Wild Rose Jefferson recently placed third in the annual People’s Choice Awards held by the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. JEFF STORJOHANN | JEFFERSON HERALD

Casino design takes third in architecture contest

Special to The Jefferson Herald
Wild Rose Casino and Resort placed third in the second annual American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter, People’s Choice Awards.

The contest celebrates architecture by Iowans, and the winners are chosen by the people who use and appreciate the buildings. Throughout April, the public was invited to weigh in on their favorite design by voting online.

More than 41,000 votes were counted for 28 nominated projects.

Designed by the DLR Group, Wild Rose Jefferson’s architecture is at once enticing, aesthetically pleasing and an inspiration for spurring further development in the community. The entire facility focuses on openness with visual light as the key component.  

“Natural light is vital to providing safe, clean and comfortable facilities while increasing the perception of openness and trust,” said Christopher Osore of the DLR Group in Des Moines. “The entire space is bridged together by a beautiful hall of light that along with the warm color palette, rich woods and natural stone, created the sophisticated, open comfort that Wild Rose wanted.”

A curtain wall of curved glass, allowing natural light to stream into the building along the southern exposure, connects the resort’s striking exterior with the multiple interior functions.

The casino is anchored by two large spaces — the casino floor and the concert hall and event center known as the Greene Room. In between are supporting spaces that can be adapted for pre-function receptions, additional dining and other uses.  

“We were looking for a design that was both compelling and functional,” explained Tom Timmons, Wild Rose president. “We worked with DLR to come up with a design that conveyed a feeling of luxury and comfort without being ostentatious.

“As you approach our campus from the road, you can immediately tell that this is something extraordinary; there’s a real ‘wow’ factor.”

The casino’s 18,000-square-foot gaming floor provides 526 slot machines and 14 table games. An attached 70-room Cobblestone Inn also was co-designed by DLR Group. Together with the integrated event center seating up to 1,200 guests, the resort provides entertainment and hospitality for west central Iowa and thousands of visitors.

Wild Rose also offers a sports bar with a stage suitable for more intimate performances. Adjacent development potential is likely to include convenience stores, quick-service restaurants, and local and regional consumer-focused businesses.

Wild Rose Casino & Resort in Jefferson opened for business on July 13, 2015.

Since opening, Wild Rose Jefferson has hosted visitors from 49 states, and its shows have attracted nearly 30,000 people to Greene County.

Wild Rose Jefferson is part of an Iowa-based gaming company that owns three properties with casinos in Emmetsburg and Clinton.

Since 2006, Wild Rose casino revenues have generated nearly $36 million for community organizations and projects.

In addition, Wild Rose casinos have generated more than $161 million in state and local taxes.

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