HARD ROCK TULSA: - Thalden Boyd Emery Architects

architecture, construction & design
new construction
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Photos Courtesy of Cherokee Nation Entertainment.
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Casino Enterprise Management
JULY 2010
www.CasinoEnterpriseManagement.com
architecture, construction & design
new construction
C
ombining rich Cherokee tribal history with the
popular Hard Rock brand has been the perfect recipe for the
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Okla.
Before its amazing transformation in 2009, the existing
facility, Cherokee Casino Resort, began as a humble bingo
parlor, becoming a full-fledged resort complete with golf
course in 2001. The expansion to become the Hard Rock,
starting in 2007, took just two years.
This rockin’ resort is owned by Cherokee Nation
Entertainment. Wanting to solidify their regional market and
appeal to more international travelers, they turned to Thalden
Boyd Emery Architects to do the job.“This property is
remarkably successful and just gets better every year,”
commented Dave Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation
Entertainment.
The property still strongly reflects the Cherokee culture,
using Cherokee colors in areas such as the carpet and tile
designs. Chief Boyd, AIA, Partner for Thalden • Boyd • Emery
Architects, explained:“The Cherokee culture is the primary
Center Bar
influence on the project. It is historically themed around early
Cherokee culture prior to the coming of the Europeans and the Spanish.”
The resort’s exterior design is a contemporary interpretation of Tulsa’s
art deco architecture. Being the only Hard Rock property in the
Heartland, the uniqueness of its location was a fundamental design
consideration.“The faceted glass spanning between the sharp vertical
buttresses on the top floor of the hotel creates a dramatic statement
from all sides and celebrates the new tower’s prominence on the
horizon,” noted David Nejelski, director of design for Thalden • Boyd •
Emery.
Hotel Suite
Guests’ sensory experience begins in the lobby. The entry provides a
dramatic sense of arrival in the form of a grand rotunda. Suspended
above is the focal point of the space, the familiar Hard Rock globe. Song
lyrics scroll overhead, a nod to the Hard Rock brand and culture of music.
On the resort’s gaming floor, art deco is out the door, as the area’s
curved organic forms flow through the space.“Polished stainless steel,
black leather and dark woods provide a backdrop of edgy sophistication
to the rock and roll memorabilia displayed throughout,” Nejelski said.
But the Cherokee culture makes more appearances in the hotel tower.
“The standard guestroom palette was based on the traditional Cherokee
colors used in a contemporary design with high contrast and color
saturation,” commented Thalden • Boyd • Emery Architects’ Senior Interior
Designer Alicia Nicolay.“Specialty high-end features include a custom
headboard with ebony veneer, a custom bed throw featuring a chevron
pattern in a bold black and white print, and custom bathroom case
goods with recessed lighting.”
www.CasinoEnterpriseManagement.com
JULY 2010
Rising higher, on the 17th floor are the Hard Rock suites. These feature
unusual configurations using draperies as walls and opening up the floor
plan. Bold neutral colors, contrasting patterns and saturated accents add
to the Hard Rock feel.
And at the top of the hotel tower is McGills on 19, one of the finest
restaurants in Tulsa. This space includes soaring ceilings with floor-toceiling chevron windows. “Some patrons will even be able to experience
dining set within the chevron windows where we have custom table
tops placed for a high-end view,” Nicolay explained.
But one area of the resort—the Center Bar—is home to pulsating
beats, hot colors and even an 80-foot-long frozen bar top.“Stepping up to
the bar, you will ultimately feel like you are in a different location with the
high-energy sound system. The custom features include an ice bar and
back bar with back light panels and upholstered leather walls,” Nicolay
noted.
After the $155 million expansion, the completed project boasts 350
luxury hotel rooms and suites; more than 125,000 square feet of gaming
space including 2,300 electronic games and 70 poker and table games;
five dining venues, and a Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill; five
nightclubs and entertainment venues, a Hard Rock Las Vegas-inspired
swimming pool, and a 2,500-seat Hard Rock Hotel & Casino event center
opening in August 2010.
The venture that brings together a unique blend of Cherokee culture,
Oklahoma’s rich musical history and classic rock and roll already has had
its fair share of attention. Oklahoma magazine named the property “Best
Place to Place Your Bets,” and Golfweek magazine recognized its 170- acre
course as one of the top five public access courses in Oklahoma.
Everyone agrees that this is one hot property.
KEY PLAYERS
Owner:..........................................................................Cherokee Nation
Operator:...........................Cherokee Nation Entertainment (CNE)
Architect:...................................Thalden • Boyd • Emery Architects
Interior Designer:...................Thalden • Boyd • Emery Architects
Contractor:...........................................................Flintco Construction
AMANDA HUGGETT
Amanda Huggett is the Managing Editor for Casino Enterprise
Management. She can be reached at (701) 293-7775 or editor2@aceme.org.
Casino Enterprise Management
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