RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - Construction is underway for the 2,000-plus seat headliner theater at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage, CA.
In addition to providing the programming, design, and construction documents, San Diego-based Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker is providing the construction administration for the approximately $55 million project. Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (ACBCI) is the developer, with Rob Donnels serving as executive director of construction.
The primary purpose for the approximately 91,000-square-foot space is to serve as a headliner "showroom" venue for musical acts. However, it is also designed to accommodate boxing, ultimate fighting championship events, fashion shows and banquet dining.
The venue, accessible via the casino, will include multi-level seating areas, VIP box suites and lounges, multiple bars, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Back-of-house functions include dressing rooms, green rooms, and house management offices.
Additionally, the project incorporates the construction of a 10,000-square-foot warehouse to support hotel and casino operations, linked to the hotel via a 500-foot-long underground tunnel. The project is slated for completion in December 2008.
The project is a development of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Palm Springs, CA., with 31,500 acres of reservation lands that spread across Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and into the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. The 425-member tribe currently owns and operates the Spa Resort Casino and Hotel in downtown Palm Springs and the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage.
M. Andrew Rodrigues, AIA, and Michael Asaro, AIA, are serving as principals-in-charge for Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker. Also part of the Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker design team are David Beck, AIA, and William Rindone, AIA, project managers; Benjamin White, AIA, project architect; Michael Maguire, job captain; and Karyn Rovner-Sklar, lead interior designer.
GSSI is the structural engineer, with Bill Schell providing oversight. From MSA is Bruce Thompson, electrical engineer, and Ben Yeung, mechanical engineer. JeHN Engineering is the civil engineer, with Joe Jehn serving as principle-in-charge. Mike McMackin from APF is serving as theater designer. Rothermel & Associates, LLC is the acoustical engineer with Mark Rothermel serving as principal-in-charge. The Penta Building Group is the general contractor, with Mike Joel Wallis overseeing the project.
Founded in 1961, Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker is an award-winning architecture, planning and interior design firm. Recently, the firm was recognized as the 14th fastest-growing A/E/P firm in the country (according to the Zweig Letter Hot Firm 2005 List), and received the American Institute of Architects San Diego Chapter "Distinguished Service by a Member Firm" award in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The firm's commissions include advanced technology, life science and research projects, and civic, educational, exhibit hospitality and military facilities. Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker employs a staff of 60-plus in offices located at 2265 India Street, San Diego, Calif. More information about the company can be found at http://www.a-dwrb.com/.
