Four Star Luxury Destination
Nestled among the secluded mesquites of Tucson’s high desert, the Casino Del Sol Resort was once simply a casino, but was expanded in 2010 to become the four-star luxury destination it remains today. The goal of the expansion was to transform the casino into an oasis of entertainment featuring 215 rooms and suites, more than 65,000-sf of indoor/outdoor space, a spa and fitness center, heated pool, casual and fine dining and gaming. The project also included the addition of a new 295,45-sf, three-level parking garage, and free-standing warehouse. Today, the Casino Del Sol Resort has become the only Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star and AAA Diamond rated casino in Arizona and remains one of southern Arizona’s premier resorts.
Creating a luxurious, safe, and energy-efficient resort destination was the key priority for Casino Del Sol Resort. IMEG Corp. helped the client realize this vision though providing professional MEP consulting services and fire protection engineering and design services.
It was important that the resort’s mechanical system was able to provide individualized climate control for each room and various sections of the resort. It also needed to allow for “winter” cooling, and it needed to feature air distribution systems for gaming areas which could minimize entrainment of tobacco smoke in the supply stream. To accomplish this, IMEG installed vertical stack fan coils, which included chilled water coils and electric heating coils for guest rooms, while the restaurant, spa and lobby were served by three separate variable volume roof-mounted air handling units. VAV boxes provided customized comfort through individual room control. A separate air handling unit was used to supply the kitchen. Fan coils and air handling units were connected to chilled water from the existing central plant in the casino, while hot water from the central plant was used for the air handling units and fan coils on the first floor. A plate and frame heat exchanger was added to the central plant to provide “winter” cooling for hotel fan coils and the central plant was expanded with two 550-ton chillers and associated cooling towers. With Arizona’s notoriously hot summers, the new mechanical system provided effective cooling and individualized climate control throughout the resort.
It is well-known that Arizona’s water is hard, so incorporating soft water into the resort not only preserves fixtures and reduces calcification, but extends the life of water heaters, reduces costly plumbing repairs and provides guests with a luxurious bathing experience. IMEG installed a central water softening system as well as water heater system, which utilizes gas boilers and storage tanks. Booster pumps were added to ensure appropriate water pressure for guests in the hotel tower. IMEG also installed a separate in-ground grease waste interceptor to the hotel’s restaurant.
A separate utility transformer and service entrance was installed for the hotel and parking garage. The service was a 4,000 amp, 277/480-volt, three-phase. To accommodate guests’ electrical and lighting needs, IMEG added three circuits for lighting and receptacle loads to hotel rooms as well as a 277-volt circuit for the hotel room fan coil and electric heat. Internet room service was provided by a series of wireless transmitters, while the administrative and business centers utilized wired network connectivity.
IMEG worked to ensure the new hotel was not only beautiful, but also safe for guests and staff. This mean complying with all code requirements for high rise construction. The resort’s fire protection included a wet pipe automatic sprinkler system on every floor supplied from a combined standpipe and a separate voice evacuation fire alarm system, which was connected to the casino and convention center fire alarm systems. Other features included pressurized stair towers, at least one elevator on emergency power, a generator backup which could be used for cooling of the elevator equipment room and for life safety functions, a diesel-driven fire pump and fire command center.
To enhance the luxury of the resort, IMEG added a number of additional amenities throughout the property. These included pool heating equipment, outdoor misting systems, a variety of dimmable lighting options, an outdoor stage area with power connections for entertainment, security features and many more. The expansion project transformed a once simple casino in Tucson to southern Arizona’s premier gaming and hospitality destination and the added technology and equipment has positioned the resort for success for years to come.
