Page 18 - September 2011 • Southern California Gaming Guide

You may be surprised at what you see during your next visit to Sycuan Casino. Sycuan is just wrapping up a massive 27 million dollar renovation—and the result is not merely a face-lift for the casino, but a complete overhaul of the amenities, services, look and feel of the entire casino.
e casino’s transformation, scheduled to complete on August 31st, is the result of Sycuan’s goal to create a new standard for casinos in Southern California. “We’re calling it “Casino: Reimagined,” says Mike Tabor, Sycuan Casino’s Director of Marketing. “It’s nothing less than a total
reevaluation of what it takes to be a great casino in San Diego.” First and foremost, this means a new look for the casino that’s much more contemporary, fresh and elegant. e materials used in the renovation—most notably organic elements like stone, tile, wood and glass—emphasize the textures and richness of the natural materials while still conveying a very modern, sleek look. e e ect is brighter
and more open; the colors and lines are more modern.
To create this unique look, Sycuan partnered with award-winning architecture and design rms Hnedak Bobo Group and Cleo Design. Swinerton Contractors and the KCM Group also contributed their expertise, with the team working round the clock for nearly ten months to execute
the ambitious plan. e results are breathtaking.
The New Lobby
e rst sign of Sycuan’s transformation comes the moment you enter the casino lobby. Dominating the lobby space is a spectacular 15-foot in diameter custom chandelier lighting feature. e chandelier was designed by the cutting-edge engineers of Technifex, which specializes in projection,
lighting and mechanical e ects. e one-of-a-kind chandelier was conceptualized and assembled speci cally for Sycuan.
“The casino’s transformation... is the result of Sycuan’s goal
to create a new standard for casinos in Southern California.”
e chandelier features programmable leds that display a hypnotic sequence of color-changing lights, precisely choreographed to music. Coupled with a video oor beneath, the chandelier creates a light show that simulates e ects such as a volcano erupting or a summer rainstorm. Standing beneath the chandelier immerses you in the e ects.
From that vantage point, another change to the casino also becomes clear—you can now see straight through the length of the casino, from the lobby doors through to the smoke-free wing. e new Grand Staircase at mid-casino stretches the entire width of the casino—the antithesis of the narrow, claustrophobic feel found in some casinos.
“We wanted it to feel more open and welcoming,” says Tabor.“Our players are saying they never realized just how
bigthecasinowas!”
PAGE 18
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 2011