As reported by the California Press-Enterprise: “The Agua Caliente Band of
Cahuilla Indians Monday unveiled its final design for a 16-story hotel near
Rancho Mirage, amid continued negotiation with city and county officials.
“In 18 months, the tribe expects its high-rise hotel will emerge from the
Coachella Valley’s desert landscape along Interstate 10 and join two other
tribal-owned resorts along the freeway stretch.
“The tribe hired Orlando-based VOA Associates Inc. to design the 344-room
hotel. At Monday’s groundbreaking, VOA representative Jonathan Douglas said
the firm moved the $185 million hotel’s location to lower ground to address
complaints about the building’s proposed height.
“.Richard Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente tribe, said the tribe
needs the hotel to remain competitive with the Cabazon Band of Mission
Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians who, respectively, built the
12-story, 250-room Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino and 26-story, 300-room
Morongo Resort Casino along Interstate 10.
“The $185 million hotel won’t include condominiums and will be managed by
the tribe instead of a hotel operator such as Marriott or Starwood..”
