(DES MOINES, Iowa, October 24, 2023) – Construction is underway at Q Casino & Resort in Dubuque, Iowa. Poised at the crossroads of the Midwest, the newly expanded Q Casino & Resort will serve as an entertainment and gaming hub for family, community, tourism, and experience.

The historic Schmitt Island is positioned on the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, as a connecting point for three surrounding states and is known for its racetrack history. Improvements include a modernized casino and sportsbook, an all-new inclusive family entertainment zone, boutique hotel with rooftop restaurant, bar and event space, and meeting spaces.

“For this project, we drew inspiration from the surrounding geography and history of the island that shares an immersive and authentic story honoring its past while also looking forward to the future,” says Holen.

The new family entertainment zone and meeting rooms on the upper level of the casino floor, will offer attractions for visitors and guests of all ages to enjoy including high-end arcade games, axe throwing, duckpin bowling, sports book, restaurant and bar, and meeting spaces. The upgrades to this floor will add continuity to the property, allowing guests to seamlessly flow from one space to another and making it a one-stop destination for gathering, entertainment, business, and community.

The main casino floor will feature a vibrant refresh to the gaming area with deep blue carpet that pays homage to the waters of Mississippi River, and the bright colors woven throughout as well as the custom light fixture with intertwining oval shapes serve as a tribute to the properties racing history.

Exterior improvements pull in industrial design elements from Dubuque’s historic downtown, utilizing stone and metal materials to establish a harmonious connection between the interior and exterior spaces. Q Casino’s refreshed interiors integrate fluid and rippling elements of the great Mississippi River, offering a dynamic, interactive guest experience with familiar surroundings as you enter through the main rotunda. The rotunda will feature locally inspired reflective zinc materials, bluff limestone, and a custom light fixture that mimics the shape of Schmitt Island.

The 82,257-SF renovated casino includes a refreshed exterior, signage, entrance and lobby, an elevated gaming area and sportsbook, new family entertainment zone, and restaurant space. The expansion project also brings the addition of a new boutique hotel featuring a contemporary main floor lobby, lounge and bar, and a new rooftop restaurant space with picturesque views.

Enhancements to the overall site development will offer improved flow to the island’s trail system, marina and community and a future amphitheater for seasonal outdoor entertainment, allowing for the property to be used year-round. DLR Group provided architecture, interiors, landscape architecture, and lighting design services.

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