Mohegan Sun opens Casino of the Wind
October 1, 2008
Mohegan Sun in August
opened its 64,000-square-foot Casino of the Wind, part of its $925 million
Project Horizon expansion.
After a
tribal blessing ceremony Aug. 29, a 100-foot curtain that has masked the casino
as it was prepared for the public was parted to reveal the space designed to
reflect Mohegan Tribal traditions honoring the wind.
Designed
by the Rockwell Group and WATG, the space includes a 42-table poker room and
additional slots and table games, creating 45,000 square feet of new gaming
space. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and Chief's Deli, which returns to
Mohegan Sun after a two-year hiatus, are also located within Casino of the Wind.
“Today,
we begin a new phase of Mohegan Sun's continuing growth as one of the premier
gaming and entertainment destinations in the world,” said Bruce “Two Dogs”
Bozsum, chairman of the Mohegan Tribe. “Following in the footsteps of Casino of
the Earth and Casino of the Sky, the Rockwell Group again utilized our Tribal
traditions in their design and conception for the new Casino of the
Wind.”
Casino of the Wind draws inspiration from solar
phenomena, artistic representations of some of the Mohegan Tribe's most
timeless traditions are highlighted, including the spirits of the four winds:
north, south, east and west.
“The
central idea behind the design of Casino of the Wind is the re-interpretation
of wind as it moves through space, transforming the surface it touches,” said
Rob Holecek, chief executive officer of WATG. “WATG has created an addition
that blends gracefully and seamlessly, both aesthetically and functionally with
the existing Casino of the Sky entrance, and yet is large enough to contain
gaming, food & beverage and casino support functions.”
Some of the key design elements of the new space include
a 35-foot high by 50-foot wide electronic and animated water wall that acts as
a projection screen, four 35-foot stacked solid glass clad columns and a custom
chandelier over the new 30-seat bar.
“We have
worked countless hours with the Mohegan Tribe to ensure their vision became a
reality,” said David Mexico, Senior Designer for the Rockwell Group.
Casino of
the Wind is part of Mohegan Sun’s second major expansion, the $925 million
Project Horizon slated for completion in 2010. The first major expansion
Project Sunburst brought Casino of the Sky, The Shops at Mohegan Sun and
Mohegan Sun's hotel to the property in 2001.
With the addition of Casino of the Wind, Mohegan
Sun is now home to more than 6,700 slot machines and more than 375 table games
throughout the 3.5 million-square-foot facility.
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