knowledge of quality plant materials , which is essential to creating unique landscape environments . Lifescapes works diligently with clients to understand their preferences as well as their exclusions — a key factor in working on the $ 300 million expansion of the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula , California .
“ Pechanga wanted us to use a variety of oak trees on the project because they are considered sacred , heritage trees to the Pechanga community ,” says Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs , president and CFO of Lifescapes . “ The acorns from oak trees have been essential sustenance for them since early times in California . Pechanga also wanted us to include a majority of drought-tolerant , desert-sensitive plant materials because it wanted the property to reflect its commitment to having at least a 60 percent to 75 percent sustainable landscape palette .”
Lifescapes , in collaboration with Delawie Architects and Planners , also created the casino ’ s 4.5-acre water complex , which features a drought-tolerant roof garden , five pools , four spas , a beachentry family pool with two water slides and a splash pad , and an outdoor cafe .
“ The main pool is 7,600 square feet and features a swim-up bar with 18 submerged stools ,” says Alvaro Amador , senior principal / project designer at Lifescapes . “ There is also a ‘ Baja ledge ’ allowing guests a chance to wade in shallow water or dangle their legs over the edge or relax in one of the ‘ floating ’ daybeds .”
Garden Party
Through the years , Lifescapes has become synonymous with exquisite gardens . The firm ’ s secret : it “ reinvents ” simplicity through the use of color , volumes and depth , explains Davide Padoa , CEO of Design International , a London-based architecture firm with offices worldwide .
“ Lifescapes works with these three aspects in mind , thereby creating a lot of layers in the picture ,” says Padoa . “ You always have a feeling of being immersed into deep spaces which are full of surprises — even if the area is very small . They know how to apply it very well , and they are not afraid of using a lot of color , so that transforms the project into a very natural , very mature environment . Once finished , it looks like it ’ s been there forever , but creatively curated at the same time .
“ This is what I love about their designs . Lifescapes ’ designs are eternal , beautiful , never trendy and always authentic .”
Such authenticity was one of the reasons global real estate giant Tishman Speyer asked Lifescapes to work its magic on the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller
18 CASINO STYLE 2018
Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center in New York City
Center in New York City . Tishman was impressed by Lifescapes ’ floral settings at the Bellagio ’ s Conservatory .
“ The Channel Gardens feature six historic pools — each with a large fountainhead sculpture , designed by Rene Paul Chambellan ,” says Dan Trust , ASLA and senior executive and COO of Lifescapes . “ This is our third year designing themed garden displays around ( and sometimes covering ) the granite pools and fountains that are changed out throughout the year . It ’ s the perfect canvas for our team to create exceptional settings to delight and surprise guests . We are honored to be part of this unique and challenging project in New York City .”
Unlike at the Bellagio Conservatory , when Lifescapes had two to three days to swap out the gardens , the time frame is literally overnight at the Channel Gardens . “ When we change the gardens , we have from 9 o ’ clock in the evening until 6 o ’ clock the following morning to take away the previous garden and reassemble the new one ,” says Adam Kober , Lifescapes principal and project designer . “ It can be quite a puzzle . Precise timing is crucial as we must temporarily shut down a lane of Fifth Avenue . We work closely with Tishman Speyer ’ s garden crew to pull it all off successfully .”
Lifescapes has been wildly successful over the past six decades by adhering to the basics . Lifescapes brought back the heart and soul of the community by providing “ destinations within a destination ”— an active gathering place that goes back to the Souk in Byzantine , the Agora in Greece , and the Forum in Rome .
The firm incorporates into their designs — with , of course , much newer technology — a gathering place where the community interacts , something many real estate developers feel has been neglected for far too long .
“ The key to creating successful outdoor landscape environments is making them interactive , experiential and beautiful — not just a static vision , but a vibrant place that welcomes you , energizes you and engages you ,” emphasizes Brinkerhoff-Jacobs . “ What ’ s unique about Lifescapes is that we know how to create a beautiful space that draws people in to have a meaningful , long-lasting memory — one that ’ s being made at the moment people are experiencing it , and actively immersed within it .
“ For us , it all started in Las Vegas with the Mirage . Luckily , some things really shouldn ’ t — and haven ’ t — just stayed in Las Vegas !”
Mike Sheridan is a freelance writer based in Richmond , Virginia .