Astral Spa at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs Arkansas 71901 United States

Building Area (sf): 8,000

Completion: April 2021

Architect of Record:

HBG Design

Craig Conrad, AIA – Project Manager;
Mark Weaver, FAIA – Lead Architectural Design;
Landon Shockey, IIDA, NCIDQ – Lead Interior Design;
Crystal McCain – Interior Designer

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Flintco LLC, Memphis, TN
• Electrical: • Spa Consultant - WTS International, Inc.;
  • Aqua Thermal Consultant - Design for Leisure;
  • Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing Engineer - Giovanetti Shulman Associates (GSA)
  • Structural Engineer - Uzun + Case, LLC
  • Lighting Designer - Randy Burkett Lighting Design (RBLD);
  • Signage/Graphics Consultant - Lorenc Yoo Design
  
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  Photographer: Dero Sanford/ThinkDero Photography
  
  Captions:
  2. Astral Spa Entrance from Oaklawn Resort. Photographer: Dero Sanford
  3. Large-format marble-like porcelain and light-colored wood, tile and stone impart texture and pattern to soften the overall color palette. A back lit crystallized wall adds texture beyond the reception desk in reference to crystal mining in the Hot Springs region. Photo by Dero Sanford
  4. The women’s parlor combines a watercolor-inspired wallcovering and shades of coral on board and batten accent walls and leather chairs and ottomans, all centered around a large framed black and white photo of a jovial Oaklawn Derby Day. Photo by Dero Sanford
  5. The women’s locker room. Photo by Dero Sanford
  6. A custom mosaic tile accent wall surrounds the vitality pool in the women’s illuminated wet lounge, set adjacent to floor-lit heated loungers, steam and infrared saunas and cold room. Photo by Dero Sanford
  7. Needle showers with wrap-around shower pipes harken to external plumbing in historical bathhouses. Photo by Dero Sanford
  8. Couples Treatment Room. Photo by Dero Sanford
  9. Couples Treatment Room. Photo by Dero Sanford
  10. The men’s area emits a more masculine energy using deep grey tones and rich camel colored leather furnishings. Pictured here – the Men’s Parlor. Photo by Dero Sanford
  11. Men’s Locker Room. Photo by Dero Sanford
  12. Men’s Wet Area. Photo by Dero Sanford
  
  

Marrying modern lines with tailored, historical overtures, this well-known Thoroughbred racing resort’s new world class spa evokes a contemporized Victorian era Hot Springs bathhouse.

It’s off to the races for the new Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in historic Hot Springs, Arkansas. What began over 100 years ago as a 1,500-seat grandstand hosting high-stakes Thoroughbred horse racing is transformed into an upscale resort and entertainment destination experience, branded around its historic reputation as one of the premier Thoroughbred racetracks in the country.

“Quality and class have been our compass for more than a century.” Designers embraced the Owner’s standard of excellence by developing a ‘Tailored Equestrian’ concept for the new 8,000 square foot Astral Spa. The design celebrates the sport and history of Thoroughbred racing, and Hot Springs’ turn-of-the-20th-century heyday as The Spa City – America’s First Resort, an era when ladies and gentlemen donned their best bespoke styles to see and be seen at the horse track and iconic Victorian bathhouses.

Reminiscent of a 1920s-era bathhouse, the new layout accommodates dedicated men’s and women’s parlors, locker rooms, dry and wet lounges, a co-ed lounge, a full-service salon, and several private treatment rooms. Throughout, vintage-inspired shades of coral, green and grey in custom wallcoverings, board and batten walls and furnishings balance a contrast of masculine and feminine tailored styling. Large-format marble-like porcelain and light-colored wood, tile and stone impart texture and pattern to soften the overall color palette. A back lit crystallized wall adds texture beyond the reception desk in reference to crystal mining in the Hot Springs region.

The women’s parlor combines a watercolor-inspired wallcovering and shades of coral on board and batten accent walls and leather chairs and ottomans, all centered around a large framed black and white photo of a jovial Oaklawn Derby Day. A custom mosaic tile accent wall surrounds the vitality pool in the women’s illuminated wet lounge, set adjacent to floor-lit heated loungers, steam and infrared saunas and cold room. Needle showers with wrap-around shower pipes harken to external plumbing in historical bathhouses. The men’s area emits a more masculine energy using deep grey tones and rich camel colored leather furnishings. Here, an art display of framed vintage Arkansas Derby neckties and photos of notable figures who frequented Hot Springs in its heyday adorn the walls, bridging new and old.