Best Hospitality Project 2010

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino

The Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino’s goal is to bring Arizona’s gaming venues to the next level. The casino contains more than 1,000 slot machines, with 71 table games within the 100,000 SF casino. There is 12,000 SF of meeting space, 242 rooms and suites, retail shopping, 5 lounges, a nightclub, as well as a 1,400-seat theater/entertainment venue. The development provides a much needed entertainment hub for the South Valley. The design incorporates the Gila River Community’s tribal heritage through its three main areas, which reflect the types of buildings found in a traditional Akimel O’otham village. The hotel lobby is modeled after an olas-ki, or “round house;” the entertainment hub, food and beverage area is modeled after a vah-ki, or “rain house,” and serves as the main intersection point between the casino and hotel buildings; and the casino floor is modeled after a gu-ki, or “big house,” traditionally used as a meeting and gathering place.

Developer: Gila River Indian Community

Contractor: Kitchell Contractors
Architect: JCJ Architecture
Size: 420,000 SF
Location: Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
Completed: October 2009

Honorable Mention: aloft Hotel

Developer: Gila River Indian Community
Contractor: Kitchell Contractors
Architect: JCJ Architecture
Size: 420,000 SF
Location: Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
Completed: October 2009