NHBP & FIREKEEPERS LEADERSHIP BREAK GROUND ON SECOND HOTEL TOWER
(Battle Creek, Mich.) June 17, 2019 – The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) and FireKeepers Casino Hotel held a milestone groundbreaking ceremony today to initiate construction of a second hotel tower and additional amenities at the award-winning property in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Construction on the hotel tower will provide an additional 203 hotel rooms, including fourteen suites, plus a transformed hotel lobby area, a new signature restaurant, new high limit slot and table game areas and a new VIP lounge. The groundbreaking ceremony took place less than two months before the tribe celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Grand Opening of FireKeepers Casino.
“We are proud to capitalize on our outstanding business performance in recent years and invest in a second hotel tower with many exciting complementary offerings. This expansion represents our continuing efforts to build a solid foundation for the next seven generations of tribal members,” stated Jamie Stuck, Chairperson of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
The new eight-story hotel will be designed in alignment with FireKeepers’ existing standards of excellence, as the current hotel has been designated a AAA Four Diamond award winner for the past five consecutive years. The new hotel rooms will feature upscale built-in décor along with the latest in guest service technology.
The welcoming 39,000 square foot first level will deliver a vibrant new lobby bar and front desk while increasing the focus on seven main pillars which represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi: Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom.
FireKeepers signature restaurant, Nibi, one of Michigan’s finest dining experiences, will enjoy a new location with seating for approximately 125, and an interior that retains a focus on the tribal namesake, water, plus a new fire feature. Nibi will also feature expanded wine storage and presentation, and a private dining area for up to 20, perfect for special parties or small business meetings.
“Our focus from day one was to design a second hotel tower with the upscale, vibrant yet fun and friendly approach which has made our first tower such a big success,” stated Kathy George, CEO of FireKeepers Casino Hotel. “This day marks a major step forward in our history and we look forward with excitement and anticipation for the new opportunities ahead of us.”
The construction project also redesigns a section of FireKeepers existing gaming space. When complete, there will be new High Limit Gaming sections for slots and table games, plus a new bar and VIP lounge for select Red Hot Rewards Club members.
The scale of this project will provide an economic boost for many sectors of the construction community. At the peak of construction, there will be roughly 250 skilled trades working on the site! While it is too early to announce a completion date, the initial target is late 2020.
FireKeepers has secured premier partners to design and construct this major expansion.
Design Architect, Architect of Record, and Interior Designer: JCJ Architecture
Contractor: Clark Construction
JCJ Architecture, an international leader in gaming and hospitality design, is an Employee Owned company that offers a full range of planning, architecture and interior design services to clients in both public and private sectors. Well known throughout Michigan for more than 70 years, Clark Construction Company is a full-scale commercial construction firm with a reputation for quality. They have expanded into many market segments around the State of Michigan, and continue to be on the cutting edge of their industry. Due in part to their dedication to safety, community, and teamwork, Clark continues to grow as a leading provider in the field. Clark’s mission statement: We Build on a Foundation of Trust.
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FireKeepers Casino Hotel, located just off Interstate 94 at Exit 104 in Battle Creek, MI, has been named Best Casino by audiences in Western Michigan and Northern Indiana, plus earned multiple awards in the Casino Player Magazine Best of Gaming 2018 Native Midwest category, including Best Casino. FireKeepers was also selected one of the Best Casinos to Work For by Casino Player Magazine. FireKeepers signature restaurant, Nibi, is a multiple recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The property features 2,900 slot machines, 70 table games, a live poker room and bingo room. FireKeepers offers a AAA-rated Four Diamond resort-style hotel with 243 rooms, a functional multi-purpose event center, six distinctive dining destinations, and multiple lounges. FireKeepers is the title sponsor of the FireKeepers Casino 400, a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, and host of the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship a Symetra Tour-Road to the LPGA golf event. For more information, visit www.firekeeperscasino.com.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel is owned and operated by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
About JCJ Architecture
JCJ Architecture is a 100% employee-owned, architecture, planning and interior design firm, which has been in continuous operation since 1936. JCJ’s professionals serve clients across the nation and the globe from offices in Hartford, Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Phoenix, San Diego and Tulsa. The firm has built a successful practice by integrating rigorous management with the highest standards of design and client service. JCJ is proud to have created buildings and environments of exceptional quality and to have contributed to making many communities better places to live, work, learn and play. JCJ Architecture has been immersed in the gaming and hospitality marketplace for decades, designing some of the most notable and profitable properties in the industry. For more information, visit www.jcj.com.
For further information about JCJ Architecture contact:
Barbara Hubbard
JCJ Architecture
Tel: (860) 240-9090
bhubbard@jcj.com
Images available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f6rha7q1va093t7/AADv3Q4z7CVV3eX6fkCS6NJna?dl=0
