John Ruiz is a visionary architect and design strategist who specializes in creating immersive, functional, and profitable spaces within the gaming and hospitality industries. John brings decades of experience and a portfolio of award-winning projects that merge brand storytelling with architectural innovation.
His expertise spans across:
John has helped bring to life some of the most iconic dining and entertainment experiences in the gaming space. He’s collaborated with top culinary talent, including Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, and Todd English—and translated their visions into high-performing, visually striking venues.
His approach to architecture is rooted in both aesthetic excellence and business intelligence. Every project is designed with the guest experience, operational efficiency, and brand alignment in mind—ensuring spaces that don’t just look good, but drive measurable performance.
At Upstream, John leads all design and build consulting engagements, bringing architectural perspective to master planning, venue renovations, new builds, and concept development. Whether revitalizing a legacy space or designing something entirely new, John ensures the final product is thoughtful, functional, and unforgettable.
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