Wildhorse Resort & Casino Expansion
Wildhorse Resort & Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), is the region’s leading entertainment destination. A new 10-story, 214-key hotel tower strengthens this position by expanding capacity and modernizing the resort’s offerings.
Cuningham’s design for the new addition strategically prepares the resort for long-term growth by increasing ease of movement and advancing a cohesive vision for a contemporary, enduring destination that authentically honors Tribal identity and integrates world-class hospitality.
A Strategic Reset
Inheriting a near-complete set of designs from CTUIR’s previous architect, Cuningham was tasked with refreshing the existing concept without losing momentum. Completely restarting the design process would have inflated both schedule and budget, so Cuningham instead adopted a non-linear, iterative approach focused on pragmatic refinements and high-impact changes that kept the project financially feasible.
This disciplined process resolved key technical issues and strengthened the guest experience by addressing fundamental shortcomings in the original concept, which obstructed natural circulation, lacked clear wayfinding, and incorporated symbolic elements without cultural depth or clarity.
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Client: Wildhorse Gaming Resort
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Size: 242,200 Square Feet
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Scope:
Renovation -
Services:
ArchitectureInterior DesignLandscape Architecture -
Key Project Contacts:
Opening the Heart of the Resort
Central to Cuningham’s design is a fundamental reorganization of the ground floor that simplifies arrival and circulation. Previously, guests were forced into disorienting corridors disconnected from the main tower and casino. By removing a café that blocked views and flow, a clear pathway now links the hotel, event spaces, and casino floor. The café is repositioned as an indoor/outdoor anchor space, inviting guests to linger without obstructing flow.
Outdated, compartmentalized guestroom layouts are transformed using multi-purpose furniture, open shelving, and freestanding wardrobes. Oversaturated colors are replaced with warm neutrals that allow curated textiles and original artwork to carry cultural motifs without being overpowering.
This interior concept is carried into the resort’s amenity spaces. In the event center and pre-function areas, a neutral, layered palette supports a wide variety of functions, while custom carpet patterns echo tribal geometries in abstract, contemporary forms, embedding the cultural narrative without cliché or mimicry.
