Sycuan Casino Resort
El Cajon, California
The Project
Transforming the resort experience at Sycuan Casino sets a new bar for gaming elegance in Southern California. With gaming remaining central to its operation, a new $226M hotel, casino and dining expansion introduces an array of distinct guest experiences, transforming a former small locals’ casino into a world-class AAA Four Diamond gaming resort. The new vision was defined by key market drivers and goals, including a dramatic elevation of design quality to create a regional destination resort that entices new “staycation” and events opportunities, while also welcoming loyal local gamers.
Set dramatically within the rugged landscape of East San Diego County, the resort expansion offers new casino, dining and entertainment experiences designed to seamlessly weave contemporary upscale elements together with unique relatable branding. Multiple existing dining amenities were repositioned to better target a multi-generational clientele. In these spaces, the interior design and unique branding concepts work hand-in-hand to achieve the desired market-focused appeal.
Photography by Peter Malinowski and Chad Mellon
LocationEl Cajon, California Total Size500,000 SF; 300-room hotel, casino expansion for 350 machines, conference/meeting space, two restaurants, events center, spa and fitness center, pool and gardensTotal Cost$246 MillionClientSycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation