Indian Gaming magazine connected with four of the leading architecture firms in Indian Country to learn more about their diverse projects throughout 2025.
Bergman, Walls & Associates
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“It is very satisfying for me and our team to see all these properties evolve and how successful they are for the tribes and surrounding community.”
– John Hinton, Principal / Director of Native American Projects, Bergman, Walls & Associates
During 2025, Bergman, Walls & Associates (BWA) produced master plans for several tribal client properties throughout Indian Country – as well as broke ground, progressed on, or completed several exciting design projects that added or expanded dynamic hospitality and gaming options for tribal clients.
A well-structured master plan creates a blueprint for project owners and operations staff for projects now and into the future – for everything from budgeting, to planning, financing, and generating stakeholder support for projects.
Each of the following BWA projects had a master plan in place prior to expanding. BWA also served (or is serving) in various roles including Architect of Record, Interior Architect of Record, and/or Interior Designer for the projects.
After a long period of planning and construction, the Snoqualmie Tribe celebrated the grand opening of its expanded Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel in August. The new hotel features 210 rooms, spa, pool, flexible ballroom/meeting space, restaurants, expanded casino floor, and original artwork by Snoqualmie tribal members. BWA also worked with a Snoqualmie tribe cultural committee to incorporate traditional tribal items throughout the property.
For Graton Resort & Casino’s (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria) ongoing $1 billion expansion project in Rohnert Park, CA, staggered completion dates for new features include a new 3,500-seat entertainment theater (late 2025/early 2026); and casino floor expansion (early 2026), with 2,000 additional slot machines, a new poker room, and a high-limit gaming area. In 2024, a new five-story parking garage added 1,800 spaces and a pedestrian walkway to the casino, along with solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Tribal cultural elements are also incorporated into facility artwork.
BWA created the master plan for Fancy Dance Casino near Perry, OK (Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma) based on the firm’s 2023 market study for the property and interviews with the operations staff. The master plan identified several development phases for future expansion projects. Groundbreaking for phase one began this November, consisting of a casino expansion with new cage and expanded gaming area, new restaurant/bar area, and additional back of house space and parking.
For the Seven Feathers Casino Hotel West Wing Remodel in Canyonville, OR (Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians), BWA’s design upgrades existing hotel guest rooms with new finishes and furniture, and artwork in the guest rooms, corridors and elevator lobbies. BWA is currently completing the remodel’s drawing package, with construction slated for 2026.
2025 was a busy year for BWA in tribal gaming and will continue to be into the future. The BWA team enjoys working with tribal decision makers and understands the importance of these projects to the tribes and their surrounding communities. Each project’s master plan and design not only enhance the property’s ability to attract new customers while appealing to their existing client base but also turns them into sought-after hospitality destinations that generate additional economic opportunity.
Cuningham
cuningham.com
“Our partnerships with Tribal Nations this year demonstrate how thoughtful design can advance economic growth while honoring culture and community. It’s deeply rewarding to help our clients realize their long-term visions for prosperity and self-sufficiency.”
– Brett Ewing, Principal, Cuningham
Cuningham’s cross-market approach to design leverages expertise across gaming and hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, education, residential, and commercial spaces to help tribal clients diversify offerings, attract the next generation of customers, and maintain long-term self-sufficiency. In 2025, Cuningham continued to expand its work in Indian Country through several transformational projects that are advancing economic development, cultural identity, and community well-being.
Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Pendleton, OR
In Pendleton, OR, Cuningham’s ongoing collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is reflected in the hotel and event center expansion at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. By reimagining and refining key elements of the campus, the design drives greater economic activity and alignment with the tribes’ vision for a strengthened hospitality and entertainment destination.
In California, Cuningham is working with the Ione Band of Miwok Indians to realize the Band’s first gaming enterprise, Acorn Ridge Casino. Located in Plymouth and slated to finish construction in spring 2026, the casino will serve as a vital driver of economic development and self-sufficiency for the Ione community, combining modern amenities with design elements that reflect Miwok culture and place.
Cuningham’s longstanding relationships in Minnesota also continued to flourish in 2025. After successfully completing significant hotel renovations in 2024 with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the firm is engaged on additional smaller projects for the community that are expected to be completed in 2026. In August 2025, Cuningham completed the interior renovation of a three-tower hotel at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, MN. The effort created a sophisticated hospitality experience for guests defined by a calming palette, curated art, and refined details that balance simplicity with visual interest.
Adding to the cross-country reach of the firm, Cuningham also spent 2025 collaborating with Seneca Gaming Corporation in New York for the Seneca Nation of Indians. The firm looks forward to revealing more details about the work being done in 2026.
Beyond gaming and hospitality, Cuningham contributed to the advancement of multiple tribal community projects in 2025.
In Arizona, Cuningham’s collaboration with the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation exemplifies the firm’s dedication to designing for community wellness and cultural continuity. The Clarence Wesley Health Center, which opened in May 2025 in Bylas, enhances access to care while fostering pride and resilience among the San Carlos Apache people. Later in the year, Cuningham celebrated the beam-signing ceremony for the Sadie Kniffin Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facility in Peridot. When complete, this 100-bed facility will provide compassionate, community-based care for elders in an environment that strengthens intergenerational bonds.
Finally, in Saint Paul, MN, Cuningham is collaborating with Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design on the Wakan Tipi Center, set to open in spring 2026. This 7,500 sq. ft. cultural center honors the significance of Wakan Tipi Cave as a Dakota sacred site through immersive exhibits, classrooms, gardens, and gathering spaces that foster cultural healing and life-long learning.
Together, these projects embody Cuningham’s belief that design can be both a tool for cultural expression and a catalyst for community prosperity across Indian Country.
HBG Design
hbg.design
“Every project we opened in 2025 came from genuine collaboration, trust, and creativity with our tribal partners. We’re carrying that same energy into the year ahead as we design new destinations that keep raising the bar in tribal gaming and hospitality.”
– Kelly DeVine, Principal, HBG Design
Across Indian Country, 2025 marked the opening of new destinations that demonstrate vision, perseverance, and the power of design to strengthen community legacy. For HBG Design and its tribal partners, it was also a year of turning long-held aspirations into built reality – from Gun Lake Casino’s bold resort-scale reinvention in Michigan, to a mountain retreat for the Karuk Tribe in Northern California, to a hospitality expansion for the Shawnee Tribe on the Oklahoma plains. Rooted in story, land, and identity, these projects were realized through collaboration, strategic planning, and a shared commitment to sustainable growth.
In Wayland, MI, the HBG Design team joined the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians to celebrate the grand opening of the $300 million Gun Lake Casino Resort, a contemporary landmark ushering in a new era of hospitality for the region. Rising 15 stories, the 252-room hotel tower anchors the tribe’s long-range vision for destination resort expansion. The project’s centerpiece, the Wawyé Oasis, is a 32,000 sq. ft. year-round, climate-controlled atrium that transitions from a tropical pool environment by day to a high-energy concert venue by night, an adaptable entertainment space designed for every season.
Farther west, the Karuk Tribe’s $40 million Rain Rock Casino & Hotel expansion in Yreka, CA, offers an experience deeply connected to its Siskiyou Mountain surroundings. The 80-room boutique hotel, eight private cottage suites, and new gaming and event center reflect the tribe’s relationship with the land. Warm natural materials of wood, stone, and metals blend with the environment to create a retreat that feels authentic, approachable, and distinctly Karuk.
In Oklahoma’s Panhandle, the $70 million Golden Mesa Casino and Hotel, developed by the Shawnee Tribe in partnership with Global Gaming Solutions / The Chickasaw Nation, introduced new energy to the region. With a 100-key hotel, richly detailed interiors, and expanded amenities, the project delivers a new level of hospitality to the region.
For HBG Design, 2025 was more than a year of grand openings, it was a year of momentum built on vision, collaboration, and trust with their tribal partners.
Looking ahead, HBG Design continues its collaboration with the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin on the $405 million Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit resort casino, now under construction and poised to become a defining entertainment destination for the region.
TBE Architects
tbearchitects.com
“2025 has been a remarkably productive year for TBE Architects. With multiple projects advancing through various stages of design and construction, it’s been especially rewarding to see our emerging talent thrive – translating visionary concepts into detailed renderings and design documents that are now becoming reality.” – Mike Carter, VP of Client Relations, TBE Architects
TBE Architects is proud to spotlight four tribal casino projects in 2025 that exemplify the firm’s commitment to culturally resonant, high-impact design. With decades of experience in tribal hospitality architecture, TBE continues to deliver spaces that honor heritage while elevating the guest experience through intentional and luxurious design. More than simply designing casinos and resort properties, the leadership and design teams at TBE Architects take pride in developing additional sources of revenue that positively impact the surrounding community and serve to strengthen tribal sovereignty.
In partnership with the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota, TBE is leading a transformative expansion of 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, located on the shore of Lake Sakakawea. Reaching 92 ft. high and totaling 108,000 sq. ft., the striking new structure beckons travelers to play and stay.
The architectural style blends sophistication with cultural storytelling. The new hotel tower, opening early 2026, will house a mix of 90 guest rooms across five floors. The sixth floor holds 14 opulent suites featuring glass mosaic kitchenettes and custom patterns on the walls to give a subtle nod to the unique stitch used in traditional basketry among the MHA Nation. The seventh floor will host the Bison Steakhouse, a fine dining venue with a bespoke wine bar, sculpted ceiling elements, and foil glass installations inspired by Lake Sakakawea. Adjacent is the ballroom, accommodating 180 guests, with custom flooring and an open-air balcony overlooking the lake. Additional highlights include the Sakakawea Spa, a new gift shop, and artwork curated specifically to showcase MHA Nation heritage throughout the corridors.
Looking south, TBE’s long-standing collaboration with the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana continues with impactful design upgrades at Coushatta Casino Resort. Following the completion of the High Limit Lounge and the successful opening of the new Big Sky Steakhouse, TBE Architects continues to elevate the guest experience with the development of a nine-story luxury hotel. The $150 million project, scheduled to open in early 2026, will feature 204 rooms, including 100 high-end suites tailored for the property’s distinguished guests.
In Battle Creek, MI, TBE is renovating a hotel tower for FireKeepers Casino Hotel. A noteworthy design element of this project is the two Presidential Suites. The interior design team at TBE reimagined these rooms with a bold thematic design – one inspired by fire, the other by water – featuring custom finishes, dramatic lighting, and bespoke furnishings that elevate the guest experience while reflecting the property’s brand identity.
TBE Architects is proud to be working with the Quapaw Nation on the design of the new Quapaw Casino in Miami, OK. The project represents a bold step forward for the tribe. Highlights of the space include a microbrewery, a coffee counter, and the Legends restaurant, serving up delicious American fare. The design emphasizes open, inviting spaces with intentional design that integrates gaming, dining, and entertainment into a cohesive experience.
Each project showcases TBE Architect’s dedication to honoring their client’s tribal heritage, enhancing guest experience, and delivering architectural excellence that supports long-term economic and cultural sustainability.
