox BUILDER : A / Z Corp . INVESTMENT : $ 139 million
6 l CASINO STYLE 2017