LAS VEGAS | Boom Project Rundown! 2.0

[J_M_Tungsten]

^^^I'm sure its just paranoia, but are there preventative measures for seismic activity on this bridge? I'm sure there is, but just wondering about any specific details, thanks.

[mac78130]

http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/22406495/detail.html

[CHAPINM1]

http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/22406495/detail.html

Now hopefully since we can't get any government funding for a monorail extention to go out to McCarren or Downtown thanks to Obama and his grudge he holds against Vegas and people doing business and holding conventions there, we could see some private investment finish those extensions of the monorail!

[jamesinclair]

Would this be the right thread to complain about City Center?

Look, I know Las vegas hates pedestrians, but the good folks over at CityCenter have gone above and beyond the rest of the strip to make pedestrian life as inhospitable as possible.

I guess when you have a free parking garage for 6,500, who gives a shit right?


I loved the architecture of the buildings, but the sight plan (and tram) left a very bad taste in my mouth.

[mac78130]

flickr photo by Las Vegas Lover (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-martinez/4324293458/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4324293458_167e7d40df_b.jpg

[hotdog]

The parcels at the corner of Harmon and LV Blvd. sold:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/03/developer-gets-2-acres-strip-25-million/

[mdiederi]

Charlie Palmer Hotel on hold for two to four years.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/04/charlie-palmer-hotel-downtown-las-vegas-put-hold-t/

[DrT]

http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/22406495/detail.html

Re: Maglev proposal
The proposal on the table would take the form of a direct loan that would require the backing of the federal government and continued cooperation with Chinese enterprises

You wonder how difficult this part is going to be, especially the Feds backing the loan. I would think getting a federal government guarrantee will be extremely difficult on a loan from a private bank. I am still skeptical about this actually happening. The Chinese want to make a loan with no risk? They want the US taxpayers to guarantee it? This makes no sense.

I am very much for it and was excited about it, but now I'm worried. I hope maybe the article meant to say CHINESE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to backing, in which case I would be much more optimistic.

[justdefended]

CityCenter condos may outperform market:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/05/citycenter-condos-may-outperform-market/

At least the premium prices will make some dent in the market, though the Vegas condo sector is way oversaturated.

Also, Deutsche Bank writes down Cosmo by another $103 million:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/04/deutsche-bank-writes-down-value-cosmopolitan-103-m/

[mac78130]

A few new things coming to Paris.

http://agenda.co.clark.nv.us/sirepub/cache/2/g1phqk45yzg0b2453vmqkm55/20270302052010062649388.PDF

[topota]

want to destroy all this? but why? oh my god, it's terrible :wah:
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9885/acera1.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/i/acera1.jpg/)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5707/acera2.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/i/acera2.jpg/)

[vwwolfe]

Saw this near the Mandalay Bay last month but forgot to mention it. If it hasn't been mentioned yet here it is

http://www.lasvegassun.com/photos/galleries/2009/oct/09/cloud-nine/

http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/cloudnine.html

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4321114769_1b5eec87e8_o.jpg

The views from that balloon are amazing. 2 of my friends and I were allowed to go up in it 3 days before it's opening. Great time. Here's our video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjN4ayWI5EY

[mac78130]

Construction to begin on Feb. 8, 2010. :)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/06/city-begin-construction-neon-boneyard-park/

http://media.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2010/02/05/NeonBoneyardSignage_Renderngcopy_t652.jpg?1b9ad394c43bb038fa9e51a462e45d6568471167

http://media.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2010/02/05/boneyard2_t652.png?1b9ad394c43bb038fa9e51a462e45d6568471167

[ScottG]

^^^^FINALLY!!!!!!!^

THAT THING HAS BEEN PUT OFF TOO LONG! THIS WILL BE GREAT FOR VEGAS HISTORY AND ATTRACTIONS.

i do find the inclusion of 'park' in the name a bit contrived - everything haas to have 'park' in its name to sound clean and part of the community - sure - put you can also have 'boneyard' in their aswell and expect to pull it off!!!!!

ha!

[neworleans]

looking at google maps, that lot don't look big enough to do anything. And for 1.9 million dollars... oh yeah that' right. One million dollars isn't that much anymore.

[mdiederi]

Anyone have any photo updates of the Smith Center? The webcam shows a lot of steel, but I want to see some better quality images.

[solediavolo]

want to destroy all this? but why? oh my god, it's terrible :wah:
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9885/acera1.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/i/acera1.jpg/)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5707/acera2.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/i/acera2.jpg/)

I'm interesting in seeing some renderings of what they have in mind, but I really hope they don't destroy that setting. It may be phony, but it's one of the few places I walk in front of that put out enough of a feel it draws me inside.

[ScottG]

green valley ranch files for bankruptcy.

http://www.kxnt.com/Green-Valley-Ranch-Files-For-Bankruptcy/6348066


looks like the station casinos ch 11 filing is now transferring into its properties.

[Krases]

I'm interesting in seeing some renderings of what they have in mind, but I really hope they don't destroy that setting. It may be phony, but it's one of the few places I walk in front of that put out enough of a feel it draws me inside.

I worry that they will try to tone down the theme.

STOP TONING DOWN THE THEMED RESORTS. I can understand the Circus Circus or Excalibur being childish, but Paris? Paris is awesome!

[NYC2ATX]

I'm actually mildly terrified by those plans for Paris. When I went to Vegas when I was 12 (I'm now 20), and my love affair with this city began, Paris was my favorite resort, hands down. And it had a lot to do with it's strong theme...it was very thorough and well done. I'd hate to see it fatally tampered with, it's like a part of my adolescence. :rolleyes:

[RLS_rls]

I hope they leave Paris alone, the quality of detailing and materials looks top notch (for Vegas.)

[ScottG]

check out these hand renderings of wynn bellagio and encore!!!!

http://www.jeffreyschneider.com/

early concepts show some interesting changes, looks like originaly wynn was going to take on a prairie style/frank lloyd wright style

[mdiederi]

check out these hand renderings of wynn bellagio and encore!!!!

http://www.jeffreyschneider.com/

early concepts show some interesting changes, looks like originaly wynn was going to take on a prairie style/frank lloyd wright style

I don't see much difference between those drawings and the final design. :shrug:

[ScottG]

bellagios the same - the casino in wynn was drawn black n white - there is a larger garden in encore - and the tree feature in macau was gonna go in encore., there is also a sneak at wynn monico.

[mac78130]

Exterior looks great :tup:

Flickr photo by edgoldstein007 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63799013@N00/4351858661/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4351858661_0556a07a5a_b.jpg

[mac78130]

check out these hand renderings of wynn bellagio and encore!!!!

http://www.jeffreyschneider.com/

early concepts show some interesting changes, looks like originaly wynn was going to take on a prairie style/frank lloyd wright style

Yeah, I found these about a week ago ;) .. posted on VT (http://www.vegastripping.com/news/news.php?news_id=3121)

I'm surprised they are still up...

[Krases]

I don't see much difference between those drawings and the final design. :shrug:

Click on Wynn Las vegas and scroll through the pictures until you come to the last few. It looks really different.

[ScottG]

http://www.casinoguide.com/blogs/current-events/un-jumping-the-shark/


^^^good blog on city center's anti climatic effect on the city and visitors....

its unfortunately true

[goldcntry]

Exterior looks great :tup:

Flickr photo by edgoldstein007 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63799013@N00/4351858661/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4351858661_0556a07a5a_b.jpg

Alrighty then... now with the cladding on, I'm liking this marginally more... Will withhold further judgement until the project is done...

[NYC2ATX]

I find it endlessly entertaining that the biggest mindf**k of a building in Vegas is a brain institute. Can you imagine bringing mental patients up to what probably looks like a carnival funhouse to them? That aside, it's looking fantastic. :banana:

[CHAPINM1]

I find it endlessly entertaining that the biggest mindf**k of a building in Vegas is a brain institute. Can you imagine bringing mental patients up to what probably looks like a carnival funhouse to them? That aside, it's looking fantastic. :banana:

It's also another tourist attraction that people can add to their "to-do" list and can swing by and snap a photo of it!

With this, City Center, Cloud Nine, the 855 foot bungee jump off the Stratosphere, and the eventual Mob Museum, Las Vegas will have a hell of a lot going for it and all above will only add to the several reasons to visit!

Call me strange, but I am honostly excited for construction to resume on Fontainebleau and for that project to finally finish up eventually. I do not know when that will be, but it will happen and that when it does it will be amazing! Despite all the current shit that is going on, Las Vegas currently and always will have that shimmering glow to it that no other could possibly ever have. :)

[colemonkee]

I find it endlessly entertaining that the biggest mindf**k of a building in Vegas is a brain institute. Can you imagine bringing mental patients up to what probably looks like a carnival funhouse to them? That aside, it's looking fantastic. :banana:
Who knows, maybe mental patients see it as a perfectly normal, quietly inviting building with flat walls, a sweeping veranda, and a nice comfortable porch swing. ;)

Call me mental, but I like it.

[mdiederi]

Patients don't enter the building on the melted side. They enter on the opposite side that looks like a pile of blocks.

[BrandonJXN]

I find it oddly sick that a building that helps Alzheimer's sufferers is in the shape of a melted brain.

[ScottG]

in news of the ritz closing casino monte lago is closing at lake las vegas as well

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100217/NEWS07/100217010/1003/CARSON/Casino-MonteLago-at-Lake-Las-Vegas-to-close

[leftopolis]

:tup:
Also, it must've been a challenging pain in the ass for the builders/constructon workers. I'm guessing there was more than the typical amount of "wiat a minute, are you sure that piece is next? Let's check the drawings one more time." :jester:

[DowntownGymRat]

I'm actually bummed to see the Brain Institute turn out to be just a smaller Disney Concert Hall. I think it takes away from one of LA's great landmarks.

[dalmavs04]

Anybody have any updates on the Cosmo? Looking at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone Bar webcam, it looks like there is at least something going on, but it's difficult to tell.

[MsuMix]

I am very familiar with the happenings of comso and can tell you that every phase of the project from casino floor to rec deck is under full time construction towards a 4th quarter 2010 completion date.

This project is going to finish out very nicely, some really unique features as well.. should be a refreshing contrast to the surrounding properties.

[fishordie]

I am very familiar with the happenings of comso and can tell you that every phase of the project from casino floor to rec deck is under full time construction towards a 4th quarter 2010 completion date.

This project is going to finish out very nicely, some really unique features as well.. should be a refreshing contrast to the surrounding properties.

The casino to the Rec deck is only about 5 or 6 floors. What do you know about the rooms, as far as amenities or how they will be furnished?? How do you know what is going on??? Will they have cooking facilities, etc. Just curious as I do not see that much work going on above the casino and Rec. levels.

FOD

[dalmavs04]

I am very familiar with the happenings of comso and can tell you that every phase of the project from casino floor to rec deck is under full time construction towards a 4th quarter 2010 completion date.

This project is going to finish out very nicely, some really unique features as well.. should be a refreshing contrast to the surrounding properties.

Thanks for the update. Hopefully we can get a fresh set of pictures soon. It's been awhile.

[MsuMix]

The casino to the Rec deck is only about 5 or 6 floors. What do you know about the rooms, as far as amenities or how they will be furnished?? How do you know what is going on??? Will they have cooking facilities, etc. Just curious as I do not see that much work going on above the casino and Rec. levels.

FOD

Towers are also headed for completion, the top floor suites are incredible. Of course there are cooking facilities, tons of bars, one of which will definitely set a new standard as far as center bars go. You may not see "a lot going on" but you have to remember the structure and skin of the building is damn near complete. Most of the work is happening inside - finishes, interiors, etc.

[fishordie]

Towers are also headed for completion, the top floor suites are incredible. Of course there are cooking facilities, tons of bars, one of which will definitely set a new standard as far as center bars go. You may not see "a lot going on" but you have to remember the structure and skin of the building is damn near complete. Most of the work is happening inside - finishes, interiors, etc.

Yo MsuMix,

Have you been up to the upper floors on both towers or just the East tower??
You stated of course there are cooking facilities which is surprising since it sounds like this project will end up as a hotel rather than a mixed use facility.
Did you actually see cooking facilities in the West Tower in the smaller rooms?

Really curious as to what you actually saw not what you might have heard.

Just curious also, how did you get in?? Are you in the industry??

Thank you for the info.

FOD

[mac78130]

"key gaming analyst predicts it won’t open until 2015 at the earliest."

Yikes that's a long time from now..

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/20/fontainebleau-sitting-idle-benefits-strips-economy/

[mac78130]

Towers are also headed for completion, the top floor suites are incredible. Of course there are cooking facilities, tons of bars, one of which will definitely set a new standard as far as center bars go. You may not see "a lot going on" but you have to remember the structure and skin of the building is damn near complete. Most of the work is happening inside - finishes, interiors, etc.

We WANT PICTURES !!!!!!! :P

[MsuMix]

no prob FOD - I've been in both towers... cooking equipment is only in the condos tho, not hotel units. Definitely a fully mixed use facility. i'm in the industry will try to upload some pics later

Yo MsuMix,

Have you been up to the upper floors on both towers or just the East tower??
You stated of course there are cooking facilities which is surprising since it sounds like this project will end up as a hotel rather than a mixed use facility.
Did you actually see cooking facilities in the West Tower in the smaller rooms?

Really curious as to what you actually saw not what you might have heard.

Just curious also, how did you get in?? Are you in the industry??

Thank you for the info.

FOD

[CHAPINM1]

"key gaming analyst predicts it won’t open until 2015 at the earliest."

Yikes that's a long time from now..

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/20/fontainebleau-sitting-idle-benefits-strips-economy/

I think it should be safe to say though that they should at least open up the night club on the 68th floor in the meantime once construction in completed to help offset operating and security costs seeing that it will cost money even to have the property just sit there as well.

[NYC2ATX]

Yes, please. I miss the constant photo updates of the pre-city center era!

[mac78130]

:tup:

flickr photo by jdryzga (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johndhoboken/4369564101/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4369564101_0f2ca224f5_o.jpg

flickr Motel George (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenoja/4368952775/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4368952775_22e17fbd09_b.jpg

[ScottG]

wow - look at how low the lake is now : \

[dalmavs04]

The Hawaiian Tropic Zone Bar is now closed which means the live webcam that was positioned right across from the Cosmo is gone too (although you could never really see much). So yeah, we need a picture update!

[jamesinclair]

March 28 is the big day for bus changes.

The deuce will go down in frequency and no longer go downtown or to the south strip mall thing, just move along the strip.

The new ace bus will now cover the service, with less stops.

I hope the change in service includes signs to where the bus stops are. When you're spacing stops a mile apart and las vegas blvd was designed to hamper as much pedestrian movement as possible, it's important to know where to cross the street to get to your nearest bus stop.

[ScottG]

wow trader vics , now hawaiian tropic - those two locations are the best locations being strip front corner lots across from bellagio /city cener.

i wonder if the lease increased or bad business.

planet hollywood is now the best hotel location - just like how paris has the best view of bellagio - planet hollywood looks at cosmo and citycenter.

[dalmavs04]

wow trader vics , now hawaiian tropic - those two locations are the best locations being strip front corner lots across from bellagio /city cener.

i wonder if the lease increased or bad business.


I was wondering the same thing. It seems like an absolute ideal location. Here's an article on its closing.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/17/hawaiian-tropic-zone-planet-hollywood-close-weeken/

[ieguy441]

With Harrah's now controlling PH, what is the likelihood that Paris and PH will eventually be internally connected with each other? Maybe the approved remodel of this section of Paris is phase 1 in a plan to link the two properties. They could easily lower the service road between the properties and build a bridge above that, easily connecting Paris with the Miracle Mile Shops.

As much as I hate the thought of Harrah's owning PH, I would think it would be a huge mistake NOT to link these properties together. With CC across the street, I would think Harrah's would not want any of their customers stepping out of their property into MGM land. Makes it nice when the weather is awful to take the strip walk indoors. Burns off the calories of all that booze.

[leftopolis]

I'm actually bummed to see the Brain Institute turn out to be just a smaller Disney Concert Hall. I think it takes away from one of LA's great landmarks.

Really? I'm not following that logic. It doesn't sound like you were disappointed that the LA concert hall--was just a knock-off of the Guggenheim Bilbao(Spain), which was a Gehry building that had become world famous and was being studied by architecture students everywhere, during the 6 years it was complete before the LA structure opened.
http://www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~satk0541/spotlight/ARHT5908/images/45.banner.Guggenheim%20Bilbao%202.jpg
Guggenheim Bilbao (//www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~satk0541/spotlight/ARHT5908/images/45.banner.Guggenheim%20Bilbao%202.jpg)
They're all unique and amazing buildings...the only similarity being Gehry's most unique, trademark style. This skyscraper enthusiast, living in much larger city than Las Vegas, would be thrilled to have one of his woks of art. Every one of these buildings can be admired, without it detracting glory from another.

[ScottG]

With Harrah's now controlling PH, what is the likelihood that Paris and PH will eventually be internally connected with each other? Maybe the approved remodel of this section of Paris is phase 1 in a plan to link the two properties. They could easily lower the service road between the properties and build a bridge above that, easily connecting Paris with the Miracle Mile Shops.

As much as I hate the thought of Harrah's owning PH, I would think it would be a huge mistake NOT to link these properties together. With CC across the street, I would think Harrah's would not want any of their customers stepping out of their property into MGM land. Makes it nice when the weather is awful to take the strip walk indoors. Burns off the calories of all that booze.

VERY good point

it would be a great strategy - if they ever sell paris or PH there will be a connection (unless the new owners remove it - just like mirage and TI)

and the space between PH and paris is very underutilized

[mdiederi]

Really? I'm not following that logic. It doesn't sound like you were disappointed that the LA concert hall--was just a knock-off of the Guggenheim Bilbao(Spain), which was a Gehry building that had become world famous and was being studied by architecture students everywhere, during the 6 years it was complete before the LA structure opened.
http://www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~satk0541/spotlight/ARHT5908/images/45.banner.Guggenheim%20Bilbao%202.jpg
Guggenheim Bilbao (//www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~satk0541/spotlight/ARHT5908/images/45.banner.Guggenheim%20Bilbao%202.jpg)
They're all unique and amazing buildings...the only similarity being Gehry's most unique, trademark style. This skyscraper enthusiast, living in much larger city than Las Vegas, would be thrilled to have one of his woks of art. Every one of these buildings can be admired, without it detracting glory from another.
The Disney Concert Hall in L.A. was actually designed before the Guggenheim Bilbao, so the look of the Bilbao building is more a "knock-off" of the L.A. building than the other way around, even though it wasn't completed until later.

[Don Pacho]

I'm actually bummed to see the Brain Institute turn out to be just a smaller Disney Concert Hall. I think it takes away from one of LA's great landmarks.

It is totally a different design. The only similar Gehry buildings are the Disney Concert Hall and the the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

And what mdiederi said is correct, the Disney Concert Hall is the original design. The Guggenheim was built first.


.

[leftopolis]

The Disney Concert Hall in L.A. was actually designed before the Guggenheim Bilbao, so the look of the Bilbao building is more a "knock-off" of the L.A. building than the other way around, even though it wasn't completed until later.

Interesting, thanks for that tidbit. As I'm sure you realize, my greater point was that none of them are a knock-off and all stand on their own as individual masterpieces.

[fishordie]

Well this is going to shake things up a bit over at Cosmo. So, Is it a hotel or a mixed use Condo/Hotel. Stay tuned. I am still hoping to see those pics of the interiors which we were told are being completed.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/02/25/25060.htm

[voice of reason]

Interesting development.
The sheep are being led to the cliff and seem anxious to jump.

I am skeptical that the room interiors are being completed because in the past when there was a design change, it was announced with fanfare and hoopla. Since the Denizen plan blew up in their face almost two years ago, not a peep, except that Related Co. was getting involved. Closed sales office, no website, no press releases, nada, zilch.

And now this quick offer to let everyone in the Beach tower out of their contracts for the 39% haircut after letting everyone in the West tower do the same.

I smell a rat and the article you posted spells it out.

[dalmavs04]

Looks like the new nightclub and pool complex at Encore will be opening Memorial Day weekend. They will be hiring 400 employees.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/26/wynn-resorts-hire-400/

[case_architect]

some shots i took this morning

lou ruvo
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2627/louruvo.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/i/louruvo.jpg/)

smith center
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4172/symphony2.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/symphony2.jpg/)
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/2244/symphony1.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/symphony1.jpg/)

bonneville transit center in the arts district
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/627/bonneville.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/bonneville.jpg/)

renders from the rtc website
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/mpo/projects/cct/CCT1.png
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/mpo/projects/cct/CCT2.png

p.s. the power lines on flamingo in front of caesars octavius and augustus towers appear to be getting buried underground. will get some shots this week.

[mdiederi]

some shots i took this morning

p.s. the power lines on flamingo in front of caesars octavius and augustus towers appear to be getting buried underground. will get some shots this week.
Thanks for the shots of the Smith Center and the Transit Center.

It's about time they move those power lines.

[WonderlandPark]

Figured I would post this here, this is from the LA Times today:


Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas is closing, but there’s still reason to head out to the lake

Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas

This month there were reports that Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev., would be closing its doors permanently May 2. For many Vegasofiles this comes as no surprise. The Ritz — along with other hotels such as Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort and MonteLago Village Resort, not to mention the shops at MonteLago Village —requires a concerted effort to get to when visiting Las Vegas.

Lake Las Vegas is nearly a half-hour’s drive from the Strip. Still, it seems odd that a Ritz-Carlton couldn’t weather the storm that Las Vegas properties are facing during the economic downturn.

So, what happened? My first thought was that the plethora of rooms available in the Vegas area, now that the CityCenter project is open, might have hurt Ritz-Carlton’s occupancy rates. Here’s what Vivian A. Deuschl, corporate vice president of public relations for Ritz-Carlton, had to say:

“While I cannot comment on occupancies or rates, I can say the original vision for the Lake Las Vegas project was never fulfilled and the resulting economic problems caused developers to need to alter many of the plans, including closing two golf courses and not fully developing the adjoining village or selling the real estate.”

Another problem, she said, was the “politicization of luxury meetings” (remember the flap that followed AIG’s posh hotel junket?), which depressed group business to Lake Las Vegas.

Although the Ritz was rated Five Diamonds by AAA — the organization’s highest rating — the owners, Deutsche Bank, “decided they would no longer provide funding for the hotel,” Deuschl said, which caused the closure.

Having visited Lake Las Vegas, I can say that there is a serenity out in Henderson that appeals to people who want a resort-style stay while having Las Vegas Strip action available, in case they want to participate.

The Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas is still accepting guests until May 2. Through April 30, guests can enjoy a “Resort Reconnect” package starting at $209 per night that includes overnight accommodations, breakfast for two and a $50 per night resort credit. I found this package available for $239 per night on a weekend, March 12-14.

Next door, Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort remains open, of course. I found its “All Inclusive” package (not listed online under “Special Offers,” but appearing once you enter your stay dates) starting at $249 per night. The package included room, breakfast for two , happy-hour drinks for two from 6 to 8 p.m., dinner for two , upper pool cabana, all watercraft rentals (except electric boats), food and beverage taxes, tips and resort fee. For two nights , May 6-8, the total price was $498 including tax.

Finally, MonteLago Village Resort has a third-night-free deal going, through March 29, that is also worth checking out. It’s good for one-bedroom suites and larger rooms; not good for Wednesday or Thursday arrivals. I found the deal available for March 13-16, arriving on a Saturday, for a total of $331 pre-tax for the three-night stay, or an average of $110.33 per night.

[ScottG]

apparently "harrahs" is now trying to aquire the palms the same way it did planet holly wood

http://www.casinoguide.com/blogs/current-events/sweaty-palms/

[Krases]

apparently "harrahs" is now trying to aquire the palms the same way it did planet holly wood

http://www.casinoguide.com/blogs/current-events/sweaty-palms/

See, I think having just two giant companies controlling 90% of the strip and other casino's is a bad thing for competition.

[heyyoucharlie]

:previous: Very very bad!!!

If this happens its just another step in the devaluing of "service" in Vegas. :hell:

[Krases]

:previous: Very very bad!!!

If this happens its just another step in the devaluing of "service" in Vegas. :hell:

Competition is what keeps service high. Without competition, we won't have good service and people won't like this city as much without good service.

Then again it also creates an opportunity for a new company to come bursting in with awesome service and just clobber all the slowpokes.

[solarquestion]

That already happened in 2005, they're called Wynn Resorts Limited.

[Zach6668]

That already happened in 2005, they're called Wynn Resorts Limited.

More Wynn-quality resorts to come then, hopefully.

[Krases]

That already happened in 2005, they're called Wynn Resorts Limited.

Sort of. Hopefully if Wynn is successful he can bring better business to the strip. Right now though Harrahs and MGM rule the majority of things. (http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/monopoly.htm)

[ScottG]

The Performing Arts Theatre - Er Whateer Its Called - Downtown, Is Really Far Along - And Its Huge!

All/most Of The Steel Is Already Up

(sorry No Pictures)

Its Odd Tho, That There Is Nothing Else Around, Just Vacant Land....

[Krases]

Its Odd Tho, That There Is Nothing Else Around, Just Vacant Land....

Hopefully it will anchor a new future downtown.

[skyscraperfan23]

some shots i took this morning

lou ruvo
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2627/louruvo.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/i/louruvo.jpg/)

smith center
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4172/symphony2.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/i/symphony2.jpg/)
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/2244/symphony1.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/symphony1.jpg/)

bonneville transit center in the arts district
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/627/bonneville.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/i/bonneville.jpg/)

renders from the rtc website
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/mpo/projects/cct/CCT1.png
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/mpo/projects/cct/CCT2.png

p.s. the power lines on flamingo in front of caesars octavius and augustus towers appear to be getting buried underground. will get some shots this week.

This is nice.

[Snotick]

Found this article posted on another site.

http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2010/03/08/news/iq_34620988.txt

[ieguy441]

Does anyone have new photos of the Encore Beach Club and the Surrender nightclub? I would think there should be some progress down there now if it opens over Memorial Day. Can't wait to see how this turns out, inside an out.

[leftopolis]

Hope I'm not getting too far off topic here, but there have been a number of discussions here, that diversification is key to getting the greater LV economy into steady growth mode. Unfortunately, we don't even know yet what part of NV this is headed for; An exact location for the facility within Nevada has not yet been chosen., but Clark county would be a good bet, considering that we're talking The factory, to be developed in conjunction with US Renewable Energy Group and American Nevada Group, will employ about 1,000 Nevada workers in “high paying, long-term jobs”.

Given that NV unemployment was one of the highest in the nation from the stats this week, it seems like good news. I'm puzzled why a Chinese firm is pulling this off, as opposed to a domestic enterprise...but 1,000 jobs is 1,000 jobs.

Nevada lands first Chinese wind turbine factory in US (http://www.greentechnologydaily.com/solar-wind/661-nevada-lands-first-chinese-wind-turbine-factory-in-us)

[Krases]

I think Solar is where it is really at. The only problem is water. If we can get that pipeline going north to supply the water needed for Solar we can generate titanic sums of power.

[leftopolis]

I think Solar is where it is really at. The only problem is water. If we can get that pipeline going north to supply the water needed for Solar we can generate titanic sums of power.

Well yeah, southern NV is ideally suited for solar energy production. Heck, if Germany can have thriving solar energy production with it's cloudy weather and short winter days....

In fact, the industry is off to a good start:
recent southern NV solar projects (http://www.nvenergy.com/renewablesenvironment/renewables/solar.cfm)
NV Energy has a long-term contract to buy the power generated by Nevada Solar One, located south of Las Vegas near Boulder City, Nevada. This 64-megawatt power plant, developed by Acciona Solar Power, is the largest solar plant to be developed anywhere in the world in the past 15 years.

The wind turbine project is for a production plant which would supply turbines/generators to customers in North and South America. It's not an energy production installation/wind farm.

If lots of water is needed to produce the actual photovoltaic cells, then maybe NV is not the place for a solar equipment production plant--but there's hardly a better place in the world to collect solar energy.

[Lecom]

The Disney Concert Hall in L.A. was actually designed before the Guggenheim Bilbao, so the look of the Bilbao building is more a "knock-off" of the L.A. building than the other way around, even though it wasn't completed until later.

It doesn't matter which one came first. What's important is that all of these are near carbon copies, slight deviations of the same generic design principle, McDonaldization of starchitecture. No reference to interior use or local context, just plopping an "instant landmark" into any city with a wallet fat enough to pay off Mr. Gehry. I'm just glad he actually used contextualization in his New York projects, resulting in unique designs and not his typical cookie cutter abominations.

[texas_ag]

Does anyone have new photos of the Encore Beach Club and the Surrender nightclub? I would think there should be some progress down there now if it opens over Memorial Day. Can't wait to see how this turns out, inside an out

Ask and you shall receive, courtesy of VegasRex http://www.vegasrex.com/2010/03/11/beach-club-rising/

[Krases]

If lots of water is needed to produce the actual photovoltaic cells, then maybe NV is not the place for a solar equipment production plant--but there's hardly a better place in the world to collect solar energy.

Its actually needed to run the plants, but it depends upon what type of solar power plant is built. I had a really good link a few months ago with a comparison of a dozen or so different solar power systems, but can't seem to find it. I will post it when I find it.

Edit: Found it! Was only four actually. Posted by M II A II R II K originally. I put it in spoiler tags so it doesn't crowd the thread seeing as it is slightly off subject.

Solar superpower: Should Europe run on Sahara sun?

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427311.400-solar-superpower-should-europe-run-on-sahara-sun.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/mg20427311.400/mg20427311.400-2_1500.jpg


26 October 2009 by Fred Pearce

EVERY two weeks, the sun pours more energy onto the surface of our planet than we use from all sources in an entire year. It is an inexhaustible powerhouse that has remained largely untapped for human energy needs. That may soon change in a big way. If a consortium of German companies has its way, construction of the biggest solar project ever devised could soon begin in the Sahara desert. When completed, it would harvest energy from the sun shining over Africa and transform it into clean, green electricity for delivery to European homes and businesses.

Prospects for the project, called Desertec, have blossomed over the past year, and this month 20 major German corporations are expected to announce the formation of a consortium that will provide the €400 billion needed to build a raft of solar thermal power plants in north Africa. They include energy utilities giants E.ON and RWE, the engineering firm Siemens, the finance house Deutsche Bank and the insurance company Munich Re.

The current plan, outlined by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in a report to the federal government, envisages that the project will meet 15 per cent of Europe's electricity needs by 2050, with a peak output of 100 gigawatts - roughly equivalent to 100 coal-fired power stations. Preliminary designs in the German report show electricity reaching Europe via 20 high-voltage direct-current power lines, which will keep transmission losses below 10 per cent (New Scientist, 14 March, p 42). Trans-Mediterranean links will cross from Morocco to Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar; from Algeria to France via the Balearic islands; from Tunisia to Italy; from Libya to Greece; and from Egypt to Turkey via Cyprus.

Desertec would take its place in a wider European supergrid that conveys power generated from wind turbines in the North Sea, hydroelectric dams in Scandinavia, hot rocks in Iceland and biofuels in eastern Europe. Adding solar thermal capacity would help ensure a steady supply of green electricity.

But is this really the best use of such a colossal amount of money? Critics are lining up to point out the project's shortcomings. They say it could make Europe's energy supply a hostage to politically unstable countries; that Europe should not be exploiting Africa in this way; that it is a poor investment compared to covering Europe's roofs with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels; and that, while deserts have plenty of sun, they lack another less obvious but equally indispensable resource for a solar thermal power plant - water. Is Desertec really the model of future power generation, as its promoters would have us believe, or is it politically misconceived and a monumental waste of money?

Canned heat

Unlike PV panels, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, solar thermal electricity generation plants first trap solar energy in the form of heat, and use this heat to generate electricity just as a conventional power plant does. Solar thermal plants come in four main varieties. Three use mirrors that concentrate sunlight to heat oil, water or a molten salt, which is in turn used to generate steam that drives a turbine. The mirrors can take the form of parabolic troughs or an array of flat reflectors that redirect sunlight onto pipes suspended above them, heating the fluid that they contain. In the Mojave desert in California, an interlinked system of nine solar thermal plants which use trough mirrors has been generating up to 300 megawatts of electrical power for more than two decades.

Alternatively, a field of mirrors can focus sunlight onto a central ceramic heat absorber mounted on a tower. A prototype plant in Spain has 21,000 square metres of glass mirrors that heat the absorber to over 1000 °C and generate 1 megawatt. In the fourth type, a dish focuses heat on a Stirling engine which generates electricity by exploiting the expansion and contraction of a gas in a sealed piston chamber as it is heated and then allowed to cool (see diagram).

Solar thermal energy is now coming to the fore, as it proves itself to have several advantages over PV. Among these is its ability to produce electricity in power-station quantities, without the complex organisation that distributed generation entails. What's more, it can feed electricity into the grid at night as well as by day. This is done by storing the heated fluid in an insulated container and releasing it hours later when the energy is required. Storing energy from PV panels would require a new generation of high-capacity batteries - still a research project in its infancy for the scale needed. The clincher is cost. Building a power-station-scale solar thermal installation costs only a fraction of PV generators with the same output. As a result, an army of new solar thermal plants are being planned for the US, China, Australia and Israel.


CONT'D IN LINK

[leftopolis]

The Smith Center is topped out! I didn't realize the bell tower portion actually has a bit of hight, @ 170 ft. It's coming along nicely.
Article from LV Business Press:
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2010/03/10/news/iq_34625490.txtThe steel-framed Art Deco-inspired building will be clad with 2,458 tons of Indiana limestone. It features a 16-story tower topped with a stainless steel silver crown, housing four custom-made carillon bells that weigh a combined 29,500 pounds. Its architectural style and detailing reflects the classic opera houses and theaters found in Western Europe. Yet, it also has modern touches. Smith Center will be the first theater in the country built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards as outlined by the U.S. Green Building Council.The valley's long awaited downtown cultural complex recently took a step closer to becoming a reality. The $470 million Smith Center for the Performing Arts, a multi-theater and concert venue, celebrated a construction milestone on Feb. 25. Southern Nevada elected officials and powerbrokers turned out to see a crane hoist a 50-ton steel segment into place atop a 170-foot bell tower, which is the project's highest point.
Image (dated Mar. 5th), from wikimedia:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Smith_Center_-_West_-_2010-03-05.JPG/800px-Smith_Center_-_West_-_2010-03-05.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts

[neworleans]

There is a block that covers the entire strip and downtown that hasn't been updated on google maps. All the rest of the city has. Does anyone no why?

[jamesinclair]

There is a block that covers the entire strip and downtown that hasn't been updated on google maps. All the rest of the city has. Does anyone no why?

Do you mean satellite image?

If so, and if you have google earth, check to see if it's been updated there. If not, click on historical imagery, you might discover that a newer image is available there, but not deployed to general use due to quality issues (clouds, brightness etc)

[mac78130]

Smith Center: Reynolds Hall

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/smithcenter.htm (http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/smithcenter.htm)
http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images_2/smith1b.jpg

flickr KDCLasVegas (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kdclasvegas/4400245168/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4400245168_e6af09f776_b.jpg

[Krases]

Yay culture!

[mac78130]

Hoover Dam Bridge :tup: :banana:

flick photo by Stan Taylor (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippiedog/4434113930/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4434113930_c95aae3615_b.jpg

[leftopolis]

Smith Center is looking sweet--something you expect to find in a real city as opposed to a suburban tourist destination on steroids. I don't mean that as an insult, but for so many years, DT development was neglected. It's exciting to see the development in DT continuing--slowly but surely--even during a tough economic period for LV.

The bridge--well it doesn't really require much imagination anymore, to visualize the final look! I was just thinking how for a couple of years they've had two crews working from each end, and now it's finally become a one crew job!

Great pics...of both!

[Krases]

Smith Center is looking sweet--something you expect to find in a real city as opposed to a suburban tourist destination on steroids. I don't mean that as an insult, but for so many years, DT development was neglected. It's exciting to see the development in DT continuing--slowly but surely--even during a tough economic period for LV.

The bridge--well it doesn't really require much imagination anymore, to visualize the final look! I was just thinking how for a couple of years they've had two crews working from each end, and now it's finally become a one crew job!

Great pics...of both!

My honest wish is that the city simply stop sprawling out in every direction. I would really like to see Red Rock park expanded to simply put a break on development west. Expanding Lake Mead as a park, maybe add a park to the south of the city and we might have a line in the Caliche to simply stop suburban sprawl.

From there, maybe this city can become denser with a real downtown and other dense developments like Tivoli village. In fact, the monorail could become feasible if the city simply became denser.

[mac78130]

Thanks to JohnH over at VT (http://www.vegastripping.com/news/news.php?news_id=3180) for uncovering these new Encore Beach renderings.

[Krases]

Holy strippers batman!

Are there any other clubs on the strip that have actual strippers? I am not in on the clubbing scene.

[pdxtraveler]

My honest wish is that the city simply stop sprawling out in every direction. I would really like to see Red Rock park expanded to simply put a break on development west. Expanding Lake Mead as a park, maybe add a park to the south of the city and we might have a line in the Caliche to simply stop suburban sprawl.

From there, maybe this city can become denser with a real downtown and other dense developments like Tivoli village. In fact, the monorail could become feasible if the city simply became denser.

Exactly! Kind of the like the Urban Growth Boundary we have here in Portland. I think it is a concept that could be modified in used in many metro
areas that have sprawled.

[leftopolis]

Having flown into both PDX and LV on a number of occassions--it seemed to me that the "blob" of lights was more compact in LV and ended abruptly, vs. PDX which semed to have a denser center/DT but was more spread out due to gradually dropping off density as you went further out. I know that's just anecdotal, but I came across these figures--the first # being urban area population(2000 census), middle figure is in sq. km. while final figure is density. LV's overall density is higher than PDX's!

Portland, OR-WA UA 1,583,138 1227.5 3340.3
Las Vegas, NV UA 1,314,357 740.5 4597.1

From:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_urban_areas

Isn't LV constrained due to it being a (not so large)valley and to a lesser extent, all the BLM land surrounding it? That's kind of an urban growth boundary in a sense.

I didn't think it was still in full throttle sprawl mode--in fact, during the tail end of the most recent construction boom, LV was increasing density with many infill/urbanish projects. Unfortunately, some of them never got finished. Key is DT, and they seem to be aware of that now. New high-rise housing has been built, and other mixed-use places like the Smith Center and the brain institute will only make DT more attractive. Despite it being such a young city which grew rapidly during the cultural sprawl era, I'd say they've caught on to the idea of density.

[Krases]

Having flown into both PDX and LV on a number of occassions--it seemed to me that the "blob" of lights was more compact in LV and ended abruptly, vs. PDX which semed to have a denser center/DT but was more spread out due to gradually dropping off density as you went further out. I know that's just anecdotal, but I came across these figures--the first # being urban area population(2000 census), middle figure is in sq. km. while final figure is density. LV's overall density is higher than PDX's!

From:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_urban_areas

Isn't LV constrained due to it being a (not so large)valley and to a lesser extent, all the BLM land surrounding it? That's kind of an urban growth boundary in a sense.

I didn't think it was still in full throttle sprawl mode--in fact, during the tail end of the most recent construction boom, LV was increasing density with many infill/urbanish projects. Unfortunately, some of them never got finished. Key is DT, and they seem to be aware of that now. New high-rise housing has been built, and other mixed-use places like the Smith Center and the brain institute will only make DT more attractive. Despite it being such a young city which grew rapidly during the cultural sprawl era, I'd say they've caught on to the idea of density.

A lot of sprawl is still occurring out to the west and north west by what I have seen from just taking casual drives around. New houses aren't really being built since the economy went bad, but the plots of land are smoothed out and divided up neatly for when houses are allowed to be built. They are even getting built uncomfortably close to Red Rock park.

[mac78130]

The website is up. I'm sure more info will be added later on:

http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/

[ScottG]

^^^^ wow! new logo - and name (now - 'the' cosmo. 'of las vegas' <<<i like it!)

notice its a hotel & casino....no condos,....but with 'condo-style ammenities.

A 100,000-square foot casino...featuring the latest technology, The Cosmopolitan will also offer the first of their kind: Casino Cabanas — part exclusive social atmosphere, part great gaming.....interesting, yet promising.

im excited for cosmo again!

[voice of reason]

It doesn't get clearer than this. Anybody who thinks that condo ownership is still in the plan deserves to get clipped 40% of their deposit.

They must be getting close to a major announcement to finally come out with the new website.