Phased, Dynamic Growth: Desert Diamond West Valley Casino
Glendale, Arizona
The Project
Located in the heart of a bustling entertainment and sports district on the west side of the Phoenix Metro area, the new Desert Diamond West Valley Casino – owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Nation – is developed around the core concept of a truly unique entertainment experience for regional gaming patrons. HBG Design completed a master plan for a larger casino resort development that will be implemented in phases. Phases one and two were completed and opened in 2015 and 2020, respectively. Phase one of the casino resort plan – the Interim Casino - allowed the Owner to begin generating revenue that would finance future phases. To smartly plan for future expansion, the resort infrastructure was put in place during phase one to support the full resort build-out to come.
The 50,000 square foot Interim casino offered a full Class 2 gaming experience with 1089 gaming machines, an edge bar, and a 75-seat food court. Visually, the Interim Casino exterior set the tone for the resort aesthetic, using a contemporary palette of cool, earthy green tones and white tiled accents that form the centerpiece to the multi-hued stone at columns and base. When the phase two casino recently opened, the Interim casino – as planned – reverted to use as warehouse support space. Because of the transitional nature of the phase one casino, designers used an abundance of sustainable materials, including carpeting made from recycled materials. Paint was used instead of a typical vinyl wall covering, and fixtures were designed to be transportable to the future casino phases. The new 1.2 M square foot casino continues the design palette showcasing the desert’s ‘Dynamic Earth’ with amazing effect – a soaring 75,000 square foot gaming floor with a two-story center bar and lounge is a highlight. The overall phasing and completed results are testament to HBG Design’s successful, early long-term planning activities with the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Photography by Peter Malinowski/Insite Photography
LocationGlendale, ArizonaTotal SizeNew Casino: 1.2 million SF, including: 75,000 SF casino floor; 1,136 slots; 48 blackjack tables; 36 poker tables; 400 Seat Live Bingo; Italian Restaurant; 24 Hour Café; Sports Bar; Steak and Seafood Restaurant; Food Court; 2-Story Center Bar; Two Parking Garages; Interim Casino: 128,000 SFTotal CostNew Casino: $400M; Interim Casino: $80MClientTohono O'odham Nation