Tribal culture mixed well with business sense on this venture , according to HBG experts in the interior and exterior sectors .
“ The strength of the planning and design scheme lies in its ability to create a new image and front door for the property ,” says Shawn Hobbs , HBG Design principal and the lead architectural designer for the expansion project .
Western expansion adjacent to the existing casino allowed for maximum flexibility to meet future growth and development goals , he indicates .
From an exterior vantage point , the hotel tower is a welcoming beacon building energy and excitement for guests , Hobbs says . It rises monumentally , conveying the spirit and vibrancy of San Diego ’ s surrounding mountain valley .
“ The hotel ’ s architectural form is derived from aspects of Sycuan culture and history and contextual influences found in the Southern California region ,” he adds . “ A classic butterfly roof caps the hotel tower , reminiscent of the outstretched wingspan of the red-tailed hawk , a symbolically significant element in Sycuan culture .”
The new porte cochere anchors the central area between the existing casino and new hotel tower expansion , and continues the celebration of the natural environment in form and different stone and metal material . The porte cochere structure derives its circular , staggered form from the tail feathers of the redtailed hawk , fashioned by a copper standing seam roof and wood-look aluminum finishes in rich medium cherry tone .
Inside Magic
Rob Jurbergs , HBG Principal and interior architect of this project , says Sycuan officials utilized sophisticated planning .
“ Even in the elegant interior hotel lobby space , the dramatic two-story video wall behind the hotel registration desk brings the outdoors in by providing opportunities for changing visual content including vivid imagery of regional landscapes ,” Jurbergs says .
Guests are welcomed through the central “ hub ” porte cochere , which provides them with a convenient connection to all areas of the property .
Radiating from the entry hub are the new hotel , new casino , and entertainment venues , as well as the existing casino and parking garage . Jurbergs says Sycuan officials had a long-term view of this expansion . “ During early design visualization workshops with Sycuan , ‘ timeless design ,’ ‘ elegant ,’ ‘ sophisticated ,’ ‘ neutral ,’ ‘ natural ,’ ‘ warm ’ and ‘ design that is not too trendy ’ became the frequent words and common visual themes selected by stakeholders ,” he says . “ Trendy designs become dated quickly and need renovations more often . Sycuan is mindful of costs , so durability and maintenance were huge concerns . Sycuan worked to make strategic long-term investment decisions , so the property did not require major renovations year over year to update or replace design elements as they grew stale .”
This project will look fresh for a long time .
“ With an integrated resort , amenity offerings increase in importance and gaming activities decrease . These integrated resorts have incredible hotels , restaurants , golf courses , spas , convention and meetings spaces , entertainment spaces and many other opportunities for peak experiences .”
— Dr . Kate Spilde , Endowed Chair , Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming , San Diego State University
An Academic Perspective
Dr . Kate Spilde provides a scholarly and integrated overview to the expansion . The San Diego State University professor is an endowed chair of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming , teaching and managing the nation ’ s first four-year degree program in tribal casino operations management .
Much of her work focuses on providing support for tribal governments to direct their casino gaming revenues toward nation building or rebuilding efforts . Spilde has addressed audiences around the world on tribal matters , and finds significance in the Sycuan Tribe growth .
Spilde cites the expansion ’ s dual role of luring visitors and attracting customers in the facility ’ s backyard . The major California population base is a good target for patrons who want to enjoy accommodations and amenities far better than they ’ d have in their own homes .
“ Tribal governments and operators in Southern California have now been in the business for 30 years and know this market very well ,” Spilde says . “ Many of the properties in Southern California are adding or expanding their hotel offerings to keep guests on property longer , in a luxury environment , and ideally retaining those players who used to drive to Las Vegas .
“ There are several impressive integrated resorts in Southern California ,” Spilde adds . “ Sycuan joins Viejas , Pala , Rincon , San Pasqual , Pechanga and others who have invested heavily in the evolution of their properties from repeatermarket properties to fully integrated resorts .”
This evolution represents the next phase in the casino life cycle where customer draw power evolves , Spilde asserts .
“ With an integrated resort , amenity offerings increase in importance and gaming activities decrease ,” she says . “ These integrated resorts have incredible hotels , restaurants , golf courses , spas , convention and meetings spaces , entertainment spaces and many other opportunities for peak experiences .”
Spilde believes Sycuan ’ s evolution from repeater market to integrated resort , highlighted by the addition of the hotel , will extend the stay of day-trippers .
This expansion , in classic tribal efficiency , reflects prudent growth . Properties rarely speculate on the market future by spending exorbitant money to anticipate business .
“ Tribal gaming expansion is very deliberate , in my experience ,” Spilde indicates . “ There are often limits set by tribal-state gaming compacts and , of course , by tribal concerns about balancing return on investment with return on community . What I mean by that is that tribal leaders tend to be more conservative than a business investor would be since they are very cognizant of investing tribal government and community dollars , not just business funds .
“ The purpose of the tribal business , in this case the casino and resort , is to generate governmental revenue . There is really no option of failure as there would be for a traditional business where the company can go bankrupt , shut down or change its name . Tribal governments invest in gaming as a means to strengthen their governments , support their communities and invest in nationbuilding so they have a different framework for evaluating expansion investments and expansion returns .”
Spilde , who grew up in northern Minnesota , appreciates tribal dynamics in Southern California . It represents different means to a similar end .
“ Tribal government gaming has been transformative there ( Minnesota ) in many important ways such as creating employment , strengthening tribal sovereignty and stimulating business diversification ,” Spilde asserts . “ There is strong return on community there , in my opinion . But the scope of gaming and the scale of the return is much more subtle than it is here in California , where the tribal communities have the means to make major investments both on and off the reservation . Both areas are great examples of tribal government gaming in action , but they are very different stories of tribal gaming success .”
In some areas , success is rooted in bingo halls . In others , it is in a sprawling resort .
Here , it is in both .
30 CASINO STYLE 2019