Indian casino/hotel is rising in Rancho Mirage, California

Construction is nearing the halfway mark on the $205 million Agua Caliente Casino Hotel, a 16-story, 340-room, luxury hotel in Rancho Mirage, Calif., which is being developed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. VOA Associates, Chicago, is designing the project, which also includes a major renovation to the existing casino property, with Roel Construction Co., San Diego, serving as general contractor. The hotel will be outfitted with high-level finishes and fixtures, including a stone waterfall in the lobby that changes colors and walk-in rain showers and custom-designed hot tubs in the suites. The hotel's exterior is finished with natural materials and earth tones to meld with the surrounding landscape. Completion: March 2008.