WinStar's 20+ Acres of Non-Gaming Amenity Excitement
Read the Case Study in Indian Gaming Magazine about WinStar's Largest, Single-Event, Non-Gaming Amenity Expansion
WinStar's Non-Gaming Amenity Excitement
Located in Thackerville, OK, WinStar World Casino and Resort attracts visitors from Oklahoma, North Texas, and the bustling Dallas metro area, just 90 minutes away. This strategic location has fueled WinStar's growth, tapping into the vibrant urban market of one of the country’s fastest-growing regions. Recently, WinStar completed its largest non-gaming expansion in the property's 30-year history.
Expansive New Amenities at WinStar World Casino and Resort
The new expansion covers nearly 20 acres of event, pool, hotel, and spa amenities, all opened within the past year.
“The new 6,500-seat Lucas Oil Live, the 304-key Spa Tower, WinStar Spa, and the five-acre Cascades pool complex were all developed in response to market and guest preferences," says Jack Parkinson, President of WinStar. "Our aim is to create a well-rounded resort environment catering to traditional gamers and guests seeking immersive non-gaming experiences.”
From Bingo Hall to Global Hospitality Leader
Originally opened as a bingo hall in 1994 and expanded in 2003 as WinStar Casino, the property has continually evolved. Owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation, WinStar offers over 10,500 electronic games, 100 table games, and more than 1,700 guestrooms, earning the title of 'The Biggest Casino in the World.'
“Our strategic branding partnerships, like with Lucas Oil, and our long-standing design collaboration with HBG Design, have shaped WinStar's innovative evolution,” adds Parkinson.
Lucas Oil Live: Entertainment and Design Excellence
Lucas Oil Live, a 6,500-seat venue, has been nominated nine times for the American Country Music Awards 'Casino of the Year - Theater.' "Country music remains a highlight of our performance lineup," Parkinson explains. "Lucas Oil Live offers an enhanced event experience for our customers."
Designed with the energy of rock and country music, Lucas Oil Live features a state-of-the-art audio-visual system and amphitheater-style seating. “The vibrant design and advanced technology make every performance unforgettable,” says Rob Jurbergs, Principal Architectural Designer at HBG Design.
Session House Gastropub and VIP Amenities
Session House Gastropub offers pre-and post-event dining, connecting the event center excitement with the serene Spa Tower and WinStar Spa amenities. The exclusive club seating level, complete with a private lounge, full bar, and kitchen, enhances the guest experience.
WinStar Spa: European-Style Wellness Experiences
The new 230,000 square foot Spa Tower, featuring a 26,000 square foot European-style spa, has become a popular destination for wellness enthusiasts. “The spa offers communal experiences, including a VIP Party Suite and coed aqua thermal area with a hydrotherapy tub and ambient experience shower,” says Landon Shockey, Lead Interior Designer at HBG Design.
Cascades Pool Complex: An Outdoor Oasis
Spanning over five acres, Cascades pool complex offers a vibrant outdoor retreat. “The design features wading and lounge pools, semi-private cabanas, and bar pavilions inspired by ocean currents,” says Jurbergs. The upper tier is reserved for VIP guests, offering exclusive amenities like a private kitchen, dining area, and pool entry.
Relentless Focus on Unforgettable Experiences
“Our focus on creating unforgettable experiences at Cascades, Lucas Oil Live, and the WinStar Spa reflects our commitment to exceeding guest expectations,” says Parkinson. “The national attention we've received is a testament to our vision and continuous innovation.”
For more information on WinStar World Casino and Resort's non-gaming amenities, visit WinStar World Casino and Resort.
Caption by Hyatt Recognized by ENR ‘Best Projects’
We’re thrilled to share that the Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Hotel, a project close to our hearts at HBG Design, has received the prestigious Engineering News-Record Southeast 2023 Best Projects Award of Merit for Residential/Hospitality!
This recognition celebrates the culmination of our passion for innovative design and the remarkable transformation of the historic Ellis Building into the captivating Caption by Hyatt. It’s a testament to our commitment to preserving history while infusing modern elements in the heart of Memphis.
We are immensely proud of our team’s dedication, navigating challenges like historic integration, supply shortages during the pandemic, and the revitalization of downtown Memphis. Our approach was to honor the historical value of the 1878 Ellis and Sons Ironworks, breathing new life into its structure and design.
This award is a testament to our collaborative spirit, working alongside Carlisle Corporation and an incredible team of professionals, including Flintco, Uzun+Case, Innovative Engineering Services LLC, Canup Engineering Inc., Catalyst Design Group, and JPA Inc., to achieve this milestone.
Together, we’ve created a distinctive, unique space that redefines hospitality in the heart of downtown Memphis.
RD+D Magazine on Form + Function: Finishing Touches
HBG designers Alexandra Milkovich, IIDA, NCIDQ, and Landon Shockey, NCIDQ, ASID, were quoted in the November/December 2023 issue of RD+D Magazine.
Many design details throughout a space help establish a brand’s identity. “Details add authenticity, meaning and humanity to an environment, sometimes in a subliminal way to evoke any number of emotional responses,” says Alexandra Milkovich, associate and senior interior designer, HBG Design. The effect could evoke authenticity, liveliness or serenity, a sense of seriousness or whimsy, a farm-to-table theme or urbane sophistication — you name it.
At the OAK Room and Bar at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Ark., the vibe is refinement within a specific time — the early 1900s. Antique-inspired globe pendant lights, sculptures of jockeys on horses, historical photos of the track, and custom furnishings featuring high-quality fabrics support “an air of private club nostalgia,” says Landon Shockey, senior interior designer, HBG Design.
The OAK Room’s artisanal pottery elevates all menu selections. The venue’s wide-ranging menu, including a few traditionally down-home Southern dishes, get ritzy presentations on the dinnerware. “The plating coordinates well with the uniquely crafted menu selections,” Shockey says.
Read the November/December issue of RD+D.
Four Winds South Bend: Casino Foodservice
From Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine
By Donna Boss
December 01, 2023
The owners of Four Winds Casino wanted to expand its gaming to accommodate more guests at peak times. Casino leadership also wanted guests to have a multiday experience that included staying at the hotel and visiting the restaurants and spa. In addition, a conference center was added to accommodate businesses and groups to host meetings and other events.
Four Winds Casino South Bend opened on Jan. 16, 2018. In 2022, the casino expanded to 98,000 square feet, and at the same time the gaming floor included 1,900 slot machines. On March 1, 2023, the hotel, outdoor pool, Cedar Spa, Edgewater Café, and Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center opened.
“The external and internal property design integrates tribal cultural references and symbolism with contemporary details to achieve the elegant lodge style now synonymous with the Four Winds brand,” says Paul Bell, AIA, principal/project manager, HBG Design, Memphis, Tenn.
Situated on the third floor, the Edgewater Café serves as the hotel’s main restaurant and provides food and beverages for the adjacent outdoor rooftop pool area.
“Natural light streams through clerestory windows and a retractable glass partition wall that connects to the pool atmosphere,” Bell says.
Glass-enclosed fireplaces extend from the glass partition wall into large skylights, providing guests with views of the towering hotel above and a vertical ribbon light show in the evening.
“The restaurant mingles a multicolored textural tile accent wall, stone, and wood detailing into the warm contemporary palette,” says Joseph La Vallee, lead interior designer, HBG.
One main challenge the Edgewater Café project team faced was fitting the kitchen below a hotel tower that required many structural columns for support. “Therefore, we aligned the traffic aisles for the servers and chefs with space between the columns,” says Trish Jass, senior operations project manager, Rippe Associates, Minneapolis.
“We also made use of some oddly spaced areas for the dish room and storage areas,” says Mike Wrase, senior project manager, Rippe Associates. “Another challenge, the exhaust hood in low ceilings, was addressed by installing an exhaust hood that is shallower and deeper than it would have been with higher ceilings.”
After menu items arrive at the hotel/event center dock, staff bring them through the back of the house to elevators and up to the third-floor kitchen, which contains a walk-in cooler, a walk-in freezer and dry storage. Storage areas reside at the back of the kitchen, so the food can flow forward toward the customers.
Staff take trash and materials that can be recycled from the third floor down the back-of-the-house elevators to the dock.
A Solid Decade as a BD+C Hotel Design Powerhouse
HBG Design is honored to share that the firm has once again been ranked among the Top 5 Hotel Design firms in the Nation by Building Design + Construction Magazine’s Giants 400 Survey. This milestone marks a decade of unwavering commitment to excellence, as a Top 10 ranked hotel design giant since 2012. See the full Hotel Giants List.
A Decade of Consistency:
For ten consecutive years, HBG Design has been a force to be reckoned with in BD+C's Hotel Architecture Firms survey. Our consistent presence in the top 10 is a testament to our ability to navigate the evolving landscape of hospitality design trends, client expectations, and industry dynamics while maintaining an unwavering commitment to innovation and quality.
Navigating Change with Precision:
As a BD+C Hotel Design Giant, HBG Design has not merely adapted to change; we've embraced it with precision. Our designs reflect an understanding of the dynamic nature of the industry, ensuring that each project remains not just relevant but a trailblazer in its own right.
Client Trust: The Cornerstone of Our "Design Giants" Status:
At the core of our ‘Design Giants’ status is the trust and satisfaction of our clients. HBG Design’s client-centric approach, a hallmark of our success, ensures that every project is a collaborative journey, resulting in designs that not only meet but exceed expectations.
Team Synergy and Expertise:
The journey to becoming a BD+C Hotel Design Giant is a collective effort, and our talented team at HBG Design stands at the forefront. Architects, designers, and support staff collaborate seamlessly, bringing forth their expertise to craft spaces that tell unique stories and elevate the guest experience.
Looking Forward to the Next Decade:
As we celebrate a decade of excellence at the top of the BD+C Hotel Design Giant charts, HBG Design is geared up for the next chapter. Our commitment to designing experiences remains steadfast, and we look ahead to setting new standards, exploring innovative avenues, and continuing to be a giant in hotel design.
