Lilac Casino Club in Rochester Set to Open This Week

Chicago-based architectural firm DMAC Architecture & Interiors presented its latest design for the Lilac Casino Club in Rochester, New Hampshire. This 38,000-square-foot 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, dedicated to supporting 72 charities annually.

“Reimagining Lilac Mall with a casino and entertainment component required a thoughtful approach to design. 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,” Dwayne MacEwen, Founder and Principal of DMAC Architecture & Interiors, said.

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:

Table Games — Defined by a suspended 93-foot wood-clad ceiling oval, this 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.

Restaurant & Bar — 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.

Poker Room — 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.