Hotel & Casino

Treasure Island Resort & Casino Hotel Expansion

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Owner
Treasure Island Resort & Casino
Architect
RSP Architects
Service
Construction Manager
City
Welch, Minnesota
Size
165,000 sq. ft.

In the summer of 2016, Knutson Construction broke ground on the hotel expansion and campus renovation project at Treasure Island Resort and Casino. This was a Super Bowl preparation project with a tight working timeline. We were proud to finish two months early and give our customer the opportunity to realize revenue even faster.

PROJECT DETAILS

Upscale Upgrade

The hotel expansion comprised two new towers with 306 total rooms including over 60 premium and suite designs, with views of the bluffs surrounding the resort. The existing hotel lobby was remodeled to include a new check-in desk, queuing area, lounge space, self-check-in, VIP check-in and an expanded concierge area. This expansion also included a 3,200 SF. addition to the current waterpark, with the addition of activity pools and hot tubs. The site of the previous pool area was remodeled to expand the gaming floor and high-end cocktail lounge. We also enlarged and upgraded the existing laundry facilities to accommodate the additional rooms. Further remodeling included demolishing portions of the first floor of the existing Eagle Tower creating new office and conference room spaces while connecting the remodeled lobby to the new hotel towers.

Outdoor Concert Venue

Concurrently, we converted an adjacent field into an outdoor concert venue with a 12,000 to 15,000 seat capacity.  To do this we had to build a hill for spectator seating on the grass, importing over 10,000 yards of fill, and covering it with sod. We also placed over 10,000 SF. of compacted asphalt millings for chair seating.  Then, due to the early success of the venue, Knutson was asked to remove the millings and pour concrete for a permanent seating area. All the revisions were completed on time and prior to the opening of the hotel in December 2017.

Design Challenges

Another task unique to this project was the requirement to get the new Element Bar and Lounge open on time. The design of the new space was unique with numerous curves and angles. Our solution was to create a premanufactured wood wall, building it from steel stud framing and drywall. The proposed design was very difficult because it consisted of radiused asymmetric curves. Utilizing our on-site talent, we laid everything out on the floor then transferred it up to be built. This was another important solution to save time and meet the customer site requirements. The primary structure was built with post tensioned concrete. The façade consisted of Nichiha cementation panels and colored metal panels. All penetrations were laid out with CAD and laser systems to facilitate a faster turnaround rate moving from one floor to the next during the concrete pour.

Quick Turnaround

Our efficient and timely completion of a project with this scope and accessibility requirements during construction was outstanding. We were proud to begin the project in August 2016 and open this three-star resort hotel for guests in December 2017. We accomplished this through comprehensive preconstruction efforts, ensuring the design, planning, and schedules would meet the owners’ expectations and deadlines.

Project Goals

The goals of this project were to support the casino’s goal to provide a more contemporary and resort-like guests experience, incorporate a mix of modern and tropical design elements to coincide with the property’s Caribbean theme and provide a more welcoming guest experience with a renovated lobby and improved check-in process.

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Creating New

In addition to the hotel expansion, the existing hotel lobby was completely renovated to improve the guest check-in experience including a new experience just pass the lobby; the brand new non-smoking Element Bar and Lounge and adjacent Casino 8 Gaming Floor.

“Knutson Construction is a highly-regarded partner, and I am happy to recommend them to any owner for any project now, and in the future. The Knutson team has demonstrated their core values while working with us, which have consistently lead to one successful project after another. Knutson always takes a proactive approach to solving problems and overcoming challenges, while keeping the lines of communication open and everyone working as a team. While working with Knutson, they have demonstrated that our best interests is their top priority.”

Darrell Breuer, Support Services Director

Treasure Island Resort & Casino

Trusted Partnership

Collaboration to us means not just working together, but standing together. Since 1997, Knutson Construction has partnered with Treasure Island, delivering projects on time and on budget to help the success of the Tribe.