Wild Horses Take Top Honors - JCJ Architecture Wins RED Award for Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino

Phoenix, AZ, March 10, 2010 --(PR.com)-- JCJ Architecture received the RED Award for Best Hospitality Project of 2009 for its design of The New Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. The Real Estate and Development Awards (the “REDS”), hosted by AZRE Magazine and now in their fifth year, honors the biggest, best and most notable commercial real estate projects and transactions of the year. The awards were held at the Ritz Carlton Phoenix on Thursday, March 4th and attended by approximately 400 of the local commercial real estate industry’s best and brightest, along with honored guests Lyn Truitt, mayor of Surprise; Jim Lane, mayor of Scottsdale; and Gila River Indian Community’s Lieutenant Governor Joseph Manuel.

Peter Stevens, LEED AP, president of JCJ Architecture, accepted the award on the firm’s behalf, celebrating the win with the project team and Phoenix and San Diego office members Richard Blackman, Joe Baruffaldi, Kristina Ennis, Julie Kim and Scott McCage. Also receiving accolades with JCJ were the client group of Gila River Gaming Enterprise, the Casino Owner’s Expansion Team, Gila River Indian Community and Kitchell Contractors. On JCJ’s first competitive design entry in the Phoenix marketplace, Stevens commented, “It’s quite an accomplishment in what is the country’s 5th largest metropolitan area - and especially one recognized worldwide as home to some of the most sought-after resorts in North America.”

According to Director of Native American Design, Kristina Ennis, registered architect and principal of JCJ, the opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated project development team has manifested itself in a dynamic, distinctive design that is attributable to the unique traditions and heritage of the Gila River Indian Community. “Bringing life to the Community’s vision for this property and working in such a strongly collaborative atmosphere are the greatest rewards for JCJ Architecture,” she commented.

Lauded as the first Vegas-style gaming establishment in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area, the New Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino comprises over 400,000 square feet of entertainment and hospitality offerings including 242 guest rooms and suites in the hotel component, multiple dining venues from Ling and Louie’s Asian fusion to Shula’s fine dining steakhouse, the Airia nightclub and Reflections, Classics with a Twist, VIP Platinum and Encore lounges as well as the statement Center Bar in the middle of the gaming floor, a grand ballroom and conference meeting rooms/facilities, retail shopping and the 1400-seat theatre/showroom playing host to the likes of LeAnn Rimes, Three Dog Night and the Temptations, as well as comedy, boxing and other live performances. The 100,000 square foot gaming floor provides +1000 slots, 71 table games, a non-smoking 17-table poker room and the high-limits room.

“JCJ’s design principles are founded on a steadfast respect of cultural and tribal sensitivities evolved from our experience with a vast number of Native American enterprises,” said Stevens. “We’re honored to have been an integral part of the team bringing to fruition the New Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, a project of great economic and cultural significance, and celebrate its success with the Community.”

Founded in 1936 and headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, JCJ has offices in Phoenix, New York City, Boston and San Diego and is recognized as one of the country’s most respected architectural firms, providing clients with comprehensive planning, programming, architectural design, interior design, project management and construction administrative services.

With a long-standing reputation for creativity, excellence and business acumen, JCJ Architecture works in a broad range of market sectors, including hospitality, education, civic, science and technology and commercial design.

For more information, visit:

JCJ Architecture
www.jcj.com

The New Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
www.wingilariver.com

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