Harrods, the London retail shopping giant, is getting closer to unveiling plans for a long-rumored Las Vegas project.
A model of Harrods Las Vegas already is on display at the London department store, and a rendering can be seen on the architect's Web site at
www.william-mitchell.com (click on Harrods).
Rumblings continue that an early 2007 announcement is planned.
Owner Mohamed al-Fayed has confirmed that talks were under way more than a year ago, saying the huge replica will be part of "one of the most important developments there."
In the interview, he revealed it will include "a wonderful hotel and casino and shopping arcade."
That sentence is fueling speculation that the ritziest of all Ritz hotels will be the centerpiece of the project. Al-Fayed owns the Paris Ritz, which was constructed by Jules Hardouin Mansart, the architect of Versailles.
Al-Fayed previously acknowledged that he's had discussions with MGM Mirage about a large project that would tie in London landmarks.