Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino & Spa
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Architect: Thalden Boyd Emery Architects
Contractor: Balfour Beatty Construction
Buffalo Thunder Resort, Casino and Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico is an inspirational work of art in and of itself. Nestled on 180 acres in the ancestral lands of the Pueblo of Pojoaque the property integrates the organic nature of the pueblo style of building with the design elements known as the Santa Fe Style. It is one of the most uniquely designed resort destinations in the country. Operated by Hilton Hotels, and designed by Thalden Boyd Emery Architects as a four-star destination, the resort features luxury amenities, including a 16,000 square foot luxury spa and fitness facility, restaurants, entertainment venues, meeting space and an upscale casino.
Native American Art and Architecture are integrated throughout the resort, supporting the historic traditions of the pueblo style. The owners chose Harvest Cranberry for the exterior clad color, and beautiful divided light patterns to compliment the pueblo style architecture. All 395 rooms have patio slider doors, opening to balconies overlooking the magnificent views of the Santa Fe mountainside. The retail promenade features beautiful wood ten-foot tall doors as entrances to the retail spaces, and several large patio sliders and a pocket door system lead from the restaurant to an outside patio.
Chosen as the 2009 "Project of the Year" for the New Mexico Chapter of the American Subcontractors Association: Criteria included impact of the project on the community, innovative design and construction techniques, and the teamwork exemplified among all parties involved.
Located on 92 acres of Pojoaque tribal land near Santa Fe, the Native American-themed resort was completed three months ahead of schedule and under budget. The 700,000 square-foot resort includes the Hilton Santa Fe North hotel, retail promenade and conference center, and a 151,000 square-foot casino. Buffalo Thunder Resort also includes a substantial infrastructure that incorporates an environmentally responsible state of the art water treatment facility, capable of 100 percent water recycling.
