form the palette . Designers were especially taken with the shape and texture of the area ’ s weather worn grain silos . These aged structures have a timeless , iconic aesthetic that combines wood and metal in a multitude of patterns , textures and patinas . It is this raw materiality within a distinctive contemporary form that designers have crafted to create visual interest and consistency between new and existing building elements .
Continuity of the “ Choctaw red ” color accents further solidifies the expansion design within the context of the existing property and serve to reinforce the brand . — Patrick Roberts
OWNER : Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma ARCHITECT : HBG Design FEATURES : 96 rooms , expanded pool , additional F & B options INVESTMENT : $ 50 million
Rollin ’ on the River
• Tropicana Evansville •
Evansville , Indiana has 50 million reasons for excitement — in the state ’ s first land-based casino , a $ 50 million development that opened in October .
Orchestrated by SOSH Architects and Hafer Design , Tropicana Evansville showcases Evansville ’ s scenic location on the Ohio River at the juncture of Indiana , Illinois and Kentucky . Three states within short distance of one new gaming facility ? Geographically , that ’ s triple 7s .
The project , which replaced Tropicana ’ s riverboat casino , not only fit market needs and anticipated future growth , but is designed to transform the city by drawing customers from surrounding states , enhancing revenues and bolstering the local tax base .
Revenues were reported at $ 15.7 million in March compared to $ 11.6 million for the same month last year . The successful expansion played a big role .
Tropicana ’ s 75,000-square-foot entertainment development includes a single-level 45,000-square-foot gaming floor , two new restaurants and an ultra-modern live entertainment lounge called 421 . Havana-inspired colors , textures and other visual cues were woven into the design in keeping with Tropicana ’ s brand .
Gaming elements include 1,175 slot machines and more than 30 table games including blackjack , roulette and craps . The poker room
and high-limit room became instant attractions . Live monthly tournaments include Top 3 Blackjack , Bad Beat Jackpots , Craps , High Card Flush , Mini Baccarat , Mississippi Stud , Omaha , Roulette , Texas Hold ’ em and Three-Card Poker . The high-limit room features high-limit blackjack and mini-baccarat with the Dragon Bonus side bet .
The casino exterior features more than 38,800 color-changing LED lights for a threedimensional facade that engages and entertains guests . Interior wall-mounted LED video ribbons also enhance the atmosphere .
Accommodations include the on-site Evansville Hotel and boutique LeMerigot Hotel , and 10 suites with spacious living and dining areas , master bedrooms and spa tubs .
In April , the company agreed to sell Tropicana ’ s real estate to Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc . and merge its gaming and hotel operations into Eldorado Resorts , Inc . The $ 1.85 billion deal is scheduled to close in the second half of this year . — Dave Bontempo
OWNER : Eldorado Resorts ( pending ) ARCHITECTS : SOSH Architects and Hafer Design FEATURES : Indiana ’ s first land-based casino INVESTMENT : $ 50 million
2018 CASINO STYLE 11