[GeorgeLV]

Its under construction??

Yes, it broke ground on 9/27 and a couple days ago Scott G noted there's already a 10-foot hole excavated marking its footprint. Here's the press release:

http://lasvegasmarket.com/wmc/bm~doc/world-market-center-third-2.pdf

WMC Building C/Phase 3 stats

16 floors
2.1 million sq ft
$550 million cost
opening 2008

[mdiederi]

What's the building going up between the Chateau and Signature, behind Polo Tower? Yesterday I noticed a new tower crane and some columns sticking up there, but don't remember hearing of anything, and didn't have time to investigate closer.

edit: Might be another wing on the Chateau.
Went and got a closer look and my guess was right, it's a new wing on the Marriott Grand Chateau.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Chat2.jpg

[jazfingr]

Nice shot of the Chateau

It looked real ugly with only one wing complete.
Now it will only be ugly, not real ugly.

You can see the Planet Hollywood Towers site behind the Marriott to the right. Not much going on there yet. All I see is a yellow dumpster and some dirt.

[philip]

4 vegas projects hit top ten of the largest in the world...

http://www.manhattanization.com/news/three-las-vegas-condominium-projects-hit-top-ten.rub
Corection, that's "4 Vegas HOTEL projects hit top ten of the largest HOTEL projects in the world.

The largest projects are in Dubai, no questions about it.

[WonderlandPark]

Chateau is almost as bad at that Grand Vacations atrocity.

[lenstern]

The Marriott Grand Chateau is an absolute hideous design. A true architectural abortion that unfortunately can be seen from just about anywhere near the Strip. And to think, we will now have to look at it when it ends up being twice the size with the second phase now under construction. Bergman/Walls should be ashamed of themselves for designing such an abomination. One positive though, at least it isn't clad in that overused, passe, gaudy 1980's-era gold reflective glazing that just about every other project that firm turns out has, Trump Tower, Signature at MGM, Golden Nugget new tower, the proposed Mandalay Bay condos, etc., etc. Enough with gold curtain wall clad towers already - this is 2006! I bet you won't see a single square inch of that stuff on any of the completed building facades in the massive CityCenter.

[Patrick]

I dont have anything against Mariotts Grand and the Hilton @ LV Strip. I liked Marriotts Grand cause it fills in the skyline quite nicely. Plus I like Hilton Grand Vacations Club, its a nice mix of Art Deco and Late Modernist. I was never really a fan of Wynn Las Vegas, blah its way to big. I'm still dissapointed in CityCenter from becomeing a great looking project to a huge massive ugly glass forest. I really hate the VEER Towers, they are in the worst place possible. What happened to that huge mall with rooftop gardens? now it looks like the building collapsed itself.

Still, I think everyone agrees that the Montreux is the worst.

[ScottG]

^^^^^patrick i agree with you totally- i loves the 2nd design citycenter released- with the roof gardens- yes yes
grand chataeu is RUMORED to be a bit different that what wehave seen-

yes they are building each wing seperately (which btw you cant thing the tower is ugly because its STILL under construction- there will be 3 more sides to it- of course it is unflattering right now- a huge elevator shaft is exposed)

however- marriot wants to expand the chataeu (so i hear) they are think of expanding the 3rd and 4th wings- making them taller than the first 2- if they pull it off it may just look pretty nice- a good asymmetrical spin of the X design

ALSO city center is HUGE- i was driving on the strip today and was in aw when i was at a redlight infront of citycenter- not only is it LONGER than any other hotel- it definitly dominates the strip with the amount of construction goin on- but really- the thing is long- goin and curving in many directions- its confusing and interesting to see how the thing will look


lastly aladin took down ALL the palm trees in the front- something looked different there, then i realized all the trees were gone- it really looks more open and spacious- very different than before. the left side is completely different- no aladdin theme there- but the right side has some catching up to do. i guess tey are falling behind schedule- no way are they goin to complete the renovation before the year ends- maybe in march 07...

i actually saw a sign (i think on the website) that says 'coming soon' Planet hollywood- instead of 'coming 2006'

[mdiederi]

ScottG, are you confusing Hilton Grand Vacations Club with the Marriott?

[mdiederi]

Corection, that's "4 Vegas HOTEL projects hit top ten of the largest HOTEL projects in the world.

The largest projects are in Dubai, no questions about it.
Dubai probably has the most high rise projects going up all at once of any city I can think of.

But, which single building in Dubai under construction has the most floor space? The world's tallest, Burj Dubai?

Burj Dubai will have 3.6 million square feet of floor space. Palazzo is more than twice that size, at 7.4 million square feet of floor space, according to this document I found at the University. (http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/archdb/archinfo.php?act=2&ent=proj&id=647) And CityCenter is over 18 million square feet of floor space, but that includes several buildings and I don't know how big the main structure is by itself.

[jazfingr]

Well, design is very subjective. We all have our likes and dislikes. I look at it this way:

Architecture is much more than a skyline. Good architecture is meant to be experienced up close and inside as well as from a far.

In the 50's-60's architects were experimenting with future-modern design. It was bold, clean and different. It didn't borrow from history, rather, it abandoned history. Unfortunately, these buildings are not ageing well, from an infrastructure point of view.

The 70's was the homogenization of architecture, with countless flat, corporate, uninteresting boxes which added girth to our skylines and reflected history only in their mirrored glass curtain-walls. Luckily, they are neither ugly or beautiful, they just are and they don't command attention.

The 80's brought a new hybrid deemed post-modern which took elements from history and shaved off all the details. creating a look that, at the time, seemed perfect but now looks like the 80's.

Late 80's early 90's (Vegas only) The theme years. lets just say...whatever. OK, although I'm not a fan of Theme Architecture, The Bellagio is a beautiful project from all points of view.

The late 90's thru today (the Starbucks years) The architects and designers are a new young breed, presenting everything good from the 50's and 60's with technologically advanced and sophisticated building materials. Design is once again new, fresh and clean. It's back to the forward thinking of the 50's with a much larger pallet of possibilities.

Vegas is Vegas and architecturally speaking, there wasn't much there until Wynn built Wynn Las Vegas (please don't flame me lenstern). Cementing styrofoam replicas of Venetian and Parisian architectural elements to a big steel building is not real architecture.
Two huge leaning glass towers, which seem to defy gravity (especially when standing under them (I can't wait)), is real architecture.

And that's my opinion, for what it's worth.

Many of the Developers in Vegas are my Clients (I do graphic work, maps, websites etc.), so I don't want to burn any bridges. That said, I think several of the projects planned for Vegas are rather ugly but I won't say which. Yet.

OK, here's one, Soho is ugly :yuck: . There, I said it.

[mdiederi]

:haha: The Starbucks years. LOL

today i saw a rendering of that building (that i thought was a mall for citycenter) then is goin up where a Carrow's restoraunt used to be.....remember that small rending i found a while back showing a wacky building on the site between new york new york and monte carlo...well

its NOT a MALL, but it IS part of citycenter....its the SALES CENTER for city center....
This one?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/ccb10.jpg

[GeorgeLV]

Burj Dubai will have 3.6 million square feet of floor space. Palazzo is more than twice that size, at 7.4 million square feet of floor space, according to this document I found at the University. (http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/archdb/archinfo.php?act=2&ent=proj&id=647) And CityCenter is over 18 million square feet of floor space, but that includes several buildings and I don't know how big the main structure is by itself.

From the planning agenda:

"This is the proposed first phase of the project located east of Frank Sinatra Drive and south of Harmon Avenue and is a portion of the south 65 acres of the site. Block A will consist of 10,345,000 square feet including the resort hotel with 155,000 square feet of casino area, a 3 story, 565,000 convention center, a 2,000 seat theater, back-of-house areas, offices, two parking garages, one of which is a 13 level parking structure and a one subterranean garage located underneath the casino level."

http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0166576.htm

[JonVegas]

"I liked Marriotts Grand cause it fills in the skyline quite nicely. Plus I like Hilton Grand Vacations Club, its a nice mix of Art Deco and Late Modernist"

I agree.

BTW, does anyone know what floor Trump is up to? It looks about halfway from my commute.

[Patrick]

:haha: The Starbucks years. LOL


This one?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/ccb10.jpg

wow! I didnt know that was even there! Plus that picture is really clear! For a minuite I thought it was a model!

[mdiederi]

Block A will consist of 10,345,000 square feet
http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0166576.htm
Interesting. You know, these are some of the largest buildings in the world and they get almost zero recognition for that. Hell, the Pentagon is 6.6 million square feet.

I'm still very confused about the building names. They mention both the Lifestyle Hotel and Harmon Place. But I thought the curved Lifestyle Hotel on the corner of Harmon and the strip was renamed The Harmon. So which building is Harmon Place? I might have to go back over to the Bellagio and ask the people showing the model exactly what's named what. :sly:

Hmm, there's also a two level porte cochere at Harmon Place. Wonder what that's like?

Reading further, for Block A, Block B and Block C it says one of the building materials consists of "glass curtain wall systems". I think Lenstern is going to have to wait and see what this ends up looking like before he makes his final critique. ;)

Enough with gold curtain wall clad towers already - this is 2006! I bet you won't see a single square inch of that stuff on any of the completed building facades in the massive CityCenter.

[SniZeppelin]

Harrah's looks at bridge, expansion at Paris-Las Vegas


http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2006/10/23/news/news04.txt

Monday, October 23, 2006

BY DAVID MCKEE

Although it is officially noncommittal on its plans for the Four Corners area -- pending a much-anticipated master plan -- Harrah's Entertainment has mapped out substantial changes for Paris-Las Vegas. If realized, these would entail a significant rerouting of pedestrian traffic in front of the Parisian-themed resort.

According to a use-permit application filed with the Clark County Commission, pedestrians heading up and down the east side of the Strip would no longer be required to cross the 93-foot width of Paris-Las Vegas' driveway. Were Harrah's to get its wish, foot traffic would swerve 114 feet inland, "to create a promenade that results in a safer environment for pedestrians and patrons of the resort." Escalators, stairs and/or elevators would then convey sightseers onto a 24-foot-high pedestrian bridge, extending 180 feet across the casino-hotel's traffic roundabout.

"The intent of the bridge is to prevent people from crossing directly on the driveways. It's a safety issue," reported Assistant Planning Manager Lebene Ohene. "It's been a conflict for years." Had Harrah's gotten its original wish, pedestrians would have gone straight into the casino-hotel to reach the escalators that will convey passengers to the bridge's north end. "The county wouldn't let them have it entirely inside the building," Ohene said of this access scheme. Thus, the plan (which was approved at last Wednesday's Commission meeting) now calls for an external elevator and stairs, in addition to the escalators going into and out of the casino.
Pedestrians were routed through the Flamingo Las Vegas and Harrah's Las Vegas Casino & Hotel when the sidewalk areas of those properties were under renovation in the late 1990s, but as a permanent arrangement it is unheard-of on the Strip.

Not so at the skyway level, UNLV History Department Chairman Eugene Moehring pointed out. He cites the MGM Grand-to-New York-New York, Treasure Island-to-Venetian and Caesars Palace-to-Bellagio pedestrian bridges among ones that require direct ingress to one -- and sometimes both -- of the casino-hotels at either end.

BUT WAIT ... THERE'S MORE

Harrah's also has big plans for Paris-Las Vegas' southwest corner, which will be expanded by 34,000 square feet, with 25,500 square feet of existing space being made over. This enlargement will encompass, among other things, an 88-foot-tall dome. A second dome, 51 feet high, will shelter the escalators at the north end of the pedestrian bridge.

An indoor-outdoor restaurant's patio will extend to within 10 feet of the current sidewalk. This augmented Paris will boast a facade described as "a late 18th century Parisian design featuring columns and large windows with sculptured embellishments in unison with the existing design of the building."

"I can't elaborate on those plans at this point," said Harrah's spokesman David Strow, who added that -- were the pedestrian bridge to be built -- foot traffic would remain open in front of Paris-Las Vegas during construction. "Since we are deep in the master-planning process, it's still premature to talk beyond what's in the public record," Strow elaborated.

Once the plans have been approved, Harrah's has two years to actually begin construction, according to Ohene. Additional delays could be granted, as well.

Speculation has been swirling as to the future of Bally's-Las Vegas, particularly after Penta Building Group alluded to a "Bally's project," rumored to be a partial demolition of the hotel casino, in a press release that escaped Harrah's vetting process. And when Harrah's takes possession of the Barbary Coast Hotel & Casino, it will not gain Michael's Gourmet Restaurant. On Oct. 16, Boyd Gaming announced that Michael's would be transplanted to South Coast Hotel Casino, as part of the severance between South Coast owner Michael Gaughan Sr. and Boyd. No date for the transfer has been announced.

dmckee@lvbusinesspress.com|702-871-6780 x318

[lenstern]

For all of those die-hard Wynn advocates out there, it appears that the original conceptual design for WLV actually came from some guy named Dietmar Scherf, who is neither an architect nor even in the gaming resort design industry. It actually evolved as some sort of promotional scheme called "Cascada" that he was peddling for a major casino/hotel property. This scheme was not even designed by a professional architect! He [Scherf] was pitching this as far back as 1997, long before WLV was even in the preliminary design phase and the D.I. property having been secured by Wynn. The design similarities between the two are more than simple coincidence, not just in the selection of the exterior facde material window wall, the overall curvilinear shape of the tower, but most importantly the general site development of the property incorporating the 'mountain' feature location is uncannily similar to the final WLV site design. These similarities even extend to include what is clearly an early adaptation of what became the WLV logo itself. Check out the detailed specs for this proposal describing the resort's amenities by clicking the additional link; it even describes an on-site car dealership for "customized/special order luxury automobiles" as a feature component of the property. Sound familiar? Considering Wynn's in-house design resources that were available to him, including Butler, it appears that the original seed for this 2.7 billion dollar 'utimate' resort had its genesis as some insignificant fantasy promo, pie-in-the-sky idea created by someone who clearly lacked professional credentials. Not too original Steve. See for yourself...

http://scherf.com/cascada.htm

[ScottG]

i heard a while back that the south tower at balleys would be imploded- this would open up the view from the paris tower and it wouldnt destroy the ballys casino since the south tower is next to the parking lot- the north tower (and further from the strip) would stay because it is directly above the casino....

[ScottG]

old news about cascada---- VERY similiar in many aspects- but who knows

i heard that the initial color of wynn was goin to be black instead of bronze...

[mdiederi]

I don't care for the fake mountain at Wynn. The waterfall and the variety of trees are nice, but the big pile of fake rock is ugly and uninviting. Reminds me of the cheap looking fake rock formation in front of the Aladdin.

[SpeedyFarrar]

For all of those die-hard Wynn advocates out there, it appears that the original conceptual design for WLV actually came from some guy named Dietmar Scherf, who is neither an architect nor even in the gaming resort design industry. It actually evolved as some sort of promotional scheme called "Cascada" that he was peddling for a major casino/hotel property. This scheme was not even designed by a professional architect! He [Scherf] was pitching this as far back as 1997, long before WLV was even in the preliminary design phase and the D.I. property having been secured by Wynn. The design similarities between the two are more than simple coincidence, not just in the selection of the exterior facde material window wall, the overall curvilinear shape of the tower, but most importantly the general site development of the property incorporating the 'mountain' feature location is uncannily similar to the final WLV site design. These similarities even extend to include what is clearly an early adaptation of what became the WLV logo itself. Check out the detailed specs for this proposal describing the resort's amenities by clicking the additional link; it even describes an on-site car dealership for "customized/special order luxury automobiles" as a feature component of the property. Sound familiar? Considering Wynn's in-house design resources that were available to him, including Butler, it appears that the original seed for this 2.7 billion dollar 'utimate' resort had its genesis as some insignificant fantasy promo, pie-in-the-sky idea created by someone who clearly lacked professional credentials. Not too original Steve. See for yourself...

http://scherf.com/cascada.htm

Yeah it's sorta like Wynn, but it's sorta like alot of hotels/casinos. The curving tower is also similar to the Borgata or Rio, the water feature looks more like The Mirage's without the lava effects than the Wynn mountain, etc. I think your hatred of Wynn is clouding your judgement

[lenstern]

While this might be old news, any reasonable thinking person when comparing the "Cascada" design concept with WLV would clearly notice much more than just a few similarities - there is no way one could walk away from this and not realize the concept for that fantasy B.S. promo project was clearly copied by Wynn without any doubt whatsover, even down to the logo design. I have been in the architectural field my entire life and I have never seen such an overall stiking resemblance in overall design concept, site development and specs for any two projects. C'mon look at the 'mountain' feature and its placement on the site as it relates to the as-built design This is the biggest design farce ever and I'm sure Wynn will never admit to his own design staff's inability to create a decent, original architecturally progressive building in the first place. It is just as well for Steve because now it explains why WLV has turned out to be such an inferior design from just about every objective persepctive. FYI - very early design development plans originally considered using yet another example of that horrid, overused gold glazing, hell black curtain wall might have actually been an improvement!

[Lecom]

Went and got a closer look and my guess was right, it's a new wing on the Marriott Grand Chateau.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Chat2.jpg
Looks good, except for the unnecessarily butt-ugly shaft on the right side.

[jazfingr]

The butt-ugly shaft is the elevator shaft, to which all four towers will be connected in an "X" shape like Paris..

[SpeedyFarrar]

While this might be old news, any reasonable thinking person when comparing the "Cascada" design concept with WLV would clearly notice much more than just a few similarities - there is no way one could walk away from this and not realize the concept for that fantasy B.S. promo project was clearly copied by Wynn without any doubt whatsover, even down to the logo design. I have been in the architectural field my entire life and I have never seen such an overall stiking resemblance in overall design concept, site development and specs for any two projects. C'mon look at the 'mountain' feature and its placement on the site as it relates to the as-built design This is the biggest design farce ever and I'm sure Wynn will never admit to his own design staff's inability to create a decent, original architecturally progressive building in the first place. It is just as well for Steve because now it explains why WLV has turned out to be such an inferior design from just about every objective persepctive. FYI - very early design development plans originally considered using yet another example of that horrid, overused gold glazing, hell black curtain wall might have actually been an improvement!

Cascada has just as much in common with The Mirage as it does with Wynn. Wynn is inferior? How so other than the tower not being on the cutting edge architecturally? Wynn never claimed to be an architect, but really, the architecture of a hotel/casino isn't the most important thing. The public spaces, rooms, and overall design atmosphere are what gets people to come and gamble/stay/shop/eat. Wynn is very good at that aspect, the success of his properties show that. If I could afford it I'd stay at Wynn, it's a great property.

[WonderlandPark]

Many of the Developers in Vegas are my Clients (I do graphic work, maps, websites etc.), so I don't want to burn any bridges. That said, I think several of the projects planned for Vegas are rather ugly but I won't say which. Yet.

OK, here's one, Soho is ugly :yuck: . There, I said it.

Nice summary, by the way, how is the job market in graphic design there in Vegas? Looking to get out of SoCal to some place where one can actually afford to buy a home.

[lenstern]

Actually WLV is a very poorly designed property from purely a planning perspective overall when cosidering the public space flow, the porte-cochere main entrance is a absolue disaster as far as allowing for the the accumulation + density of vehicular traffic flow (the local cabbies absolutely hate the place). The check-in area layout is abominable as well. In fact, there is so much congestion within portions containing the main floor venues and lower level lake feature that make it impossible to maintain the proper flow of masses of people efficiently throughtout the primary level of the property. Bottlenecks exist everywhere. The ancillary self-parking facilities (a hold over from the original D.I.) is, to say the least, not conenvient for guests checking in the property on their own. The pool is in the worst location possible when considering how much unrestricted, 'blank slate' site area they had available to them when planning the project and it is also situated way too far from the main tower. Let's hope they address these issues with Encore, but I highly doubt that will turn out any better when completed. The list of deficiencies in the design of WLV and the planning of that property just goes on and on. Don't even get me started on the interior, even to the untrained layperson, all who have commented on the fact that WLV was just a very poor attempt to try and replicate finishes and desgin elements used in the original Bellagio. Lifescapes Int'l. landscape design is getting really repetitive and old at this point which is certainly evident in WLV (think Mirage, Bellagio) - the design execution of that 'mountain' feature with those ridiculously placed trees is absolutely hideous from any angle. Steve seriously needs to start thinking about retaining some of the truly "accomplished" architects out there in the future (provided that they would even consider working for him) and keep his hands off of the design and planning of his properties. I shudder to think he just built a smaller version of this atrosity in Macau. Let's not forget what his unchecked, irresponsible and overly extravagant spending did to Mirage Resorts back in 2000 when Kerkorian thankfully came in and swept it up at $21 - saving the shareholders from further losses since the stock had already completely tanked under Steve's watch. Wynn needs to learn to stop running public corporations like they were his own little personal private enterprise, because they're not...

[GeorgeLV]

Interesting. You know, these are some of the largest buildings in the world and they get almost zero recognition for that.

There once was a thread here the compared the Google maps satellite views of the Strip and Midtown Manhatten at the same scale. The floor plates of the hotel towers here are astonishingly huge.

[Vtown420]

Does anyone know what the final design for City Center is? Is this it?
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/1584/pcc2wb6.jpg
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/446/264797771092fde3959dw7.jpg

Will the tops of the main towers be built? I hope so. What about the bridge? Looks like it was totally redesigned in this rendering.
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9818/pcc3gd2.jpg

[LMich]

The first two renderings are the tenative final designs, and I saw tenative because with a project as large as this, anything can change any time. And, what do you mean by "will the tops of the towers be built?" I really don't see what you mean by a huge difference. This project hasn't been majorly overhauled for quite some time.

[Vtown420]

See how the top of the buildings in this render don't have a fin or whatever you want to call it? That's what I'm wondering about.
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2594/pcc4cg7.jpg

[mdiederi]

The model on display at Bellagio is the most recent version. Guess you won't see the leaning towers unless you are directly in front.

[ScottG]

jeez- look how the towers trump over monte carlo- its interesting that they dont show the height of cosmopolitan- they only show the doot print- cosmo will make it hard to see citycenter from the south.

its amazing how dense that area will be

[VegasMatt]

There once was a thread here the compared the Google maps satellite views of the Strip and Midtown Manhatten at the same scale. The floor plates of the hotel towers here are astonishingly huge.


Could someone please dig this image up? I'd love to see the comparisons.



LENSTERN

Do you like any of the current architecture on in Las Vegas?
Examples please...

If not, why are you on this forum?

[lenstern]

VegasMatt: To answer, what I personally interpret to be a rather malicious comment by you, "why are you on this forum?" I will only dignify this response to you: the last time I checked, I believe that we are all entitled to freedom of expression and freedom of speech/opinion in this country. This is a forum about Las Vegas architecture relating to building design + construction, a topic that I am more than familiar with my entire life. My primary intention is to contribute and foster constructive dialogue, which may include opposing points of, on this forum. Given my history as an insider in this field, I would expect that you would welcome my contribution(s) and opinions (whether or not you agree or disagree with my point of view or not) rather than berate me.

[future29]

i think the next step for MGM after all of PCC is complete is to blow up the Monte Carlo and add more buildings of the same city center type. it would look a lot better. the Monte Carlo does not fit in at all.

[lenstern]

'future29': I could not agree with you more. There is apparently some sort of contractual issue regarding the absorption of that property when MGM bouught out Mirage Resorts which (at the time) owned 50% of that particular property that somehow prohibits it from demolishing that P.O.S. It certainly would have contributed to the much needed site development acreage, considering the overcrowding which is now condensed in the 66 acres that make up project CityCenter encompassing 18 million s.f. of development. Actually Monte Carlo should have been imploded years ago, for aesthetic reasons only.

[Capsule F]

So is City Center what is going on the plot between the Monte Carlo and then I forget what is next, Bellagio maybe on that side? I was just in Vegas staying at NY NY and noticed that huge parcel with some construction taking place.

[mdiederi]

I remember that Mirage owned the land and Mandalay (then called Circus Circus) built the Monte Carlo.

I think Circus Circus might be a better strategic redevelopment for MGM/Mirage so that they'll have something more competitive next to Echelon. But that's way off in the future.

[VegasMatt]

VegasMatt: To answer, what I personally interpret to be a rather malicious comment by you, "why are you on this forum?"

Please except my apologies for sounding malicious.

This is an incredible forum, which I do not mean to demean with pettiness. I simply wanted to know what architecture you do enjoy in the valley, so can I know better where you are coming from. If you didn’t like anything, it’s oblivious you wouldn’t be on the forum. Since your critiques of current architecture are often demeaning, it’s difficult to gauge what you think a good example of architecture is. Knowing your father has been involved in many projects in the valley, that you are privy to insider information, and have many interesting insights on current projects; I welcome your constructive dialog. I value everyone's opinion on the board, regardless
of qualifiactions.

We are all fans of Vegas here…

[JonVegas]

VegasMatt: To answer, what I personally interpret to be a rather malicious comment by you, "why are you on this forum?"

What about the question on buildings you like?

In fact, I'm interested in hearing about everyones current favorite Vegas building. Build/Construction or Proposed.

Right now my favorite is Stanhi. I think it will look great downtown and the Cherry track record of actually building got it a few extra points.

[lenstern]

VegasMatt: Let's just say that I am not a fan of any 'current' Las Vegas architecture as-built, with the exception of a small handful of luxury high rise condos that are under construction (or destined to 'actually' end up being built). I am, quite honestly, not a fan all of all of my father's work as well, particularly the original MGM Grand (Ballys). Rememebr that it was built in the early 1970's and was the world's largest hotel at the time, but I never cared for the design of that building, even back then, and I was a young designer on that very project myself. On the other hand, the proposed Xanadu Hotel + Casino, which my father designed, that unfortunately was never constructed, would have been an absolute masterwork and was the largest atrium hotel in the world in the mid-1970's. It would have even survived until today as an extraordinary example of great Las Vegas architecture - instead the land was sold and they ending up building Veldon Simpson's horrendous Excalibur Hotel + Casino on that very site.

CityCenter, without a doubt, will elevate Las Vegas to the leading-edge of great architectural design, consistant with the level of architectural excellence that is currently under development in the world's most prolific high rise cities, that being built in Dubai + Shanghai. Most of the architects working on CityCenter were all former clients of mine. I personally know both Ceasr Pelli and Helmut Jahn. At least Kerkorian has the insight to leave us such with such a great leagacy of architectural progression.

[lenstern]

VegasMatt: Let's just say that I am not a fan of any 'current' Las Vegas architecture as-built, with the exception of a small handful of luxury high rise condos that are under construction (or destined to 'actually' end up being built). I am, quite honestly, not a fan all of all of my father's work as well, particularly the original MGM Grand (Ballys). Rememebr that it was built in the early 1970's and was the world's largest hotel at the time, but I never cared for the design of that building, even back then, and I was a young designer on that very project myself. On the other hand, the proposed Xanadu Hotel + Casino, which my father designed, that unfortunately was never constructed, would have been an absolute masterwork and was the largest atrium hotel in the world in the mid-1970's. It would have even survived until today as an extraordinary example of great Las Vegas architecture - instead the land was sold and they ending up building Veldon Simpson's horrendous Excalibur Hotel + Casino on that very site.

CityCenter, without a doubt, will elevate Las Vegas to the leading-edge of great architectural design, consistant with the level of architectural excellence that is currently under development in the world's most prolific high rise cities, that being built in Dubai + Shanghai. Most of the architects working on CityCenter were all former clients of mine. I personally know both Ceasr Pelli and Helmut Jahn. At least Kerkorian has the insight to leave us such with such a great leagacy of architectural progression.

[mdiederi]

I like Red Rock's "desert contemporary" design. It's an appropriate design for the neighborhood that it is in. But, I think it would be to subtle if it was on the strip.

Very curious what the Fertitta's have planned for the Wild Wild West site, but they will build a few more local's spots first.

[SpeedyFarrar]

Re: Favorite building/project, my favorite is the W and of course CityCenter

[VegasMatt]

What about the question on buildings you like?



Jon Vegas-

Let me note that I live in Vegas so I’m partial to the resorts I utilize more often. Either because my guests like to visit them or I like there amenities – a.k.a – restaurants. I’ve also lived in Detroit, Chicago and Pittsburgh, so I’m no stranger to attractive architecture. I don’t mention this to make myself sound important, but because my odd choices may sound as if I’ve never been in a large city.

Generally speaking, the more fantastic, the more I like it.

I can find something I like in just about every major casino. Here are bits of several resorts:

Favorites:

Outside:
Paris – I don’t care if it’s Styrofoam, nor do I care if it’s imitating another building, I just like it. Really, only the outside though - I don't much care for the Casino Area.
Inside:
Mandalay Bay – Attractive and comfortable.
Single Area:
Caesar’s Mall Expansion (just the newest part) – A Little tricky to get around but wow, it’s cool.
Structurally:
Luxor – I think this thing is underrated, the structure is incredible. None the less, I wished they’d do something better with the inside.
Overall – Bellagio
Beautiful Inside and out – Nice Public Areas – Fun to visit - Practically prefect in every way
Developing:
Citycenter – of course, it’s the biggest... This one worries me abit though; I’m not seeing many amenities offered up elsewhere in Vegas, and I like fun places, it doesn’t look terribly inviting.
2nd Place - Town Center – I like the old time flavor, also looks like it will have cozy public areas, and it looks useful –museum, movies, restaurants, affordable shopping.
3rd - Palazzo - the model looks better than the pictures- have you seen the pool deck...

Still waiting for more news on Echelon place.

Proposed:
Las Vegas Wet – Here’s where my bias really shows, because we really need a water park here.

There are so many more great little spots too, (the new “Love” area in The Mirage, Ice Cream Shop in Wynn), I can’t list them all.

I would also like to know everyone elses favorites too.

[lenstern]

Just wait for CityCenter to be completed - end of story. Cherry is the ONLY savvy developer willing to take a risk at successfully developing downtown properties. This is a really limited market and fills the gap for those who cannot afford Strip/adjacent high-rise luxury condos; the most substantial buyers in the marketplace will never consider purchasing a luxury high-rise condominum in any downtown neighborhood.

[drobar]

I'll second that. It needs to be imploded. It's an eyesore. It will look even worse next to PCC.


'future29': I could not agree with you more. There is apparently some sort of contractual issue regarding the absorption of that property when MGM bouught out Mirage Resorts which (at the time) owned 50% of that particular property that somehow prohibits it from demolishing that P.O.S. It certainly would have contributed to the much needed site development acreage, considering the overcrowding which is now condensed in the 66 acres that make up project CityCenter encompassing 18 million s.f. of development. Actually Monte Carlo should have been imploded years ago, for aesthetic reasons only.

[mdiederi]

Jon Vegas-

amenities – a.k.a – restaurants. ...

...Citycenter ... This one worries me abit though; I’m not seeing many amenities
I'm pretty sure they will have restaurants. :D

(I know that's not what you meant, but I couldn't resist.)

[mdiederi]

- Town Center –
Is that that place Turnberry is building right at the end of the airport runway? Why would they want to develop something at the end of the runway? :shrug: Cheap land I guess. :cool:

[ScottG]

^^^no thats actually a great location- you get the freeway traffic-

i REALLY like the clark county government center (NOT to be confused with the reginal justice center NO!)

I love the sand stone material and flow the building takes....

http://www.fentressbradburn.com/Images/Used/CLARK_courtyard.jpg

[VegasMatt]

Is that that place Turnberry is building right at the end of the airport runway? Why would they want to develop something at the end of the runway? :shrug: Cheap land I guess. :cool:

Yes it's at the end of the runway.
It'll have a hotel component, which I would NEVER use, due to the plane traffic overhead. Still, it should enjoyable to visit during the day and evening.

While not at mid-strip prices, I'm sure the land wasn't cheap, it's right on LAS Vegas Boulevard. It's also next to the freeway; Turnberry said they will be building an off ramp from the freeway directly into the development.

It's where Vacation Village used to be. It's a huge plot of land.

[VegasMatt]

I'm pretty sure they will have restaurants. :D

(I know that's not what you meant, but I couldn't resist.)

Yes, I had that coming. :)
Of course it will have some pools, clubs, restaurants, a spa, shops, and a show. I, of course, meant unique amenities, to make it stand out from the crowd. Oh yes, lets not forget the casino component.

[mdiederi]

I heard that CityCenter will have it's own grocery store and a complete fire department, amenities for the condo buyers.

[ebatcave]

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, United States (UPI) -- U.S. casino mogul Steve Wynn and developer Donald Trump are discussing a deal that reportedly involves property in Atlantic City, N.J.

Wynn wants to build a casino on the city`s boardwalk, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Tuesday, and his preferred site includes 12 acres where the current Trump Plaza sits.

For his part, Trump is interested in building a residential tower in front of the Trump Taj Mahal. Also, investors in Trump`s Atlantic City properties have urged him to diversify his casino holdings beyond the New Jersey site, a move that might be easier if he sells acreage to Wynn.

Any deal between the two businessmen might also include a swap for land that Wynn owns in Las Vegas, the newspaper reported, citing anonymous sources.

[mdiederi]

Gaming Today is reporting that JPL (James Packer) and Melco International (Lawrence Ho) are making a $750 million offer for the Sahara.

[mdiederi]

Drove down the north strip at noon today and the Fontainebleau site is full of heavy equipment busy digging a big hole and pushing a lot of dirt around.

[lenstern]

Re: Wynn Atlantic City. If this project ever does evolve into something that has any viable potential whatsoever, I question whether or not Steve Wynn can even obtain a gaming license in New Jersey. If you remember back in 1980, Wynn was considered 'unsuitable' to be granted a gaming license in N.J and ultimately was forced to sell the Golden Nugget Atlantic City as a direct result of the fact he did not meet their criteria at the time as a candidate for permanent licensure and therefore he was denied.

[GeorgeLV]

New Office Project for Downtown

World Jewelery Center
57 stories
815 ft tall
office tower: 800,000 sq ft
retail center: 125,000 sq ft
completion: end of 2009/beginning of 2010
developer: Probity International Corporation
http://www.worldjewelrycenter.com/

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4417/towerbty1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Local news coverage here:
http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5588226
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-26-Thu-2006/business/10439038.html

[mdiederi]

Excellent news! :tup: Tall, sophisticated and not gaming. Downtown needs diversification to succeed, because resort companies are reluctant to develop there. It's about time that other industries wake up to the business friendly tax structure here.

They say it will be "one of" the tallest office towers here, but even with condos on the top few floors, at 50 stories it will be THE tallest office tower in the valley. Maybe they know of some other stuff in the works? Let's hope so.

[mdiederi]

investors in Trump`s Atlantic City properties have urged him to diversify his casino holdings beyond the New Jersey site
I'm speculating that he'll team up with or buy out Ruffin.

Any deal between the two businessmen might also include a swap for land that Wynn owns in Las Vegas, the newspaper reported, citing anonymous sources.
I wonder what land that is?

Re: Wynn Atlantic City. If this project ever does evolve into something that has any viable potential whatsoever, I question whether or not Steve Wynn can even obtain a gaming license in New Jersey. If you remember back in 1980, Wynn was considered 'unsuitable' to be granted a gaming license in N.J and ultimately was forced to sell the Golden Nugget Atlantic City as a direct result of the fact he did not meet their criteria at the time as a candidate for permanent licensure and therefore he was denied.
Did Wynn ever get licensed for that property next to Borgata that MGM now owns?

[The_Analyst]

For those of you interested in Steve Wynn design ideas, check out last week's "The Strip Podcast." This podcast normally is oriented to Vegas entertainment but last week's episode contains a nearly one hour long interview with Wynn from a few months ago just prior to his opening of Macau. He gets into some interesting comments on design including his deliberate reasons for creating "chokepoints" in the design of entrances/walkways. He also mentioned that he originally wanted to build The Mirage on the UP land downtown but Union Pacific rejected his purchase offer at the time.

He calls Venetian a "big ugly box" and characterizes Frontier as the "biggest toilet in Vegas." He also has some interesting thoughts about future development in Macau. Interviewer is Steve Friess who writes for Newsweek, USA Today, etc.

http://www.thestrippodcast.com/

[Patrick]

WOW! I love the World Jewelery Center!

At 815 feet, that will make it the tallest building in the State! (not counting Stratosphere)

[CHAPINM1]

Great news about the Jewelery Center!!! It will be great to see a building of this height being built in Vegas! This goes to show that the city is really growing and that we have something now to look foward to of this magnitude ever since Ivana was Canceled...

This goes to show that since Vegas is growing, there is more to the economy then just gaming. Also, it shows that it's a place where people are going to live, not just going to visit. In other words, it is developing more and more into a real city!

BTW, does anyone know when construction is slated to began on this project?

[SpeedyFarrar]

Looks like other industries are noticing how big of a success the WMC has been.

[ebatcave]

By HOWARD STUTZ
GAMING WIRE

MGM Mirage on Wednesday unveiled plans for residences at the $7 billion Project CityCenter, saying the 66-acre site will include four condominium developments encompassing five high-rise towers.

Units in the development have a price range from $500,000 to $8 million.

A preview center is open at Bellagio, where potential owners can sign an interest list. Sales for all 2,700 residences will begin in January, when MGM Mirage opens CityCenter's 30,000-square-foot sales office on the Strip, which will include model units.

"We're building an interest list for now and our big push will be in January," said Tony Dennis, executive vice president of CityCenter's residential division. "Our goal is to help guide a prospective buyer to the condominium that is the right home of their choice."

The residential choices will include one condominium-only project, two condominium developments that will be built on top of boutique hotels, and one free-standing condomimum-hotel.

Construction on Project CityCenter is under way on the Strip south of the Bellagio. The development's most prominent feature, a 60-story, 4,000-room hotel-casino designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli, is beginning to take shape.

CityCenter will also include retail, entertainment, restaurants and other amenities in an urban village setting.

Construction of the initial residential tower is expected to begin in November.

Gaming analysts have been skeptical of the CityCenter condominiums' chance of success because of the large number of residential projects announced or that are under construction along the Strip corridor. However, the involvement of MGM Mirage minimizes some of the concern.

Las Vegas-based gaming analyst Bill Lerner of Deutsche Bank said residential sales are important to MGM Mirage's overall financial picture for CityCenter. He said if the company can sell the units on an average of $1,100 a square foot, the company can reduce its overall costs for project CityCenter to about $4.5 billion.

"I feel pretty good about (MGM Mirage) being able to get the return they are looking for," Lerner said. "My sense is the location and the association with the MGM Mirage portfolio gives them better sense relative to anyone else in the market."

Dennis said an average of 500 couples a day are visiting the preview center. A second preview center is slated to open at The Mirage.

"We have about 3,000 names on the interest list and we hope to be in the five-digit range by January," Dennis said.

The initial construction will begin on Vdara, a 1,543-unit condominium-hotel with units ranging from 500 square feet to 1,850 square feet. Vdara will be built between Bellagio and the CityCenter hotel-casino.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel will have approximately 227 condominium units above the 400-room hotel tower, with the 4,100-square-foot penthouses coming with the highest price in Project CityCenter at $8 million.

A second boutique hotel, The Harmon, will be operated by MGM Mirage. It will have 228 condominiums above its 400 hotel rooms.

In both hotels, condominium owners will have use of the hotels' amenities.

The Veer Towers, twin 37-story condominium high-rises, will be CityCenter's only pure residential-only development with units ranging from 500 square feet to 2,600 square feet.

[LMich]

Where's the floor count come from for World Jewelry Center, just wondering?

[mdiederi]

Reading the Review Journal article again, it says the height is "approved" up to 815 feet, but currently is designed at 57 floors.

[mdiederi]

He calls Venetian a "big ugly box" and characterizes Frontier as the "biggest toilet in Vegas." He also has some interesting thoughts about future development in Macau. Interviewer is Steve Friess who writes for Newsweek, USA Today, etc.

http://www.thestrippodcast.com/

Ha, I just listened to that and he was joking that the Aladdin might be the first to get demolished twice.

[LMich]

Reading the Review Journal article again, it says the height is "approved" up to 815 feet, but currently is designed at 57 floors.

I understand that, and a 57 story building could very well be 815 feet. But, I'm asking, where did the 57 floor number come from? All I see is media reporting 50+ floors. Did someone simply count them on the recent rendering?

[mdiederi]

I understand that, and a 57 story building could very well be 815 feet. But, I'm asking, where did the 57 floor number come from? All I see is media reporting 50+ floors. Did someone simply count them on the recent rendering?



Oct. 26, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

SOME EXTRA SPARKLE (http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-26-Thu-2006/business/10439038.html)

La Vegas mayor sees economy diversifier in new World Jewelry Center

By JENNIFER ROBISON
REVIEW-JOURNAL


A vacant parcel of land in downtown Las Vegas ...

... Plans for the building are incomplete, but it's currently designed to have 57 stories. The Federal Aviation Administration has given a clearance to the center of up to 815 feet ...


Maybe the RJ reporter counted them?

Don't know how reliable of a source they are since they are the local paper and misspelled the name of their own city in the subhead of the story. LOL :haha:

[LMich]

The reason I'm asking is because I'd like to add this one to Emporis.com, and they required very specific sources for information, now.

[JonVegas]

I didn't think we would see an office tower this tall for a long time. This is great news.

BTW Is Club Ren officially dead or what?

[jai0707]

DOes anyone have any recent photos of PCC construction???

[mdiederi]

Okay, I just added some more to the construction thread.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=109405

[ebatcave]

"Colony Capital's 3,174-room Las Vegas Hilton could soon be history, Strip scuttlebutt suggests. Deutsche Bank's Bill Lerner last week told investors "recent channel checks" suggest wrecking crews in the next 12 months to 18 months will level an unidentified hotel-casino that hasn't hit anyone's radar yet. Reliable insiders, however, say the target will be the iconic former International. That's consistent with plans previously presented to state regulators. Should the announcement come, Lerner predicts improving returns for Strip operators. Moreover, given current investor expectations of more lower tier property closings and more development of upscale projects, Lerner says developers likely will move toward midlevel properties as an alternative to added upscale supply." Las Vegas Review Journal.

[FlyersFan118]

I understand that, and a 57 story building could very well be 815 feet. But, I'm asking, where did the 57 floor number come from? All I see is media reporting 50+ floors. Did someone simply count them on the recent rendering?

Actually, the Comcast Center over my way is going to be 975 feet, and is only 57 stories. :)

Las Vegas is lookin' sweet! :tup:

[mdiederi]

Halloween 2006. Last night of business for the Stardust, which will soon be reduced to dust.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Stardust-1.jpg

[ScottG]

http://www.expoease.com/images/main.jpg
NOT THE FINAL DESIGN- NOTICE THE LAST PHASE BUILDINGS ARE JUST A COPY OF PHASE 2- THOSE BUILDINGS WILLACTUALLY BE DIFFERNET

[StatenIslander237]

"Colony Capital's 3,174-room Las Vegas Hilton could soon be history, Strip scuttlebutt suggests. Deutsche Bank's Bill Lerner last week told investors "recent channel checks" suggest wrecking crews in the next 12 months to 18 months will level an unidentified hotel-casino that hasn't hit anyone's radar yet. Reliable insiders, however, say the target will be the iconic former International. That's consistent with plans previously presented to state regulators. Should the announcement come, Lerner predicts improving returns for Strip operators. Moreover, given current investor expectations of more lower tier property closings and more development of upscale projects, Lerner says developers likely will move toward midlevel properties as an alternative to added upscale supply." Las Vegas Review Journal.

That's messed up, i can handle places like the sands, hacienda, dunes, etc. being demolished, but theyre taking it too far with the older hotels. And the Hilton isnt like the other oldies, it does a pretty good business, and it has a monorail station. It wouldnt be wise to demolish it.

[Patrick]

http://www.expoease.com/images/main.jpg
NOT THE FINAL DESIGN- NOTICE THE LAST PHASE BUILDINGS ARE JUST A COPY OF PHASE 2- THOSE BUILDINGS WILLACTUALLY BE DIFFERNET

Actually almost all the renderings show those 3 towers identical. Where did you hear that they arent?

If that the final design then, EWW! Seriosuly thats just horrible. The first 3 towers look great, the others are lame. They are way to close to each other, they need to put like a nice green field in the middle to space it out.

[LMich]

Huh? They all look to have the same style, to me. How could the last three be any worse?

[mdiederi]

News story about Inspirada
http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2006/11/03/feature1.html

Excerpts:

Mammoth locals casino planned in Henderson

By Brian Wargo / Staff Writer

The developer of a Henderson master-planned community that's about to introduce New Urbanism to the Las Vegas Valley has unveiled its proposal for a large casino at the heart of the Inspirada development.

In preliminary plans submitted to Henderson, Focus Property Group has called for a 153,000- square-foot casino on 37 acres of the 1,953-acre development in west Henderson. The 190-foot-tall hotel will measure 510,000 square feet and have 1,000 guest rooms.

If the casino is built as planned it would be the biggest locals casino in the Las Vegas Valley, eclipsing the 137,000-square-foot Orleans, according to Gaming Control Board numbers. The Inspirada casino would be the fourth biggest in the valley, behind only Strip megaresorts Bellagio (160,000 square feet), Mandalay Bay (157,000 square feet) and MGM Grand (156,000 square feet).
...
"We wanted to get the boundaries of the hotel set as early in the process as we can," Amick said. "The preliminary plans we submitted could change to what the operator wants, but we wanted everyone to know where the site was going to be for disclosure purposes when they are buying a home."
...
The venture will be one of the nation's largest New Urbanism communities that at a minimum will feature 11,500 residences.
...
There will be no gated communities and few walls and homes will emphasize the porch and deemphasize the garage.

KB Home prices aren't available but there will be a mix of garden homes with a backyard courtyard, town homes, estate homes and homes with a central courtyard and homes with garages in the rear.
...

[mdiederi]

Story on the Dragon City Hotel and Resort to be built in Chinatown on Spring Mt. and Wynn Roads. It will have 50 restaurants.
http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2006/11/03/tourism.html

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

[JonVegas]

It's funny that the In Business article mentions the Conde Nast Traveler magazine top 100 list because I happened to read it in a waiting room this week.

It's also funny that the only reason I picked it up was to find pictures of Las Vegas and see where it ranked. I was a little bit stunned when I couldn't find it on the list.

I guess I just don't understand how Las Vegas could be overlooked like that considering the amount of visitors and touristy things here. Don't get me wrong, Frisco and Chicago and all those places are way cool but they're not Las Vegas. Any city that has a "last call" would not be on my list of places to spend a weekend away from work.

Traveler magazine readers can feign sophistication all they want. I don't believe they actually like spending their vacation taking in bohemian charm and sampling hippie food at some secret hookah bar in an even more secret section of Frisco. In truth they are all going to make a least one Vegas trip this year and on their way home they'll lament losing the kids college money (again). Then they can get their payback by snubbing the city in their pretentious little list.

I'm getting a little sick of the condescending "not a real city" attitude. It implies that the citizens are not real people. I disagree. Travelers magazine can stuff it.

BTW. Travelers is filled from cover to cover with Vegas ads.

[LMich]

Story on the Dragon City Hotel and Resort to be built in Chinatown on Spring Mt. and Wynn Roads. It will have 50 restaurants.
http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2006/11/03/tourism.html

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

I really want to see this one built. Very unique, and a breath of fresh air, it looks to be.

[mdiederi]

It's funny that the In Business article mentions the Conde Nast Traveler magazine top 100 list because I happened to read it in a waiting room this week.

It's also funny that the only reason I picked it up was to find pictures of Las Vegas and see where it ranked. I was a little bit stunned when I couldn't find it on the list.

I guess I just don't understand how Las Vegas could be overlooked like that considering the amount of visitors and touristy things here. Don't get me wrong, Frisco and Chicago and all those places are way cool but they're not Las Vegas. Any city that has a "last call" would not be on my list of places to spend a weekend away from work.

Traveler magazine readers can feign sophistication all they want. I don't believe they actually like spending their vacation taking in bohemian charm and sampling hippie food at some secret hookah bar in an even more secret section of Frisco. In truth they are all going to make a least one Vegas trip this year and on their way home they'll lament losing the kids college money (again). Then they can get their payback by snubbing the city in their pretentious little list.

I'm getting a little sick of the condescending "not a real city" attitude. It implies that the citizens are not real people. I disagree. Travelers magazine can stuff it.

BTW. Travelers is filled from cover to cover with Vegas ads.
Yeah, I was going to comment on that bogus ranking too. Vegas has more tourists than any city on Earth. I bet the visitor bureaus for those other cities got every city employee and their relatives and friends to send in votes. Guess the LVCVA dropped the ball on that one. Those popularity polls in publications are always manipulated like that. I know because I work in advertising and we always do that for our clients with the annual Las Vegas Review/Journal "Best of" list. :haha: :D

I'm getting a little sick of the condescending "not a real city" attitude.
If you look at the SSP list of number of buildings for each city (http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/), Vegas is ranked number 4 in the U.S. That's a real city IMHO.

[LMich]

It's only that way because Patrick has included every single proposal and failed proposal in the entire city. lol In fact, quite a few of them need to be switched to "vision" status, as they aren't formal proposals.

[mdiederi]

Ah, I was wondering how we got so far up the list. Stacking the deck, huh Patrick? :cool: :D

Oh well, at least we're still the city with the most hotel rooms in the world.

[Patrick]

It's only that way because Patrick has included every single proposal and failed proposal in the entire city. lol In fact, quite a few of them need to be switched to "vision" status, as they aren't formal proposals.

Lmich, the count only includes Built and Under Construction Buildings, so Las Vegas is still high up the list.

I include all the proposals on the agenda so if the project dose come through, we already have the height and dont have to beg the Architect for the heights..

The reason there are so many buildings is Vegas actually really dose have a lot of buildings, I count every buildings 5 floors and above.

[mdiederi]

turnberry tower 1 is tall! looks like itll never end
Shot a few days ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/t1-1.jpg

[SpeedyFarrar]

A bit O/T, but 3D cities (including Vegas) have been added to http://local.live.com/ with textured 3D buildings. You have to download a plugin and use IE for the 3D stuff.

[ScottG]

Rumor: Steve Wynn To Buy New Frontier

A very interesting tid bit in todays Las Vegas Business Press, that Steve Wynn may be partnering with Kerry Packer's family to purchase the New Frontier. Well, why the hell not, right? The Frontier is right across the street from WLV and could be developed as a sister property - giving Wynn a nice chunk of adjacent real estate on the strip (semi-adjacent, that is). Apparently Jack Binion has been gabbing about a potential Packer/Wynn deal. But there's a hitch, and it's name is Donald Trump. Fortunately, seems to have already been ironed out - Trump International Towers are under construction back behind the Frontier, and Donald and Steve have been "talking" a lot lately. Could Steve buy out the Frontier, Trump Plaza and take in Packer's $300 M investment, to build two new properties in the U.S.?

There's no way that Steve Wynn is going to rest on his laurels now - he's a developer and all developer/artists need to have a queue in their product pipelines. Macau is built (mostly), Encore is under construction... something else needs to be on the drawing board for 2010 and beyond.



We hear ... that things are finally moving on the New Frontier site. Rumors swirl that outside investors are helping Phil Ruffin get his "Montreux" project off the ground. Representatives of James Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. have put $300 million on the table but plan to take a passive role in their first move onto the Strip. Legendary whale Kerry Packer enjoyed the high roller rooms much too much to ever think about having to get licensed in the Silver State. However ...

We hear ... also that if the Packer scion is putting 300 mil into the New Frontier it may be part of a joint venture with Steve Wynn to obtain the strategically located Strip acreage. Wynn's trans-Pacific envoy, Jack Binion was talking up a Wynn-Packer Vegas alliance just days ago. Complicating matters further, Donald Trump is rumored to be pushing his own redevelopment plan for the New Frontier, one that Ruffin is resisting. After all, once The Donald weighs in, Ruffin is unlikely to be anything but a very distant second banana, especially from the perspective of the mass media.

[ScottG]

Tropicana Spared, Partially
The new owners of The Tropicana say they will be sparing much of the nearly 50 year old resort a date with the wrecking ball, choosing instead to redevelop the property and build a lot of new stuff around it - $2 billion worth, to be specific.
The plans, revealed in a session with state gaming officials, include keeping the two main hotel towers but those will both get major overhauls. Although prices will undoubtedly go up, the company swears it will maintain a focus on the middle-market Vegas visitor, eschewing the luxury market that everyone else is going after.

The less than appealing “garden rooms” will be demolished and as many as five new hotel towers will be built on the property, including at least one that will launch a new brand for Vegas (the name hasn’t been announced yet).

The existing casino, restaurants, and showroom will be kept open while new ones are being built elsewhere on the land but then those will eventually be torn down or substantially overhauled.

Construction is expected to begin as early as July of 2007.

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New Prince of Las Vegas
As had been rumored, music icon Prince will be taking up residence at The Rio in Las Vegas. More than just a stage and high ticket prices, Prince will take over the space once known as Club Rio and the Scinta Showroom, turning it into something called 3121 – a combination nightclub, performance space, and restaurant for “Jazz Cuisine.”

Prince will perform on Friday and Saturday nights in the intimate venue for a royal sum of $125 per person. Dinner and show packages start at more than $300 but include a meal, VIP tickets, and bottle service during the show.

Other performers will take the stage on Wednesday nights, with Prince occasionally sitting in, and Thursday nights will be a Latin themed dance club.

The gig starts November 10 and is currently open-ended.

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Other New Prince of Vegas
Blah, blah, blah, Prince, blah, blah, music icon, blah, blah. What about the other big news in Vegas entertainment this week, much more exciting than the Purple Rain guy playing a couple of concerts.

The Hoff is coming to Vegas, baby!

David Hasselhoff, star of such classic, hard-hitting, award-winning fare as “Knight Rider” and “Baywatch,” will be taking on the role of Roger DeBris in the upcoming run of “The Producers” at Paris Las Vegas. Those hoping for a swimsuit scene or perhaps a singing car, will have to make due instead with David Hasselhoff in a dress, which might just be the pop-culture oddity that this production needs to break the Broadway curse.

The Producers will start its run in February of 2007 and tickets are now available online or through the Paris Box Office at 877-374-7469. Shows, at opening, will be daily except Wednesday at 8pm with an additional 2pm Saturday matinee. Tickets are $75-$144 inclusive.

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Last Chance to Take a Drive
If you’re looking to slip behind the wheel of a sports car or massive SUV that you’ll never be able to afford and flog them mercilessly for a few minutes, you’re going to have to hurry. The Drive, a unique attraction featuring GM cars and trucks on performance and faux off-road courses, will be shutting down for good on November 18th. The lease on the parking lot behind The Sahara is up and won’t be renewed, which only amps up the rumor mill about what may be happening to that particular hotel.

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Neonopolis: Anatomy of a Disaster
It was supposed to be the savior of Downtown Las Vegas, a glitzy, gaudy $100 million shopping and entertainment center to anchor the Fremont Street Experience and, of course, draw hordes of shoppers and fun seekers to the area.

Of course it never quite worked like that. The place was plagued by problems from the get go, with less than marquee tenants (magnet stores?) and a design that did more to hide what was inside from the crowds on Fremont Street than showcase them. Businesses failed and despite many attempts to revive the mostly moribund building, nothing quite clicked.

Earlier this year the building was sold to a group of investors for roughly a quarter of what it cost to build and they immediately started kicking the few remaining tenants out. Now the building sits completely empty, save for the two anchor establishments: the restaurant and bowling alley Jillian’s and the movie theaters. Owners of the businesses inside say they were given no explanation for the evictions and little notice.

So what is next for Neonopolis? Well, one possibility being floated is a date with a wrecking ball. That’s right, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal, the owners are considering tearing the place down so they can build a new hotel and casino on the land. No formal decision has been made at this time.

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[ScottG]

ONE MORE!
Las Vegas Sands' Palazzo to Include Luxury Condos
Posted by Hunter on November 6, 2006 | Digg This!

In a bit in the Sunday edition of the Las Vegas Sun, we learn that Las Vegas Sands plans to add a few ultra-luxury condos to their Palazzo project, to appear above the Barney's store that is planned. It's only about 370 units so it's not a huge project.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/consumer/2006/nov/06/566643285

[future29]

Rumor: Steve Wynn To Buy New Frontier
There's no way that Steve Wynn is going to rest on his laurels now - he's a developer and all developer/artists need to have a queue in their product pipelines. Macau is built (mostly), Encore is under construction... something else needs to be on the drawing board for 2010 and beyond.

I do not believe this rumor. Wynn has plenty to work with past 2010 he has his whole golf course redevelopment project which will take atleast 5 years to complete.

oh and great news about Neonopolis. extending fremont east is a great idea.

[mdiederi]

Well, there was this recent report in Atlantic City.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2410578&postcount=965

So maybe Wynn will buy the Frontier and then trade it to Trump, circumventing Ruffin.

The monopoly game continues...

[mdiederi]

ONE MORE!
Las Vegas Sands' Palazzo to Include Luxury Condos
Posted by Hunter on November 6, 2006 | Digg This!

In a bit in the Sunday edition of the Las Vegas Sun, we learn that Las Vegas Sands plans to add a few ultra-luxury condos to their Palazzo project, to appear above the Barney's store that is planned. It's only about 370 units so it's not a huge project.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/consumer/2006/nov/06/566643285
Will that be a separate tower?

That links not working

Edit: I fixed the link
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/consumer/2006/nov/06/566643285.html

It's a 50 story tower. The county votes on it today.

That will start to look dense in that area if they build it.

[JonVegas]

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9528/stratll7.jpg

this is a pretty awesome program. My only problem with it is buildings like the stratosphere suffer from extrusion problems.