LAS VEGAS | Boom Project Rundown! 2.0

[Kirre]

I'm glad your back to drawing Vegasrain84! Great job on the drawings, but could you please fix Planet Hollywood Towers, the second tower seems shorter than the first, in real life they will be identical and the same height, you know what I mean?

While I do believe they are same height, they are not identical. The second tower is not as long as the first tower. Also, from the plans I have, the 50th floor in the second tower has no livable space so it could be considered shorter.

[Vinu007]

Compare to the buildings in Dubai.. This is just amazing..

[samoen313]

^^^they arent blue either..

all im saying is of course gold looks great in the sun...blue looks great in the sky...but if a dozen of the next buildings all rely on this asthetic then it become over-used

the blue isn't the aesthetic purpose of the buildings. it isn't really much of an organic color but it sure as hell is something we see plenty of. we see glass clear straight on, but when it reflects, we most often see the sky, particularly on larger buildings. therefore, to use blue glass is more of a gesture to be less imposing. anything between green and blue work the best in glazing in terms of how they reflect light and color which is why you'll only see colors like gold in las vegas.

they look very unnatural and cheap. let alone red. it just looks forced. it works well as an accent color or, i suppose in some isolated cases, as a more comprehensive tie, but that is usually on smaller projects. an entire red glass skyscraper i think would be even more lampooned than trump.

one of the drives behind architectural decisions is material and colors natural to material more run the spectrum of black to white to beige to blue/green glazing. beyond that, you've got to have a good reason to assign an unnatural color to a component, otherwise, like i said, it looks forced. like you were making it that color simply for the sake of making it that color.

[Silas]

How about something very outlandish on the Vegas strip in terms of architecture?

I envision a hotel that would be built to look exactly like a classic Victorian house, or maybe some other classic, simple apealing old house. From a distance, it would look just like a two or three story simple, yet classic house.

While other themes and City-Center type buildings try to impress and awe (sometimes succeeding), they have created a crazy streetskape where the outlandish is common place. The way to take advantage of this and reall to stand out would be to use all these crazy resorts as the setting.

Picture a 40-story hotel to resemble a big, squarish, yellow victorian house. For example, if that were to replace the Tropicana, the Ex, several places, I think it would look great on the Strip. The 'theme' would open itself to many angles, as all can relate to an old house. It would be new and 'luxury' but at the same time there are old/classic associations we have with old buildings that naturally get our imagination going. The name, of course, would be "The House".

Could it be built? Would it work? Would people want to visit? If they can build a pyrmaid and NYNY, I am confident the right architect could pull this off.

[ScottG]

let alone red. it just looks forced. it works well as an accent color or, i suppose in some isolated cases, as a more comprehensive tie, but that is usually on smaller projects. an entire red glass skyscraper i think would be even more lampooned than trump.



The pinnacle that was recently cancled was one of the best looking towers....they were red... and red is natural....remember this is a desert, here anything green can be considered unnatural....(as far as nature goes)

[jazfingr]

Perhaps ones point would be better taken if more descriptive terms were used to describe the colors. Pinnacle was not to be red. It was a very pleasant reddish brown or terra cotta.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/2386028950_53d81f6990_o.jpg

[Patrick]

Yeah can someone please please please create a post giving a rundown on the current Las Vegas projects, PM it to me, and I'll update the first page giving credit to whoever did so. I'm just too behind to catch up on all the new development lately. Maybe Jazfingr can do it?

Is anyone up for the task?

[VegasMatt]

It's been to long since I've seen a new project.
Here's one to be hopeful for.

This is some news from Jan 10th, 2008...

The Solterra Group of Companies Receives Approval from the Las Vegas City Council to Build Residences in Downtown Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – January 9, 2008 – The Solterra Group of Companies has been approved by the Las Vegas City Council to build two residential projects in downtown Las Vegas. The loft residence is slated to be a 14-story, mixed-use development with 130 condominium units and commercial space, at the northeast corner of 1st Street and Hoover Avenue. The second project, the tower residence, is planned to be a twin 50-story, mixed-use development with 350 condominium units per tower including commercial space, at the southeast corner of 1st Street and Gass Avenue. The City of Las Vegas Planning Commission approved these projects during two separate meetings. The Las Vegas City Council approved entitlements for building today.

The Solterra Group of Companies, a Vancouver, British Columbia-based developer, specializes in building top-quality townhomes and highrise residences across North America. With over 15 years of experience and numerous award-winning multi-residential communities to their credit, Solterra plans to bring a distinct level of quality to the Las Vegas residential market. From design to construction, the Solterra team is recognized for creating world-class architectural landmarks that stand out among thriving urban communities and suburban neighborhoods.

“We’ve been working on the plans for these Las Vegas projects for a while now and receiving these approvals was an important step in moving forward,” said Michael Bosa, Vice President of Acquisitions and Development for the Solterra Group of Companies. “We’re pleased that this stage has been completed and we will now focus on finalizing architectural plans for the projects.”

The Solterra Group of Companies prides itself on creating residences that feature exceptional design, solid construction and quality finishes. The Solterra Group of Companies can be found online at www.solterradev.com.

-----

Here's another link confirming the news:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/news/2008/jan/14/new-condo-proposal-real-deal/


http://images.townnews.com/lvbusinesspress.com/content/articles/2008/01/25/news/iq_191368641_thumb.jpg

If anyone has any more news on this, I'd love to hear it.

[lfc4life]

echelon construction cam http://www.earthcam.com/clients/echelon/

construction is approx 18 months behind city center looking at that photo

[Patrick]

It's been to long since I've seen a new project.
Here's one to be hopeful for.

This is some news from Jan 10th, 2008...

The Solterra Group of Companies Receives Approval from the Las Vegas City Council to Build Residences in Downtown Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – January 9, 2008 – The Solterra Group of Companies has been approved by the Las Vegas City Council to build two residential projects in downtown Las Vegas. The loft residence is slated to be a 14-story, mixed-use development with 130 condominium units and commercial space, at the northeast corner of 1st Street and Hoover Avenue. The second project, the tower residence, is planned to be a twin 50-story, mixed-use development with 350 condominium units per tower including commercial space, at the southeast corner of 1st Street and Gass Avenue. The City of Las Vegas Planning Commission approved these projects during two separate meetings. The Las Vegas City Council approved entitlements for building today.

The Solterra Group of Companies, a Vancouver, British Columbia-based developer, specializes in building top-quality townhomes and highrise residences across North America. With over 15 years of experience and numerous award-winning multi-residential communities to their credit, Solterra plans to bring a distinct level of quality to the Las Vegas residential market. From design to construction, the Solterra team is recognized for creating world-class architectural landmarks that stand out among thriving urban communities and suburban neighborhoods.

“We’ve been working on the plans for these Las Vegas projects for a while now and receiving these approvals was an important step in moving forward,” said Michael Bosa, Vice President of Acquisitions and Development for the Solterra Group of Companies. “We’re pleased that this stage has been completed and we will now focus on finalizing architectural plans for the projects.”

The Solterra Group of Companies prides itself on creating residences that feature exceptional design, solid construction and quality finishes. The Solterra Group of Companies can be found online at www.solterradev.com.

-----

Here's another link confirming the news:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/news/2008/jan/14/new-condo-proposal-real-deal/


http://images.townnews.com/lvbusinesspress.com/content/articles/2008/01/25/news/iq_191368641_thumb.jpg

If anyone has any more news on this, I'd love to hear it.

4 Months ago? I doubt it would have made it through, the City would have defnanatly approved it, like most, but as always half of the projects dont go through, and we never hear for them again!

[silverbow]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/gaming/2008/apr/08/wyndham-announces-new-las-vegas-resort/ (http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/gaming/2008/apr/08/wyndham-announces-new-las-vegas-resort/)

Wyndham announces new Las Vegas resort
By Richard N. Velotta / Las Vegas Sun · April 8, 2008 · 11:35 AM

The world’s largest time-share company plans to build a fifth Las Vegas property near the Rio, the company has announced.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership plans the 19-story Wyndham Desert Blue on West Twain Avenue at Dean Martin Drive, near Interstate 15.

The project was announced today in conjunction with this week’s American Resort Development Association conference in Las Vegas.

Wyndham plans a multiphase development with the first phase of 281 condominium-style units expected to be completed by early 2010.

“Our Las Vegas operations have continued to experience tremendous growth since our arrival in 2000,” Franz Hanning, president and chief executive of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, said in a statement.

“To date, we’ve sold nearly $1 billion worth of product in this market alone,” the statement said. “We are committed to expanding our presence in this larger-than-life city and, once complete, Desert Blue will be one of the most in-demand properties in our portfolio.”

Wyndham’s newest Las Vegas project is on 14.75 acres and will include a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, including the 50 of the company’s signature Presidential suites.

The property also will include a pool, recreation room, computer library, game room and fitness center.

Future expansion would occur over three phases, Hanning said in an interview, but it hasn’t been determined how many additional units would be added or when. Hanning said the company could build up to 2,000 units there.

With the addition of the Desert Blue, Wyndham would have about 2,400 time-share units in the Las Vegas market. The company already operates the Wyndham Grand Desert, which is affiliated with the company’s FairShare Plus by Wyndham portfolio; the WorldMark Las Vegas; and the WorldMark Las Vegas Spencer Street.

The WorldMark Las Vegas Tropicana will open later this month.

The Desert Blue will be the ninth FairShare Plus property in the Wyndham system. In February, the company opened a property in Palm Springs, Calif. Others in the system include resorts in Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Costa Mesa, Calif.; Atlanta; Galveston, Texas; and Miami.

The company has five sales centers in Las Vegas and 1,800 people are employed by the company in Southern Nevada.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, based in Orlando, Fla., is a division of Wyndham Worldwide, Parsippany, N.J.

[heyyoucharlie]

Is that on the land that was going to be the 888 projest???

If so that is an amazing parcel of land...

[TowerDistrict]

forgive me if you guys already know about this... but I just read about this and found it pretty... ummm... fascinating?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/11/politicsandthearts.architecture

Away from it all: a retreat for world leaders
£150m ($300m) plan to give prime ministers and presidents a place to find themselves

http://image.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2008/04/10/universitas460x276.jpg

An artist’s impression of the Universitas Leadership Sanctuary in the Nevada desert. Image: Chetwood Associates

--

Forget Chequers and the Palace of Versailles. The next time Gordon Brown or Nicholas Sarkozy need a bolthole in which to recharge their batteries or a place for a private pow-wow, they might find themselves lured to a new retreat amid the pink rocks of the Nevada desert.

Donna Vassar, part of the Vassar education dynasty, has launched plans to build a $300m (£150m) private getaway for stressed-out presidents and prime ministers who want to "reconnect with their unique purpose in life".

The Universitas Leadership Sanctuary is intended as part monastery and part conference centre where the most powerful men and women on the planet can get away from it all with a combination of reading, contemplation and even a spot of gardening.

To remind them of their role as leaders of the planet, the sanctuary will be built in the shape of a four-storey globe on the shores of Lake Las Vegas, a privately-owned lake in the south Nevada desert where temperatures can reach 50C at the height of summer.

Vassar, whose family established the liberal arts college of the same name in New York State, has unveiled plans which include libraries, contemplation spaces and debating chambers. She intends to recreate a monastic existence which means entourages of press officers, policy advisers and secretaries which routinely support world leaders will be banned. There will even be a garden to provide food for the sanctuary tables, raising the prospect of future world leaders tilling the soil together while ruminating on the direction of the latest round of world trade talks.

"The Universitas Leadership Sanctuary will be a centre specifically created to embrace and challenge leaders," says the vision document which Vassar has published. "Together we will create an individual journey leading to the highest place within, enabling leaders to reconnect with their unique purpose in life. They emerge - renewed, with clarity, and reflecting true transformation."

Speaking through a spokeswoman, Vassar said visitors would be encouraged "to keep things informal in order to submit to the relaxing atmosphere".

Leaving cares behind
Vasser hired Douglas Patterson, the London-based artist and architect to work on the plans, after she saw a mansion he built in a Mogul style on the Caribbean island of Mustique. Before the commission to design the Sanctuary, Patterson travelled to study the life and architecture of Buddhist Dzongs (monasteries) in Bhutan and the Christian orthodox monasteries of Mount Athos and Meteora in Greece.

He is now working with Laurie Chetwood, an architect who made his name designing eco-friendly supermarkets for Sainsbury's. "This will be a place for people to leave their cares behind and get back to what they are all about," Chetwood said. "The building is approached by a labyrinth which means the leaders will leave their cares and their entourages behind both metaphorically and literally.

"The place is designed to strip away the layers of protocol that build up around these kind of people and help them get back to clarity. They can also use the place like a monk might. There will be libraries and a garden to produce food, although I can't quite see Gordon Brown going out and tilling the land."

The main globe building will be on four levels. The ground floor will house a library and the first floor a debating chamber, while on the second floor will be technology to help make the building energy efficient. At the top, under a dome of glass, will be the spiritual heart of the development - the contemplation space where leaders will be encouraged to sit in silence.

Simple quarters
The world leaders will have simple quarters next to the globe where they will be able to eat and sleep during retreats lasting a weekend or longer.

It is not the first attempt to bring world leaders together in a different environment to the conference halls and meeting rooms of the United Nations, Davos and Camp David. In late 2006 President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan opened the Pyramid of Peace in Astana, his capital. The 77-metre-high building, designed by Lord Foster, includes a 1,500-seat opera house. At its apex it is crowned by a meeting space decorated with images of doves especially designed to host conferences of the leaders of the world's religions.

Vassar has set up Destination Universitas Foundation, a New York charitable foundation, to raise money for the project, which she estimates will take two and a half years to build. She is travelling the world to meet potential donors and has told them her mission is "to create better balance in the world by transforming leaders".

A spokesman for Lake Las Vegas resort confirmed that late last year the foundation expressed an interest in buying a 65-acre plot in its development which already includes a Ritz Cartlon Hotel, luxurious homes and a spa. The location means that if the world leaders tire of their monastic retreat they will find a golf course on their doorstep as well as a small casino. And if all that concentrating on inner thoughts gets too much, the Las Vegas strip is just 17 miles away.

--

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2404851055_ced08b0c60_o.jpg

[mdiederi]

Is that on the land that was going to be the 888 projest???

No, it's north of the Rio, where Dean Martin goes under the freeway.

[Scruffy]

forgive me if you guys already know about this... but I just read about this and found it pretty... ummm... fascinating?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/11/politicsandthearts.architecture

Away from it all: a retreat for world leaders
£150m ($300m) plan to give prime ministers and presidents a place to find themselves

http://image.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2008/04/10/universitas460x276.jpg

An artist’s impression of the Universitas Leadership Sanctuary in the Nevada desert. Image: Chetwood Associates

--



--

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2404851055_ced08b0c60_o.jpg

This is what i always imagined the scientology headquarters to look like

[Patrick]

Jesus Christ, what the hell is this, its so dangerous.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2404851055_ced08b0c60_o.jpg

[hotdog]

News on a North Las Vegas casino:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/gaming/2008/apr/11/boyd-shifts-casino-location-north-las-vegas/

[rhassoii]

Article about the foreign investment taking place throughout Las Vegas.

http://www.lvrj.com/business/17590854.html

[gelu1123]

We know something WET LAS VEGAS? Just hope this is built and not go with the building crown.
http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/wet_render_siteplan.jpg
:slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob:
http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2006/11/27/484036/SnowdomeLasvegas.jpg

www.lasvegaswet.com

[CHAPINM1]

:previous: What's the deal? This aint fuckin Aspen, Colorado!:previous:

[Brian.]

Fresh photos for you to enjoy.


By Andrew visiting from the UK
http://www.famine-online.co.uk/Vegas/Vegas6.jpg
http://www.famine-online.co.uk/Vegas/Vegas21.jpg
http://www.famine-online.co.uk/Vegas/Vegas131.jpg
http://www.famine-online.co.uk/Vegas/Vegas139.jpg

[Complex01]

Ohh Very nice, I will be there tomorrow, cant wait to see all this stuff in person...


:yes:

[mdiederi]

Colorado River Bridge

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Hoover%20Dam%20Bypass/C-FHWA-003-834.jpg
©CFLHD & HDR
50 ton concrete block test load traverses the canyon.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Hoover%20Dam%20Bypass/C-FHWA-003-862.jpg
©CFLHD & HDR
Crews transported in a man basket to pier cap 3.

[ScottG]

The Strats Views Is Ruined - Encore And Wynn Completely Block The South Strip - Fountainebleau Gets A Crappy View Too...echelon Will Block The Plaza So The Strat, Fb, And Allure Will Only Be Able To Look At Sky, Hilton Grand Vacation, And What Ever Get Puts On That Saharah Vacant Land....the Entire South End Is Unviewable

[neworleans]

i disagree, i think it opens up a whole new view of the north strip, and all the new developments. Plus, they're all up close so you get better views of the casinos as apposed to looking far out to see the others.

[jazfingr]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2414615029_ec44762fef_o.jpg

Kiss even more goodby once Fontainebleau topps-out

[snufalufugus]

Is the economic downturn finally catching up to las vegas?


MGM Mirage fires 400 managers

By RYAN NAKASHIMA, AP Business WriterMon Apr 14, 10:34 PM ET

MGM Mirage Inc., the largest casino operator on the Las Vegas Strip, told more than 400 middle management employees Monday they would be terminated immediately in a cost-saving move, the company said.

The decision will save $75 million annually and came after the company saw weakness since August at its properties, which include Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mirage and Mandalay Bay, spokesman Alan Feldman told The Associated Press.

The move is the largest and swiftest by a casino operator in the current economic downturn, although the use of so-called "extra board" employees such as dealers and busboys who take fill-in shifts as needed has been down citywide.

"We were able to see the signs of trouble on the economic horizon last August," Feldman said. "The economy was beginning to worsen and clearly was not going to get better in the immediate term."

Budget-tight guests have shown a tendency to spend less in all major segments of the business, Feldman said.

"Instead of four days, people stay for three. Instead of a five-star experience, they are going for four stars. Instead of two shows, they're going to one," he said. "There certainly is the possibility that there are people who are also making a decision to gamble less."

The cutbacks were at the middle-level corporate and property management areas in all departments from marketing to accounting and affected employees in Michigan and Mississippi, though the bulk were in Las Vegas.

No further cuts were planned unless the "economy should take a serious dive for the worse," Feldman said.

MGM Mirage opened the joint venture MGM Grand Macau in December and is constructing another joint venture, the $8.1 billion CityCenter complex, which is set to open on the Las Vegas Strip in late 2009.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080415/ap_on_bi_ge/mgm_mirage_layoffs&printer=1;_ylt=AhyfCY1D_pCJclPnEkF1m.dv24cA

[CHAPINM1]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2414615029_ec44762fef_o.jpg


:previous: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :previous:

You are all going to think I'm crazy, but I think Fountainebleau will make the view even more incredable! When riding the Big Shot at night, it will be amazing to look at that many more bright lights in regards to how majestic Fountainebleau will add to the skyline! It will also be cool to see the Stratosphere get some neighbors, remember that for the most part the area surrounding the Stratosphere is still quite bare, especially when looking toward the north.

[heyyoucharlie]

Plus with the addition of the Echelon, Plaza (??? about this one) and a second Trump tower, who cares what the South Strip looks like... The North Strip will become the place to be!!!

And that's not including whatever MGM/Mirage does with all that land @ the S/W corener of Sahara/LV Blvd, add the possible Sahara expansion... The North Strip will hold it's own against the older South Strip...

[Patrick]

The Strats Views Is Ruined - Encore And Wynn Completely Block The South Strip - Fountainebleau Gets A Crappy View Too...echelon Will Block The Plaza So The Strat, Fb, And Allure Will Only Be Able To Look At Sky, Hilton Grand Vacation, And What Ever Get Puts On That Saharah Vacant Land....the Entire South End Is Unviewable

FINALLY someone agrees.

The view is just ugly now, with all these massive towers rising in the North Strip the iconic view of the South Strip which in genaral has slowly aged in comparison to the North Strip will become no more. Wynn Las Vegas sucessfully ruined the Stratosphere view in 2005, and now Encore just looks plain ugly. I do miss the pre-construction boom skyline of Las Vegas, the good old days back in 1999 - 2001 as the last of the themed-mega resorts were built. Oh well. :shrug:

THIS WAS THE VIEW, When the casinos looked like giants, now dwarfs in todays world. The neon lighting!

1990's woah!

http://delivery.photolibrary.com/pldelivery/corbis1-00018972-001.jpg?evc=0M0%290N2O7%2A9K5%3C%2E%5D5%212%5DN%5D%23%2BM75Q%40L%3A%22L%3A%40%5ED%23%26W%2E3G%23%5DO%2BT209J%2EX3RL%2D%2BQS%2C%25%5FK%2EOT%2D%3E%2E%0AC%5E1%5E%3C%24%2BR8CKQ%2C%26L%2D%2A%5EP%5F4KOCLRN%5F%3EYO%2D3%237W%3ARK%5F%5D%5E%21%5B%26%2CY4%20%0A

1998, before Mandalay, Paris, Aladdin, Venitian, Bellagio & Ceasars U/C.

http://delivery.photolibrary.com/uspldelivery/is802rm-00001234-001.jpg?evc=0M0%290N2O7%2A9K5%3C%2E%5D5%212%5DN%5D%23%2BM75Q%40L%3A%22L%3A%40%5ED%23%26W%2E3G%23%5DG%26VR%5C%3AJN%403RL%2D%2BQS%2C%25%5FK%2EOT%2D%3E%2E%0AC%5E1%5E6%23%2F%3B%2AU%3BT0%26L%2D%2A%5EP%5B%3DI%3FSJRN%5F%3EYO%2D3%237W%3ARK%5F%5D%5E%21%5B%26%2CY4%20%0A

1999-2000, Paris U/C

http://delivery.photolibrary.com/pldelivery/pdrf-00174339-001.jpg?evc=0M0%290N2O6%2A9K5%3C%2E%5D6%218%5DN%5D%23%2BM75Q%40L%3A%22L%3A%40%5ED%23%26W%2E3G%23%5DK%2ET%22%249H%5E%403RL%2D%2BQS%2C%25%5FK%2EOT%2D%3E%2E%0A%40%5E1%5E%2F%26%5BR%3CRO%5D%2D%21L1%2E%5E%20W5NO%5FNUO%26%24I%5BH523%3B%24R%5B%5F%5EX6L%20%0A

2003, demolition of the newly redone Desert Inn, before Wynn takes off the new boom.

http://delivery.photolibrary.com/uspldelivery/is686rm-00000895-001.jpg?evc=0M0%290N2O7%2A9K5%3C%2E%5D5%212%5DN%5D%23%2BM75Q%40L%3A%22L%3A%40%5ED%23%26W%2E3G%23%5DG%26VB47K%3EL3RL%2D%2BQS%2C%25%5FK%2EOT%2D%3E%2E%0AC%5E1%5E6%23%2FC%22T%3BT0%26L%2D%2A%5EP%5B%3CK%5F%3BKRN%5F%3EYO%2D3%237W%3ARK%5F%5D%5E%21%5B%26%2CY4%20%0A

[Red UM Rebel]

An interesting shot would be of the South Strip and eventually the North Strip from the top of the Trump (if the Plaza does not grow too tall). Anyone have access? :)

[rhassoii]

Article on Fontainebleau:
http://www.lvrj.com/business/17729574.html

"Construction on the 730-foot hotel-condominium tower, which will also contain 2,871 hotel rooms with 152 suites as large as 10,000 square feet, is scheduled to top out its 63rd floor on Oct. 25, making it the Strip's tallest hotel tower."

[ScottG]

the interesting thing about those pictures is the increase in traffic on lv bv...


more buildings for more traffic or more traffic for more buildings?

THANK YOU PATRICK, i completely think wynn butt is all you get at the strat.

now youll get encore's butt. FB's rear, and echelons back side,


"the strip" is the entire street - curve n all. the strat is useless now,,,all you see are the few blocks up to desert inn road.

[ScottG]

i forgot to mention: the MGM sign is un construction!

looks like they are taking down the portion of the sign that is not lcd.

when the place first opened -, under the MGM letter there was a square banner sign (picture) and a rotating cube with banners on each side, once MGM was renovated, they ditched the roating banner for a lcd screen. now maybe they are putting up another lcd screen in leiu of the static banner.....

[ScottG]

this is interesting:

ive never seen the imperial palace like this...


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/1866140682_8aef45a826.jpg?v=0

[neworleans]

the strat view isn't ruined, that's just your guys' opinion. Im glad all the tall buildings are going up, and i think they'll all look great from the strat when they're finished. when the north strip is done, it will be like the main strip, except bigger and taller and still just as vibrant.

[CHAPINM1]

the interesting thing about those pictures is the increase in traffic on lv bv...


more buildings for more traffic or more traffic for more buildings?

THANK YOU PATRICK, i completely think wynn butt is all you get at the strat.

now youll get encore's butt. FB's rear, and echelons back side,


"the strip" is the entire street - curve n all. the strat is useless now,,,all you see are the few blocks up to desert inn road.

Ummmmmmmmmm, the Stratosphere will never be useless... I don't know where you or anybody else is getting that idea. Some pretty ugly bulidings have been replaced over the last 10 years that I will not miss. Sahara and the so called wonderful 1990's look like shit in their own way. I just think that some poeple are afraid of change, well it's Las Vegas and change is something that one should at least assume will happen. I've been in and out of Las Vegas several times over the last 15 years and I can say that I love what I'm seeing more and more everyday! As a matter of fact, the last time I was in the Stratosphere, it was quite incredable!

[ScottG]

when places like FB or allure are built facing the strip and just as tall as the strat, and offers hotel rooms at that height as well as clubs restaurants etc. the strat which just observation and restaurant looses its niche. why go to the strat when you can go the FB top level?

whats the point of an observation tower when the nearby buildings being just as tall, block the significanct view.

[mdiederi]

From the Strat, the only thing Fontainebleau is blocking the view of is Bally's.

The best view of the south Strip is from a south facing room in the west wing at TI.

[neworleans]

yes SCOTTG, but unlike the Fontainebleau and other buildings, the strat only costs about $12 to go up. So i can get a view w/out having to pay hundreds of dollars for a hotel room. Plus, if someone gets a hotel room w/ a view from, lets say, the PH, they can still go to the north strip and get a view from the strat.
One other thing. The strat gives you a 360 degree view, something most hotels or clubs don't do.

[Taurus702B]

when places like FB or allure are built facing the strip and just as tall as the strat, and offers hotel rooms at that height as well as clubs restaurants etc. the strat which just observation and restaurant looses its niche. why go to the strat when you can go the FB top level?

whats the point of an observation tower when the nearby buildings being just as tall, block the significanct view.


But there aren't any rides on top of the Foutainbleau.

[ScottG]

^^^^ rumor has it there wont be any on the strat too.....


those rides are not really that popular....

[lfc4life]

^^^^ rumor has it there wont be any on the strat too.....


those rides are not really that popular....

i think that has more to do with the strat itself rather than the rides. whenever i take a trip up there the hotel seems to be near to empty. I bet many tourists who stick to the south-strip probably don't even know about the rides, the strat receives very little walk in traffic in general, its location is killing its appeal, many tourists are afraid to venture anywhere near there because of the rumours of muggings, drugs etc

the strip north of wynn needs to become more tourist friendly and quickly or the five-star properties opening in the next few years will struggle big time from the outset.

[mdiederi]

The rumor is that the rides will be removed from the top of the Strat and the pod will be made into a nightclub.

[neworleans]

if that happens, i will lose all respect and i will never step foot in the stratosphere casino again. that's my opinion though

[Taurus702B]

i think that has more to do with the strat itself rather than the rides. whenever i take a trip up there the hotel seems to be near to empty. I bet many tourists who stick to the south-strip probably don't even know about the rides, the strat receives very little walk in traffic in general, its location is killing its appeal, many tourists are afraid to venture anywhere near there because of the rumours of muggings, drugs etc

the strip north of wynn needs to become more tourist friendly and quickly or the five-star properties opening in the next few years will struggle big time from the outset.

Not many tourist even know that is bad area. Trust me I work at the Stratosphere and they have no clue how bad the west side of the property is.

[CHAPINM1]

the strip north of wynn needs to become more tourist friendly and quickly or the five-star properties opening in the next few years will struggle big time from the outset.

It's happening day by day. Fountainebleau, Wynn, The Palazzo, Trump, and Echelon just to name a few are and will definetly be changing the landscape of the area. I'd say that two years from now that neighborhood is going to have some serious change! :cool:

[ScottG]

^^^ the problem with the strat is not the location, its the strat itself.

the south strip has the most foot traffic because of the excitment - its worth walking around there...

the north strip has no activity because nothing is going on worth walking around and to to see.

the strat is a casino with a shitty excuse for a 'mall' - nothing worth going to other than seeing the view from the top.

the hotel on THE strip are worth walking to and from - the fountains, the architecture both in and outside volcanoes, pirate shows, lavish and classy environments etc.

the strat doesnt really have anything to offer.


that being said the north strip has its fair share of tourists. its almost as if the south and north strip has its own clientel.....the north strip is for the cheap and the family vacationers. the south strip is for the young (and young at heart) and 24 7 partiers.

circus circus is the spotlight on the north strip for families and the riviera for the old.

there is not alot of activity on the outside of the north strip but the casinos are busy (not so compared to the south strip casinos- but they have business) same goes for downtown. people who go to the strat, circus, riv, saharah and downtown are those that want 3 for 10 t-shirts, dollar shrimp cocktails and 'discounts'

(i worked as a manager for a strip souviner shop for a couple years - its hilarious the amount of times i was asked for a discount. some tourists can be...DUMB - - - i'll never forget i was once asked where las vegas blvd is...i told them to turn around and look behind you (the store was on the sidewalk of the strip)


these tourists are the anomolies for the south strip - walking around in wife-beaters and clumpped with sun tan lotion...the type of people who always look lost, these are the toursit the north strip is catering to.

FB echelon plaza and wynn are extending the 'south strip' environment and replacing this 'cheap' north strip atmosphere - eventually this will lead to the strat and even downtown so that vegas wont be a place for 'bargain' tourists but for the real 'vegas' tourist

[CHAPINM1]

The Stratosphere has a dining experience that can't be beat as well! I think it's definetly a great place for dining or even going for a drink and just viewing the city as the Signature room is as well as Windows on the World. The Stratosphere is an icon of Las Vegas that has and will always be a part of the city. I could say that the Stratosphere will gain more tourists and there will be some reform to the casino/hotel in the future as more people and higher standards keep moving their way north up the strip.

[lfc4life]

the strip south of mgm grand is empty sidewalk wise too, i haven't been in the luxor for nearly a year but that place was dead too last few times i was there, i wonder how the upgrades have affected business outside of the new nightclub which has got alot of press

the fact that the closest big casino to the strat is half a mile away (sahara) means people are unwilling to walk, the moving walkway between MB, luxor and excalibur is a great idea and means you don't have to go outside

true CC is doing great business and sahara is doing ok but CC is actually over a mile walk from strat, strat needs neighbours beside them not 1 mile away, neighbours bring foot-traffic ala mid strip.

personally i don't think much will change north strip when fontainebleau and echelon open, after all it was just as bad when wet and wild, stardust and el rancho were going strong. The problem is the sidewalk away from the casinos which is filled with rubbish, the problem is the empty uninviting condos hanging over the strip, the problem is the empty trash strewn lots, the streetwalkers

[jazfingr]

Front door of Strat to closest Sahara entrance = .3 miles
Front door of Strat to front door of Circus Schmirkus = .84 miles
(using Google Earth's path measuring tool)

but I do get your point. It's not in a walkable neighborhood and the place is run down and cheap.

The neighborhood is bad, BTW, you've got crack alley to the west (very dangerous)

I once walked from the Strat to the IHop (about 400 feet from Strat's front door). During the short walk, I was propositioned by two separate hookers, witnessed a drunk throw a beer bottle at a passing car, and was forced to walk in the street by a gang of youths walking toward me (taking up the whole sidewalk). All this and it was only 8:30 p.m.

By the way, the restaurant on top of the strat is expensive, not because of the level of service or the quality of the food. they charge you for the view and serve you substandard food with a nice dash of attitude. Never again.

Once naked city gets redeveloped, MGM/Kerzner fills in the big lot at Sahara, the Sahara is remodeled, Fontainebleau opens and Echelon opens, the Strat will be in a much better area. The new owners are planning to remodel the Strat soon. :D

[jazfingr]

Station talks about its future resorts - a $10 billion resort :yes:

http://www.forbes.com/business/forbes/2008/0505/080a.html

[ScottG]

^^^ im suprised this was announced! i worked at the firm that is doing the work for this viva project (get it - "VIVA" LAS VEGAS)- i worked on this projecct for a while. i dont want to say anymore about (under confidential contract) - even though im not wiTh that firm anymore - but at least youre giVen a 'hint' to their plans - yes the project is HUGE. and expensive. city center is 8 bil? at 10 bil, well you get what you pay for (where is all this money coming from?!)


hopefully there will be some renderings released soon - til then - mums the word

[ScottG]

While doing the rounds of some of the Vegas casino websites, I noticed a large banner splashed across the middle of the Tropicana's homepage.








Being curious, I clicked it...

In 2011, the Tropicana will look better than ever... come be a part of it

Our multi-billion dollar redevelopment will include:
Up to 600,000 sq. ft. of meeting, exhibit and pre-function space
10,224 beautifully appointed guest rooms by 2012
100,000 sq. ft. casino
250,000 sq. ft. retail mall
First of its kind water attraction ride combining 3D imagery and 4D technology
World-famous Folies Bergere PLUS, a second theater with fantastic "must-see" stage productions
Three luxurious resort spas and fitness centers
and much more...
I don't venture over to the Tropicana's website all that often, probably the last time was about two or three months ago, so this may have been posted eons ago. However, it's still nice to know that the Tropicana folks are aware that the Trop is slowly descending into dirty chaos. It is a bit odd to see the preview there, usually hotels put up 'mind our dust' signs during construction, not... uh... three years beforehand.

Does 'come be a part of it' mean we're all invited to push down the plunger? You can definitely count me in on that action.

While I hate to be the guy who cuts the cheese in the elevator, but let one rip and point out the obvious : there's a better chance that Steve Wynn is going to wash my car than a 'new' Tropicana opening in 2011.

Just for fun, let's see how long it takes before they remove that thing from the homepage.

If it were to happen, its good to know that Folies Bergere will survive. Vegas needs half-naked women on swings flying over the audience. Oh, and if anyone knows what the '4th' dimension is, please advise.


_______________________________________________

Update : MGMMirage Layoffs Not Caused By Recession
Filed under MGM Mirage on Friday, 18th April 2008 - 9:55 am

MGM sub-honcho Jim Murren told the Las Vegas Sun that their recent layoffs weren't a result of the economic downturn, but instead a previously planned management reorg.

Take it away Bruce Nourse, VP of Public Affairs, MGMMirage Mississippi (who released this statement along with the layoff announcement :

We're all aware of the downturn in the U.S. economy and as a result revenues have softened and profit margins are down across the gaming industry. This along with increased competition in our market has forced us to adjust our employment levels to reflect the changes in our business volumes.

This very difficult process is occurring at every property and at the corporate level of MGM Mirage.

As a result we have eliminated positions and terminated approximately 100 total employees at MGM Mirage's Mississippi properties - the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, and the Gold Strike Casino Resort.
Maybe someone needs to rewind the Eye In The Sky recordings and see exactly what happened. Hmmmmm?

[ScottG]

i just noticed that i think the FB diagram is incorrect... according to the podium placement - you are looking at it perpendicular to LV BLDV, but the tower is facing forward....the tower is actually supposed to be seen at its side in conjunction with the front of the podium......vegasrain84?

[lfc4life]

While I hate to be the guy who cuts the cheese in the elevator, but let one rip and point out the obvious : there's a better chance that Steve Wynn is going to wash my car than a 'new' Tropicana opening in 2011.



so true, the new trop is as good as dead i fear :(

4D i believe refers to interactivity, universal have 4D rides and they involve the characters on screen sneezing on the audience, feeling the fireball on screen etc.

[MrVegas]

Item #51 on the April 24 Planning Commission Meeting is for a 700 foot, 61-story hotel on the site where the Sandhurst condo tower was supposed to go.

http://www5.lasvegasnevada.gov/sirepub/cache/2/kobbrt45utal04nedzpkjgb4/104950204192008104412812.PDF

[TheOldMan]

Item #51 on the April 24 Planning Commission Meeting is for a 700 foot, 61-story hotel on the site where the Sandhurst condo tower was supposed to go.

http://www5.lasvegasnevada.gov/sirepub/cache/2/kobbrt45utal04nedzpkjgb4/104950204192008104412812.PDF

Interesting find. hopefully some renderings and info will soon be revealed.

[vegasrain84]

i just noticed that i think the FB diagram is incorrect... according to the podium placement - you are looking at it perpendicular to LV BLDV, but the tower is facing forward....the tower is actually supposed to be seen at its side in conjunction with the front of the podium......vegasrain84?

Deal with it, or make your own diagram.. Everyone's a frickin' critic, yet no one ever creates diagrams, Fountainbleau didn't have a diagram for 6 months, now you have one and you have to whine about it.. Just like people whined about the stupid Planet Hollywood Towers.. so if you can't draw the diagram yourself, then you have no room to complain.. Make your own diagram and then if you don't like how its drawn the new diagram will replace it..

[Patrick]

Deal with it, or make your own diagram.. Everyone's a frickin' critic, yet no one ever creates diagrams, Fountainbleau didn't have a diagram for 6 months, now you have one and you have to whine about it.. Just like people whined about the stupid Planet Hollywood Towers.. so if you can't draw the diagram yourself, then you have no room to complain.. Make your own diagram and then if you don't like how its drawn the new diagram will replace it..

Um wow, calm down. Although your right about the Fountainbleau, it looks fine and is acceptable. Please continue to draw, Vegas really needs these diagrams and I've just lost interest in drawing for Vegas.

But please fix the Planet Hollywood Towers or I'll delete it for showing persepctive (EDIT after taking a second look its not so bad, but really all you have to do is raise it 2 pixels) And yes, I've created 153 of the 174 Las Vegas Diagrams, you've done 18 of the 174, 9 of them I've drawn previously, so I hope your not talking about me.

[Complex01]

Hey everyone. I went to Vegas this past week. The weather was great. Lots going on all over the place. City Center was just huge and pictures do not do it justice. A Great project indeed. Enjoy these updates...


http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV09.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV01.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV05.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV02.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV10.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV08.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV04.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV06.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV07.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/LV03.jpg

:wizard:

[vegasrain84]

Um wow, calm down. Although your right about the Fountainbleau, it looks fine and is acceptable. Please continue to draw, Vegas really needs these diagrams and I've just lost interest in drawing for Vegas.

But please fix the Planet Hollywood Towers or I'll delete it for showing persepctive (EDIT after taking a second look its not so bad, but really all you have to do is raise it 2 pixels) And yes, I've created 153 of the 174 Las Vegas Diagrams, you've done 18 of the 174, 9 of them I've drawn previously, so I hope your not talking about me.


Well, I'm very close to just deleting all my drawings and leave it to others to get criticized for their drawings.. I thought I would be helpful and fill in the gaps that you and others haven't had time to draw, Fountainbleau was just one of several. When I felt that drawings needed to be updated because of major changes to the design (Planet Hollywood, Palms Place, Panorama Tower 3 etc.) I didn't complain that the drawings were wrong, terrible etc. I simply updated them with new drawings and moved on..

The response I have gotten over the last several weeks has been pretty negative. People saying 'oh that's not right', or 'that doesn't look good'. My point is that if you aren't willing to fix them yourself, then you have no room to complain about the drawings.. So if you want to delete Planet Hollywood Towers, that's fine. I'll gladly remove them all and leave others to draw the missing towers.

[Patrick]

Well, I'm very close to just deleting all my drawings and leave it to others to get criticized for their drawings.. I thought I would be helpful and fill in the gaps that you and others haven't had time to draw, Fountainbleau was just one of several. When I felt that drawings needed to be updated because of major changes to the design (Planet Hollywood, Palms Place, Panorama Tower 3 etc.) I didn't complain that the drawings were wrong, terrible etc. I simply updated them with new drawings and moved on..

The response I have gotten over the last several weeks has been pretty negative. People saying 'oh that's not right', or 'that doesn't look good'. My point is that if you aren't willing to fix them yourself, then you have no room to complain about the drawings.. So if you want to delete Planet Hollywood Towers, that's fine. I'll gladly remove them all and leave others to draw the missing towers.

Wow you really need to calm down and take some constructive criticism. Jesus Christ, we arent "complaining" or "insulting" your drawings, we're giving you constructive criticism, thank god for Lmichigan and his tips on resizing and realism or I'd still be drawing with outlines and one pixel scale. No, I didnt whine like you are and say MY WAY IS BETTA, I took in his tips and wala! I draw some pretty nice drawings compared to before.

If you dont want to fix your drawings fine, you really honestly think all your drawings here are getting negative responses? Wow, I mean I'm so glad your drawing for Vegas, we all are, but your drawings have a few flaws that can EASILY be fixed, god we are only giving you tips, not saying "Your drawings suck, make better ones" because thats not true, the quality of your drawings are great.

And could you show me the "negative reactions" we've been giving you?

[mdiederi]

Interesting find. hopefully some renderings and info will soon be revealed.

Grand Central Hotel -northeast corner of Charleston Blvd and Grand Central Parkway, 700-feet tall, 61-stories, 2,500 rooms, 260,000 square foot convention center.
http://www5.lasvegasnevada.gov/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=415&doctype=Agenda
Go to items 50-53 on the April 24th city planning agenda and click on the "supporting documentation" pdf. (6 megs), there are several renderings.

[lfc4life]

^^^ great to see downtown finally getting something to shout about, if this and world jewelry center go up idowntown will finally be moving forward, fingers crossed for this

great photos Complex01; i believe the harmon/strip intersection will replace the flamingo/strip intersection as THE place in vegas in years to come. I never thought PH could improve that building but they have done a fine job, the bar right out on the strip is a great addition

vegasrain84 i for one appreciate your drawings :tup:

[hotdog]

http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentID=172543

Potential $3.8B Elysium project

[mdiederi]

Skyscraper wall.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/citycenter/cc-1.jpg

[mdiederi]

Cosmo balconies
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Cosmopolitan/cosba.jpg

[cosmo2k8]

Finally the Cosmo glass facade up close!

Thank you Mark. :tup:

[ScottG]

I WAS GOING TO MENTION HOW THE CURTAIN WALL HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON COSMO...ITS AN INTERESTINGLY NEW COLOR...NOT QUITE BLACK NOT QUITE BLUE.....ITS MUCH DARKER THAN WHAT WAS PRECEIVED.

the only day time renderings were from citycenter so theey got it wrong as far as the color goes.

[CHAPINM1]

Turns out Fountainebleau will have a restaurant/bar/lounge somewhere on the top floors.

http://www.fontainebleaumiamibeach.com/lasvegas/accommodations/

[mdiederi]

VIVA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/scaled0423_met_fertittas02_t655.jpg

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/23/station-casinos-banking-biggest-being-best/

[ScottG]

^^^^ its an ambitious project - maybe too ambitious - not necessarily because of the economy but because of the shear cost - 10 bil? no investers yet? hhhmmm

also - vegas CAN overbuild - how many casinos w/ malls does one city need or can attract?

what would make people go to viva instead of city center or echelon?

sure ever property has is identity - but tourists can eventually be overwhelmed.

plus - the size of this project is intense - city center is already making such a dent in construction (and price - remember city center was starting out at 4 billion) imagine more construction across the i-15 for this thing......

something will get built at that great potential of a site - but over how many years?

[lfc4life]

^^^^ its an ambitious project - maybe too ambitious - not necessarily because of the economy but because of the shear cost - 10 bil? no investers yet? hhhmmm

also - vegas CAN overbuild - how many casinos w/ malls does one city need or can attract?

what would make people go to viva instead of city center or echelon?

sure ever property has is identity - but tourists can eventually be overwhelmed.

plus - the size of this project is intense - city center is already making such a dent in construction (and price - remember city center was starting out at 4 billion) imagine more construction across the i-15 for this thing......

something will get built at that great potential of a site - but over how many years?

what attracted people to Wynn over Bellagio. What will attract people to Fontainebleau and Echelon over Bellagio, City Center and Venetian given their much more favourable locations.

I think the answer is people like choice, tourists like to shop around in vegas, if you read the threads on something like tripadvisor many spend a couple of nights in different hotels when in vegas

Having said that though i won't hold my breath waiting for "Viva Las Vegas" (i love the name) to open. Hard to believe people thought Steve Wynn was mad in 1989 when he spent $600m on Mirage. $10 billion for a hotel project off strip is beyond insane

[Red UM Rebel]

Viva is magnificent

[kenratboy]

Is the bet that by the time this is done (what, 5-10 years), that the economy may be doing a lot better?

[samoen313]

It looks desperate for attention. You could argue that the mall in CC and the Veer towers are a little overstated, but every one of those buildings is the absolute epitome of busy. I mean, it's almost a reincarnation of the theme resort, but using early 21st century motifs like irregularly-spaced fins, rectangular volume sections, etc. It's just a first rendering and, as has been seen over and over again, the little details you can't see well in a rendering end up bogging down the cost but, in the case of a project like CC, keep it classy and simple.

Not only is the general economy looking downward, but the actual construction costs for a project like this would just be enormous. I have connections at the architecture firm REX, an offshoot of Rem Koolhaas' OMA, that were responsible for 95% of the design and project management for Museum Plaza in Louisville. The project was on a tight budget as it was, but the amount of steel required for City Center alone had driven up steel/glass cladding material prices by nearly 180% on the unit and they were forced to resort to inventing several unconventional options to lower the cost. Given the visible absence of pre-cast concrete or anything but glass and steel (if that is their vision), then given the size of the project, I don't think they'll get any deals on the project.

They should wait either for the next economic upturn, or build a notable phase first, and pump some of the rest of the funds in their other station casinos.

[JDRCRASH]

Up With the New: A Second Center City for Las Vegas

By STEVE FRIESS
Published: April 23, 2008

LAS VEGAS — As other cities look to replace their blighted downtowns with new development, Las Vegas, known for its extravagant facsimiles of European and American landmarks, has come up with an unusual approach: Build another downtown, right next to the decaying one. On Thursday, the city will formally inaugurate a new urban core on a 61-acre, undeveloped parcel of land — a project that some experts say is unprecedented in city planning. Called Union Park, its supporters hope it will revive the historic downtown just to the east, where the region’s courthouses, government offices and oldest casinos are clustered.

More than $6 billion in mostly private money has been announced for five ambitious projects: an Alzheimer’s research center, designed by Frank Gehry; a 60-story international center for jewelry trading; a hotel by the celebrity chef Charlie Palmer; a casino-resort; thousands of residential units and square feet of office space, and, as its centerpiece, a $360 million performing arts center.

Construction on the rippled Gehry building and utility lines is under way on this former brownfield, once a chemical dumping ground for the Union Pacific Railroad.

“It’s quite unusual that there’s a big swath of downtown ground just sitting there without having to go through a whole rigmarole to acquire,” said Bill Hudnut, a senior fellow at the Urban Land Institute in Washington. Mr. Hudnut, the former mayor of Indianapolis, recalled that acquiring just three blocks of that city “involved some legal fights and eminent domain, the demolition of buildings, numerous deals with numerous owners.” In Las Vegas, he added, “they’re just building new stuff.”

It is an approach recommended to the mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman, a criminal defense lawyer famed for defending mafia figures, by major developers brought in to tutor him in redevelopment after his election in 1999. The mayor, who admits he ran “almost as a game” to win, said he quickly realized that reversing the downtown area’s decline could become his most important legacy. (Downtown Las Vegas is immediately north of the Strip.)

“They all told me I couldn’t do anything because I didn’t have what I needed,” which was land, recalled Mr. Goodman, now in his third and final term. “I despaired. Then I looked out my window and saw this fallow 61 acres of brownfield.”

The city acquired it by swapping other land with the holding company that owned the parcel. But it would take five years and several failed deals with developers before the city signed with Newland Communities to manage and design the site.

In the meantime, the city’s acquisition spurred other developers to snap up vacant land nearby. Union Park is now surrounded by an outlet mall and 3 of 10 buildings planned for the $3 billion World Market Center, a furniture-industry exposition space. The city’s plans “created the credibility of a Las Vegas that’s open for business outside of the Strip,” said Robert J. Maricich, chief executive and president of World Market Center.

But the national economic downturn may play a role in how soon all of Union Park is realized. Already, the opening date for the $700 million World Jewelry Center has been pushed back one year, and questions abound as to whether the more than 3,000 residential units planned to be built will sell in a state with one of the highest foreclosure rates in the United States.

“There’s no question that the Union Park property is going be developed,” said Matt Ward, editor of the weekly Las Vegas Business Press. “The question is whether some of these projects that were supposed to break ground this year will do so. We’re mainly talking about delays, I think. Are you going to see business leaders in town talking openly about that? Probably not.”

Mr. Goodman has brought his boisterous personality and decades of friendships in the community to bear, persuading the region’s top liquor distributor, Larry Ruvo, to build the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute. The research center, named for Mr. Ruvo’s father, who died of Alzheimer’s disease, is a partnership with the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

The linchpin, though, is the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas’s first stab at a Lincoln Center-style facility that can be home for ballet and philharmonic companies. It will break ground in August.

“We don’t have a cultural hub right now,” said Rita Brandin, the vice president and development director for Newland. “This provides that community gathering place.”

Union Park does have skeptics, including Dave Hickey, culture critic for Vanity Fair, who is baffled by how the development will interconnect with the older downtown area and help in its resurgence. Mr. Hickey’s wife, Libby Lumpkin, is executive director of the Las Vegas Art Museum, and Mr. Hickey noted that Ms. Lumpkin rejected efforts to move that museum to Union Park.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said: “I despaired. Then I looked out my window and saw this fallow 61 acres of brownfield.”
“The idea is that they’re going to put in these public buildings and this is going to make a respectful downtown for Las Vegas without all the glitz and glamour, I guess, but I think it’ll be a ghost town,” Mr. Hickey said. “I don’t see how the comings and goings will be facilitated. And those open spaces that landscape architects so love are not really conducive to the desert climate.”

It also leaves the question of whether the city is abandoning the historic downtown, where all of Las Vegas was born 100 years ago.

Defenders like Ms. Brandin counter: “We’ve got an existing downtown. This is an urban core. It’s complementary.”

And Mr. Goodman said the Union Park effort had helped kick off a decade of redevelopment in the older downtown region, which he expects to connect to Union Park via pedestrian bridges over the railroad tracks that run along the site’s eastern edge. Several casinos have new owners spending millions to upgrade, a bar district is starting to blossom and an old post office is being restored for use as a museum focused on mafia history, complete with interactive wiretapping exhibits. Most important, the mayor noted, are the half-dozen condominium towers nearing completion there.

“They wouldn’t have given you a plugged nickel eight years ago that there would ever be a high-rise residential building in downtown Las Vegas,” Mr. Goodman said with a laugh. “It was unheard of.”

And Union Park is now desirable enough to be a bargaining chip. Next month, the City Council is expected to finalize a plan in which a developer will build a new $150 million City Hall in the older downtown area in exchange for a parcel in Union Park where a casino-hotel can be built.

Still, the enduring down-at-the-heels reputation of the old downtown was a factor in Mr. Palmer’s decision to build in Union Park instead of the old downtown. “I call it the new Las Vegas,” said Richard Femenella, chief financial officer of the Charlie Palmer Group. “They say they’re revitalizing downtown, but truthfully, everything west of the railroad tracks is all brand new. It was dirt.”

Whether the old downtown is left behind is a concern of Linda Lera-Randle El, an activist for homeless people, who said that none of the residential units in Union Park were designated as affordable housing and that she worried that homeless people who squat on the vacant land would be displaced.

Not all of the mayor’s dreams have come to fruition. Several attempts to get a developer to build a sports arena, first at Union Park and then elsewhere, appear to have stalled. Mr. Goodman aggressively courted the Cleveland Clinic to take up residence, only to have the respected hospital pass. But the results of Union Park nonetheless stand to rewrite the national impression of Mr. Goodman as a Vegas caricature given to outlandish acts like suggesting that graffiti artists be de-thumbed or running a seminar on making martinis.

“I don’t always agree with Oscar, but I do think that Union Park is going to make it,” said a councilwoman, Lois Tarkanian, one of Mr. Goodman’s most vocal detractors.

“Even if you disagree with him on this or that,” Ms. Tarkanian said, “you have to give him credit for the part of his personality that can get this done.”

[ScottG]

^^^^^ THAT LAST SENTENCE SAYS IT ALL

goodman strives for an arena, but looks like that aint happening (under his terms...without a casino)

i love goodman only for the fact that he loves this city. he has done wonders for it (downtown was REALLY cleaned up because of him....im not talking about fremont downtown - im talking about d street - motel row downtown) its still a squaters haven but it was much worse before.

the fact that liby lumkin - director of the las vegas art museum (its currently part of the west sahara library in summerlin) refuses to relocate to union park is distgusting. the only people that go to LVAM are old rich people who live in summerlin (i volunteered at LVAM - its not as popular as it could/should be)

its supposed to be the art spot for the city - why not be part of the arts district or -at least - be part of the actual city.

it will be interesting to see how union park developes - is it goin to be a random mix of architecture that wont seen to blend (as some critics predict) or will vegas have 2 downtowns - will union park replace the 'historic' downtown or help it.

it is interesting to see how things like city hall would rather be in the 'new' downtown - what will happen to the old location?


everyone know goodman dissmisses the homeless - las vegas is the worse city when it comes to helping out the homeless according to a recent poll.

i wonder if the union park condos will be 'luxerious' and therefor expensive or will people actually be living in them....

if a condo is affordable dont you think investers with cash will swipe them all up and then resell them at a higher cost?

if high rise condos were affordable - 200k for a 1 bedroom or 275k for 2 350 for 3 bedrooms (im surmising) then middle class can move in - but whats stoping wealthier people from snagging them first?

i watch a county commissioners meeting and they brought this up - how to regulate prices and qualifications on selling to buyers.


vegas does not look like it will be seeing the end of its growth anytime soon.

[mdiederi]

it is interesting to see how things like city hall would rather be in the 'new' downtown - what will happen to the old location?

Last year there were rumors of a plan for a 1,200 foot tall hotel there and the arena.

[heyyoucharlie]

VIVA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/scaled0423_met_fertittas02_t655.jpg

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/23/station-casinos-banking-biggest-being-best/

That looks graet, and will be an amazing location!!! Then attach the "Stations" brand to this and I see this whole complex as a can't miss. I am suprised it took the Fertitta's so long to get into the Strip market. If this place is half a good as GVR or Red Rock, we are all in for a treat!!!

[The_Analyst]

The Viva rendering is one of the most ridiculous assemblies of slapped on nonsense I've seen. I like the huge rectangular swatches but diagonals and fins and curves and overhangs, too? Looks like it was designed by a committee. In the dark. Without talking to each other.

And what is with Vegas and curvy buildings? Wynn starts it. City Center, Echelon follow. Now Viva? Something original would be nice.

Oh well, I don't think a ten billion dollar resort has much chance of getting built in the next several years so it may be a while for anything to happen. I'm not doubting Station's cababilities, just the challenges in the credit markets at the moment.

[neworleans]

Next month, the City Council is expected to finalize a plan in which a developer will build a new $150 million City Hall in the older downtown area in exchange for a parcel in Union Park where a casino-hotel can be built.



it is interesting to see how things like city hall would rather be in the 'new' downtown - what will happen to the old location?



unless i'm misunderstanding you, i think it's saying that the city hall is going to be built in older downtown, not union square

[lfc4life]

And what is with Vegas and curvy buildings? Wynn starts it. City Center, Echelon follow. Now Viva? Something original would be nice.



you have answered your own question right there :)

[sky-of-webs]

The 61 acre lot will be completely mish mash of styles and uses.
We started with the county building, which is a beautiful lowrise with open spaces sitting on a huge lot. Then added the outlet mall, again a lowrise spread over a huge lot (architectually BLAH).
Now we have the third gigantic cube of World Maket finishing up. They sit very tightly on they're property lines and each other. I personally love the architecture and varying color schemes.
And right across the street we have the Gehry architecture at the Ruvo Brain Institute, it's a very small and oddly placed building, especially seeing that it shares a property line with the proposed 800 foot tall Jewelry center.
I'm not complaining, and thats how the freemarket works, besides we are all having doubts about the overall look at City Center, it's turning out to be a wash of uniformly colored and shaped towers. (I know two lean and one has curved ends, but all the same glass, you lose definition)

[sky-of-webs]

The Rio is much older than the Wynn, and far better looking, day and night.

[lfc4life]

^^^ wynn looks much nicer during the day imo the color is very natural and night is a toss up, i think the rio lights look great but my friends on their first trip to vegas last year were not that impressed.

The voodoo lounge beats any Wynn bar though for location

[Patrick]

Viva's not really gonna look like that, obviously it just looks so rediculous right now for attention, remember what CityCenter used to look like?

[drobar]

This sort of slid in under the radar. Interesting.....

http://www.lvrj.com/business/18101639.html

[kenratboy]

Wow, that sucker will be 700 feet or so!

[RandalR]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/scaled0423_met_fertittas02_t655.jpg

Should just sign a licensing agreement and change the name to "VISA" - visitors can swipe their cards at the door to pay the $29.99 "cover-the-construction" charge. :D

[VegasMatt]

Viva's not really gonna look like that, obviously it just looks so rediculous right now for attention, remember what CityCenter used to look like?

I'm not usually one to point out spelling errors however this is literally the third time today I've seen the word "Ridiculous" spelled "rediculous". Is there something I'm missing here? Perhaps a pun I'm missing, or is ridiculous just a tricky word to spell.

[ScottG]

Viva's not really gonna look like that, obviously it just looks so rediculous right now for attention, remember what CityCenter used to look like?


actually - it just might - this things has been in the works for quite some time and has already been under several design reviews / changes. this tho is definitly the most 'busy' with attached rectangular 'screens' and criss crossing mullions - so much is really just too much -


and viva is NOT a strip location

unless i'm misunderstanding you, i think it's saying that the city hall is going to be built in older downtown, not union square

^^i was confused over what "in exchange for a parcel in union park" means... who is getting that parcel at union park? city hall? or did they give that up?

[ScottG]

i just heard from a buddy who is an iron worker that - the great mall of las vegas up in summerlin will start construction next week (or what is month? i dont remember)---it is going to be NINE stories....whoa

[jazfingr]

:previous:

Your buddy must be smokin' something green! :yes:

The "Great Mall" of Las Vegas is going to be built in North Las Vegas (and it's not so great) it's just a two-story mall.

Summerlin Centre's Mall "The Shoppes at Summerlin Centre"
Is an outdoor urban mall (mostly one floor) with some condos on second floors (like the Dictrict at Green Valley Ranch). It wil have four anchor stores (which might be two or three floors)

[heyyoucharlie]

I have heard the same about the "Mall of America" people building a mall @ Durango/95 on the East side... :shrug:

[mdiederi]

It's Ironic that Station Casinos would release that rendering of the Viva project one day before they laid off their entire in-house construction department.

...

Where's this 3.8 billion dollar Elysium project located?
http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentID=172543
"Elysium has 38.5 acres under purchase contract on Las Vegas Boulevard, but the exact location cannot be disclosed in light of efforts to assemble additional acreage..."

[neworleans]

vdara should be topping off here pretty soon

[rhassoii]

Some more Wynn info:


WYNN'S 'SPECTACULAR' PLAN

Steve Wynn revealed his grand plan for the golf course land at Wynn Las Vegas last week, and the message is clear: he's going after Sheldon Adelson's domination of the convention business.

Wynn told local reporter Steve Friess that he is planning to add two hotels as bookends for "probably the most spectacular meeting and convention center in the world."

The addition of 5,200 hotel rooms will give Wynn 10,000 rooms on the former Desert Inn property, 1.5 million square feet of convention space and a lake twice the size of Bellagio's dancing fountains lake "with special effects," Wynn told Friess on his podcast vegashappenshere.com, formerly thestrippodcast.com.

The exhibition hall and ballroom will be on the lake.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/18326444.html

[samoen313]

A) Are there any renderings (schematic or concrete) of LAS Terminal 3 out there? B) I know there is a Phase Deux planned for City Center behind/between NYNY and MonteCarlo, is this still a TBD-kind of vision or have there been mentions as to what components might be involved in the next phase?