Ferran Espin Named 2024 HBG Employee of the Year!

Ferran Espin 2024 HBG Employee of the Year

Ferran Espin is the recipient of the 2024 HBG Employee of the Year legacy award. As Practice Leader Nathan Peak shared with fellow HBG employees during the award ceremony,

“Ferran is someone who embraces empathetic leadership, inspires others and positively impacts HBG’s culture. He is a champion of professional development, prioritizes mentorship, and demonstrates a passion for sharing knowledge and experience while capably directing project teams on some of our most complicated and multifaceted assignments.”

Ferran Espin Employee of the Year

As the Senior Project Architect for the successful WinStar Tower 4/Lucas Oil Live project in Thackerville, Oklahoma, for The Chickasaw Nation, Ferran demonstrated exceptional ability in coordinating one of the firm’s largest and most complex undertakings to date.

Lucas Oil Live

“From our contractors to our clients and expansive consultant teams, the people who work with Ferran respect him as a great and knowledgeable leader,” added Peak, “His self-assured and zen-like personality emanates an unmatched level of experience and knowledge that comes across as authentic, professional, and thoughtful.”

HBG’s Principals recognized Ferran as someone who ‘moved the needle’ farther than anyone in 2024 and expressed confidence he will continue to be an integral part of HBG’s ability to ensure longevity in the years to come.

At the close of each year, the Principals at HBG Design uphold a cherished tradition: the Employee of the Year award. Originating nearly forty years ago, the firm’s founders intended this accolade to be the most prestigious honor bestowed upon an HBG employee, highlighting someone whose contributions leave a significant mark on the firm's practice or operations. Today, this vision continues to resonate powerfully. Congratulations, Ferran, 2024 HBG Employee of the Year!


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 Cascades

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.

 


Unveiling a Tranquil Oasis: WinStar's Spa Tower

Nestled amidst the allure of undulating hills, rolling waters, and the natural setting of South-Central Oklahoma, the captivating new 16-story, 304-key Spa Tower at WinStar World Casino and Resort emerges as a haven of respite and escape.

Merging contemporary elegance with upscale appeal, this boutique-style hotel tower extends an irresistible invitation to guests, transporting them to a 230,000 square foot realm of unrivaled tranquility and indulgence that pays homage to the region’s beauty through its design.

Site Design Inspiration

Drawing inspiration from the breathtaking scenery of the Red River, at the border between Oklahoma and Texas, natural hues and contemporary style converge in the lobby, flowing seamlessly throughout the public spaces.

Throughout the tower, warm wood tones, sleek stone, and metallic accents create a feast for the senses. Stepping into the lobby, the layered composition of different materials and textures adds visual depth and dimension, inviting guests to explore and engage with the designed experience. Axminster carpet ion the lobby features an abstract design of the site’s topography.

As guests venture beyond the lobby, they discover a sanctuary of comfort and relaxation within the guestrooms and suites. Guest rooms draw their inspiration from the rolling plans in display outside the tower’s windows.

Incorporating the latest in immersive spa and wellness trends, the WinStar Spa is a hallmark of modern leisure design. The two-level spa features communal aquathermal bathing and touchless technology, with a size and scale designed to attract customers from nearby Dallas/Ft. Worth and Oklahoma City urban markets. Continuing the fluid aesthetic of the Spa Tower, the WinStar Spa’s design is regional and contemporary, reflecting the texture and form of the local geography in its carpet pattern and overall materiality.

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