Transforming the Red River Casino’s former buffet area into a full service restaurant saw crews completing work in a facility that operates 24/7 on a tight, six-month schedule while tackling supply chain issues and unforeseen conditions during demolition.

Completed in November 2022, the space is a replacement for the original Lotus of Siam restaurant. The design incorporated numerous references to Southeast Asia, such as bamboo supporting systems used in the entry, back bar, bottle displays, shelving systems and open-air ceilings.

The 7,250-sq-ft restaurant features an outdoor patio that the team created by enclosing a building exterior expansion with a fully operational skylight. Finishes include brick veneer and bamboo structures at the bar and ceiling areas.

Handcrafted lanterns were attached to manzanita tree limbs that the design team selected specifically for custom chandeliers. The lanterns were purchased and shipped to a specialty manufacturer, along with the tree limbs, where they were assembled on a fabrication rack and support system.

The lanterns were physically attached in their final configuration to the tree limbs and prewired with terminations to ensure smoother field connection. Structural cables for the chandelier support system were also prefabricated and attached to the tree limbs so the fixtures could be lifted from crate to ceiling, helping speed installation.