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Lilac Casino Club feiert am 14. März seine große Eröffnung in New Hampshire

Lilac Club Casino has officially launched a new era of entertainment in Rochester, New Hampshire, following a successful VIP ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 10. The exclusive event welcomed local dignitaries, business leaders, and special guests to celebrate the unveiling of the area’s premier gaming and entertainment destination

Owned by Granite State Gaming and Hospitality, the Lilac Casino Club will offer over 200 of the latest gaming machines and a wide selection of popular table games, including Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, and a 12-table poker room. Lilac Club Casino expects to contribute an estimated $3m each year to a projected 72 nonprofits in Rochester and surrounding communities while supporting up to 80 full- and part-time positions.

It will be celebrating their Grand Opening on Friday, March 14. Designed with the community in mind, the casino offers a unique fusion of thrilling experiences and luxury, featuring state-of-the-art gaming and an exceptional dining option.

“We are truly honored to have celebrated this milestone with our fellow community leaders,” said Eric Barbaro, Chief Operating Officer, Granite State Gaming & Hospitality. “As we prepare for our grand opening we are thrilled to welcome guests from near and far to experience everything our casino has to offer. Lilac Club Casino is more than just a business, it’s a vital part of our community that will create jobs, foster local partnerships, and contribute to the region’s growth. We are excited to play a role in the continued success of Rochester and look forward to serving our guests and community, for many years to come.”

The renovation project transforms the Lilac Mall into a vibrant entertainment center integrating gaming, dining, and events mixed with existing retail. Inspired by its evolving history, the design reimagines the Lilac Mall as a mixed-use destination with a distinctive sense of place that welcomes the community. Since its opening in 1979, Lilac Mall has continuously adapted to changing retail landscapes. Now anchored by the Lilac Casino Club, the mall reemerges as a hub for entertainment and social engagement.

Chicago-based architectural firm DMAC Architecture & Interiors was responsible for the design for the Lilac Casino Club in Rochester, New Hampshire.

“Reimagining Lilac Mall with a casino and entertainment component required a thoughtful approach to design,” comments Dwayne MacEwen, Founder and Principal of DMAC Architecture & Interiors. “With the hard shift toward buying online, this project was an interesting study of the resilience of shopping malls and how entertainment can be a draw to motivate people to gather in person. We deliberately incorporated design elements that reinterpret traditional mall motifs, infusing them with a fresh, modern perspective.”

As the centerpiece of the mall’s revitalization, the Lilac Casino Club bridges its classic typology with a bold, contemporary identity. Its striking front façade features a 144-foot metal mesh soffit with a dynamic zig-zag profile inspired by the familiar memory of stacked shopping carts. This eye-catching architectural element allows natural light to filter into the recessed entry, with one end anchored by a monumental New Hampshire granite wall, paying homage to the state’s identity as the Granite State. Inside, a Y-shaped floorplan maximizes sightlines and encourages guest engagement, creating an intuitive and immersive experience upon arrival.

Each gaming and entertainment space is thoughtfully designed to elevate the guest experience and cultivate an inviting atmosphere of hospitality. Some of the custom features that help establish a sense of place include:

Defined by a suspended 93-foot wood-clad ceiling oval, the table gaming area serves as both a focal point and an important organizing element for easy wayfinding. This architectural feature is thoughtfully designed to integrate direct lighting and pendant fixtures, enhancing placemaking while also serving as a sophisticated screen to conceal ceiling ductwork.

A spacious dining and bar area features a ceiling trellis integrated with a central tree, transitioning the gaming floor to a modern beer garden. The 34-seat bar connects the gaming area and restaurant.

The Poker Room blends whimsical sophistication with dynamic design. The entry alcove features a curated collection of bronze sculptures—a stag, fox, and two mice in modern eyewear—balancing refined elegance and playful charm. Inside, alternating full-height wall panels with mounted TVs and crocodile-patterned coverings create a rhythmic, visually engaging space, while geometric metal mesh screens mark key service points.

Inspired by America’s classic bingo tradition, the Event Room features acoustic “tin” ceiling tiles. Recessed within the ceiling, a luminous grid of globe lights mirrors the playful geometry of a Bingo board, casting a warm, rhythmic glow that enhances the space’s dynamic energy.

Characterized by a signature smoking monkey artwork, the Smoking Game Room offers an edgy, unexpected twist to the gaming experience.

The reimagined Lilac Mall represents more than a renovation, but rather a redefinition of the traditional mall as a mixed-use retail and entertainment experience. With its elevated design, dynamic spaces, and thoughtful nods to history, the new casino is set to become a premier destination in Rochester, New Hampshire. The grand opening is set for Friday, 14 March, at 5 Milton Road, where the 38,000-square-foot charitable gaming facility will be officially unveiled.