Grand Casino Hotel Guest Room Renovation

Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley are not only popular entertainment destinations, but critical cultural, social, and economic tools for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the surrounding communities in East Central Minnesota. Atmosphere Commercial Interiors (ACI) has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, the parent company of Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley. In spring of 2023, a project for the two Grand Casino properties involving the comprehensive renovation of 1,050 guest rooms across two properties was announced.

The purpose of the renovation was to update and refresh the guest rooms with a contemporary aesthetic more in keeping with the Grand Casino brand. In a gesture to celebrate traditions of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures hired an art consultant to curate original pieces from local artists that are now part of all the guest rooms and public spaces.

Both the scale and complexity of the project were remarkable. Barb Soberski is Vice President of the Hospitality Division for Atmosphere. “This was the largest project I have completed in my career to date. We were able to manage several unexpected challenges including overseas product delays and floor by floor delivery and coordination for over 1,000 rooms. It was all about logistics and performance.” According to Barb, one of the highlights of the project were the weekly meetings with the owner, general contractor, and other trades. “It was truly a team effort. Our successful collaboration was a direct result of having a seat at the table.”

Atmosphere’s hospitality team worked closely with Cuningham Group Architects and PCL Construction to manage the scope of the project including manufacturer specification, material selection, budget, and timeframe requirements established by Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures. Ultimately, a combination of overseas and domestic manufacturers were used for the project to ensure budget, scope, and timeline needs were met. Mike Engel, Vice President of Hospitality Innovation at Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, worked closely with Atmosphere throughout the remodel of the hotel rooms at Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley. “Our project focused on the renovation of over 1,040 rooms in a relatively short time. ACI partnered with us from the start and worked tirelessly to source products that met our vision, worked with the manufacturers to ensure our standards were met, and led the coordination efforts of getting product from around the world to central Minnesota. ACI is partner that you can trust.”

In July a Grand Opening party was held to celebrate the renovation. Attendees included all members of the project team, casino staff, and representatives from the community. It promises to be a source of pride for both the tribe and their guests for many years.