As the first dramatic design gesture guests encounter, the towering facade of the Black Desert Resort Center makes a bold statement. A wall of dark basalt tiles, interwoven with glowing orange glass crevices, seems alive with the potential for eruption—as if molten lava might spill through its fiery cracks at any moment. The entrance’s site-referential design sets the tone for the entire property, where nature-inspired details pay homage to the rugged lava fields and red rock formations that surround it.
Black Desert Resort, nestled into breathtaking terrain in Southern Utah’s Ivins community, is the vision of founder Patrick Manning. A seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for design and innovation, Manning set out to create more than just a luxury destination—his goal was to craft a “luxury without pretense” experience deeply rooted in the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The resort blends world-class amenities with an eco-conscious ethos, offering everything from a championship golf course to fine dining and wellness spaces, all designed to harmonize with the dramatic surroundings. “Looking out across the lava with the red sandstone cliffs and pine valleys, we knew that building something as big as Black Desert would require passion and patience to do it responsibly and pay homage to the land at every turn,” Manning says. Under his leadership, Black Desert Resort stands as a testament to thoughtful, place-inspired design, making it a standout addition to the St. George area.
The design of Black Desert Resort draws deeply from its unique desert surroundings, inspired by a small yet powerful detail—a black-and-white feather Manning discovered on the site. This simple element, with its stark contrast and natural beauty, became the starting point for the resort’s distinctive palette. Manning rejected the typical rust-hued adobe interpretations of the Southwest, instead embracing the bold contrasts of the black lava fields, vibrant orange streaks, red rocks and clear blue skies. These elements informed not only the resort’s colors but also its textures and patterns, creating a design that is both contemporary and rooted in the land.
After a day on the lava-ensconced links, a morning basking by the negative-edge pool or an afternoon exploring the area’s iconic red rock trails, guests can step into the Resort Center and instantly feel its connection to the landscape they’ve just experienced. “When we began designing Black Desert Resort, our goal was to blend modern luxury seamlessly with the rugged beauty of Southern Utah,” says Molly Enos, Director of Design for Reef Capital Partners and a central figure in the project’s design.
The Resort Center, the heart of Black Desert Resort, embodies this vision through its meticulous design. Amid the contemporary architecture’s clean lines, rectilinear forms and open spaces, subtle nods to the 1960s emerge. Enos highlights features such as low-slung structural lines, a focus on geometrics, playful moments of color and soothing curves. “It’s not about recreating a midcentury modern building but rather about achieving a form that complements the site without stark contrast.” Volcanic stone surfaces, an earth-toned palette and expansive windows framing the surrounding lava fields invite the outdoors in. This thoughtful integration of natural materials and panoramic views allows guests to unwind in spaces that feel both contemporary and deeply connected to the desert landscape.
This vision comes to life in the details: Natural wood accents soften the sleek geometry, while custom furnishings reflect a blend of modern lines and organic textures. The volcanic basalt stone, used prominently throughout, lends a tactile connection to the surrounding lava fields. Floor-to-ceiling windows not only frame breathtaking views but also flood the interiors with natural light, accentuating the organic tones of the custom finishes. Colorful accents, engaging art, intricately patterned metal screens and shapely furnishings in gathering spaces inject a sense of energy and style. Meanwhile, the use of natural materials such as basalt stone, leather and reclaimed wood ensures that the interiors remain timeless and connected to the landscape.
“Looking out across the lava with the red sandstone cliffs and pine valleys, we knew that building something as big as Black Desert would require passion and patience.”
Patrick Manning, Managing Partner, Black Desert Resort
This thoughtful connection to the environment is evident in the choice of materials. Basalt, harvested for its natural texture and deep black tone, appears throughout, grounding the design in the volcanic landscape. Parasoleil metal panels, used as balcony dividers, feature patterns inspired by the site’s flora and fauna. Pulled from the exterior, horizontal stripes recur inside on columns, accent walls and the wellness center lobby, ensuring a cohesive dialogue between the architecture and interiors. Interior niches adorned with black and orange mosaic tiles echo the fiery cracks of the exterior facade, bringing the drama of the lava indoors. Carpet patterns further explore the landscape’s story, with hues of rust and red representing lava flows in some spaces, while calming blues in others nod to the expansive sky above. Sugi ban burnt wood and natural wood finishes provide warmth, creating a harmonious interplay between rugged and refined.
One of the most striking features is the three-story lobby atrium, where a suspended light fixture evokes lava frozen in time—a poetic nod to the ever-changing yet enduring landscape. “I’m a big believer in telling a story with design, having it flow cohesively and continuously,” Enos says. This ethos ensures that every element, from the architecture to the smallest interior detail, feels intrinsically tied to the desert it inhabits.
