The Southwest Valley’s latest destination for luxury and entertainment, boasts 209 rooms, an expansive 83,000+ sf casino, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, captivating pool deck, and a variety of dining options ranging from casual to fine dining.
There are several distinct entries; the landscape is designed to reflect the character of the surrounding neighborhood and increases in size and magnificence as you approach the property. The main entrance, with its more intimate design, highlights the grandeur of date palms, signature Palo Verde trees, Washingtonia palms, southern live oaks, fan palms, Holly oak, and cork oak. The porte cochere entrance, surrounded by rows of oak trees and date palms, emanates a welcoming, yet sophisticated ambiance.
The east entry island invites guests with date palms and large oaks surrounding a multilevel water fountain, featuring large urns with olive trees and an enticing fire element that illuminates the night with excitement and color.
Moving towards the north entry, guests encounter a landscape adorned with large pines, Palo Verde, and cacti, accompanied by meandering rock groundcover. Pipe organ cacti and sable palms in low planters add a touch of elegance to this carefully curated space.
Durango’s landscape design incorporates mid-century-modern patterned textured walls, creating an upscale atmosphere. To promote water conservation, artificial turf is strategically placed in specific areas. The lush softscape embraces the desert landscape, featuring a variety of textured and flourishing plant material. Notably, 40-foot-tall Pine trees from Siegfried and Roy’s Las Vegas home have found a new home around the pool and parking garage, adding a touch of history and elegance to the surroundings.
A haven of relaxation, the “Bel-Aire Backyard” pool area features a central water feature/fountain, Baja ledge, chaise lounges, and cabanas providing respite from the desert sun. Surrounding the pool, majestic Medjool date palms enhance the atmosphere, creating a tropical oasis. Two poolside bars feature outdoor seating to indulge on thirst-quenching drinks and upscale eats. An adjacent event lawn is ample enough to host large-scale events, with space for a stage for live performances.
Durango takes the indoor/outdoor experience to the next level, offering spill-out patios for the sportsbook and restaurants. The “Eat Your Heart Out” food hall patio garden is adorned with agaves and cobble, creating a serene setting for patrons. Distinct water features at each restaurant patio are designed to complement the architecture, be visually appealing from various angles, and offer diners tranquil sounds. Outside the steakhouse, Nicco’s, the tiered water feature even showcases fire erupting from the fountain.
The country-club inspired George Sportsmen’s Lounge adds an extra layer of entertainment, featuring cornhole, ping-pong, outdoor gaming, and TVs for an immersive experience. Windows from the gaming area provide captivating views of the lush garden environs, seamlessly bringing the outdoors inside and enhancing the overall guest experience.
With its thoughtful design, Durango offers an array of amenities and environments for guests to discover.
Photo credits: Clint Jenkins, and pool photo courtesy of Christopher DeVargas
At the south end of Mule Alley in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards lies the recently opened 200 room, 4-Star Hotel Drover. Majestic Realty Co. gave us the opportunity to create a labyrinth of outdoor spaces: a front courtyard for pre-dinner libations, an outdoor lawn venue that sits adjacent to a rustic event barn, and even a few spots to play cornhole under the well over 125 trees that were brought in from around the country.
The main hotel arrival has a ranch-style entry complete with cattleguard that creates a charming rumble when driven over. Directly outside the front doors, guests are greeted by a giant Antonio Munoz bronze Drover sculpture depicting a cowboy on a horse roping a young longhorn steer that was designed with input from Majestic Realty EVP Craig Cavileer. Keeping a connection with The Stockyards, brick paving spreads throughout the area for a rustic look, while cacti imported from CA flank the front doors.
At the entrance to the front courtyard, we designed a wall fountain complete with corten steel accents and custom-designed hand-painted Spanish tile from California Pottery and Tile. Within the courtyard, we transplanted two giant 40’ tall mature Red Oaks from a field near Houston to create a natural respite from the hot Texas sun. A custom-designed contemporary copper fountain designed in collaboration with Water Studio sits in the center of the courtyard. Extra details, such as custom wood planters with the branded Hotel Drover logo, as well as a neon cowboy, also adorn the front space.
The expansive “Backyard,” bordering the banks of Marine Creek, features an area under string lights that includes three firepits with surrounding seating near a small stage for acoustic live music, as well as an expansive lawn where guests can play various games, such as cornhole. Giant transplanted oak trees, agaves, and large cacti from Southern California accent the area.
Three relic fountains, procured from around the world, adorn the property. One was made from a 500-year old solid limestone water trough imported from a Belgium meadow, a 300-year old limestone fountain from Italy is nestled near the private chef’s table pavilion within the herb garden, and a 10’ tall fountain from France creates a soothing trickling sound near the outdoor dining terrace.
The centerpiece of the entire backyard and pool area is a pre-existing giant oak tree which is now adorned with a hanging pendant light. A wood deck built around the tree provides chaise space for people to relax in the shade. Extra special detail on the custom designed Spanish tile on the pool and spa water line incorporates the Fort Worth Longhorn silhouette. Accent lighting is used throughout, including Restoration Hardware crystal chandeliers in the pool cabanas.
Adjacent to a towering rustic event barn is the gorgeous exterior wedding/event lawn that can comfortably accommodate 380 guests enclosed by 25’ tall Loblolly pine trees along the perimeter, for a sense of exclusion.
Whether you’re a tourist or a local planning a staycation or event, Hotel Drover offers multiple experiences to accommodate even the most discerning guests.
The Plaza Coral Gables is a $700M mixed-use development in the heart of Coral Gables’ central business district and consists of approximately 2.1 million sf of space on three city blocks. The site also houses a historic building that was once the office of the City’s developer, George Merrick, which will be used as Agave Holdings’ new office.
The site design carefully balances the functional, environmental, and pedestrian requirements of its urban setting. Lifescapes was commissioned to provide elegant, distinctive surroundings for a luxury hotel, two office towers, dining, retail, and entertainment space, and approximately 170 residences.
A key aspect of the design is its integration with art. The carefully curated outdoor spaces complement and enhance the property’s art collection. Sculptural elements and art installations are thoughtfully positioned throughout the site, with landscapes designed to frame and highlight these pieces, creating a seamless dialogue between nature and artistry.
A grand lawn with a large water feature and children’s play area serves as the focal point of the park-like setting. Outdoor eating areas, open lawn for events and lounging as well as numerous seating niches are spread around the project to encourage people to stroll, eat, and enjoy the garden experience. A walking promenade along the retail frontage allows for partially covered passage so visitors can have a unique indoor/outdoor experience. The centerpiece food venue adjacent to the grand lawn invites guests to grab a quick bite and relax along the turf edge. This area also serves as the entertainment hub and will allow the hosting of seasonal events and festivities ranging from small concerts and parties to holiday tree lighting and ice skating.