Hotels, resorts and casinos offer memorable experiences that serve as an alluring escape from the monotony of daily life for many Americans. Sundt has mastered the art of constructing top quality hospitality and gaming projects for our clients with minimal downtime and little to no revenue loss. Sundt has demonstrated a proven track record of success on high-profile ventures such as the Gila River Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino and the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort expansions in Arizona, led by a best-in-class team of experts with 135+ years of experience among them. By combining our solutions-oriented approach with a deep understanding of client needs, Sundt remains a trusted partner in the ever-evolving hospitality and gaming market.
Time is money
Speed, efficiency and working smart are key in hospitality and gaming projects, as every minute of downtime for a business can mean thousands in lost revenue. Many projects in this sector are under progressive delivery contracts, which allows our team to problem-solve more effectively before the project starts. This is where Sundt’s preconstruction teams shine, as innovative solutions and thoughtful planning have allowed our hospitality and gaming clients to continue operations through the construction phase.
Preconstruction excellence
Rich Gohl, Preconstruction Manager, applies 36 years of experience in the industry to planning and identifying solutions for construction challenges. “During the planning process of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort Expansion, we were able to collaborate with the entire project team to make smart decisions that saved the client time and money,” Rich explained. “For example, part of the package for expansion included the construction of a new ballroom. We realized that if we build the ballroom first, the casino could temporarily relocate their operations to this space while the main floor is under renovation. This allowed the casino to remain entirely operational through the duration of the project so that they could remain profitable.”
Leveraging self-perform capabilities for success
Another important ingredient in Sundt’s recipe for success is our robust self-perform capabilities and services. Our in-house construction services, bolstered by our skilled workforce, allow us more control over the project’s schedule, leading to quicker turnaround times and a higher quality product overall. At Wild Horse Pass, leaning on our self-perform concrete capabilities allowed us to shave two months off the construction schedule, accomplished with zero recordable safety incidents.
Innovative solutions for minimizing downtime
Sundt leveraged our technical capabilities for the Harrah’s Ak-Chin expansion, using both aerial photography and laser scanning to document and study the conditions of the existing roof. The high-definition aerial imagery and laser-scanned point cloud allowed the team to better define the roof scope’s required design, construction and maintenance.
These kinds of proactive approaches to project execution help clients maintain profitability even during major renovations.
Client-centered approach: Collaborating with Tribal Communities
Gaming venues across the Southwest are often owned and operated by Tribal communities, and they serve as key sources of revenue. When working with these communities, Sundt tailors its approach to respect local traditions and incorporate cultural elements into the design.
Sundt Senior Project Manager Rob Kobierowski said, “When working with tribal communities, the project team collaborates with members of the community to incorporate elements of their art and culture into the design and construction. Typically, we will form an arts and culture committee and meet with them regularly to gather input and feedback, as well as commission local artists to create installments for the new space. Since much of Sundt’s work deals with expansion and renovation, we also rely on their guidance for protecting and preserving existing art pieces during construction.”
Rob led Sundt’s work on the Gila River Wild Horse Pass Expansion and Harrah’s Ak-Chin. He has over 25 years of experience with major hospitality projects, including Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino, the Westin Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, the San Manuel Casino Expansion in Highland, California and Green Valley Ranch Resort Hotel & Casino in Henderson, Nevada.
Investing in local workforce development
An equally important aspect of Sundt’s work with tribal communities is creating job opportunities and investing in the local workforce. The project teams often work closely with tribal leaders and by collaborating with the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) to identify and attract local talent to staff these jobs. In addition to employment, these projects provide training and development opportunities that can lead to careers that last long after the final ribbon is cut.
“I’ve worked on projects where our subcontractors have retained up to 20-30 percent of the workforce hired through TERO, providing them with permanent employment,” said Pre-Construction Project Manager Duane Miles, who worked on Gila River Indian Community and Harrah’s Ak-Chin and has over $7 Billion of Gaming & Hospitality experience around the country. “Collaborating with TERO has been a fantastic experience, and it’s allowed us to hire people who not only bring the skills and expertise we’re looking for, but the passion for the work they’re doing for their own community.”
“Construction has the potential to be burdensome on the community and its people. That’s why our goal, as with any project we take on, especially projects like these, is to leave the community better off than it was before we came in,” said Mike Nunn, a project executive at Sundt with 38 years of industry experience who led the most recent Wild Horse Pass expansion.
From napkin sketch to reality
There is an almost insurmountable number of details that go into getting a hotel or casino ready for business. But details are everything in the hospitality industry, so it’s crucial to get every element right. Because of their extensive project experience, Sundt’s experts have the capability to assess, plan and manage every aspect of the project ‘s budget — from the entire concrete scope to the hinges on each door.
“We can plan and budget an entire hotel and casino project based on what we refer to as a ‘napkin sketch,'” said Duane. “Meaning, our clients can come to us with even the vaguest of concepts, and we will work with them to come up with a plan for a facility that meets all their needs, within the budget they request. If a client comes to us and says they want a casino with 1,200 gaming positions or a resort with 300 rooms, we can estimate how many square feet that requires, calculate the cost per square foot or per key as well as the amenities like pools, bars, restaurants, etc., giving the client a comprehensive view of the total cost.”
Once the client is in alignment on the final budget, the team guides them through the broader financial picture, including construction costs and “soft costs” like design fees, FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment), land development costs, insurance and even legal fees. This approach allows the team to update the client on the total project cost at every stage, not just the construction budget, ensuring they have a clear understanding of all financial aspects.
Building unique and memorable experiences
In an industry where every detail matters, Sundt’s dedication to providing top quality work and excellent client experience sets us apart in the hospitality and gaming construction sector. Sundt remains focused on building spaces that not only entertain and excite, but also enrich the communities they serve.
From sophisticated luxury resorts to vibrant casinos and entertainment complexes, Sundt constructs hospitality facilities that make a lasting impact on visitors. See more of our work here.