Hamlin also touts the transformative power of natural light . Guests within the entire 25,000-square-foot pre-function space enjoy natural light and continuous views of the changing seasons , while remaining comfortable through the use of 11,000 square feet of SageGlass electrochromic glass .
The sculptural design fuses architecture and interior design into a dynamic first expression of the future vision for the property as it begins its next 25 years of success , Hamlin says . “ Sweeping forms of natural materials interweave with elegant illuminated chandeliers along the flowing lines of the ceiling 30 feet above the pre-function floor ,” he indicates .
Cattails moving in the wind along the lake ’ s edge are translated into the motion of the building ’ s front façade . Raindrops on the lake ’ s surface and their rippling patterns of motion in the water are sculpted into circular forms of glass and light , floating within the pre-function space as chandeliers .
The guest ’ s entire journey , from the entry corridor to the pre-function space to the angled sun bay windows of the guest rooms , maximizes views of the earth and sky . — Dave Bontempo
OWNER : Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community SIZE : 267,000 square feet COST : $ 104 million DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE : The WorthGroup
Book It !
• The Book at Bally ’ s , Atlantic City •
One aspect of the sports-betting future arrived via The Book at Bally ’ s , which had its official coronation on the first Sunday of the NFL season .
It was a dream come true for fans who wanted a Vegas-style sportsbook in Atlantic City . The large-scale Book unleashes betting enthusiasm , with every NFL game being played at the same time . The large screens provide visual euphoria . The sportsbook , by far Atlantic City ’ s largest , has all the elements that inspire wagering largesse . Similar in size to the sportsbook at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas , it carries a similar sense of indulgence . It also features the largest single viewing screen on the East Coast , a 98- by-18-foot high-resolution LED TV .
The Book offers an immersive , socially driven experience for sports fans with more than 15,200 square feet of sports betting space . The venue includes five private Fan Caves , available for private reservations with capacity for up to 24 people . The private rooms include high-resolution televisions that can be split into three different screens . Caves also include game consoles including an Xbox , as well as table service and food provided by Guy Fieri ’ s Guy ’ s Bar-B-Que
Joint , as well as AC Snack Shack .
The primary viewing area features 102 seats , 30 VIP seats , and seating for 28 at the bar rail , which will offer the latest video poker slots . The Caves increase the capacity to 280 .
In the main viewing area , this facility has modernized the sports betting room concept . Leather chairs are comfortable and recline . Drinks can be placed on the arm rest . Significantly , there is generous leg room between the rows . The Book caters both to hardcore fans and casual observers , inviting an experience lasting several hours . Food and drinks can be purchased .
Giant screens enable games to be viewed either from the back of the book or simply walking in the area . The ability to attract viewers to the sportsbook area via the large screens is one of the most subliminal — and under-publicized — aspects of an exciting establishment . There ’ s even a self-service beer wall . This room is the brick-and-mortar be-all-toend-all for Atlantic City sports wagering . If it ever adds a mobile-gaming component , it may corner the entire sportsbook market in Atlantic City . — Dave Bontempo
WHAT : The Book at Bally ’ s GRAND OPENING : September 8 , 2019 SIZE : 15,228 square feet ARCHITECTURAL TEAM : R2 Architects CONSTRUCTION : Weatherby Construction SEATING CAPACITY : 280 COST : $ 7.5 million
2019 CASINO STYLE 11