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 Mega, Mega, Mega Resort coming to
Strip?With the recent announcement of the acquisition of the Barbary Coast by gaming behemoth Harrah's all the cards (pardon the pun) for the biggest development (in terms of dollars) ever in the United States (oh yes, even bigger then MGM's City Center project). Harrah's now owns all the properties on the east side of the Strip from Bally's & Barbary Coast to the flagship Harrahs property, this does not include the venerable Caesars Palace property across the street. What is Harrah's going to do with all this? Well my sources are telling plans are being developed for a complete redevelopment of all the properties on the east side of the strip (we are talking a staggered demo project over 5-7 years), the properties will all be rebuilt in connected form but all will feature separate distinct themes. Rumors are also swirling about a connection to Caesars via a very large connection bridge creating a even more canyon-like environment. Expected an announcement in early 2007. |
Boyd closed Stardust November 1st
Casino operator Boyd Gaming Corp. hasclose its Stardust
Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to make way for its planned
$4 billion Echelon Place project. Boyd will begin demolition of Stardust,
its aging casino on the Las Vegas Strip, in the first quarter of 2007, it said in a statement. Boyd has said that the Echelon project was
expected to open in mid-2010. (See below for further details on this
project).
The company said in January it planned to replace the Stardust with four hotels, with a total of 5,300 guest rooms and suites. Boyd has deals with partners to build some of the hotels and entertainment facilities. Of the total $4 billion, Boyd has said it will invest $2.9 billion in the wholly owned Echelon Resort, which includes one tower with 2,600 rooms, another with 700 suites, a 140,000-square-foot casino and 25 restaurants and bars.
Maxjet to offer low-cost business class from London
MAXjet Airways, the affordable all-business-class transatlantic airline,
launches a new twice-weekly flight on Mondays and Thursdays between Las
Vegas and London Stansted. The inaugural flight leaves from London
Stansted on Thursday, November 2, 2006. Business class fares start at just
$1999 roundtrip, including all government taxes and fees.
The new non-stop scheduled service departs London Stansted at 1:00 p.m.
and arrives in Las Vegas McCarran International Airport at 5:00 p.m. the
same day. The flight from Las Vegas to London Stansted leaves at 7:30 p.m.
and arrives in London at 12:30 p.m. the next day. This means that MAXjet
will be offering the only evening non-stop service from Las Vegas to
London.
Billhere
schedule of events updated!
We just completed the update
from Billhere for this fall's upcoming Las Vegas events. Billhere compiles an easy to read current list of
activities in Las Vegas,
check it out today!
Planet Hollywood teams with
Westgate on timeshare
The worlds largest timeshare company, Westgate Resorts has teamed up with
Planet Hollywood to launch a 50-story luxury vacation ownership and
condominium tower directly connected to the Planet Hollywood Resort &
Casino complex on the world- famous Las Vegas Strip. The $750 million
development will include over 1,200 units ranging in size from one to four
bedrooms, increasing the hotel room inventory for the resort by 2,800
rooms. The top four stories of the Towers will be comprised of 28 luxury
condominiums ranging in size from 4,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet
with prices starting at $4 million. The vision for the new Towers was to
create a look that was both sleek and glamorous. The color palette is in
keeping with the Planet Hollywood brand using red and blue accents to set
off the soaring glass building. The Towers, which will be located on the
Southeast corner of the complex, at the corner of Harmon Avenue and
Audrey, is scheduled to be completed in late 2007.
Boyd details
huge Strip project
Boyd Gaming Corporation today announced that it will develop a
multi-faceted, world-class resort complex on its 63-acre site on the Las
Vegas Strip. The $4.0 billion development, to be named Echelon Place, is
scheduled to open in early 2010,
will combine the $2.9 billion
wholly-owned Echelon Resort with hotel and retail joint ventures between
the Company and key strategic partners is expected to be fully developed
in one phase and integrate several elements:
* Four distinctive hotels featuring 5,300 guest rooms and suites
-Echelon Resort
The Company will own and operate the 3,300-room Echelon Resort,
encompassing two upscale hotels, a 2,600-room Resort Tower and a 700-room
Suite Tower, each containing its own luxurious spa. Both hotels will
connect directly to Echelon's extensive public areas containing a 140,000
square foot casino, 25 restaurants and bars, and lushly landscaped pool
and garden areas. Echelon will be a contemporary and upscale resort,
complemented by extensive, high quality and innovative business and
meeting facilities. Echelon will include an expansive 4,000-seat theater
with a large stage and stadium seating designed to accommodate major
concerts and production shows. In addition, a more intimate 1,500-seat
theater will house smaller shows and touring acts.
-Shangri-La Hotel, Las Vegas
The Company announced it has entered into a management agreement with
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group,
to include a Shangri-La Hotel within Echelon Place. Synonymous in Asia
with luxurious and comfortable hotel accommodations, fine food and caring
service, the distinct nature of each Shangri-La upscale property
demonstrates an exclusive charm and personality that large chains cannot
approximate. The Shangri-La Hotel, Las Vegas, which will be owned by the
Company and operated by Shangri-La, will include 400 guest rooms and
suites, a 20,000 square foot CHI spa, well appointed premium meeting space
and two restaurants. Shangri-La will have its own porte cochere and lobby.
-Delano Hotel and Mondrian Hotel
The Company has entered into a 50/50 joint venture agreement with the
Morgans Hotel Group, an innovator and continuing leader in the
lifestyle/boutique hotel sector, for the development of two signature
hotels within Echelon Place, Delano and Mondrian, at a cost of
approximately $700 million. During the first half of 2007, the Company
will contribute 6.5 acres of land and Morgans Hotel Group, which will
manage both hotels, will contribute $97.5 million in cash to the venture,
and the venture will arrange non-recourse project financing to develop the
properties. Delano in South Beach Miami has been an international
destination for glamour, entertainment, and sophisticated nightlife for
over a decade, and played a catalyzing role in the revival of South Beach.
Delano Hotel Las Vegas will include 600 guest rooms and suites, a
destination nightclub, lobby bar and Asia de Cuba restaurant. It will also
feature an Agua Spa with fitness center, private pool and recreation area,
and a separate porte cochere and lobby. Today, Mondrian's elegant urban
resort is a Hollywood haven for both business and nightlife. Mondrian
Hotel Las Vegas, accommodating equally the refined business traveler and
the leisure escapee, will include 1,000 guest rooms and suites, a
distinctive bar and restaurant, meeting and conference space, private pool
and recreation area with Skybar, and a separate porte cochere and lobby.
* Las Vegas ExpoCenter
The Company will develop, own, and operate the Las Vegas ExpoCenter at
Echelon Place to meet the growing demand for convention and exhibition
space integrated into large luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Las
Vegas ExpoCenter will feature 650,000 square feet of exhibition and
pre-function space and 175,000 square feet of meeting and conference
space. Combined with the meeting space within Echelon Resort, the total
meeting and exhibition space at Echelon Place is expected to exceed one
million square feet, highlighted by over 200 meeting rooms.
* Retail Promenade
The Company is in discussions with potential strategic partners for a
50/50 joint venture development of a retail promenade at Echelon Place.
Plans call for over 350,000 square feet of unique shopping, including a
mix of luxury, affordable luxury and bridge retailers, as well as a
variety of dining, nightlife, and cultural experiences.
* Other Master Plan Elements
Echelon Place is master-planned and designed to optimize access and
parking. Entry into Echelon Place will be from three of the four sides of
the property. Valet parking and parking structures will be located
conveniently to all major components of Echelon Place and will provide
covered parking for nearly 8,000 cars. In addition, the master plan
includes a three-acre parcel reserved for future development.
The Company's 63-acre
Las Vegas site is currently occupied by the Stardust Hotel and Casino. The
Company expects to operate the Stardust through 2006 as it advances the
Echelon Place planning, design and permitting process. In connection with
the announced intention to discontinue operations at the Stardust, the
Company will record an impairment charge in the first quarter of 2006 in
the approximate range of $50 million to $60 million pre-tax. For
additional information and to follow the progress of the development of
Echelon Place, the Company today launched the Echelon Place website,
located at
http://www.echelonresort.com .
Tryst
opens at Wynn
Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club has opened its much-anticipated
Tryst nightclub. The 12,000-sq. ft. Tryst -- a name evocative of an intimate
rendezvous spot for lovers -- guests will find a main room with open air
and a sizable dance floor extending into a breathtaking 90-foot waterfall
that cascades into a secluded lagoon. Distinguished by deep reds,
chocolate browns and resin blacks, the sophisticated interior of Tryst
features intimate booth-style tables, a private VIP room and a separate
ultra-lounge with its own house music. The outside patios of Tryst, which
are enveloped in dramatic white linens and shrouded by a grove of trees,
offer additional water-side seating and stage an environment unlike
anything else in Las Vegas.
Tryst's regular hours of operation are Thursdays-Sundays, 10 p.m. to 4
a.m. Cover charge is $30 for men and $20 for women; no cover charge
for bottle customers. Thursday nights is "Industry Night," with
complimentary admission for those in the local service industry with
proper ID arriving before midnight.
Station Casinos to add North Las Vegas property
The rapidly growing master-planned community of Aliante in North Las Vegas
will be the site of the ever-expanding Station Casinos brand in the Las
Vegas valley. The $450 million "Aliante Station" will break ground on the
project in late 2006 or early 2007. The first phase -- consisting of a
200-room hotel, 2,000 slot machines, restaurants and a movie theater -- is
expected to be completed in mid 2008. "North Las Vegas is one of the
fastest growing cities in the country and Aliante is the premiere location
in North Las Vegas for a hotel and casino," said Station president Lorenzo
Fertitta in the announcement. "We believe that market is ready for our
product."
South Coast Hotel opens on South Strip
Update: Property has been sold to Michael Gaughan
and has been renamed South Point. We just finished a property review and
will be updating details shortly.
Boyd Gaming has opened the much-anticipated The South Coast Hotel and Casino.
Resting on 60 acres in the southern part of Las Vegas, arguably one of the
fastest growing segments of the valley, the project is surrounded by three
of the most desirable master-planned communities. The residents of Anthem,
Southern Highlands and Silverado Ranch are just minutes away from
experiencing the customer service standards that make Coast Casinos a
pillar of success in Las Vegas.
Adjacent to I-15, the South Coast will act as a gateway to Las Vegas for
the millions of visitors traveling from Southern California. It is also
conveniently located just 5 minutes from McCarran International Airport.
Along with the gaming and entertainment amenities that made Coast Casinos
sister properties Barbary Coast, Gold Coast, The Orleans and Suncoast
famous, the South Coast will also feature a complete Equestrian Complex
and 150,000 sq. ft. of Convention, Exhibit and Banquet Space with the
capacity to cater to groups of any size.
Closings...
Here is a list of some of the many closing scheduled in the next couple
of months. Most of the properties are closing to make way for new
developments:
- Bourbon Street - October 17, 2005 - CLOSED for Harrah's Expansion?
- Westward Ho Casino - November 17, 2005 - CLOSED for High-Rise Condo / Ferris Wheel.
- Boardwalk Hotel Casino - January 9, 2006 - CLOSED for MGM Mirage Project CityCenter
-
Lady Luck (Downtown) -
February 17, 2006 - CLOSED for year-long "renovation"?
-
Stardust - November 1, 2006 -
Development of Echelon Masterplan
-
Imperial Palace -
Closing August 2007 - Future development for Harrah's
still being determined.
- Aladdin - Not Closing Completely - Renovations on-going for transformation to Planet Hollywood.
MGM Mirage gives details about CityCenter!
MGM MIRAGE has unveiled the extraordinary design, architecture and
construction talent working together to bring CityCenter -- the largest
privately funded project in the history of the United States -- to life.
Following a three-day Summit of CityCenter's key players, MGM MIRAGE has announced new partnerships and next steps for the $5 billion development
project and unveil the current master plan model. This sophisticated,
mixed-use development, being built on 66 acres along the Las Vegas Strip
between Bellagio and Monte Carlo, is scheduled for completion in late
2009.
Planet Hollywood begins to take shape in Las Vegas
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino released a first look at the designs
for the much anticipated renovations of the Aladdin. The exciting new
interior drawings include renderings of the sleek new lobby, a complete
transformation of the casino floor, the VIP check-in area, the Race and
Sports Lounge, and a model of the retail shops.
The remodel began in October and it will be executed in phases so that the property
may remain open throughout the entire renovation process with minimal
impact on the guest experience. The transformation of the Aladdin into the
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is expected to be completed in the fourth
quarter of 2006. The new design, coupled with the expanded casino, soon to
be announced new restaurant, nightclub, entertainment offerings, new
retail outlets and the redesign of the property facade and pedestrian
plaza, will create a dynamic and electrifying look for the entire complex
and dramatically enhance guest access.
"We are thrilled to be able to reveal to Las Vegas our plans for the new
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino," said Robert Earl, co-chairman. "As the
designs clearly demonstrate, we have unveiled something spectacular,
something unexpected. We are looking forward to starting the renovations
and we will be making announcements in the coming weeks about fantastic
new restaurants and clubs as we bring Hollywood to Vegas."
W Hotels to settle in Las Vegas
In the growing trend of luxury hotels making their home in Las Vegas,
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has announced plans for a $1.7
BILLION development just off the Strip near the Hard Rock Hotel. Starwood
is joining with Edge Resorts in a project that will involve a mix of
approximately 3,000 hotel and residential units. There will also be a
75,000 square-foot casino, along with 300,000 square feet of meeting space
and additional shops. It's slated to open 2008. The project will sit on 21
acres located just east of the Las Vegas Strip on Harmon Avenue and Koval.
Imperial Palace undergoing renovations
The property with
perhaps the best location on the strip is currently undergoing a little
face lift. From guest rooms to restaurants to the casino floor, the
26-year-old property is already starting to look like a different place.
Over the past year, the hotel has added a brand new Las Vegas Monorail
Hotel Access area, opened a new wedding chapel, completely remodeled the
main casino floor, the retail store in The Auto Collections and
approximately half of the guest rooms. But the new look is not done yet.
The hotel is renovating all of its 2,700 guest rooms, the majority of its
public areas, some of its restaurants and other public areas. The Imperial
Palace has also redesigned its signage, promotional materials and logo.
Renovations are scheduled to be completed by Sept. 15, 2005.
8/23/05 - Harrah's
Entertainment Agrees to Purchase Imperial Palace
Harrah's Entertainment Inc.,
the world's largest gambling company, has agreed to buy the aging Imperial
Palace hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip for $370 million. Rumors on the
street say the IP will be imploded for an expanded/redeveloped Flamingo.
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Loew's Hotels comes to Lake Las Vegas
Las Vegas' most overlooked attraction will be getting some more rooms. Lake Las Vegas will add the high-end Loew's Hotel chain to it's existing Hyatt and Ritz-Carlton resorts. The $200 million, 400-room Loew's Lake Las Vegas will be located adjacent to the 18th green of the Reflection Bay Golf Course. This will be the third resort to locate on the over 3,500 acre master planned development located 25 minutes from the strip. Look for a 2008 opening.
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Luxury Hilton Brand coming to the Strip!
The
Hilton's luxury hotel brand "Conrad" has announced plans for 378-room
non-gaming property located on the site of the former "LaConcha" hotel.
The $350 million Majestic Las Vegas property will a twin tower design that
will reportedly be the second tallest structure in Las Vegas. The hotel
will be built in conjunction with a 378-unit high-end luxury condo
development.
The property is looking for a
2009 opening. Website:
http://www.majesticvegas.com
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