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SOSH Architects Designs Seneca Nation's New, $333-Million Buffalo Creek Casino & Hotel Complex

The Seneca Nation last week announced plans for a $333-million, 9-acre destination resort in downtown Buffalo called the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. Designed by SOSH Architects of New York City (www.sosharch.com) and slated to open in 2010, the complex will include a 22-story hotel, a 90,000 s.f. casino, four restaurants, retail stores, a spa and an outdoor/indoor garden with a stream.

"We worked closely with the Seneca Nation to design distinctive, luxury buildings worthy of any international setting that also respect the Native American's reverence of nature. Water and natural light therefore have strong thematic roles," said Nory Hazaveh, AIA, principal of SOSH and design architect for the complex. "At the same time, through creative visual displays, we pay tribute to Buffalo as the first electrically lit city in the country."

The glass hotel tower is slender and bow-shaped to maximize views of Lake Erie for guests staying in 208 large, comfortable suites, which range in size from 500 s.f. to 2,000 s.f. and are fully appointed for extended stays. The 21st story of the tower is a special "concierge floor" with a living room atmosphere, an elegant spa and spaces for high-level entertainment. Crowning the top of the hotel's exterior is a giant video screen that displays live interior images of the complex.

As an entertainment environment, the adjacent casino has a marquis façade that sparkles with moving lights at night. It is sheathed in zinc, glass and stone. The main interior space of the casino is a 2-story atrium, at the core of which hangs a large, mobile sculpture decorated with designs inspired by Native American history. Retail stores, restaurants, 2,000 slot machines and 45 table games ring the periphery of the atrium. An elaborate lighting and audio visual system creates visual displays on flat screens and the casino walls.

A stream runs through the casino, emanating from an outdoor, 2-acre landscaped park with walking paths and a pond. Included on the 9-acre site will be a 2,500-vehicle parking garage.

SOSH Architects maintains offices in Atlantic City, New Jersey and New York City, New York. It has over 25 years of experience in entertainment, retail, gaming and hospitality design, with numerous national and international hospitality and gaming industry clients.