HBG Design Named a 2026 Top Workplace
HBG Design is proud to announce that we have been named a 2026 Top Workplace by The Commercial Appeal, marking the 12th consecutive year our firm has received this distinguished honor in the Memphis metro area.
The award is especially meaningful because it is based entirely on employee feedback gathered through a confidential, third-party survey administered by Energage. The survey measures key components of the employee experience, including feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute — benchmarks that reflect the strength of our culture from the inside out.
As Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, shared:
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees. That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Where We Shined in 2026
In this year’s firm-wide survey, HBG saw its three largest increases in engagement scores in:
- Employee well-being
- Meaningfulness of work
- Work-life balance
These gains reflect a focused and intentional effort to strengthen our internal culture — ensuring that as our portfolio of transformative hospitality and gaming projects grows, so does the experience of the people designing them.
A Culture Built with Intention
“Being recognized in the top tier of workplaces in Memphis is right where we want to be — where everything we do internally communicates the HBG experience: meaningful work on projects that create impact, work that aligns with our employees’ values, providing an enriching employee experience that prioritizes well-being, inclusiveness, and engagement, and creating a place where the work-life and home-life of our employees generate the kind of balance that energizes and galvanizes every single day,” said Nathan Peak, HBG Design's President.
What Our Team Says
The true measure of a Top Workplace is the voice of its people. This year’s survey responses reflect a culture defined by growth, trust, and innovation:
- “It’s a forward-thinking company.”
- “HBG excels in pairing employees’ passions with their strengths, enabling us to craft a career uniquely tailored to our gifts.”
- “We are a growing and dynamic firm that is achieving a lot of success.”
- “I appreciate the design innovation within projects and the trust and responsibility awarded to employees.”
- “What makes us such a great firm is the dedication to professional growth of staff and genuine commitment to work-life balance.”
- “Leadership is listening to our employees’ concerns and focusing on solutions.”
- “Culture is a priority. There is great collaboration and trust across team members. I feel empowered and fully engaged.”
Designing Impact — Inside and Out
For HBG Design, workplace culture is not separate from design excellence — it fuels it. The same intentionality we bring to shaping immersive hospitality and gaming destinations is applied internally to building a workplace where people thrive.
Twelve years as a Top Workplace is more than a milestone. It’s a reflection of who we are — and a commitment to continuing to evolve, listen, and lead with purpose.
We are grateful to our team for making HBG Design a place where great design — and great careers — are built.
HBG Design Featured on No Vacancy: Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels
Regional casino resorts have evolved—and today’s most successful properties are no longer competing solely on gaming floors or square footage. They are competing as full-scale destination hotels, designed to extend stays, increase spend, and drive repeat visitation.
That shift is the focus of a recent episode of the No Vacancy podcast, hosted by Glenn Haussman with guest co-host Dr. Suzanne Bagnera, featuring HBG Design leaders Kelly DeVine, Principal, and Emily Marshall, NCIDQ, NEWH, IIDA, Principal and Interior Design Leader.
In the episode, Kelly and Emily discuss how design, operations, and profitability are inseparable in modern regional casino resorts—and why performance-driven design must start long before finishes and aesthetics are considered.
From Regional Casino to Destination Resort
Using Gun Lake Casino Resort in Michigan as a case study, the conversation explores how regional gaming properties now compete with Las Vegas–style destination resorts. Guests expect more than gaming alone: hospitality, dining, entertainment, and thoughtfully designed hotel experiences all play a role in attracting longer stays and repeat visits.
Kelly and Emily emphasize that this evolution requires a fundamental shift in how projects are approached—one that prioritizes operational strategy and guest behavior from day one.
Designing for Gaming Performance
Designing for Gaming PerformanceOne of the key insights from the episode is how hotel design directly influences gaming behavior. Guest rooms must strike a careful balance: they should feel comfortable and welcoming, but not so indulgent that guests disengage from the casino floor and resort amenities.
This intentional approach ensures that the hotel supports—not competes with—the core gaming experience, reinforcing the overall business model of the resort.
Operations First: The Engine Behind the Experience
At HBG Design, successful casino resorts begin with operations. Kelly and Emily discuss why elements such as:
- Housekeeping flow and back-of-house efficiency
- Durability and material selection
- Turnover time and maintenance realities
are often more critical to long-term performance than purely visual considerations.
By designing the “engine” before the exterior experience, properties are better positioned to operate efficiently, control costs, and deliver consistent guest satisfaction over time.
Programming Spaces for Repeat Visitation
Programming Spaces for Repeat VisitationBeyond the hotel and gaming floor, the episode highlights the importance of programming spaces that keep guests coming back—especially local and regional visitors. Flexible entertainment venues, food and beverage offerings, and social spaces all contribute to building loyalty and extending engagement beyond a single visit.
Design as a Business Tool
Ultimately, the conversation reinforces a core HBG Design philosophy: design is not a vanity exercise—it is a business tool. When design decisions are grounded in operations, guest behavior, and measurable outcomes, they can directly support revenue growth and long-term success.
We’re proud to see Kelly DeVine and Emily Marshall share their expertise on No Vacancy and contribute to an industry-wide conversation about performance-driven design in today’s casino resorts.
Listen to the full episode of No Vacancy: Episode 1009 – Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels to hear the complete discussion and insights.
HBG Design’s Kalyn Johnson Named Among 2026 Emerging Leaders of Gaming
See article in Global Gaming Business Magazine
HBG Design proudly celebrates Kalyn Johnson, Associate and Lead Interior Designer, for being named to the 2026 Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40, an honor recognizing the industry’s brightest rising talent shaping the future of gaming and hospitality.
Kalyn’s decade-long journey at HBG Design is a story of creativity, precision, and leadership. Starting as an intern in 2014, she quickly rose through the ranks—earning recognition for her ability to merge conceptual artistry with technical excellence to create immersive resort environments across the U.S.
Designing Experiences that Resonate
From luxury hotel towers to high-energy entertainment venues, Kalyn’s work exemplifies HBG’s mission to design experiences that delight and inspire. Her recent projects include the $300 million expansion of Michigan’s Gun Lake Casino Resort, transforming it into a four-diamond destination anchored by a 252-key hotel tower and the striking two-story Ogema Suite. Kalyn also helped energize the property’s gaming floor through the Social Bar & Lounge, a vibrant hub for social connection and entertainment.
At WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma, she brought new life to the F&B outlets supporting the Lucas Oil Live event center, and at Four Winds Casino South Bend in Indiana, she crafted a culturally resonant arrival experience that celebrates community and place.
Rooted in Curiosity and Collaboration
Kalyn approaches every project through the lens of the guest journey—imagining how visitors move, feel, and connect throughout their stay.
“Curiosity really drives me,” she shares. “I love listening to clients and hearing directly from their guests, because that feedback helps shape stronger, more thoughtful design solutions.”
That empathy extends to her collaborative process. “True success comes from the collective effort of design leaders, design teams, and clients,” she says. “If a design direction isn’t resonating, it’s an opportunity to listen more deeply and guide the team toward solutions that align with the client’s vision.”
Currently, Kalyn is leading the interior design for the $405 million Ho-Chunk Beloit Casino Resort in Wisconsin, slated to open in 2026—her most ambitious project yet. Partnering with local operators and consultants, she is helping to ensure that every detail feels authentically rooted in Wisconsin’s culture and community.
Mentorship and Leadership
Beyond her design talent, Kalyn is a natural mentor. She credits HBG Principal Deidre Brady and Interior Design Leader Emily Marshall for shaping her approach to leadership, problem-solving, and narrative-driven design.
“I’m energized by the opportunity to grow into a hospitality design role that balances creativity, strategy, and mentorship at a higher level,” she says.
A True Design ‘Unicorn’
A True Design ‘Unicorn’At HBG Design, we’ve long recognized Kalyn’s rare blend of imagination, insight, and empathy—qualities that truly make her, as Global Gaming Business Magazine describes, “a design unicorn.”
Her recognition among the 2026 Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the innovation, collaboration, and heart that drive HBG Design’s culture forward.
Congratulations, Kalyn—your leadership and creativity continue to inspire us all.
Top Hospitality Design Firm: HBG Design #2 in 2025
At HBG Design, our passion for hospitality design continues to shape the future of resort and hotel experiences across the country. We’re thrilled to announce that Hotel Business magazine has ranked HBG Design #2 on its 2025 list of Top Architects & Designers—marking our sixth consecutive year among the top
five hospitality design firms in the nation.
This continued recognition underscores our position as a top hospitality design firm known for vision, creativity, and technical excellence. At HBG Design, our integrated architecture and interior design teams work in close collaboration to create immersive, memorable environments that resonate deeply with guests and elevate our clients’ brands.
Milestone Openings in 2025
This year marks an exciting chapter for our hospitality studio as we celebrate the completion of three signature casino resort hotel projects:
- Gun Lake Casino Resort in Wayland, Michigan – A bold expansion of this established property, the new hotel and spa experience delivers upscale comfort and signature design tailored to the Gun Lake brand.
- Golden Mesa Casino Hotel in Guymon, Oklahoma – This project introduces new overnight accommodations and hospitality offerings to an area rich in culture and gaming excitement.
- Rain Rock Casino Hotel in Yreka, California – Nestled at the base of the Siskiyou Mountains, this new hotel brings boutique luxury and elevated guest amenities to the region’s premier gaming destination.
These milestone openings showcase the creative and operational strength of our team, and reflect the level of quality that defines HBG Design’s work as a leading hospitality design firm.
A Legacy of Experience and Innovation
Over the past two decades, HBG Design has planned and designed more than 35,000 hotel and resort rooms across the United States, ranging from boutique and lifestyle hotels to large-scale integrated resort destinations. These include three-, four-, and five-star luxury properties that combine impactful design with operational insight.
Our longstanding reputation as a top hospitality architecture and interior design firm is built on our ability to create environments that are both strategically sound and emotionally engaging. We anticipate shifting traveler preferences and deliver solutions that exceed expectations for both owners and guests.
Designing What’s Next
As we look ahead, our team continues to focus on delivering bold architecture and interior design solutions that reflect a strong sense of place and story. Every project is a reflection of our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in hospitality design.
We are proud to be recognized once again as one of the top hospitality design firms in the country. Thank you to Hotel Business for this national recognition, and congratulations to our team members, clients, and creative partners who continue to drive our success forward.
The best is yet to come.
Smart Strategies for Casino Expansion in a Changing World
As Seen in Casino Design Magazine: "Nips, Tucks, Dollars, & Cents" - HBG's Strategies for Casino Expansion in Today's Changing World
In a time of record-setting gaming revenues but persistent economic headwinds, the stakes for casino resort development have never been higher. That’s why we're proud to share that HBG Design President Nathan Peak is featured as a key voice in Casino Style Magazine’s latest article, “Nips, Tucks, Dollars & Cents,” exploring how savvy operators and designers are rethinking renovation and expansion strategies in today’s unpredictable environment.
The article outlines how operators across the country—both commercial and tribal—are navigating inflation, shifting tariffs, labor challenges, and supply chain unpredictability. Nathan Peak offers insight into how HBG Design is helping clients move forward with confidence through phased development, data-driven flexibility, and proactive sourcing strategies. As Nathan notes,
“Flexibility is built into our process, but it hinges on having a strong communication chain among the owner, architect and contractor.”
With a deep portfolio of hospitality and gaming projects across the U.S., HBG Design is uniquely positioned to guide clients through capital investment decisions that balance guest experience with economic resilience. Whether it's identifying high-performing zones within a casino footprint, maximizing revenue-generating amenities, or phasing construction to match market conditions, our integrated team of architects, interior designers, and procurement experts helps clients transform challenges into opportunities.
Read the full article to learn how HBG Design is shaping the next generation of resort experiences.
Wawyé Oasis Lands the Cover of Casino Style Magazine
We’re thrilled to share that Casino Style Magazine’s Summer 2025 issue features Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Casino on its cover—and for good reason. As the centerpiece of the resort’s transformative $300 million expansion, Wawyé Oasis is a first-of-its-kind, indoor tropical retreat and entertainment venue designed by HBG Design to deliver a bold, immersive escape in the heart of West Michigan.
Created in close collaboration with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians and Gun Lake Casino leadership, the new 32,000-square-foot, glass-domed atrium is more than a pool—it’s an all-season, all-occasion destination. By day, lush greenery, radiant natural light, and sparkling pools invite guests into a serene tropical haven. By night, it morphs effortlessly into a vibrant concert venue or special event space, replete with dynamic lighting, state-of-the-art acoustics, and energy that rivals the biggest entertainment hot spots.
“When you look at the array of amenities—a hotel, a spa—some of them are natural, because we’re shooting for four-diamond status or higher,” says Gun Lake CEO Sal Semola. “The big differentiator is the Oasis.”
In the article "Deep Dive", writer Marjorie Preston explores the innovation, collaboration, and vision that brought this complex new environment to life. From the dome’s engineering marvels to the intricate planning behind its multi-functional spaces, Wawyé Oasis represents a bold new chapter in resort amenity design—one that’s turning heads, drawing visitors, and redefining what’s possible in a four-season casino resort.
Read the full story in Casino Style Magazine to see how HBG Design and Gun Lake Casino are making a splash in the world of resort entertainment.
Art. Atmosphere. Action. HBG Design Reimagines the Legendary Atlantis Casino
HBG Design is honored to be featured in the latest issue of Casino Style Magazine for our transformative design work at the iconic Atlantis Casino on Paradise Island, Bahamas.
In the feature article, “Bold Redesign Fuses Art, Atmosphere and Gaming Action,” HBG Design Principal and Interior Design Leader Emily Marshall shares how our team reimagined one of the world’s most legendary resort casinos into an immersive, energy-rich environment that seamlessly fuses Bahamian culture, contemporary art, and dynamic guest engagement.
The renovation celebrates and elevates Atlantis’ artistic legacy—including its world-renowned Dale Chihuly sculptures—through a vibrant design that re-centers art as a core component of the guest experience. Every touchpoint within the re-envisioned casino floor, from custom-designed carpet patterns to sculptural lighting and upgraded F&B venues, has been carefully choreographed to enhance movement, energy, and sensory connection.
Highlights of the redesign include:
- The Moon and The Sun Chihuly masterpieces, re-lit and re-staged to create immersive focal points.
- A refreshed and expanded Moon Bar and the all-new Bar Sol, blending live entertainment, Bahamian influence, and design-forward social energy.
- A casino floor layout and ceiling transformation that encourages guest exploration and elevates sightlines throughout.
- A palette of rich, jewel-toned hues and textures that reflect the light and rhythm of the sea.
As Marshall explains, “We approached the entire casino environment as a continuous experience... ensuring that whether guests are gaming, dining, or relaxing, they’re always part of the energy.”
This bold redesign is more than a renovation—it’s a reinvigoration of an iconic brand through HBG Design’s deeply strategic and emotionally resonant approach to hospitality and entertainment environments.
👉 Read the full article: “Bold Redesign Fuses Art, Atmosphere and Gaming Action” on Casino Style Magazine
As Seen in Casino Style: Live! Casino Louisiana
HBG Design is proud to share the latest Casino Style Magazine feature highlighting Live! Casino Louisiana—a transformative new land-based casino in Bossier City that’s redefining the regional gaming experience in North Louisiana.
Developed by The Cordish Companies and designed by HBG Design in collaboration with architect-of-record KdG, a Shive-Hattery company, Live! Casino Louisiana rises from the shell of the former Diamond Jacks property with a fresh identity rooted in bold vision and local energy. The design—led by HBG Principal Paul Bell, AIA—draws direct inspiration from the dynamic flow of the nearby Red River, informing a guest experience that is both visually fluid and emotionally vibrant.
From the moment guests arrive, they are immersed in a high-energy, art-forward environment, beginning with a show-stopping LED media ribbon that flows from the porte-cochere through the casino’s entry sequence—creating a signature Instagrammable moment that sets the tone for what’s inside.
Inside, every detail—from the vibrant, curving casino floor to the whirlpool-inspired Center Bar and the luxury of the High Limit area—is designed to evoke motion, discovery, and elevated entertainment. This project exemplifies HBG Design’s ability to create contextually inspired, guest-centric experiences that not only transform properties—but elevate their market impact.
Read more in Casino Style Magazine’s June 2025 issue to see how Live! Casino Louisiana is sparking a new era of gaming in the South—with a signature look and feel that only HBG Design can deliver.
👉 Read the full article: “Red River Energy” at Casino Style Magazine
The Next Generation of Regional Resorts
As guest expectations rise and competition for discretionary spend intensifies, today’s regional casino resorts are boldly stepping into a new league—transforming into destination-worthy experiences that rival the best of Las Vegas. In the newly published Casino Style Magazine article, “Super-Regional Momentum,” HBG Design’s thought leader Nathan Peak explore how next-level design strategy is propelling this powerful shift across the gaming and hospitality industry.
With insight drawn from decades of experience, President Nathan Peak shares how HBG Design is helping operators craft resort environments that do far more than house gaming—they create immersive, flexible experiences that attract guests from hundreds of miles away. These are not just expansions or renovations—they are bold reimaginings of what it means to engage, entertain, and elevate the guest journey.
From high-impact, multi-use amenities like the Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Casino to the strategic layering of entertainment, wellness, and culinary design, HBG Design is leading the charge in shaping the super-regional resort model—one defined by purpose, placemaking, and performance.
As Dike Bacon, VP of Development for Fremont-Wright notes, “These amenities aren’t just program elements—they’re destination-makers.” And in today’s fast-evolving resort landscape, that distinction matters more than ever.
Whether you’re planning phased growth, repositioning your market presence, or envisioning a signature new guest experience, this article offers valuable perspective on the design-led strategies that are redefining success for operators across the country.
Read the full feature in Casino Style Magazine
Gun Lake Casino Unveils New Resort Hotel Tower
Hotel was designed by HBG Design to Redefine Hospitality in the Midwest Region
Gun Lake Casino Resort has officially opened the doors to its striking new 15-story resort hotel tower. It's an eye-catching, experience-forward destination. The transformational expansion marks a new era for the property. It sets a bold benchmark for luxury, entertainment, and wellness in the Midwest.
With 252 guest rooms and suites, a tropical year-round atrium known as the Wawyé Oasis, a new spa and wellness retreat, and elevated dining and entertainment offerings, the expansion solidifies Gun Lake Casino’s position as a leading superregional resort destination.
“This project is a powerful expression of vision, identity, and hospitality innovation,” said Nathan Peak, AIA, Principal and Practice Leader at HBG Design. “Every aspect of the hotel and spa was designed to immerse guests in comfort, nature, and a sense of year-round escape—right here in West Michigan.”
A Destination That Begins with Engineering Ingenuity
The soaring hotel tower—visible from over a mile away along Highway 131—isn’t just beautiful; it’s built to last. To support the hotel and adjacent Wawyé Oasis, the team installed 263 caissons, each up to eight feet in diameter and drilled as deep as 180 feet into the ground, ensuring long-term structural integrity for the towering facility.
“Creating this level of verticality and complexity on site required an incredible effort between design, engineering, and construction,” said Paul Bell, AIA, Principal and Project Manager at HBG Design. “We had to integrate cutting-edge solutions at the foundation level to support the vision above.”
Natural Inspiration, Modern Comfort
HBG Design’s architectural and interior design concepts were deeply inspired by the surrounding landscape. The tower’s tinted glass façade captures natural light throughout the year, while earth-toned materials and layered metal panels ground the building within its rural Michigan context. At night, LED lighting animations bring the tower to life, adding energy and vibrancy to the entire resort.
“We wanted guests to feel like the entire property had always been planned this way—from the earliest expansions to today,” said Peak. “That level of cohesion elevates the guest experience and builds a sense of place.”
Inside the Experience: A Luxury Journey
From the moment guests arrive beneath the porte-cochère, they’re welcomed into a richly detailed environment. The hotel’s double-height lobby features a living green wall behind the reception desk. Just steps away, a stylish lobby bar offers an inviting social atmosphere, with window views into the lush tropical greenery of the Wawyé Oasis—bathed in natural light streaming through its expansive 29,000-square-foot glass atrium ceiling.
Each of the 252 guest accommodations—including 221 guestrooms, 31 suites, and the exclusive Ogema Suite—draws from a warm, natural palette inspired by Michigan’s landscape. Spacious layouts and large windows offer unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside and the Oasis below.
The two-story Ogema Suite—the crown jewel of the hotel—spans 3,368 square feet and features an in-suite elevator, two bedrooms, multiple entertaining spaces, a full bar, billiards table, and double-height windows with panoramic views. As Gun Lake CEO recalls: “One high-end guest, familiar with top-tier penthouses in Las Vegas, called it “beyond expectation.””
Living Well: MnoYé Spa Retreat and Fitness
Located on the lower level of the hotel, the MnoYé Spa Retreat—named after the Potawatomi word for “living well”—offers a private, tranquil counterpoint to the energy of the casino and Oasis. Guests can enjoy:
- Six massage treatment rooms with customizable lighting and soundscapes
- A full-service nail salon
- A state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton bikes, treadmills, and weights
- An aquathermal spa pool with gooseneck massagers and bubble massage benches
“The MnoYé Spa was designed as a calming wellness destination—one that engages all the senses,” said Peak. “It’s more than a spa; it’s a retreat where guests can reconnect with themselves.”
Dining, Entertainment, and Resort Amenities
Rounding out the resort experience are upgraded F&B and entertainment venues, including:
- Sandhill Café – A refreshed 137-seat, three-meal restaurant offering comfort classics and all-day breakfast. The design features custom crane-inspired artwork and a sculptural wood and glass wall inspired by sandhill crane feathers.
- Renovated Casino Center Bar – A dynamic, centrally located bar on the gaming floor redesigned for greater social energy, accessibility, and ambiance.
These new amenities provide the perfect balance to the resort’s gaming offerings, creating opportunities for relaxation and reconnection throughout the guest journey.
A Vision Realized
From the underground caissons to the penthouse views, every detail of the new Gun Lake Casino Resort Hotel reflects intentional design and collaborative execution.
“It’s been an incredible honor to help bring this vision to life,” said Bell. “This isn’t just a resort expansion—it’s a transformative destination with heart, story, and staying power.”
With this major milestone, the Gun Lake Tribe and Gun Lake Casino continue to deliver on their bold long-term vision for the region—one guest experience at a time.
