People don’t have to leave Tucson, Ariz., to get a taste of Tuscany. The newly renovated Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center (Casino Del Sol), owned by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, offers guests the pleasures and grandeur of the Mediterranean without leaving the Sonoran Desert.
Opened on the historic date Nov. 11, 2011, the renovation added 161,000 square feet to Casino Del Sol, located southwest of downtown Tucson. International architecture and engineering firm LEO A DALY, contractor McCarthy Building Companies Inc. and owner’s representative Innovation Project Development (IPD) partnered with the casino’s executive management team and Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council members to build the amenity‐rich, four‐diamond Casino Del Sol.
“We already have the most beautiful casino in Arizona, and the new hotel and conference center will enhance our property and bring a new level of service to our guests,” said Wendell Long, CEO of Sol Casinos.
LEO A DALY has a history working with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, dating back to the 1990s. The first two phases of Casino Del Sol, also designed by LEO A DALY, opened in 2001 and 2003. In this phase of the renovation, the firm aimed to provide design continuity between the existing 210,000 square feet of gaming and restaurant space and the new addition.
McCarthy also has a long history working with the tribe, which began during phase two of Casino Del Sol’s expansion. McCarthy broke ground on Feb. 9, 2010, and the team completed the construction in only 18 months—in time for the grand opening celebration Nov. 11.
“So far, the patron response has been very positive,” said Ronn Lansky, executive director of LEO A DALY’s Phoenix office. “The hotel was sold out for the grand opening events, which is a sign of the enthusiasm in the community about this project. Many of those seeing it for the first time at the grand opening event portrayed emotions of awe and excitement.”
It’s easy to see how the resort addition would prompt awe and excitement. Luxurious, Mediterranean-themed rooms and suites, a majestic pool and lawn with VIP cabanas, the illuminated copper dome that tops the 10-story hotel, along with all of the other new and renovated features make for a stunning property.
“The tribe has gone to the next level to create an elegant resort and memorable experiences for visitors,” Lansky said.
The project team began with a design charrette work session where Pascua Yaqui tribal members and casino employees and executives were active participants in the direction of the design and the proposed concepts. LEO A DALY worked closely with the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council, Casino Del Sol’s executive team, McCarthy Building Companies and IPD to ensure a collaborative design and construction process.
Efficient design and favorable construction cost allowed the client to increase the program and work scope. It presented a challenge because construction was already in progress, but the teams involved in the project promptly revised, coordinated and implemented the changes for new pricing and construction.
“The collaboration between the design team and the construction team led to a successful project that exceeded the expectations of the client with regard to remaining within the project’s budget and schedule,” Lansky said.
The integrated project delivery method was utilized for the approach of the project. McCarthy was brought on board early in the design process, and 3-D drawing tools were utilized to coordinate between all trades and develop early clash-detection resolutions to avoid field changes during the construction process.
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s main design goal was to remain true to the Tuscan theme and brand found in the original casino. As the scale of the project grew, the design transformed into the idea of an Italian palazzo in the Sonoran landscape. The design team strived to heighten the property’s grandeur and elegance.
The Tuscan theme originated from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s desire to provide an exceptional guest experience in a non-tribal themed property. Guests can visit Casino Del Sol to take pleasure in Mediterranean Europe and enjoy a world-class gaming and resort experience without having to travel abroad.
“The idea has proven to be appealing to both the local clientele and the guests visiting from Mexico,” Lansky said.
During the planning stages, the hotel building increased from five stories to become a 10-story building. This increased height provided a new, iconic symbol in the Tucson landscape, as well as magnificent views of the natural surroundings.
The main architectural focal point of the resort is the illuminated copper dome topping the hotel. It serves as a beacon for guests and exemplifies the Tuscan theme. The dome, designed and built by YESCO, is built out of perforated copper, like the other domes on site, but also houses color-changing LED lights.
The hotel dome topping-off ceremony on Feb. 9, 2011, exactly one year from the groundbreaking date, was a special milestone for the building team.
“We knew we still had a ways to go to complete everything on time, but seeing the dome hoisted up and placed atop the hotel was a proud moment,” Lansky said. “It was a sign that we’d made significant progress.”
The expansion features PY Steakhouse, a fine-dining steakhouse; an international buffet; a lobby lounge bar called Prema; Hiapsi Spa, a fully equipped exercise facility with a full-service spa; an outdoor pool and sundeck; and a four-level parking structure.
“The design of Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Convention Center raises the stakes for the Arizona gaming industry by presenting guests with a high-class, refined experience, and offering grand-scale spaces for relaxation and enjoyment,” Lansky said.
Public spaces reflect a rustic Mediterranean feel, with patterned terrazzo flooring, ornamental iron work and aged woods. Oversized furniture in natural tones creates a dramatic, old-world effect. In the guest rooms, neutral tones are offset by single accent colors. Main guest rooms are Tuscan red and luxury suites are azure blue. The pool area provides an outdoor venue for relaxation and entertainment functions, set against the scenic backdrop of the Tucson Mountains. The layout is formal and symmetrical, reinforcing the Italian palazzo concept.
The building’s tan exterior complements the warm hues of the desert. Palm trees and indigenous plants are weaved through the property to enhance the beauty of the natural landscape.
The property is certified under the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association’s Certified Green Lodging program. Tribal leaders are also participating in a Sustainability Education Empowerment Development (SEED) Initiative that will implement standards to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and decrease pollution. The four-story parking garage is designed to accommodate future installation of photovoltaic solar panels that will supplement the resort’s power supply.
“The casino stands out because in the current economic downturn, very few ground-up projects are reaching completion at casino properties,” Lansky noted. “It is unique that the relatively small city of Tucson is boasting this type of gaming project.”
The expansion of Casino Del Sol is a proud moment for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Lansky said that during the opening ceremonies for the property, several tribal members said the new resort marks a new beginning for their community, as a place that will provide economic opportunities, a gathering place for friends and families, and a showpiece for Tucson.
The property is considered a gem for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and a new icon for Tucson’s tourism industry.
“McCarthy and LEO A DALY were selected as our builder and architect because of their long‐time partnership with the tribe, their high quality of work while sticking to a budget, and their dedication toward tribal employment,” Long said. “The expansion of the resort is a tremendous asset to the tribe and the community of Tucson.”
KEY PLAYERS
Owner/Operator: Sol Casinos and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Owner’s Representative: Innovation Project Development
Architect & Interior Designer: LEO A DALY
Contractor: McCarthy Building Companies Inc.
Structural Engineer: PK Associates LLC
Civil Engineering: Wood Patal
MEP Engineering: Taylor Rymar Corp.
Specialty Lighting Consultants: Kaplan Gehring McCarroll
Landscape Architects: Kimley Horn and Associates
Pool & Water Feature Designers: AquaDesign
Acoustical Consultant: Chips Davis
Food Service Consultant: Robert Rippe
Anna G. Larson is an Associate Editor for Casino Enterprise Management. She can be reached at (701) 293-7775 or editor6[at]aceme.org.
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