Cuningham Completes Tacoma’s Emerald Queen Casino

Architectural design firm Cuningham has announced the completion of the Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel in Tacoma, WA on behalf of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Cuningham led the architecture efforts of the brand-new facility, which replaces a previous nearby location.

The Emerald Queen totals 310,000 square feet and includes 100,000 square feet of slots and table games, a 2,000-seat event center, five restaurants, 2 parking garages and a 12-story, 155-room hotel. According to Cuningham’s Brett K. Ewing, the facility is one of the first tribal developments to be built above ground, spanning multiple parcels and city streets.

The Cuningham team worked with tribal historians to design a venue that represents deep ties to the Puyallup culture and the local landscape. Michele Espeland, CID, Principal at Cuningham said in a news release, “The key was ensuring the design team truly understood the rich history and culture of the Puyallup tribe and the story they intended to tell patrons.”