HBG Ranked Fourth in the Nation by Hotel Business Design
HBG is ranked #4 on the 2016 Hotel Business Design Top Architects and Designers List. For the full list, you can visit Hotel Business Design.
BD&C Magazine ranks HBG #10 in the Nation of Top Hotel Architects
See full list in Building Design + Construction
HBG ranks tenth in the nation of top hotel architecture firms.
Graceland Announces New $45 Million State-of-the-Art Entertainment Complex
HBG is excited to be the designer for the new “Elvis: Past, Present & Future” Entertainment Complex, that will present the life, career and legacy of the greatest entertainer like never before.
‘Elvis: Past, Present & Future’ to Open Spring 2017, Featuring New Elvis Presley Career Museum, Automobile Museum, Performance Soundstage, Restaurants and Retail in 200,000 Square Foot Expansion
New, Permanent Exhibition on Sun Records’ Legendary Founder Sam Phillips and his Music Legacy to be Featured, as Graceland Partners with the Phillips Family to Showcase Artifacts From the Family Archives
Original article located at Graceland.com here.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland has announced its largest and most significant expansion since opening to the public in 1982 with the unveiling, this morning, of its plans and artist renderings for “Elvis: Past, Present & Future,” a 200,000-square-foot, $45 million entertainment complex now under construction across the street from Elvis’ iconic Graceland Mansion. The state-of-the-art facility, opening in the spring of 2017, will be five times the size of the current visitor center. It will present the life, career and legacy of the greatest entertainer like never before. The complex will also showcase interactive and immersive pop culture experiences that connect to Elvis’ personal interests and activities throughout his life, including his passion for automobiles and new technology.
While the acclaimed Graceland Mansion tour will continue to present the personal and family side of Elvis’ life, “Elvis: Past, Present & Future” will tell the rest of Elvis’ incredible story in an unprecedented, interactive and highly-engaging way.
“We are thrilled to bring Elvis fans the opportunity to explore the things that Elvis loved and what he would have loved today – the music, the technology, the experiences,” stated Joel Weinshanker, Managing Partner, Graceland Holdings, LLC. “Elvis: Past Present & Future will enable our visitors to live a day in the life of Elvis Presley. Whether you’ve been to Graceland multiple times or have yet to make the trip, we know that you will be entertained, educated and inspired like never before, here at the world’s greatest music landmark.”
The cornerstone of this new complex will be “Elvis: The Entertainer,” a 20,000-square-foot museum celebrating Elvis’ incredible music, movie and live touring career, featuring hundreds of artifacts from the extensive Graceland Archives, as guests take a journey from his early days in Tupelo, Miss., through his first recording session in Memphis, rise to fame, Hollywood career, service in the U.S. Army, life at Graceland, the Las Vegas years and more. “Elvis: The Entertainer” will be the largest and most comprehensive Elvis museum in the world.
A new Elvis Presley Automobile Museum will showcase over 20 of Elvis’ automobile and motorized vehicles, including Elvis’ iconic Pink Cadillac, and also feature a 200-seat theater space showcasing Elvis movie clips focused on cars and racing.
A 20,000-square-foot “Graceland Soundstage” will be an extraordinary venue for live music performances, movie screenings and premieres, video productions, with theater seating for up to 2,000 people, as well as the flexibility to use for private events, corporate meetings, conferences and trade show exhibitions.
“Discovery” exhibit spaces will showcase aspects of Elvis’ life, career and interests in greater depth, from the music genres that influenced Elvis from his earliest days – Rhythm & Blues, Southern Gospel, Country & Western — to today’s music artists who continue to be influenced by Elvis and his body of work. Graceland will also partner with iconic brands to present immersive, experiential exhibits and pop culture attractions to enhance the visitor experience throughout the complex.
A signature exhibition will present the incredible story of music visionary and legendary producer Sam Phillips, who essentially created Rock ‘n’ Roll and discovered so many incredible artists at Memphis Recording Service/Sun Records, including Howlin’ Wolf, BB King, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and, of course, Elvis Presley. Graceland will partner with the Phillips family to develop an extensive exhibition that showcases Sam’s life and work in an unprecedented and engaging way. Featuring rare artifacts, photos, videos and documents from the Phillips family archives, the exhibition will shine a light on the great artists that Sam produced, starting with the early blues recordings that profoundly influenced Elvis and continues to impact the music of today.
In a statement, Sam Phillips’ sons Knox and Jerry (seen in the photo at right with Elvis) said, “Our family and the Presley family have had a long standing relationship since 1954 when Sam gave Elvis the inspiration and opportunity to express himself through music in his Memphis Recording Service studio. When Sam first recorded Elvis, the world changed. Having Sam Phillips story at Graceland not only brings Sam and Elvis back together in Memphis again, but shines a light on the great artists Sam produced from his early blues recordings that profoundly influenced Elvis and the music of today. The entire Sam Phillips family is extremely pleased and proud to partner with Graceland as we bring Sam’s incredible story to life for Graceland visitors from around the world. What better place to do this than at Graceland here in Memphis where it all happened. Sam and Elvis had such love and respect for each other, now they will be recognized together again, influencing new generations for years to come. Rock on…”
“Graceland is thrilled to team with Knox and Jerry and the entire Phillips family on this exhibition about an extraordinary man and our dear friend, Sam Phillips, who changed the world forever with his amazing vision, insight and great talent,” stated Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. “We can’t wait to present Sam’s entire story and tremendous legacy, from his earliest days, to the artists he discovered and nurtured, to his crucial role in Elvis’ life and career – as we make this exhibition a vital part of the expanded Graceland experience.”
The “Elvis: Past, Present & Future” experience will also feature Elvis’ two custom airplanes, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II, which continue to be a very popular part of the existing Graceland visitor center. The iconic planes will remain across the street from the Mansion, adjacent to the new venue.
The new facility will also feature two themed restaurants named for Elvis’ parents, Gladys and Vernon. Gladys’ Diner will feature classic American fare, including Elvis’ favorite: grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Vernon’s Smokehouse will feature authentic Memphis BBQ, smoked in-house. A coffee bar and ice cream shop will also be located within the complex, along with new retail stores offering the most extensive collection of Elvis merchandise in the world.
“Elvis: Past, Present & Future” is Phase II of the planned Graceland expansion and development. Combined with the $92 million Phase 1 project — The Guest House at Graceland 450-room resort hotel opening October 27, 2016 — Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is investing a total of $137 million in the Whitehaven community of Memphis to further enhance the Memphis and Graceland experience for visitors from around the world.
Indian Gaming Showcase: ‘Green Globes’ Recipient Desert Diamond West Valley Casino
“Having HBG as a partner on this project helped us to ensure that we created a space that is not only sustainable, but also fully functional in addition to complimenting the area in which it was built. We couldn’t be more pleased.” Great article on the new Desert Diamond West Valley Casino in this month’s Indian Gaming!
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Opens New Expansion at Four Winds Dowagiac
We are so proud of our client, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, for the success and recent expansion of Four Winds Dowagiac.
Groundbreaking held for the expansion of Choctaw Grant Casino Resort
We were excited to attend the groundbreaking for the Choctaw Grant Casino Resort Expansion, held on August 18. Completion of the project is expected to be in July 2017.
Read Full Story on Choctaw Nation
The project will add:
- a new 96-room hotel tower featuring 23 luxury suites;
- an expanded swimming pool and outdoor bar nestled in a tropical garden;
- an exclusive new poker room;
- 125 additional slot machines;
- a new 155-seat bar and grill;
- an addition of 48 seats to the renowned Firehouse Buffet;
- a convenient new “Grab & Go” coffee shop; and
- a new lobby and check-in that will create a true arrival experience for hotel guests.
HBG’s Dike Bacon and Mike Ochoa with Chief Gary Batton, Assistant Chief Jack Austin, Jr, Choctaw Tribal Councilmen, local dignitaries and Casino employees break ground on the new expansion of the Grant Casino.
Graceland hotel, steps from Elvis Presley's former home, set to open in October
See article in Chicago Tribune
Elvis Presley used to dream about building a guest house at his Graceland property for friends who would visit the rock 'n' roll icon in Memphis.
Presley didn't get to see his dream come true, but his fans will. The Guest House at Graceland is a six-story, 450-room hotel, opening Oct. 27 just steps from Presley's former home. The exterior, with columns, arches and a portico, evokes the feel of a comfortable Southern Colonial home, but the interior design and amenities are modern.
The hotel is the first of its kind in the working and middle-class Memphis neighborhood of Whitehaven. Droves of applicants flocked to a job fair Saturday, and the hotel will employ about 450 people. When the hotel opens, room prices will range from $149 for basic rooms to $1,300 for the highest-priced suites.
The location lets Elvis fans stay within walking distance of Graceland and the tourist attractions across the street, but it will likely attract other visitors as well. It will offer the most upscale accommodations in the immediate area, which has a Days Inn and a couple of other budget hotels. Also nearby, the aging Heartbreak Hotel is scheduled for demolition.
The Guest House at Graceland also promises to become one of the city's top lodging options, along with the Peabody and the Madison several miles away in the downtown area.
"If you ever thought that you wanted to hang out with Elvis and feel like one of his guests, this is your opportunity," said Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages the Graceland tours and also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events worldwide.
Weinshanker said the total investment in the hotel is about $92 million. Memphis officials approved a tax break for the hotel project.
The hotel is still under construction, with bulldozers outside and workers installing electric outlets and carpets. But colors associated with The King already are present, such as touches of purple and gold in the carpeting and hallways, gold lighting in the 464-seat theater, and a picture of Elvis in a gold jacket hanging on the textured gray walls of guest rooms. At 386,000 square feet, it's about 22 times the size of the Graceland house.
"There's not a whole lot of Elvis bling," said Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden. "It's much more subtle. It's very cool."
The circular lobby is illuminated by natural light streaming through large windows. The lobby ceiling features mirrors shaped like elongated hexagons. The gray and purple carpet is decorated with a geometric pattern. Turn right and you get The Lobby Lounge, an eating and drinking spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Nearby is E.P.'s Bar and Grill, a sports bar-themed restaurant with televisions and a pool table. A left turn from the lobby leads to another restaurant, Delta's Kitchen, which will feature locally sourced products and a breakfast buffet. There's also a coffee bar, and room service will be available. Beyond Delta's Kitchen is a large ballroom in addition to four meeting rooms. The theater venue can be used for musical performances and company conferences.
The rooms feature textured vinyl wall coverings, a glass-encased shower with a wall-mounted body spray, and sleekly designed chairs next to a window with a blackout curtain. Rooms also have a Keurig coffee brewing system and a flatscreen TV. Priscilla Presley said suites will have unique themes. The King's Suite will be designed like Elvis Presley's master bedroom, with rich red and black tones and a custom-draped canopy bed. The property will also include a swimming pool, adding to the resort feel. "It really is quite beautiful, and it is subtle, and it is contemporary, and it's classy," Priscilla Presley said. "I think our guests will be very happy."
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino Makes the Cover of Casino Journal!
Case studies on Native American casino resort designs
Gaming resort architects strive to integrate important tribal symbols and patterns wherever possible when it comes to designing the latest Native American casino resorts, as these case studies from leading firms show.
CASE STUDY 2
Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino
Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
Owner and operator: Seneca Nation, New York
Architect: Hnedak Bobo Group (HBG)
Opening Date: 2013 (expansion to open spring 2017)
The Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino adds unmistakable energy and excitement to the Inner Harbor area of downtown Buffalo, N.Y., an area of the city that is now seeing resurgence in development, partially due to the Seneca Nation’s long-time commitment to area growth.
With an architectural and interior design by HBG (Hnedak Bobo Group), the urban casino is uniquely positioned in location, size and amenities to meet the needs of the regional gaming and entertainment market as it advances the Seneca Nation’s culture and community vision.
That vision involves creating a modern economic development that stimulates and creates synergy as part of the restaurant, retail and entertainment renaissance happening in the Buffalo Inner Harbor District.
The Seneca Nation has strong historic and cultural ties to the Inner Harbor area—which falls within their ancestral nine-acre sovereign Buffalo Creek Territory; the property’s owners strongly believe that the success and growth of the Buffalo Creek gaming operation and the success and growth of the surrounding district go hand-in-hand. This vision of community integration directly influenced the casino design—of both the phase I casino, and now the phase II expansion scheduled to open spring 2017.
Marrying community and culture, the property’s carefully-planned design by HBG takes cues from its location just two blocks away from the First Niagara Center, home of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres hockey team, the strong regional water influences of adjacent Lake Erie and Buffalo River/Buffalo Creek, and meaningful cultural elements significant to the Seneca Nation. The subtle, physical interpretation of these elements results in a contemporary and vibrant experience true to the Inner Harbor’s context and planned development trajectory.
EXPANDED APPROACH
Upon the permanent casino’s opening in 2013, the property witnessed tremendous success, leading the Seneca Nation to announce an expansion in 2015, consisting of new restaurant and gaming amenities.
In January 2016, the Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation broke ground on the $40 million expansion project, also designed by HBG. As reported by the nation, the economic impact is expected to be large, with approximately 800 people working at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, helping to entertain the more than three million annual visitors.
Currently under construction, the two-story addition to the existing casino adds approximately 28,500 square feet of space on each of two levels. The ground floor will add more than 300 additional slot machines and additional table games, including a high limit room and expanded non-smoking area, and a performance stage for live entertainment at Stixx Sports Bar. The second floor of the expansion will introduce a new ‘Western Door Steakhouse’ concept restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
“Design and economics go hand-in-hand,” said Paul Bell, AIA, project manager and principal at HBG. “It was important hat, as designers, we understood the market influences at play in the Inner Harbor district before we began formulating ideas.” For example, according to industry research, HBG knows that today’s consumer, no matter their age, from Millennials to Boomers, expects more for their money—more creativity and intelligence from their entertainment experiences, more relevant amenities, more authenticity, more distinction.
“These aspects influence how guests spend their entertainment dollars,” Bell added. “We need to elevate our design thinking for each project and get very targeted with amenity design and offerings.”
Buffalo’s Inner Harbor market was primed for new, targeted experiences. Three main design elements/venues at the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino fulfilled a market gap. Spurred by community-driven interests and a focus on locality and authentic elements of native and regional design, designers created the Stixx Sports Bar and the Western Door Steakhouse restaurant, and infused the casino with subtle references to Seneca Nation heritage, culture and local context.
TRIBAL VOICE
To get the heritage angle correction, HBG worked closely with Seneca Nation stakeholders, Seneca Gaming Corporation leadership and casino operations, and Seneca Construction Management Corporation. From early design and cultural exploration workshops through to construction, the Seneca Gaming Corporation leadership is highly involved in keeping the team focused on realizing the ultimate project vision.
Close collaboration between HBG’s design team and the Seneca Nation Cultural Committee was invaluable to ensure authenticity of native artwork and regional inspirations, including custom materials used throughout the design.
“Before design concepts were created, our team met with the Seneca Cultural Committee to learn about the nation’s customs, history and cultural identity,” said Nathan Peak, AIA, design discipline director and principal at HBG. “The nation wanted the property to reflect the local Buffalo area, while also infusing meaningful cultural elements into the design.”
One such cultural element worked into the property’s design was the Seneca Walk. “As a unique place making element, the Seneca Walk was created as a signature pedestrian entryway to the property,” Peak said. Stretching from the corner of Perry St. and Michigan Ave. to the casino’s front door, Seneca Walk is lined with eight custom-lit pylons, each representing one of the eight Seneca tribal clans—Turtle, Bear, Wolf, Beaver, Snipe, Heron, Deer and Hawk.
The Senecas are also known as the “People of Great Hill.” This historical and cultural element inspired designers to plant a White Pine, symbolic of the Tree of Peace, on the 10-foot hill overlooking Seneca Walk. The glowing Tree of Peace landmark design element is unmistakable on the casino floor, a welcoming and energizing feature that also works to make wayfinding easy and uncomplicated for casino guests. The Tree of Peace becomes a focal point of the design, highlighted by an undulating wood-tone ceiling.
Rising almost 17 feet in height and spanning almost 14 feet at its widest point, HBG’s design of the Tree of Peace is highly abstracted; sculptural pine branches rise up around the tree to emphasize the rhythm and geometry of the individual pine needles. Illuminated to signify its importance, the Tree of Peace is said to have been “used by the Creator to represent peace, strength, the will to not fight against one another and protection when abiding by the great law of peace.”
The Seneca Nation is also widely recognized for their intricate jewelry and beadwork patterns. Metallic canopies found over many of the public spaces feature patterns derived or abstracted from traditional Wampum belt patterns unique to Seneca. The Hiawatha belt, which memorializes the Great Law of Peace, can be found over all entrances of the casino. Distinctive floral, ribbon and 3D splint-and-ash basket weave motifs layer on ceiling, wall and floor coverings, while Seneca artwork features rosette medallions and stainless steel panels. The high-limits gaming area is set apart by mosaic flooring made of Sicis art glass and marble mosaics that provide a wonderful iridescent visual effect–reminiscent of traditional Seneca Nation jewelry.
Drawing inspiration from Lake Erie and Buffalo Creek, designers applied a symbolic water design to the building’s façade with blue metal panels creating a visual wave-like movement spanning the casino entrance and wrapping around the building. The blue panels are continued into the two-story expansion elevation to emphasize the rectangular geometry and a second story balcony for outdoor Western Door Steakhouse restaurant dining. This water concept was carried into the gaming floor by a custom carpet pattern resembling radiating water droplets, and in fluid-patterned blue and multi-colored carpet detailing on the expanded gaming floor.
Internally, the two-story expansion adds a new central stair with a dramatic overhead ceiling and wall feature evocative of a long, flowing waterfall lit in deep shades of watery blue and gray. The new design element will add to the gaming excitement and give the new expansion an interior prominence on par with its elevated exterior stature. A second main bar will be located on the new gaming floor underneath the new stair, accented by water-inspired hues and rain-like ceiling light features that frame the bar seating area.
FACING CHALLENGES
As with any property built close to water, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino has a bunch of unique developmental obstacles to overcome. A key challenge early on involved how to most effectively integrate the property on the site for visibility and accessibility from main Inner Harbor district traffic. This involved forecasting where future development might take place in the district so that the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino remains an active contributor to the area’s economic development as sprawl naturally occurs in the district.
Designers took the project’s site planning very seriously, since placement of the main entry and access to key community–based amenities would greatly affect the success of the overall development. The first phase implementation created a unique place making element, the Seneca Walk, as a signature pedestrian entryway to the property that also sets the tone for future development.
Memphis, Tenn.-based Hnedak Bobo Group (HBG) is a national leader in the design of casino resorts. For more information on the company, visit hbginc.com.
Desert Diamond West Valley Casino Only the Second U.S. Casino to Receive Green Globes for New Construction Certification
Memphis, TN (July 14, 2016) – The Green Building Initiative has announced Desert Diamond West Valley Casino in Maricopa County, Arizona, as only the second casino in the U.S. to earn Green Globes for New Construction Certification status. Green Globes is a nationally-recognized eco-friendly and sustainable design rating assessment and certification program.
The new 50,000 square foot casino property, which is phase I of a future resort complex, is owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Nation, and was designed by national casino resort designers, HBG (Hnedak Bobo Group).
Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said “We are thrilled that our continuing commitment to the environment has earned Desert Diamond Casino a prestigious Green Globe. Having HBG as a partner on this project helped us to ensure that we created a space that is not only sustainable, but also fully functional in addition to complementing the area in which it was built. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
“Working with the Tohono O’odham Nation, Desert Diamond Casino and The Green Building Initiative in this endeavor has been very fulfilling; and our team is enthusiastic about integrating more sustainable features and efficiencies into the resort’s future phases,” says Rob Lee, AIA, principal at HBG and project manager for the project.
“This level of sustainability shows a commitment by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise to the environment,” said David Eldridge, Green Globes Assessor, “and it demonstrates the abilities of HBG and the other members of the design and construction team to implement the desired features as part of the project.”
Project management processes, site location, planning, design and sustainable material selection were key drivers for the Green Globes certification for Desert Diamond West Valley Casino. Among a few of the standouts are:
- An integrated design process (IDP) – Performance goals were set and reviewed during multiple stages of construction including site design, envelope requirements, materials, energy use, water use, and overall sustainability.
- The development area – The project was built within a half mile of a commercial zone, away from sensitive areas, out of the flood plain and on a previously developed site. Credit was also awarded for participation in the planned development surrounding an important entertainment and sports district on the west side of the Phoenix Metro area.
- Ecological impacts – The project included an erosion control plan, reduction of the heat island effect, improvement of the local ecology, minimized disturbance of the site and minimized impact to natural species and habitats.
- Landscaping – Significant planning went into soil type, plant locations and the selection of drought tolerant plants that are native to the area.
- Stormwater management – The casino design included control measures for the volume of stormwater, as well as methods to improve the quality of stormwater for reclamation.
- Exterior light pollution – The lighting design included reduction of light trespass (spilling over into other areas) and reduction of glare with efficient fixtures in the parking lot.
The phase I casino is planned to revert to use as warehouse space once the larger casino resort experience opens. Because of the transitional nature of the phase I casino, designers used an abundance of sustainable materials, including carpeting made from recycled materials. Paint was used instead of the typical vinyl wall covering, and fixtures were designed to be transportable to the future casino development.
The Green Globe certification program recognizes the commitment to environmentally efficient design, construction and operational practices, and provides customized guidance in the implementation of high-performance interiors and buildings.
Isle of Capri Bettendorf's 'Little Move is Big News': HBG Designed Casino Expansion Holds Grand Opening
35,000 feet of new and innovative play.
509 comfortable rooms.
3 new restaurants with farm-to-table eats
975 red-hot slots
And $60 million in upgrades and amenities for a better-than-ever experience.
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) announced today that Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf opened its new $60 million, land-based casino to the public at 10 a.m. central on June 24 with approximately 1,000 people passing through the turnstiles in the first few hours.
The casino includes approximately 1,000 slot machines, 19 table games, and two restaurants includingFarmer’s Pick Buffet®andKeller’s Express®,Lone Wolf® Bar is located on the gaming floor. An additional restaurant,Keller’s American Grillwill open later this year.
“This property has come a long way from its humble beginnings with a small riverboat sailing up and down the river more than 25 years ago,” said Eric Hausler, Isle’s chief executive officer. “Today we reveal a new single-level casino, two new restaurants, with a third to open soon, a grand new entrance, and a consolidated hotel lobby located between our two hotel towers.
“We thank our general contractor, architect, and all of the local tradespeople for sharing their expertise with us. The employees here at Bettendorf are dedicated to providing first class customer service and they are excited to share our new experience with everyone.”
The General Contractor on the project was Kraus-Anderson Construction, and the lead architect was Hnedak Bobo Group, Inc.
For more information about the project, visit www.thebiglittlemove.com