hotel bar, dark, red green suede furniture fills the dark and moody interior space, Cascade Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio by Marriott

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DLR Group Tops Forbes List and Highlights 2025 Hospitality Milestones

(Minneapolis, Dec. 17, 2025) – Global integrated design firm DLR Group closes out 2025 with a record-setting year in hospitality, distinguished by inclusion in Forbes’ inaugural America’s Top Hospitality Architects & Designers list and a strong portfolio of projects worldwide. From lifestyle hotels and luxury resorts to private clubs, gaming and entertainment venues, and F&B settings, the firm continues to create destinations that captivate guests and cultivate brand loyalty for owners and developers.

The resurgence of hospitality signals a renewed demand for environments that stand apart. Across every project type, our teams and clients push for concepts that move the market forward; design that deepens connection, elevates experience, and strengthens long-term value for owners and operators.”

Ed Wilms, AIA Senior Principal, Global Hospitality Leader

NOW OPEN

DLR Group marked a year of significant hospitality project completions in 2025. From sparking curiosity at The Vanguard Hotel in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and curating a serene, elevated retreat at Hilton Jacksonville Mayo Clinic in Florida, to shaping immersive destinations for entertainment and discovery at the Grand Island Casino Resort at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska, as well as the Momentum KC Signature Lounge at the Cascade Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, and revitalizing historic landmarks such as The Gunter Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk, DLR Group delivered hospitality destinations where the cultural rhythms of each place – its art, style, flavors, and stories – are translated into curated environments that linger in memory and invite guests to return.

The Vanguard Hotel, Autograph Collection lobby; archway with seating and tables for guests; elegant dark and light wood for a modern but historical feel

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Arched portals at The Vanguard Hotel guide movement and frame moments, connecting arrival to the hotel’s signature French brasserie.

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Grand Island Casino Resort rises from Nebraska’s plains, reinterpreting the state’s landscape and culture into a destination for entertainment and escape.

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Momentum KC, a semi-private club and rooftop bar, comes alive through organic forms, sumptuous materials, and touches of lush greenery.

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The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio reopens as a Tribute Portfolio by Marriott, daringly layering avant-garde influences – an interplay of history and imagination.

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle’s refresh infuses sophistication, casual elegance, and a touch of playfulness into every corner of the property.

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Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead’s lobby and amenity renovation captures the neighborhood’s fusion of southern grace and contemporary exuberance. 

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The Curtis Hotel Denver guestrooms merges nostalgia, cinematic flair, and a playful narrative, resulting in a delightfully unexpected and immersive space.

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DoubleTree by Hilton sits at the heart of Madinah Gate, a vibrant mixed-use district blending local culture, retail, dining, and premium hospitality.

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Additional destinations that also celebrated completion milestones this year include Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California; Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle; Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead; Trailborn Surf & Sound in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina; Field & Stream Bozeman in Montana; DoubleTree by Hilton Madinah Gate in Madinah, Saudi Arabia; Moxy Charlotte Downtown in North Carolina; and AC Hotel Auburn in Alabama.

UNDERWAY

DLR Group continues its momentum with hospitality projects slated for completion in 2026, including select destinations such as Canopy by Hilton at Deer Valley in Heber City, Utah; Canopy by Hilton The Point in Abha, Saudi Arabia; Hyatt Regency Denver; and The Key Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, part of the newly opened Q Casino & Resort in Dubuque, Iowa.

architectural rendering of Common Pine mass timber hotel in a snowy weather; three floor timber building with large windows along the front facade

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Common Pine  mass timber hotel captures the spirit of the Lake Tahoe region through warm materials, modern alpine form, and a deep connection to place. 

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The Key Hotel in Dubuque draws on local limestone and oak motifs, blending natural textures with refined boutique charm.

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The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place refresh offers 17 room types reflecting Lake Michigan’s shimmer and Chicago’s iconic architecture.

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The new Canopy by Hilton at Deer Valley captures Park City’s alpine heritage and vibrant ski culture in a modern, inviting alpine retreat.

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Okhissa Lake Lodge in Mississippi draws inspiration from iconic National Park lodges, celebrating tranquility and embracing modern sensibilities.

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Opening late 2026, Canopy by Hilton The Point in Abha offers travelers an immersive stay with a unique view of this remarkable region

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Common Pine  mass timber hotel captures the spirit of the Lake Tahoe region through warm materials, modern alpine form, and a deep connection to place. 

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The Key Hotel in Dubuque draws on local limestone and oak motifs, blending natural textures with refined boutique charm.

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The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place refresh offers 17 room types reflecting Lake Michigan’s shimmer and Chicago’s iconic architecture.

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The new Canopy by Hilton at Deer Valley captures Park City’s alpine heritage and vibrant ski culture in a modern, inviting alpine retreat.

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Okhissa Lake Lodge in Mississippi draws inspiration from iconic National Park lodges, celebrating tranquility and embracing modern sensibilities.

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Opening late 2026, Canopy by Hilton The Point in Abha offers travelers an immersive stay with a unique view of this remarkable region

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On the boards, select hospitality projects in various stages of design and construction include Alyvia in Healdsburg, California; Common Pine Hotel in Truckee, California; Okhissa Lake Lodge in Mississippi; Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota; Scotts Bluff Casino and Racetrack in Gering, Nebraska; Spirit Mountain Casino in Mohave Valley, Arizona, and Syracuse Graduate by Hilton in New York.

PROJECTS AND PEOPLE

Design excellence set the tone for DLR Group’s work in 2025. These efforts didn’t go unnoticed as the firm celebrates recognition from several notable industry awards and rankings, including the following:

Forbes’ inaugural America’s Top Hospitality Architects & Designers list
Top Five on Interior Design’s 2025 Hospitality Giants list
NEWH 2025 TopID designation
Principal and Hospitality Interior Design Leader Valentina Castellon named to Hospitality Design’s 2025 Wave of the Future class
33 North at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach’s (Dana Point, California) featured in Forbes Travel Guide’s Best Hotel Bars for 2025 list
AC Hotel by Marriott Naples 5th Avenue (Naples, Florida) awarded the IIDA Florida Central Chapter’s 2025 Excellence Awards – Hospitality Hotels & Venues and Best of Year
Trailborn Surf & Sound (Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina) honored as a 2025 Gold key Award – Hotel Midscale Finalist by Boutique Design magazine
Hyatt Regency Irvine awarded the 2025 SHLD Award – Guestroom Upscale
Buruj Hotel (Baghdad, Iraq) awarded the 2025 International Architecture Awards – Hotels
Canopy by Hilton The Point (Abah, Saudi Arabia) awarded the 2025 Commercial Interior Design: Hospitality – F&B Concept of the Year

DLR Group also welcomed Sara Talleux as principal and hospitality interior design leader. Based in the Chicago studio, Talleux leads the firm’s expansion in luxury and boutique hospitality into new markets, while cultivating a team culture of design excellence and growth through mentorship.

“2025 reaffirmed that environments shaped by context, culture, and creativity leave lasting impressions,” said Wilms. “In 2026, we’ll continue crafting destinations that captivate, inspire loyalty, and stand out in a competitive market.”

Explore DLR Group’s hospitality design services, news, and our award-winning projects here.

For media queries, please contact: Kimberly Askin, Media Manager

Email 312-382-9980

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