Angel of the Winds Casino Resort

Project Description: Angel of the Winds Casino Resort Tasting Room

Location: Arlington, Washington

Heritage Distilling Company (HDC), in partnership with the Stillaguamish Tribe, at the Angel of the Winds Casino Resort, marks a historic milestone as the first-ever tasting room within a tribally owned casino in the Pacific Northwest, providing tourists, patrons, and locals with the opportunity to indulge in Heritage Distilling's award-winning spirits.

The project aimed to repurpose a portion of the existing customer buffet area into a new tasting room. The high-volume space provided ample clearance for the addition of a mezzanine, offering a unique customer overlook experience within the casino.

Construction started in April of 2024 and was completed by the end of October the same year. The space incorporates enhanced acoustic design features to provide a comfortable and inviting customer experience. Several key features include:

• Tasting Room – Main Level (39 seats): Connected by a new internal stair, the distillery tasting room spans over two levels and offers a unique experience combining a full-service bar with lounge seating and televisions for event viewing.

• Retail: The distillery retail space, conveniently situated right next to the gaming floor, is crafted to warmly invite guests to the new tasting room and lounge. It serves as an introduction to the distillery's wide array of spirits and merchandise.

• Cask Club: Offering the exclusive Cask Club membership program, enabling members to create personalized spirits and enjoy special benefits.

• Culinary Delights: The existing kitchen was repurposed to provide a seasonal menu of light bites to more substantial fare for customers.

• Upper Level Mezzanine (49 seats): The mezzanine offers customers a unique tasting room and casino floor overlook experience, featuring lounge and dining seating, and TVs for event viewing.

Design features include:

• Main Level - 2,383 square feet

• Mezzanine Level – 1,223 square feet

• Custom furniture selections from Jamie Stern

• The new tasting room, as well as most of the casino, is completely a non-smoking area

• Fsorb Sound Absorption Panels: These panels are strategically placed throughout the lower-level space, under the mezzanine to effectively absorb sound and minimize echo, creating a more pleasant and tranquil environment.

• Soundply Micro-Perforated High-Performance Acoustic Wood Panels: These advanced panels enhance the aesthetic appeal while delivering superior acoustic performance. Their micro-perforated design allows for optimal sound absorption without compromising on visual elegance.

• Carpeting: Selected for the upper mezzanine level, the use of carpeting further contributes to sound absorption, reducing noise levels and enhancing comfort for guests.

• High-Performing Acoustic Ceiling Panels: Selected again for the upper mezzanine level, these panels ensure that sound is evenly distributed across the spaces, minimizing unwanted noise and reverberation.

• Digital displays and integrated sound systems throughout.

• The new mezzanine structural steel is fire protected with the use of intumescent paint, preserving the steel frame aesthetic.

The design features aimed to create a new comfortable and inviting customer experience within the Angel of the Winds Casino Resort.

Owner & Project Team

• Owner – Angel of the Winds Casino Resort | Travis O’Neil, CEO, Jeff Wheatley, COO, Michael McFarlen, Director of Hospitality

• Partner – Heritage Distilling Company | Justin Stiefel, CEO and Jennifer Stiefel, President

• General Contractor – Lease Crutcher Lewis | Seattle, Washington

• Architect – fi architecture (Darrin Filand, Josh Murphy, Jamie Plater) | Gig Harbor, Washington

• Structural – PCS Structural Solutions | Tacoma, Washington

• Lighting Design – LUMA | Portland, Oregon

• Acoustic Engineer - Tenor | Seattle, Washington