Inspired by the traditions of the Tachi-Yokut Tribe as well as the ever-impressive Southern California landscape, Cuningham’s remodel and 30,000-square-foot expansion of the Tachi Palace Casino Resort is an example of casino design that seeks to modernize the gaming experience while also making connections to nature as well as the rich history and culture of the tribe.
Perhaps the most notable and eye-catching example of this outdoor inspiration is found directly overhead on the ceiling—Cuningham worked in conjunction with Moz Metals to create a brand-new iridescent finish that reacts differently as the light reflects off of it, and according to the firm, this was intended to recreate the shifting effects of sunlight as one walks through nature.
As opposed to standard finishes, lighting fixtures or other pre-set forms of viewing media, this finish is highlighted by mirrors placed throughout the casino floor that accentuate the changes in light, giving guests a unique perspective, one that even changes from floor to floor within the property.
Similarly, the materials and floor layout were also carefully designed to incorporate elements of the tribe’s ancestral lands, paying homage to the wetlands and sloughs that flow through the surrounding areas. These connections are made apparent starting with the front lobby and guest entrance, and are intertwined with the rest of the floor as well.
Another example of this can be found near the table games area, which for many represents the heart of a casino. Tule fog, which is a thick, moist ground fog that is common throughout much of Central and Southern California, allows for a healthy amount of mushroom growth. These mushrooms have long been an important food source and cultural symbol for the Tachi-Yokut people, and so Cuningham incorporated lighting fixtures that mimic the shape of the fungi and even appear to spring up out of the ground. The overhead lights bring clarity to both table players and passersby navigating the floor, which is extremely important for both smooth play and foot traffic.
In 2022, no casino project would be complete without food and beverage options, and Tachi Palace is being outfitted with a new sports bar that features both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as an expanded food market, replacing the previous buffet that was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Part of the vacated space will also be used for a new high-limit room.
In tune with the shifts in consumer expectations, the casino is being retrofitted with a new air purification and HVAC system—contactless features and larger spaces between tables and machines will also be utilized. As far as the exterior, the existing stucco finishes have been redone, and a new LED screen and lighting elements will give the property a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Originally opened in November 1983 in Leemore, California as the Southgate Bingo Palace, the Tachi-Yokut took ownership of the casino in the mid ’90s and rebranded it to its current name in 2005. In March, California Governor Gavin Newsom ratified a new gaming compact between the tribe and the state.
Tachi Palace Casino Resort
Owner: Tachi-Yokut Tribe
Design and Architect of Record: Cuningham
