[justdefended]

Hey everyone,

I was checking out the CC website this past week and couldn't help but notice how slender and short the Cosmo main tower is in relation to how it appears on Cosmo's website. In my opinion, the Cosmo main tower does seem a bit misrepresented in CC's renders and really should be dare I say "twice as long and twice as wide". Does anyone else notice this?

The Hyatt portion of the tower should have a perfect view of CC's and Vdara's oval overpass as the western edge of the Cosmo parcel is almost perpendicular to the rear curved section of Pelli's tower. Just a guess but maybe MGM wanted to make it appear to potential buyers of Vdara that they would get plentiful views of Bellagio's fountain lake than they realistically would upon completion?

The distance between Cosmo and Vdara/Monorail Station/Bellagio Spa tower looks to be about less than 75 feet based on numerous photos and renders and yet when you look at the first render on CC's site it shows it to be about roughly 300 feet. Hmmm strange but true.

http://i13.tinypic.com/62s4nxi.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/54o8l6d.jpg

Cheers,
Kevin L.

Looks like you're right Kevin. I'm betting that in the CC rendering they wanted to show the full view of Vdara rather than make a rendering blocked by the building next door.

The actual distance between the Cosmo and Vdara won't be as much as illustrated in the rendering. I think the picture of the miniature models better represent the distance.

Speaking with a CC rep, there are very few rooms in the North Vdara layer that can command a view of the Bellagio fountains, and the ones that can are about $100K more than the standard price!

[LMich]

Paris was one of the exceptions I was referring to. We'll just have to wait and see.

[ScottG]

theres nothing stopping anyone from misrepresenting anything off their site. the only thing that matters is how the rendersing show city center.if a rendering misrepresented city center and they are trying to sell city center, then its wrong......this is even the case in the main model at the sales office. the cosmo podium is full height but onl the 2 towers' footprint is show to be about (to scale) 10 feet tall. this is obvisously to not block the viewers view of the model....it does misrep the project, little do some know that there will be a 'wall' next door.


also couldnt reps for city center just say they didnt know how the neighboring projects are going to turn out therefore the renderings only show 'massing'

[The_Analyst]

theres nothing stopping anyone from misrepresenting anything off their site.

also couldnt reps for city center just say they didnt know how the neighboring projects are going to turn out therefore the renderings only show 'massing'

And actually, most of the time in the fine print you'll see some kind of disclosure like, "artist renderings subject to change." Buyers reserving units before construction is complete are really just buying a certain square footage (and even that is sometimes vague) and some amenities. Also remember that in real estate 'views' are not guaranteed or even protected--hence the big stink from Sky owners not wanting other tall buildings going up: the most they could do is get the county to vote against a building next door. But, a view that exists today is really not protected legally. While developers can increase the price of a unit because of 'views,' the buyer has little recourse if the view is somehow diminished in the future.

[mdiederi]

Kirk Kerkorian want's to buy Bellagio and CityCenter (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=101502&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2NjYm4uMTBrd2l6YXJkLmNvbS94bWwvZmlsaW5nLnhtbD9yZXBvPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9NDk0ODg1MyZhdHRhY2g9T04=) and split them from MGM and take them private.

[cosmo2k8]

And actually, most of the time in the fine print you'll see some kind of disclosure like, "artist renderings subject to change." Buyers reserving units before construction is complete are really just buying a certain square footage (and even that is sometimes vague) and some amenities. Also remember that in real estate 'views' are not guaranteed or even protected--hence the big stink from Sky owners not wanting other tall buildings going up: the most they could do is get the county to vote against a building next door. But, a view that exists today is really not protected legally. While developers can increase the price of a unit because of 'views,' the buyer has little recourse if the view is somehow diminished in the future.

I suppose Vdara may be an acronym for Views Diminished After Renderings Adjustment.

[MrVegas]

HERE ARE SOME UPDATED CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS.

Cosmopolitan
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6242/cosmo052107ui6.jpg

Vdara
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6308/vdara052107zr2.jpg

Panorama Tower 3
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/769/pano052107dd3.jpg

Palms Place
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/4633/palms052107gx9.jpg

Trump Tower
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1329/trump052107hl5.jpg

Palazzo
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5250/palazzoa052107px6.jpg

Here's a comparison of the Palazzo and Wynn
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1049/palazzob052107mv9.jpg

Planet Hollywood Towers
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3797/phtower052107zc6.jpg

The new sign on the south side of PH is now active.
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9851/phsign052107xg0.jpg

[LMich]

I knew the Palazzo was going to be one big-@ssed hotel, but you don't realize how big it really is until you see it.

[MrV]

Kirk Kerkorian want's to buy Bellagio and CityCenter and split them from MGM and take them private.


Very Interesting. Is this the end of Kerkorian at MGM Mirage or the end of MGM Mirage at the public stock exchange (like Vegastripping.com is suggesting).

In my opinion, it isn't very likely that this is a way for MGM to raise funds, in order to be able to develop their newly acquired land near Circus Circus, since they said that outside investors where lining up for that project.

A couple of weeks ago, I read somewhere on the internet that MGM altered the height of some City Center properties and that they submitted these changes to a zoning commision (is that the right word) via the holding company of the Bellagio (which kind of surprised the one who wrote that text, since it was usual for every property to have their own holding company). Would that have someting to do with the Bellagio and City Center leaving MGM Mirage as one new and private company?

[Complex01]

Wow, the palazzo is really looking good. Very nice, good updates. I remember when the Palms only had 1 tower and the rate was still under 250 on a sat nite...

[CHAPINM1]

I just got back from Las Vegas!!! I went to the City Center office, took some pictures of the models and took the tour. I layed in the pool at the Monte Carlo and watched City Center construction, took some pictures as well. I was suprised that they are not tearing down the Jockey Club right now... Hopefully sometime in the near future. ;)

I love the Panorama towers, they were one of the new great additions I could see from the pool!

[mdiederi]

Fontainebleau
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Fontainebleau/Font1-2.jpg

[True Blue]

I was suprised that they are not tearing down the Jockey Club right now... Hopefully sometime in the near future. ;

Sorry, but the Jockey Club is here to stay. It's being remodeled in a deal with the Cosmopolitan Resort. Some 20,000 timeshare owners at the Jockey Club made it impossible to implode.

Here's an article about Kirk Kerkorian interest in buying the Bellagio and CityCenter. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18797537/
The Strip is the new Monopoly Game for the Billionaire's of the world!

[highriseLV]

This is pretty cool - from the Stanhi website, which has been completely changed from last time I looked. http://www.stanhi.com/stanhi.html

[ScottG]

i must saw i LOVE how the front of PH is LED screens, very time square, and it totally fits onthe strip. i think they should do more on the facades of that place, it will work perfectly with cosmo and city center across the street....


i love how the screens changes size and shape without any border seperating them, its seamless connection.

[Silas]

Fantastic photos!

Palazzo and Wynn looking strong.

I agree about PH. I did not believe that PH could pull off a classy re-do of Aladdin but it appears that they are doing just that. I applaud a unique look on the strip which is FUN. High-end is great but let's not forget people still go to Vegas to have fun. Harmon/Strip has potential to be the happening place.

What is up with Kerkorian buying out Bellagio/CityCenter at age 90? Nobody can figure out what it means - even the 'experts' on Wall Street.

[EdKnov2002]

Why not Las Vegas built Noah of Ark Resort Hotel for living animals at big zoo and Bible and Jesus s buildings?

Why not Las Vegas built the Rainbow Resort Hotel for being beautiful colorful likes arch in St Louis?

Why not Las Vegas built London Resort Hotel?

Why not Las Vegas built Australia Resort Hotel for 100 koalas, kangaroos, australian bearded dragons and australian big frogs live in the big land?

Why not Las Vegas built Brazil Resort Hotel for 100 monkeys and different colorful birds at amazon river at the hotel?

Why not Las Vegas have Six Flags, Las Vegas Disneyland, Biggest shopping malls of World (than Mall of America in Minnesota), Universal Studios, new pro basketball team (Las Vegas Angels), new pro football team (Las Vegas Trojans), new pro baseball team (Las Vegas Kings), and new pro WNBA (Las Vegas Angels)???

Why not Las Vegas built Aspen Resort Hotel for ski indoor and snow indoor?

[Patrick]

Because your post makes no sense.

[jazfingr]

:previous:
:previous:

Because the theme days on the 90's are over. They are even de-themeing existing resorts i.e. Aladdin and Luxor.

London may still happen and the Swiss indoor ski thing is also planned. But, I think that these will not be built.

Look for a very tropical Tropicana in the future, but that's about it.

There is one theme that will work and is needed. I need to keep it quiet for now as I am working on a full model and plan on pitching it to a developer soon.

:D

[jazfingr]

To answer each one (for the hell of it)

Why not Las Vegas built Noah of Ark Resort Hotel for living animals at big zoo and Bible and Jesus s buildings?

Because the Bible and Drunk Gamblers go together as well as Jesus and Strippers

Why not Las Vegas built the Rainbow Resort Hotel for being beautiful colorful likes arch in St Louis?

Because that's way too gay.

Why not Las Vegas built London Resort Hotel?

Could happen.

Why not Las Vegas built Australia Resort Hotel for 100 koalas, kangaroos, australian bearded dragons and australian big frogs live in the big land?

Why not Las Vegas built Brazil Resort Hotel for 100 monkeys and different colorful birds at amazon river at the hotel?

Because animals smell bad and It's too damn hot in Vegas to keep them outside.

Why not Las Vegas have Six Flags, Universal Studios, Las Vegas Disneyland,

Too hot in summer too cold in winter

Biggest shopping malls of World (than Mall of America in Minnesota),

Could happen

new pro basketball team (Las Vegas Angels), new pro football team (Las Vegas Trojans), new pro baseball team (Las Vegas Kings), and new pro WNBA (Las Vegas Angels)???

This is under consideration

Why not Las Vegas built Aspen Resort Hotel for ski indoor and snow indoor

May happen

[MrVegas]

Why not Las Vegas built Aspen Resort Hotel for ski indoor and snow indoor?

There is a proposal for this type of project at http://www.lasvegaswet.com

[jazfingr]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/510448626_8dbdf8eea1_o.jpg

[Patrick]

Because that's way too gay.


:haha:

[Taurus702B]

:previous:
:previous:

Because the theme days on the 90's are over. They are even de-themeing existing resorts i.e. Aladdin and Luxor.

London may still happen and the Swiss indoor ski thing is also planned. But, I think that these will not be built.

Look for a very tropical Tropicana in the future, but that's about it.

There is one theme that will work and is needed. I need to keep it quiet for now as I am working on a full model and plan on pitching it to a developer soon.

:D

They can still do themes. Look at the Venetian. That place is incredible. As long as they do it with a lot of detail then it can be done right. I have been to the Venetian 3 times and I get lost in that place cause its so huge when I go inside.

[lfc4life]

They can still do themes. Look at the Venetian. That place is incredible. As long as they do it with a lot of detail then it can be done right. I have been to the Venetian 3 times and I get lost in that place cause its so huge when I go inside.

The Venetian broke ground at the height of the themed hotel boom in 1997. What Jaz is saying and I agree with him is that the day of the highly themed resort is in the past. Just look at the hotels that have opened (are to open) since 2000; Wynn, Palms, Fountainbleau, Echelon Place, City Center. Notice a pattern in these resorts?? None of these hotels have an over the top gimmicky theme such as those resorts built in the 1990s like Excalibur, luxor, Treasure Island.

[Silas]

I agree that cheesy themes are dead in Vegas. The key word is cheesy.

Something like Palazzo is a theme, in a way. So is Plaza replica. Circus Circus apparently will remain. I think a classy, high-end theme could definitely work. As Jazz mentioned, Tropicana would be wise to play up a tropical theme. Otherwise - boring!

One thing about 'themes not working' is unspoken. The Arab/Middle East themes are not working. I am not making a political statement - but it is a fact there is a war going on over there. Aladdin, Luxor, Sahara. Is it any coincidence that these specific themes are not working, while NYNY, Bellagio, Venitian, Caesar's, Plaza all seem to still work? Don't forget Planet Hollywood is also a theme.

CityCenter/Cosmo are unique IMO because their perfect location and architecture. They can get away without a theme. In fact the theme itself is location and 'chic Vegas'. That will not play in most places (as Ramblas and W found out).

[VegasMatt]

I agree that cheesy themes are dead in Vegas. The key word is cheesy.

I couldn't agree more. I believe themes come and go on the Strip. To say they are dead is really an overstatement.
The Strip has always produced a mix of Themed and non-themed hotels. It’ didn’t really start in the 90’s. Just look at Caesar's.
Unless themed attractions stop luring tourist, I can’t really see themes stopping.

One could argue that even CityCenter itself is themed. It is pretending to be an futuristic urban core where there really isn't a traditional urban center. Its multi-million dollar monorail, running shorter than a mile, is more of futuristic gimmick than an cost efficient way to transport people.

It' seems to me some people are excited by the thought of the Strip becoming more of a “real” city than a tourist attraction.
This seems to be the appeal of the non-themed resort. I don’t really understand why, nor do I think it’ll happen anytime soon.



Biggest shopping malls of World (than Mall of America in Minnesota),

Could happen


Triple five (the owners of The Great Mall of America) are currently beginning construction of The Great Mall of Las Vegas.
It is a pretty exciting project. You can read more about it here:

http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2006/07/24/news/news05.txt

[Superfish]

A Win Win Situation for Wynn


Jeff Simpson on why Steve Wynn is happy to have a new neighbor on the Strip

I talked to an upbeat Steve Wynn on Friday afternoon, not long after he'd joined New Frontier owner Phil Ruffin for lunch.

Wynn had a few reasons for feeling good about Ruffin's $1.2 billion sale of the New Frontier and its 35-acre site to Israeli real estate baron Yitzhak Tshuva.

One, Wynn likes Ruffin, and admires the deal he made, getting more than $34 million per acre for the site directly across Las Vegas Boulevard from Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.

"I think Phil played his hand at the New Frontier as well as he could have," Wynn said. "It was a masterful move."

Two, Wynn thinks the deal and the $5 billion resort planned by Tshuva makes it even more clear that the North Strip has done more than improve its former downscale image.

The North Strip won't be just as good as the more intensively developed stretch farther south - it will be better, he said.

"This is a great lift for the neighborhood. It eliminates an eyesore. And look at the neighborhood, from Barney's (the department store being built at Palazzo), to Wynn and Encore, now the New Frontier development, the Stardust (Echelon) development," Wynn said.

"Everything is new. Big rooms. With the exception of (MGM Mirage's) CityCenter, everything down there is old buildings, small rooms. No one's talking about tearing those places down, so it's going to stay that way for a while. No one's talking about tearing down Harrah's, the Flamingo, Caesars Palace. Up here, this is where it's at."

And three, Wynn is pleased by the price Tshuva paid to move into the high-rent district between Fashion Show mall, the Trump International Hotel & Towers, Wynn, Encore and Echelon.

And why wouldn't he be happy? Wynn paid $270 million for the 218-acre Desert Inn site in 2000, and later picked up additional property underneath the homes in Desert Inn Estates, the site of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce building and apartments on the south side of Sands Avenue.

Wynn has already used about 85 acres, and the Wynn Las Vegas Golf Club land and the additional property he purchased totals about 160 acres.

At $34 million per acre, that land bank would be worth a staggering $5.4 billion.

Wynn said top executives from Tshuva's Elad Properties were staying at his hotel. Elad plans to use New York's Plaza Hotel, which it owns, as inspiration for its Las Vegas resort, and Wynn said he looks forward to looking at the company's plans.



One thing I've been wondering when I check out the big projects being built at CityCenter, Palazzo and Encore is: How is Palazzo going to be ready to open by the end of the year?

Owner Las Vegas Sands' Web site - and its public announcements - all say Palazzo will open in 2007, but the project isn't topped off yet. By contrast, Wynn's Encore is slated to top off in November and open a year later.

In Business Las Vegas real estate reporter Brian Wargo recently interviewed Dan Sheridan, the Las Vegas boss of General Growth Properties, which owns and operates Fashion Show, Boulevard and Meadows malls as well as the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian.

General Growth also has a deal to buy the retail operation at Palazzo after it opens. In his Q&A in the May 18-24 issue of In Business, Sheridan told Wargo that Palazzo's retail will open early in 2008.

Hopefully Palazzo will avoid the stumbles the Venetian suffered from when it opened in May 1999 with less than 400 available hotel rooms and a bunch of unopened restaurants and stores. Of course, Las Vegas Sands can easily afford a soft opening, and even that slow start really didn't matter, as Venetian quickly turned into a money-making machine.

[mdiederi]

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

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

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/ls2.jpg

[LMich]

I One thing about 'themes not working' is unspoken. The Arab/Middle East themes are not working. I am not making a political statement - but it is a fact there is a war going on over there. Aladdin, Luxor, Sahara. Is it any coincidence that these specific themes are not working, while NYNY, Bellagio, Venitian, Caesar's, Plaza all seem to still work? Don't forget Planet Hollywood is also a theme.

Yes, yes you are. The Aladdin has always done rather poorly, and its been around for decades. Last time I checked, the Luxor was doing just fine, but if its not, it has to do with its location at the southern end of the Strip. The Sahara has been stuck in the past, for years, and again, it's location at the northern end of the Strip doesn't help.

[mdiederi]

Luxor may be making money, but recent reports say it's in serious need of a makeover.
http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/2007/05/luxor_may_2007.html

[mdiederi]

A couple of random evening shots.

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

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

[PuyoPiyo]

I am going to answer to your questions, Edknov2002.

Why not Las Vegas built Noah of Ark Resort Hotel for living animals at big zoo and Bible and Jesus s buildings?

Because Las Vegas is a SIN CITY. They hate bible and Jesus.

Why not Las Vegas built the Rainbow Resort Hotel for being beautiful colorful likes arch in St Louis?

Not many gay people there, and the gay community in Las Vegas DO exist, but that would be too much for gay community.

Why not Las Vegas built London Resort Hotel?

New York New York Las Vegas are good enough, there's no need to build more things that symbol of other cities.

Why not Las Vegas built Australia Resort Hotel for 100 koalas, kangaroos, australian bearded dragons and australian big frogs live in the big land?

Why not Las Vegas built Brazil Resort Hotel for 100 monkeys and different colorful birds at amazon river at the hotel?

They do have White Tiger and Flamingo, and there's actually more than that I believe.

Why not Las Vegas have Six Flags, Las Vegas Disneyland, Biggest shopping malls of World (than Mall of America in Minnesota), Universal Studios, new pro basketball team (Las Vegas Angels), new pro football team (Las Vegas Trojans), new pro baseball team (Las Vegas Kings), and new pro WNBA (Las Vegas Angels)???

People in Las Vegas are too lazy and want gambling in bright lights buildings during the night. That's all.

Why not Las Vegas built Aspen Resort Hotel for ski indoor and snow indoor?

There's rumors that it already proposed, I don't know about that one.




There you go :)

[Silas]

hey dummy, the Aladdin was built in 2000. Remember what happened in September 2001 ? You think that it is coincidence that the property went into bankruptcy just after that? Oh yeah, it is because of the bad parking garage. Uh huh.

Just because you haven't been spoon fed the truth in the media doesn't mean that the reality doesn't exist. Fact is a lot of people did not want to go to a place named 'Aladdin' and 'Desert Passage'. I am not saying it is right/wrong/whatever, I just tell it like it is. Why always try to fight the truth when there is no need?

[LMich]

Hey 'dummy', the Aladdin was opened in 1966. Please, if you want to make such far-fetched leaps, and have someone entertain your conspiracy theories, do it somewhere else. This isn't you first time. This is a development thread. Leave your politics to a more suitable board, and this is not a suggestion, it's now an official moderation warning since you can't seem to help yourself.

[peltecs]

I will never stay at Paris, and I will never ever stay at Wynn's Encore. As a proud American I detest the wussy French who suckled Saddam Hussein! If you wan't an idea for a new themed Vegas resort, it should be "AMERICA - F**K YEAH!" A huge resort in the shape of an aircraft carrier. The Buffet consists of hot dogs and apple pies...:jester:

Really, is that the level of discourse this thread needs to devolve to?

[lfc4life]

A couple of random evening shots.

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

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


Mdiederi has Trump topped out??? It looks like they still have to put the final piece on top to me??

I love your picture of Newport lofts, the neighbourhood is so classy :P

[mdiederi]

Mdiederi has Trump topped out??? It looks like they still have to put the final piece on top to me??
Yes, it is topped out, the glass will go no higher and then they will put that white part on the remaining floors and then stick some gigantic letters up there.

I love your picture of Newport lofts, the neighbourhood is so classy :P
That's a typical view of the vibrant Arts District on a busy Saturday night.

[mdiederi]

When the highly leveraged new Aladdin opened it got off to a bad start and never found it's financial footing, 9/11 didn't help any resorts, but it was the least of Aladdin's problems. Not only did the design have bad feng shui, but the management was clumsy. For instance, on opening night the fire inspections weren't complete and they had to frantically put all the guests up in other hotels. When it finally opened the next day there were over 3,000 workers protesting out front because they didn't have a union contract.

[mttbox]

LMich you ignoran....

What is the problem here?

the problem is you are calling people "dummy", you have a real problem if this is the way you talk everyday and don't feel anything wrong with it.

[MrV]

Does anybody already know what kind of changes and improvements will be made to the Sahara by it's new owners and when? It has been a couple of months since the Sahara has been taken over and I haven't seen any news about that property, but I can't imagine the new owners paid all that money to leave it as it is, nor do I think that they'll just make a couple of 'minor' (compared with imploding the whole thing) changes like renovating the rooms or adding a new restaurant.

[mdiederi]

I don't think Nazarian has taken control of the Sahara yet and they haven't released any details of future plans. But I do know that Larry Woolf's Navegante Group will manage the casino. Gordon Gaming has managed it since 1995.

The Sahara is a Moroccan theme by the way, where as the Aladdin was an Iraqi/Iranian/Persian theme and the original lounge in 1966 was called the "Bagdad Theater". Luxor is an Egyptian theme.

In the couple years after 9/11 more Americans chose to take their vacations domestically and Vegas benefited from that.

[Taurus702B]

:haha:

Very mature you guys. <----- sarcasm.

[Empire Builder]

While i can't say that I agree with everything Silas is writing, i must admit that the back-and-forth drama is somewhat entertaining. I would have to say i would be somewhat disappointed if Silas is blocked from the thread ....

but back to vegas development discussion - any news/word from Milam on the Las Vegas Tower? Or any other news? seems that topic has kind of died since the proposal was held over until July .......

[ScottG]

i beleive the las vegas tower is posponed to show up on the agendas until july....mr milam failed to pay a certain deposit or something....basically not a good sign.


LAS VEGAS SANDS WANTS TO BUY THE MIRAGE AND TREASURE ISLAND (i refuse to call it TI).

apparently the mgm empire might be falling apart....or at least separated....

bellagio and city center one company and mirage and ti part of sands......looks like these companies want to have properties close to each other....as in a whole intersection belonging to one company to maximize profit......or would that even matter?


i mean venetian, mirage, plazzo, and treasure island are close and that part of the strip would be 'the sands' area,,,but do you think there would be a different in revenue if the properties were separated more...i know it all comes down to location and resort, but im sure it at least looks better when you own everything south of an intersection....


BTW the luxor's 'failure' is not due to its location being so for south. mandalay bay is even further and it is one of the hottest places in vegas.....mandalay is hip, hold conventions, and good shows and its tropical themed.....luxor, a bit more themy has no show (as of yet-even blue man didnt really help) and no convention.....


truth is tourists do not want to be surrounded or reminded of poverty when on vacation....the aladdin being pursian or stereotypically mid-east themed, it is modeled after a run down town. ancient buildings, dust, sand, black markets. ruined towns. why go there when you can go to rome or venice. (run down yes, but also classy)

not mention think about the atmosphere in rome, venice, or hawaii (tropical) verses the desert. people dont want to see the ravishes of the hot desert, they want fantasy. the heat is good for the pool, not for malls. the desert passage was like walking in sand. people only want that at the beach....(like mandalay bays pool....

[ScottG]

my prediction:

planet hollywood will renovate the tower in a year.....that property will become one of the most popular destinations, make money and give them an oppertunity to 'fix' the blank tower. cosmo and city center will definitly help bring PH out of the butthole of the strip.

also, the planet hollywood towers now have their cranes up....

[Superfish]

Partially erected tower cranes have been detected at Fontainebleau. The crane color is blue.

[heyyoucharlie]

mdiederi[/B]].
That's a typical view of the vibrant Arts District on a busy Saturday night.


Mdiederi...LOL... and people want to keep that area like that and not build the Project Neon Lights???:shrug: I think there would be a way to incoroprate the arts district theme with whatever gets built on the south side of Charleston... even if it is the Project Neon Lights with a sports stadium complex.

[MrVegas]

This article was in today's Las Vegas RJ.

"The Las Vegas monorail will allow Nevadans to ride for free during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. People who show a valid NEVADA ID at any monorail station booth are eligible to receive two single-ride tickets per person, per station." :banana:

You can view the construction projects from a different perspective and without having to fight the traffic around the Strip. Here is the complete article:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/7663577.html

[MrVegas]

Buyers of the Spanish View Towers filed suit today to have their deposits returned. The developer has reportedly set a foreclosure sale on the property for June 4. :(

The complete article can be found at: http://lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/05/24/news/news_update/doc46564f773c075555414468.txt

[jazfingr]

I learned that Fontainebleau finally secured all their financing. I said "hey, it's already under construction" and the answer was, "ya, but it could have stopped". I guess they were pretty confident. Maybe now we'll see some new renderings and get more details.

[beets281]

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4117/img4393xq3.jpg

[CHAPINM1]

Has anyone heard anything more on the Echelon Place and possibly when it's supposed to start construction?

BTW, thanks for the pic beets281!

[EdKnov2002]

Will Michael Jackson Resort Hotel and 50 feet of Robot will built in Las Vegas yet?

[MrV]

I don't think Nazarian has taken control of the Sahara yet and they haven't released any details of future plans. But I do know that Larry Woolf's Navegante Group will manage the casino. Gordon Gaming has managed it since 1995.


Since they have already hired a company to run the casino, does that suggest that they are planning to keep it open for a while?

LAS VEGAS SANDS WANTS TO BUY THE MIRAGE AND TREASURE ISLAND (i refuse to call it TI).

apparently the mgm empire might be falling apart....or at least separated....


Do you have some more information or possibly a link about this? Because this would be very interesting and (at least in my opinion) very unexpected news.

[gmcclenon]

Here are some new pics:

Wynn/Encore
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/CIMG0889.jpg

Echelon/Trump
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/CIMG0888.jpg

Fontainebleau foundation:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Fontainebleau/CIMG0893.jpg

Crane closeup:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Fontainebleau/CIMG0897.jpg

Core closeup:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Fontainebleau/CIMG0895.jpg

And Convention space/parking:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Fontainebleau/CIMG0896.jpg

LVTI/Fontainebleau staging area:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/LVTI/CIMG0894.jpg

Sky Las Vegas entry:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Sky/Interior/CIMG0880.jpg

Sky Las Vegas interior shot of elevator lobby:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/gdog137/Sky/Interior/CIMG0868.jpg

[mdiederi]

Damn, that's gonna be a massive core.

[beets281]

Nice pics you have an awesome view.

[mdiederi]

AP story about Trump's topping off party. (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070525/nv_trump_vegas.html?.v=1)
I go around and buy land, I do things other people can't do.
Uh, Ruffin owns that land.

Sales of condos in the second tower, also to be lined in gold-plated glass, began last month. Nearly 500 of the 1,200 units have sold, Trump said.

[RazzMan]

AP story about Trump's topping off party. (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070525/nv_trump_vegas.html?.v=1)

Uh, Ruffin owns that land.


Should the Plaza really help investors in Tower I and help sell units in Tower II. I think it should bu who know.

[justdefended]

"NBC wants to renew it badly. I'm making a decision as to whether I want to do another season," he said.

Yes, that's why they left it off their fall season lineup.

Although, it will be nice for Trump owners to have The Plaza next door. It'll be like a block of New York luxury, i.e. gold.

[MrVegas]

Christopher Milan, the businessman behind the 1,888 foot Las Vegas Tower said Friday he has made a $40 million land option payment and the project is proceeding.

Here is the complete article:

http://www.lvrj.com/business/7700387.html

[MrVegas]

Australian developer Victor Altomare and land owner Rinkai America are putting the 2-acre Ivana Las Vegas site up for sale. The former Holy Cow Brewery and Casino, on the northeast corner of Sahara & Las Vegas Boulevard is listed for $50 million.

They have received many inquiries about the property and expect to have a buyer in place by the end of June. The owners want to sell the land outright and aren't seeking a joint venture.

Here is the complete article:

http://www.lvrj.com/business/7700382.html

[ScottG]

heres that article on the sands interest in mirage and ti....

http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/2007/05/breaking_news_k.html

the Las vegas tower is doubtful.....no matter how dependant the investors are or devoted the devoper is, the project is too massive....too costly. no way can a tower of such height and mass be constructed. it larger than the freedom tower and that alone has its own delemas (sure its a more reputable project, but look at any worlds tallest buildings. it takes years to get over every kink and problem.) i dont think this one can last through them all....

wind studies, attack analysis, evacuation of such a populous amount of people, faa impact, shadow effects, COST, let alone getting all the material necessary to build the thing.......

i would love to see a tall TALL building here, and i think the LVT is a good candidate, but i seriously doubt it could ever be. not only would it take at least 3-5 years to draw out all the construction docs, but another 3-5 years to build it......i just dont see it.....especially from this 'milam' guy. if it were a certain crporation like turnberry or mgm etc. them maybe....but no

[LMich]

You do realize taller towers are being built, and many more planned, don't you? You make it sound like this is the Burj Dubai, a tower that really doesn't make much sense, economically. It's a super-tall, but it's really not that far-fetched of a plan. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that this tower were cancelled, but I also wouldn't be surprised if it's constructed. You make it sound as if this is the only supertall to ever be proposed.

[bluejudad]

With all the talk of happenings on the Strip, it seems to me that downtown might be cruising under the radar. The skyline is slowly but surely changing. Especially from Bonneville south to Charleston. Juhl is rising and Soho Lofts all of a sudden looks much more "in place" with Newport having topped off. Stanhi (another Cherry developement - talk about a proven developer!) is I'm told mere months from coming out of the ground! Now there is Project "Neon Lights" which got approved by city planning(includes sports arena, convention center, condo's etc.)this past Thursday.

As a former New Yorker who owns a condo on the strip but wouldn't entertain the idea of actually living there, I would like to hear more discussion about downtown. It seems to me, that it has the best chance (as it should) of fulfilling the urban neighborhood dream (coffee shops, book stores, grocery, liesurely stroll, culture, music, convenience etc.). I went to the Stanhi Sales office on Friday. There is something special going on there! It seems like they know something others don't. Maybe thats wy builder Jack Breslin opened and office next door. I'm more and more convinced Sam Cherry will be recognized as a visionary.

[beets281]

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1427/1mgmzs2.jpg
Signature at the MGM Grand
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2899/2grandzu3.jpg
Marriott's Grand Chateau
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3980/3phbu9.jpg
Planet Hollywood Towers- Tower 1 going up
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4825/4ph2at0.jpg
Planet Hollywood Towers - Tower 1 going up
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/360/5panoiz1.jpg
Panorama Towers 1 & 2
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/2276/6pano3cd8.jpg
Pano 3
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3569/7pano3bkk2.jpg
Pano 3
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8063/8pcces2.jpg
CityCenter
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/666/9pcc3iy7.jpg
Power Plant? Fire Station?
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8241/10pcc2nt2.jpg
Vdara
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7631/11pcc4wr5.jpg
Another view of the back side
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9373/12pcc6lh8.jpg
What's cool about these windows is when you drive past the building from the freeway it has a ripple effect because of the sawtooth placement.
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1316/13pcc7tg9.jpg
It is always fun to try and count how many cranes are up at City Center.
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/3825/14cosmo2hd2.jpg
Cosmopolitan rising out of the hole.
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8144/15cosmo3nq2.jpg
Cosmo creeping up the Jockey Club
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4167/16cosmokf8.jpg
Jockey Canyon filling up.
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/8963/17palmsnz7.jpg
Not sure how the different colors are going to pay off for the Palms Place.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5716/18plazzo2hc0.jpg
Quality and size move northward.
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4742/19plazzo3hs6.jpg
Plazzo
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/3778/20northxe2.jpg
This view is sure to change drastically in a few years.
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6104/22wynnde9.jpg
Wynn & Encore
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/6964/23wynn2fr4.jpg
More of the same
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6231/24fountxi3.jpg
Fontainebleau
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5743/25turnberryxh2.jpg
Turnberry Towers
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1799/27downtowndi2.jpg
Newest additions to downtown: World Market Center 1 & 2, Molasky Center, Newport Lofts, Juhl Lofts, Streamline and SoHo Lofts.
Enjoy.

[cosmo2k8]

Private-equity investors may map future of Strip growth

By ARNOLD M. KNIGHTLY
REVIEW-JOURNAL

What was started by the mob and built by Wall Street now seems poised to grow through private-equity investors.

Las Vegas-based gaming companies are resting squarely in the sights of buyout funds eager to take advantage of the companies' extensive real estate holdings, heavy cash flows and strong growth potential.

"Private-equity firms have the ability to leverage both the real estate as well as the operating entities more so than publicly traded companies will be able to do," said Brian Gordon, a principal at Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas-based financial consulting firm.

Josh Lerner, a Harvard University investment-banking professor, said the growing interest in gaming companies stems from changes over the past decade in the way private equity firms handle their investments.

No longer are struggling companies, or turnarounds, private equity's only targets. Nor is private-equity firms' only reason for buying just a way to sell off companies' assets before taking the companies public again.

Although some jobs are still cut and smaller or underperforming assets are sold during takeovers, private-equity's business plans now include capital investment.

"They're buying companies with the intention of rolling up their sleeves and working with companies to improve their operations," Lerner said.

That could be what's happening with the second-largest gaming company, MGM Mirage.

Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian said Monday that his investment arm, Tracinda Corp., which owns 56 percent of MGM Mirage shares, was entering negotiations with the gaming giant to buy Bellagio and the CityCenter development.

Gaming analysts estimate the deal for the two Strip properties is worth $12 billion. Speculation about what would happen with MGM Mirage's remaining assets center on a possible company restructuring for sale to private-equity investors similar to what happened with competitor Harrah's Entertainment.

The $17.1 billion buyout offer for Harrah's from a joint-venture partnership between private-equity firms Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management was approved by shareholders on April 5.

Judging by market value, a similar $90 per share offer for the current MGM Mirage structure would be in the $25.5 billion range.

Before Kerkorian's announcement, the company was trading at a market value of $17.9 billion.

And private equity's interest is not limited to deals involving big companies on the Strip.

Los Angeles-based real estate investment trust Colony Capital has a 75 percent equity share investment in the proposed $5.2 billion buyout of Station Casinos and a 60 percent ownership in the Las Vegas Hilton.

New York-based Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, a Goldman, Sachs & Co. affiliate, owns the other 40 percent of the Hilton. It announced a $1.3 billion deal in April to acquire the parent company of the Stratosphere, both Arizona Charlie's casinos and a Laughlin casino.

Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital Management owns 42 percent of Cannery Casino Resorts, which has a casino in North Las Vegas and a second under construction on Boulder Highway.

Private-equity investments are also involved in recent and possible deals including Planet Hollywood Resort, Sahara, Riviera and Hooters Hotel,

The pair involved in the Harrah's buyout, Texas Pacific Group and Apollo Management, are also rumored to be interested in slot machine manufacturer International Game Technology.

"They're converging on absolutely everything," said Dan Primack, editor at large at Thomson Financial. "There is not a major industry in the United States that private equity is not converging on."

Primack added that gaming is joining other traditionally nonprivate equity sectors including finance, energy, technology, and telecommunications.

The trend toward Sin City follows a sharp increase in nationwide private-equity mergers and acquisitions during the past three years, which has limited the availability of companies for purchase.

Private-equity buyout activity in the United States has increased from 835 deals worth $98 billion in 2004 to 1,265 deals worth $422 billion in 2006, Thomson Financial reports.

The buyout frenzy has continued for the first five months of 2007; private-equity activity is already at $281.7 billion for 496 deals.

http://www.lvrj.com/business/7709662.html

Cheers,
Kevin L.

[mdiederi]

Good compilation Beets.

There's been some ground prep at Sullivan Square
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Sullivan.jpg

They dug a hole at Manhattan West
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/ManhattanWest1.jpg

Just another office building out at Summerlin, but I notice that it has a stone facade instead of fake stucco.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/sumo.jpg

[mdiederi]

Pano from the southwest.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/skyline2.jpg

LMich, you were asking about the new flood control canals earlier. You can see one in this picture, going under the 215. Think it's for the Tropicana Wash. There are several for each wash.

[Steven C.]

I work across the street from city center, and IMO those windows look pretty bad. They are just a clear blue look... they look like this type of blue reynolds wrap i buy.

And for the record, that is a power plant in that picture.

Also, they have completed the overpass from harmon ave to the building site from industrial road, but i cannot see how it will work as a through road to LVB, which is what i was told would be happening when i spoke to someone in bellagio about the project last.

Anyone know about this?

[LMich]

mdiederi,

What's the area in the foreground in that pan? It looks like it's near Rhodes Ranch, but so much has been built out that way, I'm not sure where that photo was taken from.

[gmcclenon]

Great pictures Beets - thanks a lot.

[Lecom]

Great photos guys. Keep 'em coming.

[mdiederi]

Yeah, LMich, that was from just a little northwest of Rhodes Ranch.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5716/18plazzo2hc0.jpg
Quality and size move northward.
You must have been up in Seizure's Palace to get that angle?

[DracoCaifan]

Great photos!! thanks!! Keep up the good work guys!!

[MayDay]

Photos from this past week - sorry about the quality on some; I didn't have my tripod and some were taken from a car:

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc1.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc2.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc3.jpg

I was staying at the Venetian and had an amazing view of the Palazzo going up from the pool - I was one happy vacationing SSP geek! :tup:
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc4.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc5.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc6.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc7.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc8.jpg

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/vegaspc9.jpg

[Complex01]

Wow, those are some really great pics. Its been a while since i have seen a LV Pano. Very good...

[LMich]

Very nice views, Mayday! I'm getting 'home'sick just looking at these. You capture some very non-tourists views.

I had no that you'd be able to see the Trump looking down Rancho like that. I can't wait to see development eventually spread west of the freeway.

[VA_Gentleman]

My favorite thing about this city is how fast construction occurs. I was last there about two and a half years ago and there didn't seem to be half as many buildings. Amazing.

[LMich]

Fast is not always better, and in the case of the hotels, it's most definitely not in terms of the finished quality.

[DMaldon762]

I love the pick of the Marriot Grand Chateau. Party in the front, Business in the rear. A reverse mullet of a picture, if you will. And the sneaker on the power line is the cherry on top!

[mdiederi]

Has this one been mentioned before? Quail Village (http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0214113.htm) four towers with two having 1,120 condos and the other two with 2,700 hotel rooms, all 590 feet tall. On Spring Mountain Road just a little north of the Rio near I-15.

[jazfingr]

:previous: Ya Quail Village is an older (considered stale by this thread) project. Glad to see it resurface. Here are the only know renderings.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/521979884_5d1a7e56da_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/521979880_49619cc662_o.jpg

Looks like a nice project. :tup:

[Red UM Rebel]

Great Photos Everyone!!! THanks soo much

[mdiederi]

Article about the condo market. (http://www.lvrj.com/business/7742187.html)

70 percent of the units at SoHo Lofts are listed for sale.

[mdiederi]

:previous: Ya Quail Village is an older (considered stale by this thread) project. Glad to see it resurface. Here are the only know renderings.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/521979884_5d1a7e56da_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/521979880_49619cc662_o.jpg

Looks like a nice project. :tup:
Interesting. Those renderings show a lot more than four towers. That must have been the "mixed use" project originally proposed. The current application is for a zone change from U-V (Urban Village - Mixed Use) Zone to H-1 (Limited Resort and Apartment).

The planning staff also said:

The building elevations submitted to staff also do not provide adequate detailing to complete a comprehensive review of the building aesthetics. According to the plans, the resulting project will involve four, 590 foot high towers, with other mid-rise structures close to Interstate 15. The towers include very little detailing other than the glass curtain walls that incorporate a combination of green and blue tinted glass. As a result, staff cannot support the design review portion of this application, and requests that the applicant make efforts to terrace Tower #1 to reduce the height setback ratio intrusion and add architectural detailing to the tower elevations.

[LMich]

JMA Architecture had drawn up those original plans, and it was more a vision, at the time. It still sounds like a long-shot project, to me.

[highriseLV]

Article about the condo market. (http://www.lvrj.com/business/7742187.html)

I'm calling B.S. on this one. The author of that article needs to check his sources...I just did an MLS search, and there are 32 units available for resale in Soho Lofts...32/120 is 27%. Interesting. As I looked further, trying to find data support his claim, I found that there are only 6 units available for lease...6/120 is 5%...Maybe he meant the building is 70% occupied, because based on what I just pulled up, there are only 38 units available for lease and sale. That would lead me to believe that the other 82/120 are occupied...68%.

[mdiederi]

Good detective work HighriseLV. I thought it sounded kind of extreme, that's why I posted it.

JMA Architecture had drawn up those original plans, and it was more a vision, at the time. It still sounds like a long-shot project, to me.
So I wonder if the application for the zoning change is just a ploy to boost the value of the land for future resale?

[mdiederi]

New partner in the Las Vegas Tower (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=2860651#post2860651) project.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/pbl-buys-another-crown--in-vegas/2007/05/31/1180205425192.html

[beets281]

I know this is a bit old but I thought I would share incase some of you havent see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E59CbUH_g4

[jazfingr]

It looks like the Casino Royale has filed an application with the Clark County Planning department to add on a 14,900 sq foot 2 story addition at the back of the building to enlarge the casino and add more storage and offices on 2nd floor.

http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0214649.htm

Interesting point is that the addition will take away 37 parking
spaces, but the place will be left with 501 spaces, of which Clark
County says they only need 367.

[jazfingr]

The RED Dragon (in Chinatown) is rearing its head again and looking for approval http://dsnet.co.clark.nv.us/dsnetapps/agendaweb/Data/P0214110.htm

[LMich]

I'd never heard of this one. Are there any renderings?

[future29]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sports/2007/may/31/566643116.html

potential MLS (Major League Soccer) team in Las Vegas with a $500 million retractable roof stadium.

[heyyoucharlie]

:previous: Wow... that sounds really promising!!! I wonder if the stadium they are talking about is Project Neon Lights??? I still think that would be a great location for any kind of stadium...

I don't even like soccer, but I think a team in Vegas would do really well (attendance wise) with the large Mexican population that exist here...

[jazfingr]

:previous:

Project Neon Lights is only 70 acres.

[heyyoucharlie]

Did I miss it in the article then??? Where is the planned $500 million stadium location???

[jazfingr]

:previous:
:previous:

The only known rendering of the Red Dragon

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/524469197_0200a30a89_o.jpg