Wind Creek Hotel & Casino
Atmore, Alabama
OWNER: Poarch Band of Creek Indians
DESIGN ARCHITECT: Hnedak Bobo Group
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Cagley & Tanner
ARCHITECTS OF RECORD: Brown Chambless Architects
TOTAL INVESTMENT: $245 million
HOTEL: 236 ROOMS
CASINO FLOOR: 57,000 SQ FEET
Poarch Creek Indian Gaming opened Wind Creek Casino & Hotel in January, adding to its family of Alabama properties that already includes Riverside Casino and Tallapoosa Casino.
The $245 million resort in Atmore is designed around the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ cultural and environmental heritage. A nature theme ties together the décor, which was designed by Las Vegas-based Cagley & Tanner.
“Our design work at Wind Creek Casino & Hotel has changed the paradigm for regional gaming design and feels every bit as energetic and engaging as the best resorts in Las Vegas, without in any way losing its local focus,” said Lee Cagley, a principal of Cagley & Tanner. “The result is a casino and hotel environment that is unique to the location and provides an authentic and friendly guest experience.”
More than 1,600 electronic bingo machines reside on Wind Creek’s 57,000-square-foot casino floor. Electronic bingo is the only style of gaming allowed by Alabama law. Though Wind Creek may not be able to offer Las Vegas-style gaming, the resort still attracts guests from all over the country. Its close proximity to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico are huge selling points, though Wind Creek’s amenities are huge draws in and of themselves.
In the next few months, PCI Gaming officials plan to unveil Wind Creek’s next phase. Additions will include a 2,000-seat amphitheater, a spa, a lake and a cooking studio headed by Executive Chef Stafford DeCambra.
In addition to the culinary studio, which will unite famous guest chefs with eager learners, Wind Creek also satisfies culinary cravings with its four restaurants, Fire, Grill, Taste and Brew.