[mdiederi]

Great updates. Any shots of Allure within context of other buildings?
Here you go.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Pan.jpg

The empty lot behind the antique store is where Wall Street Towers are
supposed to go. The empty lot in front of the street is where Sandhurst
is supposed to go. Haven't heard any news on those two projects in quite awhile.

[mdiederi]

Counted 50 floors on Trump today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/t1-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/t2-1.jpg

[mdiederi]

They're starting to take the glass off of the Stardust tower, stripping it down and getting ready for the big implosion.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/sd.jpg

[manabouttown]

You guys seem to really be impressed with Trump Tower. It is not a strip property. It is on Industrial Road. The Frontier is such a dump and nobody knows when it will be replaced and with what design. When it is imploded it will put Trump right in the middle of a multi-year mess of dust and construction activity. The Trump has low ceiling heights, no terrace, no nightlife or casino within walking distance. No lady in her high fashion wear is going to want to walk to the Wynn at night. The rooms are so-so. And the whole design reminds me of an out-dated golden popcycle. I know it sold out fast and the remaining units are $850 k for a studio. There are so much better projects being built than this.

[williasj]

does anyone know when the stardust is set to be imploded?

[mdiederi]

The Frontier is such a dump and nobody knows when it will be replaced and with what design. When it is imploded it will put Trump right in the middle of a multi-year mess of dust and construction activity ... No lady in her high fashion wear is going to want to walk to the Wynn at night.
Actually, the portecochere at the front door of Trump is probably only fifty feet from the portecochere at the front door of Nordstrum (they face each other) and from there she can strut her stuff through the Fashion Show mall and cross the skywalk directly to Wynn without ever passing a construction site.

[mdiederi]

does anyone know when the stardust is set to be imploded?
March.

[bobmcelligott]

Scott. Trump tower II will be announced on an episode of the Apprentice sometime in January. As for the "manabouttown" guy, he doesn't know much about Trump, investing or Las Vegas. But He's trying.

[LMich]

While he may be overly critical, Trump is selling a name, and not necessarily a premier project, and that goes for most of his developments.

[mdiederi]

whats the deal with trump tower 2? no news, no nothing????

^^^^same with allure tower 2 :/

Both sites for the second towers are being used as staging areas for the first towers. The second Allure tower is being redesigned with a hotel component and will be taller than originally planned.

[Vtown420]

I like trump, but there are definitely other condos I’d rather live in.
Will it really have 64 floors, or are they skipping some in that count?

Have you guys seen the Juhl Webcam (http://live6.truelook.com/face/newface.jsp?func=live&name=/ecodb/lvsoho&overlay=default&skin=Juhl&useapplet=true&time=1167352112267&width=640&height=480&quality=65&catalogname=catalog&preset=LIVE/LIVE+in+downtown+Las+Vegas)? I love this cam. You can see most downtown projects.

Great pics btw.

[GeorgeLV]

I like trump, but there are definitely other condos I’d rather live in.
Will it really have 64 floors, or are they skipping some in that count?

Have you guys seen the Juhl Webcam (http://live6.truelook.com/face/newface.jsp?func=live&name=/ecodb/lvsoho&overlay=default&skin=Juhl&useapplet=true&time=1167352112267&width=640&height=480&quality=65&catalogname=catalog&preset=LIVE/LIVE+in+downtown+Las+Vegas)? I love this cam. You can see most downtown projects.

Great pics btw.

I counted the panes of glass on the renderings and came up with 58 floors. It looked to me like there's 8 floors for the podium and 50 floors above that.

[manabouttown]

I am a real estate investor in Las Vegas as well as San Diego, Deer Valley (that is a ski resort in Utah, you probably didnt know) as well as several top projects in Panama (the country). I am not someone who would buy an over priced cookie-cutter project like Trump. You probably dont know, but Trump has very little hands-on contact with the projects. He licenses his name and not much else. Which is probably a good thing, since 'The Donald' is alot more name brand than actual real estate knowledge. In the industry this is well known. But I knew that you wouldnt know that by you superficial dazzlement with the Trump Las Vegas project. Compare Trump to the Waldorf Astoria building and you will see the difference. The Trump design is very ordinary and not innovative. If you are going to buy into a condo/hotel property (I am sure you are not) then why not get an iconic look, as opposed to a rehash of a building that is passe.

Taking pictures and posting them with shallow comments may impress your friends but nothing more.
t

[manabouttown]

Great idea!

Lets pay $750k for a place in Vegas so that we can walk a few hundred yards to a property that is actually on the strip like Wynn. Here is the good part. We get to go to Nordtroms first, maybe check out the half-yearly sale and spray on some perfume. Never mind that your feet will be sore in those spiked hills and the fact that the average age of Trump owners is well over 60 years old. I guess being that old means that they wont mind being home before 9 pm when they close the Nordstrom store. Otherwise we can walk across the Frontiers parking lot, because there isnt even a sidewalk. Today has been a mini-hurricane all dayin Vegas. Never mind, your hair still looks better than the Donalds.

If you think Trump is a great deal, try Platinum. You get an equally lousy location, for half the money.

If you really think it is 50ft from Trump to Nordstroms then you probably
think that Trump tower is closer to the strip than to Industrial Road.

My point is, Why tout a project with so many negatives, when there are quality projects being build for the same price points? No reason at all.

[Patrick]

Both sites for the second towers are being used as staging areas for the first towers. The second Allure tower is being redesigned with a hotel component and will be taller than originally planned.

What!? Allure looks good with twin towers! Hopefully the redesign will be even better :)

Trump, well yeah its a gold box. Not much about it. Palazzo, is HUGE! Sad to see Stardust go, the tower was still pretty new, 1991.

[mdiederi]

Yeah, gold glass isn't very unique in Vegas.

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

[The_Analyst]

Otherwise we can walk across the Frontiers parking lot, because there isnt even a sidewalk. Today has been a mini-hurricane all dayin Vegas.

You forgot to add that you could go out the back door and walk right across the street to the Deja Vu strip club. Less than a block to see naked chicks? That's worth $800K to me. :banana:

[williasj]

Yeah, gold glass isn't very unique in Vegas.

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

while gold glass may not be unique, it is somehow fitting of vegas. I do wish, however, they would stop making everythign beige. Vegas has got to be the only city on the planet with so many stuccoed looking high rises.

[manabouttown]

I was in Panama City, Panama the first week of Dec. looking at investment property. The Trump project there is very good looking and looks like a giant sail boat. It is still in conception and hasnt started yet. It will sit in Punta Pacifica, which is a slightly higher, prime location on the water. But like all Trump projects, it is 3X more expensive than the project that I bought. The building will be an iconic project, unlike Trump Las Vegas which looks like a Holiday Inn project.

[mdiederi]

while gold glass may not be unique, it is somehow fitting of vegas. I do wish, however, they would stop making everythign beige. Vegas has got to be the only city on the planet with so many stuccoed looking high rises.
I agree, the Palazzo, for instance, will be yet another big tan colored box, I'm afraid.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Palazzo/pc5.jpg

[mdiederi]

Here's a new portrait of Sky. Getting close to being finished. What's your analysis of this property? Architecturally it's nothing revolutionary or iconic, but somehow it's like a breath of fresh air for Las Vegas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/sky1.jpg

[gmcclenon]

Hello all - long time lurker and absolute fan of this site. mdiederi's pics kick @ss. I was compelled to comment on man-about-town's comment on Trump. After doing massive due diligence on all the "strip" condos, I too came to the same conclusions about the Trump towers that MAT came to. The one thing I overlooked in my analysis is the value of Brand and Marketing. Trump will have hours of infomercials starting next month on tower 2 of this Vegas project on his next season of Apprentice. That'll sell a few units.

I chose Sky hoping that the building would sell itself after it was completed. Full balconies, sliding windows in the bathrooms and bedrooms and individual ventilation ports per unit does not look very sexy on the outside but man it sure makes for a nice place to live.

Lets keep our fingers crossed that some of these North strip projects like Fountainebleau, LVTI, Summit and even Maxim get built. Thanks again for all your great pictures mdieder. I know I'm totally biased but Sky is looking better than I had even hoped. So few buildings end up looking as good as their initial renderings.

[LMich]

I've always liked Sky. It's always seemed a very classy (as opposed to gaudy) and fresh, and as mentioned, it seems the developers are really letting this one sell itself as opposed to all of the fanfare (often too much sometimes) for other projects. Sometimes, it's the extra fanfare that should raise a red flag as to the quality of the project, as it reeks of overcompensation. Again, I don't doubt Trump is a decent project, but it's hardly tops, and Trump is known for using hype and name to sell lackluster projects. He's selling a name brand, not necessarily quality.

[Patrick]

Sky Las Vegas is defantly one on the nicer projects. A nice slice of Miami right in Vegas, (lets not forget Turnberry, although 4 was too much) It came out just right, I love its blue windows.

[ScottG]

on the interior. arent the blue windows blue on BOTH sides? meaning when you look out everything is a shade of blue, like sunglasses...i think i remember a picture of this..if so, that would suck....how about panorama or trump...is everything the color of the window?

[mdiederi]

Wooden model of the Union Park master plan downtown.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/UP3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/UP2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/UP1.jpg

[future29]

thats an old union park model. the baseball stadium is no longer planned.

[mdiederi]

Yeah, you're right, it's obviously based on an earlier vision. I don't know when it was made, or remember ever seeing pictures of this model posted before, but the actual model just went on display this month, so figured I'd post photos of it just for the record. Must be an earlier working model. Looks like they also include Club Renaissance off to the side there, and that project seems to be pretty much dead.

[gmcclenon]

Hey Scott, yeah funny thing. I've been up in my unit twice now and took pictures both times through the blue glass. When I'm up there, you don't notice the blue tint at all but when you take pictures and look at them, they are super blue looking. This second time I went up a few weeks ago, the flash pictures make the glass look very blue from the inside but without the flash you can't see it. Strange. The lights aren't on yet in the building so I don't know how it will look with inside lights on. Also, OT, I have pictures of the lots where the Fontainebleau and LVTI are hopefully going from directly across the street if anyone is interested.

[mdiederi]

Which side of the building are you located, gmcclenon?

I'd like to see your photos of the Las Vegas Tower and Fontainebleau lots from that view.
Hopefully they'll start construction in 2007 and you can take some update photos from there.
(And thanks for your comments about my photos, btw.)

Here's the empty lot where Maxim's three towers are going. That's going
to be a dense cluster of skyscrapers in that area when it's all done.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Max-Font.jpg

[gmcclenon]

I'm in a corner unit (08 stack) pointing at the strip. I think Sky got under the wire and received a generous waiver on setback. The 08 corner units sit only 60 feet from the strip. Great for the view but we'll see how bad the steet noise is. Probably won't be leaving the sliding glass doors open....

I noticed that the Maxim also asked for a setback variance. 120 feet or so if I remember right. Yeah, three 700ish foot towers on that small lot next door. It's a good thing all of Sky's balconies stick out so at least the units on that side will still have some kind of view.

Yeah, no problem on the pictures. From what I can tell from LVTI's renderings, Fontainebleau looks like it is going to have a 5th floor 'lake', fountains and a waterfall down to steet level. That'll be nuts. I'll be taking pictures for sure. I'll try to figure out how to post pictures. I'm sure it's not that hard. Just get an account at photobucket or something?

[BruceH]

I'm in a corner unit (08 stack) pointing at the strip. I think Sky got under the wire and received a generous waiver on setback. The 08 corner units sit only 60 feet from the strip. Great for the view but we'll see how bad the steet noise is. Probably won't be leaving the sliding glass doors open....

I noticed that the Maxim also asked for a setback variance. 120 feet or so if I remember right. Yeah, three 700ish foot towers on that small lot next door. It's a good thing all of Sky's balconies stick out so at least the units on that side will still have some kind of view.

Yeah, no problem on the pictures. From what I can tell from LVTI's renderings, Fontainebleau looks like it is going to have a 5th floor 'lake', fountains and a waterfall down to steet level. That'll be nuts. I'll be taking pictures for sure. I'll try to figure out how to post pictures. I'm sure it's not that hard. Just get an account at photobucket or something?

Happy New Year to all!! My prediction for the Maxim property is it is waiting for MGM to decide the future of Circus Circus, then MGM could potentially acquire the Travelodge land adjacent to the Maxim property, buy the Maxim property and now you have a sweet parcel of land. This happened with Echelon buying the Westward Ho land and given the odd shape of the Maxim property it's one possible scenario.

Sky is looking great and thanks mdiederi for the great photos of Sky and the landscaping. Most high rises wait until the project is closed to add the exterior infrastrucuture and Sky is not doing that. It's going to be one first class tower!!

[marlab55]

Happy New Year all!
First post here, longtime fan of this great site.
Here are some pics I took from the Allure.

From the 28th floor.
http://www.eshuen.com/images/28th_floor_view_1024.jpg
LTV and The Fontainebleau will fill that gap nicely.




From the 38th floor.
http://www.eshuen.com/images/38th_floor_view_1024.jpg
Great view now but phase 3 of Hilton Vacations (if and when it gets built) will take out a large portion of the view. But then again... Echelon and Maxim?!? should make up for whats lost to the Hilton.

[mdiederi]

Awesome photos! Think those might be the first posted from up there.

Kind of actually hope they don't build the rest of those Hilton towers, unless they redesign it.

Strange how no developers ever show any interest in that empty lot at the southwest corner of Sahara and the strip, across from Allure. Is it jinxed because the original El Rancho burned down there? Eventually it will be the only empty land left on the strip and somebody will be compelled to do something with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/disasters/el_rancho_fire1s.jpg

[gmcclenon]

Test to see if I can figure out posting a photo....


Sky looking south from 28th floor
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/circusdusk.jpg

[gmcclenon]

Ok, I'm dangerous now.

Here are the Fontainebleau and LVT sites as seen from the 28th floor of Sky Las Vegas:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Fontainebleau.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/LVTI.jpg

And here's a series of 7 photos shot from the balcony of a 28th floor corner unit at Sky panning around clockwise:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Wrap%20Around%20View/wrap1.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Wrap%20Around%20View/wrap2.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Wrap%20Around%20View/wrap3.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Wrap%20Around%20View/wrap4.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Wrap%20Around%20View/wrap5.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Wrap%20Around%20View/wrap6.jpg
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Wrap%20Around%20View/wrap7.jpg

[Vegas Grows Up]

Great Sky pics. I love Sky as well, there is nothing like it!

Speaking of residentail towers I have some new pictures I took on Friday night from the 31'st floor of Panorama Tower 1. Enjoy!

The Strip is right in you're face. Not to mention City Center. AWESOME!
http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/3783/panopanobl9.jpg

Looking South is just stunning
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4073/luxorlx4.jpg

Units on East side have dead on Shot of the 60 story main City Center Casino.
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/4685/maincasinoux9.jpg

A closeup of Cosmo from a new perspective
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/3269/cosmopanoun4.jpg

[mdiederi]

Yowzah!!!

This year is off to a good start, photographically.

Great shots everybody!

[LMich]

That Bellagio Parking Garage is a monster. Jeeze...

Excellent pictures. Has Panorama Towers I officially opened, yet?

Man, it's crazy to see the Jockey Club towers looking like they are about to be eaten by the pit.

[Vegas Grows Up]

Panorama Towers has officially closed units and people were using them this weekend! I did a walkthrough Friday night for my client on his 31st floor D2 unit and we were all BLOWN AWAY by the view.

[BruceH]

Awesome photos! Think those might be the first posted from up there.

Kind of actually hope they don't build the rest of those Hilton towers, unless they redesign it.

Strange how no developers ever show any interest in that empty lot at the southwest corner of Sahara and the strip, across from Allure. Is it jinxed because the original El Rancho burned down there? Eventually it will be the only empty land left on the strip and somebody will be compelled to do something with it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/disasters/el_rancho_fire1s.jpg
The land across the street from Allure belongs to the Sahara hotel and most likely will be sold when the Sahara hotel is sold. It's a high demand piece of property and the owner of the Sahara is probably waiting it out for top dollar since the other co-owner recently died.

[BruceH]

Test to see if I can figure out posting a photo....


Sky looking south from 28th floor
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/circusdusk.jpg

Very nice photos Greg!!

[Daquan13]

I thought Stardust was going to be torn down.

Love the Strip and that beautiful orange sunset!!

[mdiederi]

I thought Stardust was going to be torn down.

They're stripping it down now and just started taking the windows out (posted a picture earlier). The actual implosion will probably be in March.

[ScottG]

from the tropicana article a couple of weeks ago: In an item for the Jan. 2 Clark County Planning Commission agenda, Columbia Sussex subsidiary Wimar Landco LLC is seeking use permits for, among other things, 9.276 hotel rooms. It will also build 948 condo-hotel units -- for a grand total of 10,224 guest rooms on 34 acres. By contrast, as of 2005, the neighboring MGM Grand Hotel Casino had 5,034 rooms. At the end of its current Palazzo Tower build-out, The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino will expand from 4,027 guest rooms to 7,052.

January 2nd is today! anyone know of any news on the county meeting?

also when does las vegas tower go up for debate?

[SLC Projects]

Very nice photos Greg!!


nice photo there with the buildings and the sunset.

[lfc4life]

Excellent photo Greg, the colours blend in fantastically well. Keep em coming :tup:

[mdiederi]

January 2nd is today! anyone know of any news on the county meeting?
Here's the agenda sheet (http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0200546.htm). It says the staff recommends approval and the applicant has agreed to a Development Agreement to mitigate infrastructure issues. They will start by building a parking structure before obtaining permits for the other buildings. There's some speculation in the press as to whether or not the casino will be replaced, but most accounts say the property will remain open during construction.

also when does las vegas tower go up for debate?
Milam said approval in March and construction start in September, or at least that's the goal.

[gmcclenon]

Excellent photo Greg, the colours blend in fantastically well. Keep em coming :tup:

Thanks for the kind words. I'll be back in a week for CES and will snap some more pics!

[ScottG]

last night the news showed that the sale center for city center is now open!

and there are new models...one of the WHOLE STRIP!. it looked like 1o feet by 10 feet wide!

[SpeedyFarrar]

last night the news showed that the sale center for city center is now open!

and there are new models...one of the WHOLE STRIP!. it looked like 1o feet by 10 feet wide!

Here's the video of the sales office, really cool:

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5880212&nav=menu107_2

[ThreeHundred]

Is there any news on H.U.E? That's one of my favorite proposals in Vegas. As was Las Ramblas until it got axed. :(

[soonermeteor]

What's up with this "THEhotel"? That seems like quite the interesting name, is there are story behind it?

[ScottG]

What's up with this "THEhotel"? That seems like quite the interesting name, is there are story behind it?

is a 'hotel'.....

an expansion and stand alone property to mandalay bay

[mdiederi]

Is there any news on H.U.E? That's one of my favorite proposals in Vegas. As was Las Ramblas until it got axed. :(
Just shot this picture. The old buildings on the lot all look like they are still occupied.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Hue.jpg

Directly across the street, Evolution Lofts has had this fence blocking half of Casino Center street for what seems like almost a year. The remaining old buildings on this lot are boarded up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Evo.jpg

[soonermeteor]

is a 'hotel'.....

an expansion and stand alone property to mandalay bay

Yeah... I know what it is... it just seemed like in the glamor world of Las Vegas they would come up something different than "THEhotel". I was just wondering if there was anything behind the choice.

[BruceH]

Yes, MGM City Center's sales office is officially open. MGM City Center is now allowing VIP designated brokerages like Luxury Realty Group to take reservations for Vdara, Veer and Mandarin Oriental and they have models for each project in the sales center. It's by appointment to see the center from what we heard today but that is subject to change. We were the first brokerage to be allowed to reserve Veer (residential twin leaning towers) for our clients and that occurred today. MGM City Center sales are doing very well and a high percentage of Mandarin Oriental condos which start at $1.5 million are already reserved. Demand is high for this entire project and when you visit the sales center it is amazing what MGM is spending on the various architectural details that are unique for each project within City Center. We are trying to get permission for photos taken by VegasGrowsUp on here (Aaron) to be posted so all can see some of the very cool things City Center has modeled in their sales center.

[ThreeHundred]

Yeah... I know what it is... it just seemed like in the glamor world of Las Vegas they would come up something different than "THEhotel". I was just wondering if there was anything behind the choice.

You are going to love this: Mandalay Bay is going to build a condo tower called (drumroll please) 'THEplace.'

I kinda like those names though.

[designer3d712]

Being to Vegas only 2 times in my life, (last time at the Riviera for the APA Billiards Championship) It amazes me how fast these structures are built. I love this thread and I check it daily for updates. I wish I lived out there to watch the progress, but once you live there, I guess it wouldn't be too much of a vacation spot.:tup:

[mdiederi]

http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0200169.htm
This agenda sheet talks about the water features at CityCenter. Some fountains spread around and some falls flowing down the side of walls to soften the sharp angled facades and making it feel more like a park. Probably a modern design rather than the fake nature looking stuff at some other places. They are using less square feet of water feature than they are allowed. Wonder if it's shown in the new model at the sales office?

[SpeedyFarrar]

You are going to love this: Mandalay Bay is going to build a condo tower called (drumroll please) 'THEplace.'

I kinda like those names though.

Stuff in the room is labeled like that, like "theDoodles" notepad and "theTP" spare toilet paper roll. :haha:

[VegasMatt]

Driving down the Strip today I noticed some construction beginning
next to the Showcase Mall. Here's what's being built.

http://www.citycenterretail.com/projects/images/lrg_lasv4.jpg

[Vegas Grows Up]

So everyone knows I just posted a blog about my impressions on the CityCenter Residential Sales Pavilion. One of the things I highlight is the use of water and art, sculptures etc.

In the six minute video they show you at the sales pavilion you can see MANY really neat water features etc. I am still seeking permission to take pictures for everyone to see. Bear with me.

If you would like to read the blog you can do so at the below link. I talk about "Tornado" like water features in the retail area as well.

http://lasvegashighriseblog.com/aaronauxier/2007/01/06/mgm-city-center-las-vegas/

[ScottG]

what are they replacing with that showcase expansion?

also, fountainblue now has trailers with the logo.....its blue (surprise) cursive font infront of a darker blue back ground. i dont like it being cursive...

heres the origin of the name
Fontainebleau is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located 55.5 km. (34.5 miles) south-southeast from the center of Paris. Fontainebleau is a sous-préfecture of the Seine-et-Marne département, being the seat of the Arrondissement of Fontainebleau.

[SpeedyFarrar]

what are they replacing with that showcase expansion?

Looks like a Denny's:
http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=36.103746~-115.172446&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=291738

[jazfingr]

:previous:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/349692326_3d9b5fd9e3_o.jpg

Yep, it's a Denny's

BTW The High-Roller coaster atop the Strat was cut into three-foot sections and taken down via the elevators. here's the article,
http://www.thefabricator.com/PlasmaCutting/PlasmaCutting_Article.cfm?ID=1504

[ScottG]

nice article......

i wonder what will become of that empty employee parking lot across from the strat....they should develope it into another tower of the same height...creating a gateway..... :)

what ever happened to that W news?

also anything on pinnacle? how is that going along? that would really be nice to see built...

[future29]

in town for CES and went to City Center sales center. wow. it is a must see if you visit Vegas.

[fflint]

Some construction photos I took Thursday/Friday/Saturday from the 34th floor of the Aladdin. I know Project City Center, but the rest of them you'll have to figure out for me:

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7095/aadscn1056nw9.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6528/aadscn1006nw6.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9080/aadscn1013nq7.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/8485/aadscn1011bm0.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7276/aadscn1009fl5.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/596/aadscn1060st4.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1025/aadscn1061gi5.jpg

[GeorgeLV]

^^
The crane next to City Center is the Cosmopolitan.

The crane next to Panorama is Panorama III.

The towers under construction in the background of the last pic are One Las Vegas.

[mdiederi]

Thanks for the pics from up there!

Planning review of Palazzo condo tower:
http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0201549.htm

Planning review of Caesars expansion:
http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0199118.htm

Planning review of Edge hotel addition to W site.
http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0201577.htm

[Don Pacho]

Nice pics fflint. Thanks
I like the Panorama Tower close-up. That open area looks like the gym for the building or maybe the "social" area?

[mdiederi]

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6528/aadscn1006nw6.jpg


I think those five pillers in a row out in front of the main building are the start of the shopping complex on top of which will be the Veer towers.

[lfc4life]

Wow fflint all i can say is amazing.... I'll be in vegas in less than 2 weeks , hopefully i can take loads of pictures as good as yours

[future29]

browsing around the aladdin website looking for info when Planet Hollywood might be ready (remember we were told late 2006 completion) i stumbled upon a flash video that showed this rendering, and i took a screen cap of it.

http://home.comcast.net/~wam929/chips/phwvegas.jpg

it looks nothing like the original Planet Hollywood rendering. looks like there is a new logo as well. where has the front entrace gone with the huge planet hollywood globe? totally different than what was originally planned. it could still be lit up blue at night though, but we have to wait until its done to find out.

this video is located here
http://www.aladdincasino.com/sweepsIntro.html

[VegasMatt]

PH?

Will that be pronounced "F"?

Is it just me, or does this project just get progressively uglier.

The updates on the inside of the building are looking alright; but I have some serious doubts about the exterior.

I hope the finished product looks better than the rendering.

[VegasMatt]

Sky and Allure are looking Great...
Does anyone know if they are going to be illuminated at night?
It's looking pretty dark at that end of the strip in the evening.

[VegasMatt]

Regarding Planet Hollywood...

Any comment on the "Nine Inch Nails" Logo On the sign?

[gmcclenon]

I've noticed that the pure residential towers don't seem to have external lighting. Guess they figure you may not have blackout curtains in your unit.

[fflint]

PH?

Will that be pronounced "F"?

Is it just me, or does this project just get progressively uglier.

The updates on the inside of the building are looking alright; but I have some serious doubts about the exterior.

I hope the finished product looks better than the rendering.
The interior is shaping up well. The hotel lobby is very, very modern and glitzy. The curvy glass wall behind the check-in counter constantly shifts color, and there are several large, show-lit crystal objets d'art on display in front of black stone walls nearby--kind of a "sparkling diamond" effect. The casino, which seems about half complete, is also very modern, although a bit more subdued than the lobby.

Also, the hotel's 24-hour restaurant--I think it's called "Zanzibar"--is already serving the Planet Hollywood menu by any other name. The portions are insanely huge but the food is good. My partner immediately recognized the PH fare. So they're gearing up for the change, it would seem.

[The_Analyst]

I think the Planet Hollywood colors look okay on the tower--white with red lettering is not bad and kind of distinctive. I have to wonder of the layout of the windows will make it look a little more busy than how the rendering appears to show it.

The facade along the strip is a whole different story. It looks a lot like the Toyota dealer near me. It is not terrible for a car dealer, mind you, but for the front of a casino is not very appealing. Maybe if it is covered in video signs (a la Times Square) it would turn out okay, especially at night. And with the ultra modern Cosmo and City Center across the street, it could fit in well. A key question is how exactly they are changing the pedestrian access off the street. We'll see.

[gmcclenon]

Here's a picture of the Fontainebleau script that ScottG mentioned last week. Trucks were rolling. They demolished the extra tennis courts that were there for the Turnberry residents. Looks like they have drilled and are pumping ground water out. I wish there were some renderings out for this project. They are sure keeping things under wraps.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Fontainebleau/Logo.jpg

And one more shot of the Fontainebleau construction: (Ok, caught a little Sky from this angle too.)
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Fontainebleau/Fontainebleausite.jpg

[jazfingr]

Nice shots of Fontainebleau, Sky looks wonderful (especially next to the ugly Hilton Vacation)

I'm working with the Fountainebleau folks, their going to use a customized version of "THE Map" for their brochure. I may be getting a rendering for VegasTaT (http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com) soon, I will post it here when I get it.

I'm glad that Fountainebueau is going to be built. This will be a major boost to the north strip. :yes:

[mdiederi]

Is the Font actually under construction now? The design better be good because Glenn Schaeffer said "architecture and design are the next frontier in Las Vegas from our point of view". Well, 725 feet tall is a good start. I noticed that it's not on the Emporis "proposed" buildings list, probably because they haven't released much information other than what's on the county planning agenda sheets.

[ScottG]

regarfing hilton vacation club. i think it would look nice if the third tower
(when does this start?) is taller than tower two, thne tower 4 is taller than 3. this would make the shortest tower 1 fit in, creating a progression with the buildings....

also i herd that grand chatteau might change the 3rd and 4th wings. the second is already about half way through btw.- the last 2 phases may be taller, bout twice the height of the first 2....i wonder how that would fit in.

planet hollywood towers seems they are digging the ground down to match the underground of the existing parking garage....

the ebonytower at city center now has a full crane up!- its oficially underconstruction... there are dozens of other cranes on the mass of a site,

the new parking garage behind monte carlo is going slow(er) there is only about a 50 foot wide and long, 3 story, steel skeleton up..i wonder if that is really a garage?

OH! iforgot: the monte carlo's front was demolished!!!

driving down the strip i saw the whole south end of the front (the corner entrance-stairs, walkways, statues) where all detroyed...(purposely) looks like the monte is getting a make over?

i know that the fountain blaeu is well underway, construction doc-wise. i am only very suprised it has been so quiet...

[ScottG]

double post

[nsxdrift_89]

Scott, do you know if Cosmo is making any large progressions, aside from pouring foundation in that whole, or setting up a crane?

[gmcclenon]

Nice shots of Fontainebleau, Sky looks wonderful (especially next to the ugly Hilton Vacation)

I'm working with the Fountainebleau folks, their going to use a customized version of "THE Map" for their brochure. I may be getting a rendering for VegasTaT (http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com) soon, I will post it here when I get it.

I'm glad that Fountainebueau is going to be built. This will be a major boost to the north strip. :yes:

Wow, that's great Fontainebleau might give you a rendering. I'm dying to find out if my guess is correct about that depression on the 5th floor being a lake and fountains with a waterfall down to the street level. One can always dream. Congrats on them using your map. Hope that works out.

[mdiederi]

also i herd that grand chatteau might change the 3rd and 4th wings. the second is already about half way through btw.- the last 2 phases may be taller, bout twice the height of the first 2....i wonder how that would fit in.
Twice as high? That will be the tallest thing down there at that height.

the new parking garage behind monte carlo is going slow(er) there is only about a 50 foot wide and long, 3 story, steel skeleton up..i wonder if that is really a garage?
That steel structure is something else, but they just started pouring a vast multitude of concrete pillers on a larger area just north of that which is probably the new garage.

[mdiederi]

Here's a peek inside the CityCenter sales center where they have a model of the entire Strip.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/citycenter/Strip.jpg

Somebody needs to get in there and take a closer picture.

Also, I posted some new renderings in the CityCenter construction thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=109405&page=3).

[BruceH]

Sky and Allure are looking Great...
Does anyone know if they are going to be illuminated at night?
It's looking pretty dark at that end of the strip in the evening.

The developers are lighting Sky at night with limited lighting now but it is for marketing purposes. Once the building goes live in March of this year there won't be lighting on the building we are told. The low lighting decision is due to it being a residential building apparently.

[future29]

driving down the strip i saw the whole south end of the front (the corner entrance-stairs, walkways, statues) where all detroyed...(purposely) looks like the monte is getting a make over?

i hope my prediction comes true. it was asked a couple months ago what needs to go/get demolished and i said Monte carlo. it doesnt fit in with city center. hopefully, they can keep the builiding for now but put a new facade on it and glass on the tower? i was in vegas for CES and there is a big hole in the side of the building looks like they have gutted a portion of the casino. duno what their plans are, but definately the Monte Carlo should go, sooner rather than later.

[SpeedyFarrar]

Those new PCC renderings plus shots of the model condo interiors in the sales office are in here (starting on page 13):
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/101502/presentations/011107Citigroup.pdf

[Patrick]

WOW! Those renderings kick ass! Now I love CityCenter! Lets just hope those renderings dont lie..

[MrVegas]

Here is an article from today's Las Vegas Review Journal about the end of the Sandhurst project.

Downtown condominium Sandhurst shutting down

By HUBBLE SMITH
REVIEW-JOURNAL
The developer of Sandhurst, one of the early high-rise condo projects announced for downtown Las Vegas, said Friday he's returning more than $7 million in deposits to 105 buyers as rising construction costs have doomed yet another condo project.
"It doesn't mean this project won't come back. We just don't see the value of holding up our buyers," Michael Mirolla said. "We're working with the group of investors who have title to the land, who still want to build Sandhurst, and if we can resurrect it, we'll reach out to the buyers."
Mirolla said he appreciates the "tenacity and loyalty" of Sandhurst buyers, many of whom had their money in escrow since July, but he felt the right thing to do was return their deposits.
Sandhurst had more than 60 percent of its units under contract and was negotiating with Corus Bank for roughly $250 million in construction financing, but coming up with equity financing was the "toughest portion," Mirolla said.
"Construction prices hurt us last year. Quite frankly, after pricing jumped so high, investors looked at this and wanted to wait until construction costs stabilize, which they have," he said. "But time marches on, and investors march on to other areas."
Mirolla said his group has tens of millions of dollars invested in the 3.2-acre site on former Union Pacific Railroad land near Charleston Boulevard and Interstate 15, including entitlements, site planning and approval and soft costs such as design and marketing. The property was purchased from Union Pacific in July 2004 for $2.8 million and has been appraised at $24 million, he said.
"We've taken it as far as we can. We're two weeks from pulling permits from the building department. But in all fairness to the buyers, we have to get funding first," he said.
Jeremy Aguero, principal of Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas research firm, was among the first to predict that only 30 percent of the proposed 100,000 high-rise units would be built. He said sales have fallen significantly in the past three months.
"It's not the first and I'm here to tell you it's not going to be the last," Aguero said of Sandhurst's cancellation.
Sandhurst was planned for 398 units originally priced from $250,000 when the project was announced two years ago. The price went up to $475,000 when construction costs rose by 30 percent in 2005. The 35-story project was scheduled to break ground in September 2005.

Find this article at:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Jan-13-Sat-2007/business/11956754.html

[MsuMix]

Scott, do you know if Cosmo is making any large progressions, aside from pouring foundation in that whole, or setting up a crane?

Still a lot of foundation work being done, 3 tower cranes are set up, just not erected yet. Structural steel starting late February on the west side. Lots of mass excavation and slurry wall tie backs to finish on the east side.

[ScottG]

^^^thats more cosmo news than i know. sorry

the city center renderings are amazing- looked real at first!...notice that in the second image the cosmo is in it?!

but its jacked up...the west tower is not as long as it really will be and the jocky club is shown as well....weird.

i LOVE how the 2 main towers are separate at the top but meat at the bottom.

BTW- the ebony tower (is that the name? or vdara- im confused now) (and whats the leaning ones called?) anyways- in the front of the site- and either corner, there are towers....the mandarin and the harmon. in the front center are the 2 leaning towers, in the back center is the main tower(S) then in the back right there is the ebony tower. BUT in the back right...nothing? is this going to be phase 2? i remember the initial renderings showed 4 condo towers back there. i wonder why the lack of developement in that corner? the monte carlo garage is over there. so is the new theatre. maybe the theatre is why?

[Patrick]

but its jacked up...the west tower is not as long as it really will be and the jocky club is shown as well....weird.

BUT in the back right...nothing? is this going to be phase 2? i remember the initial renderings showed 4 condo towers back there. i wonder why the lack of developement in that corner? the monte carlo garage is over there. so is the new theatre. maybe the theatre is why?


If you look closely the renderings are squeezed, to fit the pages, CityCenter looks thinner as well, even though its not.

That was the way old (and better) design of CityCenter. They are probably saving this space for later phases. I mean, 4 more new towers!? The Project first has to sell units first! :P

[mdiederi]

Drove by Saturday and noticed they were almost finished assembling a second tower crane for Vdara.

[Steven C.]

You guys seem to really be impressed with Trump Tower. It is not a strip property. It is on Industrial Road. The Frontier is such a dump and nobody knows when it will be replaced and with what design. When it is imploded it will put Trump right in the middle of a multi-year mess of dust and construction activity. The Trump has low ceiling heights, no terrace, no nightlife or casino within walking distance. No lady in her high fashion wear is going to want to walk to the Wynn at night. The rooms are so-so. And the whole design reminds me of an out-dated golden popcycle. I know it sold out fast and the remaining units are $850 k for a studio. There are so much better projects being built than this.

Do you live in las vegas? I drive past the trump project almost every week depending on traffic... So a few things you dont seem to understand.

1. Trump is right across the street from the Fashion show mall. Cant say i would spend $4000 on a handbag, but maybe some of these women in high fashion would go there for shopping?

2. Not to mention the high end dining in the same mall.

3. when completed, there will be services at the tower. it will not be only residential.

4. the target demographic will have transportation in the form of their own vehicle or a driver service.

5. trump was NEVER intended to be a full service resort tower. Never, ever....

and the lease on the frontier has been renewed to only january 1st, 2008. Who knows what happens after that.