Emerald Queen Casino Construction Tacoma
In recent years, the South Sound has seen a resurgence of sorts in the quantity of new development projects, specifically as many Seattle- and Eastside-based businesses begin migrating away from congested areas in hopes of finding a more favorable real estate market and burgeoning employment pool.
In fact, the construction industry accounts for nearly 7 percent of Pierce County’s jobs with more than $1.2 billion paid for construction in the county, according to Loren Cohen, managing director at MC Construction.
Industries tied to these new developments run the gamut from restauranteurs to technology firms, but according to Devin Page, president of Colvos Construction, there are many trends he and his employees are seeing in the types of jobs they are being contracted for.
- With two locations in Fife and along Interstate 5 in Tacoma, the Emerald Queen employs nearly 2,200 people. The new casino is expected to generate about 230 more jobs, and the new hotel is expected to add 35 jobs. The new casino will replace the current Tacoma I-5 casino, which is a former bingo hall with three large adjoining tents.
- For examples, Absher Construction Co. Is working on the 170-unit Chambers Bay Resort at Chambers Bay Golf Course, the $220 million Emerald Queen Casino project, and the massive 23-story Tacoma Convention Center Hotel in downtown Tacoma.
Rising above Interstate 5 in Tacoma, Washington, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians’ glamorous new Emerald Queen Casino is about to become an entertainment mecca that will beckon drivers to experience a bit of Las Vegas, Pacific Northwest-style. The Emerald Queen’s journey to star status began as a modest bingo hall built in 1992.
“From our position as a general contractor, we’re experiencing increased demand to build multi-level self-storage, multi-family, and — most excitingly for Tacoma— adaptive re-use of underutilized masonry and industrial buildings,” Page said.
The surge in self-storage construction, Page said, correlates directly to job growth with area unemployment sitting at just 4 percent, the lowest in 18 years, allowing residents to aquire more household goods. Moreover, the rise of multi-family dwellings where square footage can be limited, also helps create a need for additional storage space.
While many of these multi-family dwellings in recent years have been larger — 150 residential units or more — Page said he is seeing a switch in market popularity favoring smaller infill and adaptive reuse properties.
“Within the last 12 to 18 months, these projects have suddenly been challenged to acquire commercial lending,” Page said. “We predict that there will be more entitled properties coming online than in recent years, given that some undercapitalized first-time developers will be unable to find the equity needed to fund construction.”
Footprint and size aren’t the only factors at play with these types of developments: many residential and commercial tenants prefer the charm that comes with older buildings.
In addition to these trends, many other big projects are in the works across the area. For examples, Absher Construction Co. is working on the 170-unit Chambers Bay Resort at Chambers Bay Golf Course, the $220 million Emerald Queen Casino project, and the massive 23-story Tacoma Convention Center Hotel in downtown Tacoma.
Cohen said his company has moved in more than 800 families to the new units at the Point Ruston development and construction is still going on with plans to complete the $58 million, 194-room Silver Cloud Hotel sometime this year.
Other projects to watch:
The Legacy in Motion Project
A 6.5-acre swath of Puyallup farm land soon will be home to a campus for Step By Step, an organization which strives to help vulnerable women and children in the community. Formerly home to the Van Lierop Bulb Farm for close to 80 years, the existing structures include a 1900s-era farm house, a 18,000-square-foot retail building and multiple barns. The largest structure is currently being renovated to allow for a job-training program and opportunities for the women the organization serves. The first phase of construction is estimated to conclude this summer. Future phases are still in the fundraising stages.
Thurston County Readiness Center
In October, the Washington National Guard broke ground on its new readiness center on Kimmie Street Southwest in Tumwater to replace aging armories in Olympia and Puyallup. The $35 million, 78,000-square-foot LEED Silver facility will be used for training Washington guardsmen from multiple units. The project, led by Pease Construction of Lakewood, will include two small vehicle storage buildings; classrooms; simulators; and a 6,000-square-foot gym, which will double as an assembly hall for the soldiers. Construction is expected to conclude by early 2021.
Mount Bay Apartments and Trax
One of the saving graces the Freighthouse Square building in Tacoma has been waiting for is finally coming to fruition in the form of commuter-friendly apartments. The first is the seven-story Mount Bay Apartments located on East 26th Street between C and D streets, designed by Erickson McGovern Architects. The 254,000-square-foot, $45 million building will include 229 residential units with a fitness center, pool, hot tub spa, dog run, garden terrace, sky lounge, barbecue area, and more. Construction is expected to begin this spring. The second will be a seven-story, 115-unit structure developed on land that was formerly owned by Pierce Transit directly across from Freighthouse Square. Construction has not yet begun, however it is rumored that the building could open by summer 2020. According to the City of Tacoma, parking will be limited and each resident will receive an ORCA transit card to encourage residents to bike or take transit.
The Preserve
Green Harbor Communities is planning a new development near Tacoma’s Blueberry Park. The 22-acre property dubbed “The Preserve” will target the least environmentally sensitive part of the property to build between 50 to 70 homes, ranging from 950 to 1,250 square feet. The community broke ground in early December and pre-leasing has already begun.
By Guest Author, Brett Ewing, AIA, NCARB
Architectural Photography by Doug Walker Photography
The new Emerald Queen Casino balances the eye-catching flash of a Las Vegas-style resort with memorable references to Puyallup Tribal culture.
The 310,000-square-foot facility, which opened June 8, relocates the tribe’s existing gaming operations to a highly visible site along Interstate 5 near downtown Tacoma, Washington.
The full-service gaming facility includes approximately 100,000 square feet of slots and table games, a 2,000-seat event center, five food and beverage venues and two parking garages with direct access to the gaming floor.
Raising the Bar
The design and integration of Emerald Queen Casino into Tacoma’s urban infrastructure sets a ground-breaking precedent for the future of gaming. As Tribes begin pursuing developments closer to cities to increase their return on investment, new solutions are necessary for an urban site to accommodate the expanse of a gaming floor.
The project utilizes an innovative solution to fitting a large gaming facility gracefully within the urban fabric. Due to site and infrastructure constraints, the gaming floor and amenities are strategically placed four levels above the ground floor, spanning over two city streets and supported structurally by two parking garages. This approach creates a breathtaking building that is highly visible from the highway and provides panoramic views to downtown and to the culturally significant Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound.
Emerald Queen Casino reclaims the lost space above a restrictive city grid, effectively modifying the footprint of traditional gaming facilities. The design team implemented original strategies and navigated the limitations of air rights to design within the legal parameters of upward urban development. The casino breaks the rules of traditional gaming design and paves the way to a new future for urban Tribal entertainment facilities.
Emerald Queen Casino Construction Tacoma Dome
There are growing opportunities for Tribes across the country to build gaming facilities within urban settings on unclaimed land trusts. Emerald Queen Casino is the first of its kind to build above ground spanning multiple sites and streets.
Celebrating Culture within Design
Emerald Queen Casino brings the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas-style resort to the Pacific Northwest, while paying homage to Puyallup Tribal culture. The design team collaborated with Puyallup cultural leaders to develop an interior design concept that celebrates and tells the story of the relationship between culture and Tribal land base. Coast Salish artwork created by Puyallup Tribal members is featured throughout the facility.
Guests experience both the flash of Las Vegas and the Puyallup Tribe’s rich history concurrently. When approaching the entrance, patrons are received with open arms by two wooden welcoming figures, carved in the style of the regional Tribes of the Pacific Northwest by Puyallup Tribal member Shaun Peterson. The figures’ outstretched arms and upward palms signify welcome and acceptance.
Emerald Queen Casino Construction Tacoma Wa
The casino also distinguishes itself among the major players in the gaming industry by incorporating large windows and daylighting into the gaming floor, maintaining guests’ connection with nature and providing sweeping views of Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound and downtown Tacoma.
The casino’s interior is finely crafted through many layers of functional and aesthetic considerations. From the organization of the casino floor, to the fluid ribbon geometry and the carefully selected materials – every aspect of the design contributes to an exciting, immersive and vibrant experience, emblematic of Las Vegas.
The food venues are strategically positioned along the casino perimeter, which allows for an open and flexible layout of the gaming floor. Curving pathways take casino guests on a journey and amplify their sense of discovery.
Ribbon ceiling elements draw visitors deeper into the space and highlight a rich elegance and feeling of luxury through the use of thousands of sparkling crystals, highly reflective finishes and dynamic lighting.
Many elements of the design are purposefully organic, which allows for renewed experiences as people move around the gaming floor and unites Las Vegas glamour with culturally-informed design.
Interior elements subtly weave in and draw influence from the textures, shapes and colors of the mountain, river, forests and sound that define Puyallup Tribal land. Traditional and contemporary Puyallup art, cultural patterns and language adorn the casino. Additional pieces of artwork by Peterson, including a mural and story poles, ornament the casino’s interior. From the bold black and red exterior to the organic textures that give life to the interior, a powerful, modern and resilient Puyallup culture is expressed.