Blue Chip Casino Hotel gets an upgrade

Chicago-based Lucien Lagrange Architects is constructing a high-end hotel and entertainment expansion for the Blue Chip Casino riverboat and hotel in Michigan City, Ind. The $130 million, 330,000-sf project will add 270 guest rooms, 30 suites, a spa, and additional meeting and convention space to the existing facility. The city's waterfront location motivated nautical accents in the design, and a tinted glass and aluminum curtain wall will add a touch of Vegas-inspired flash. A concourse will connect the new and existing buildings. Construction began in March 2007; expected completion is late 2008. General contractor is Walsh Construction, Chicago.