[justdefended]

The local media needs to stop rumor promoting. It is bad for our city, disrespectful to MGM MIRAGE, and comes across as desperate for a story.

By the way, the reporting is so bad, Veer Towers lean at approx. 5 degree angles. Someone in the media bringing up 22 degrees proves the problem of irresponsible fact checking.

Wham bam journalism is part of what got our city into this mess. Should all of us on this forum have a passion for seeing future growth in Vegas, we all must take a stand and realize the harm done when stuff (that should never be printed until proven and/or fact checked) gets printed.

You said it Aaron. When I read that Veer rumor yesterday I couldn't believe that someone could actually type that out. Anyone with eyes can see that neither Veer East nor West is leaning anywhere close to 40 + degrees.

These unsubstiated rumors just fuel an overtly negative tone in the Vegas building business. Sure, when there are real problems it's worth reporting. But there isn't any problem, the local media in particular shouldn't create them.

[mdiederi]

I looked at Veer yesterday and the vertical beams in the middle are perfectly vertical, and the angled sides are still the same angle they always were and no where near 22 degrees, let alone 44 degrees. nothing has moved. I don't understand the "cabling issue"? What cables? Maybe Norm got his rumors crossed with the story about the crawler crane that started leaning real bad a week or so ago? One rumor that is true is that Perini is over stretched with the project and MGM has given more work to Tishman. I'm sure Tishman appreciates that since they lost all that work on Echelon.

[gmcclenon]

Warning: I am completely biased as an owner of a corner unit at Sky.

I would like to further Aaron’s point about the differences between hotel condos and residential condos. The biggest difference with my unit at Sky versus the condo-tels and timeshare units that I have stayed in is 'the quiet'. No one in the hallways dragging suitcases, loud talking while inebriated. No one in the lobby checking in and out. Very few at the pool or Jacuzzi. Cabana's always available and you can always get an outdoor bar-b-q for grilling. It has a very relaxed, quiet and exclusive feel to it. No tourists, gamblers or overnighters on the property. You get to know your neighbors and you make friends. Very community like. Now, this is a larger 2 br unit, so it feels more like a home. Taking the elevator down to the CVS Pharmacy for party supplies is the height of convenience while reminding you that you are on the Strip.

The building itself is a concrete bunker. Overbuilt and tomb-like when you close your door. (The constant racket of the construction across the street at Fontainebleau notwithstanding.) In fact, in the high winds we had earlier this year, our neighbors on the upper floors reported no building sway!

I overpaid for my unit in ’06 near the peak. My hope is that, as Aaron has mentioned, construction costs and land prices alone will eventually put some kind of bottom to its price decline. Demand for these unique units will eventually grow because, as FOD has pointed out, there is no business case for residential condos on the strip - I doubt any more will ever be built.

As long as there are more than 409 people on earth that want to live across the street from a multi-billion resort with gaming, 29 restaurants and lounges, a theater and shopping, I may eventually get out whole. Again, this may be just wishful thinking.

I’ll make up for this shameful biased pitch for Sky by posting some pictures next week when I’m there for CES. The main pool deck at FB is coming along nicely! East facing units at Sky get the sunset reflection off of the blue glass of the FB. Looks surreal.

[Aaron Auxier]

All the publication did by printing that was further the point I (and many others) have been complaining about for years - that the media is causing many of our problems by printing un-researched data.

The same exact thing is happening with the "to-this-day unwillingness" to report condotel vs. true residential numbers.

[RandalR]

I would like to further Aaron’s point about the differences between hotel condos and residential condos. The biggest difference with my unit at Sky versus the condo-tels and timeshare units that I have stayed in is 'the quiet'. No one in the hallways dragging suitcases, loud talking while inebriated. No one in the lobby checking in and out. Very few at the pool or Jacuzzi. Cabana's always available and you can always get an outdoor bar-b-q for grilling. It has a very relaxed, quiet and exclusive feel to it. No tourists, gamblers or overnighters on the property. You get to know your neighbors and you make friends. Very community like. Now, this is a larger 2 br unit, so it feels more like a home.

The building itself is a concrete bunker. Overbuilt and tomb-like when you close your door. (The constant racket of the construction across the street at Fontainebleau notwithstanding.) In fact, in the high winds we had earlier this year, our neighbors in the 45th floor penthouse reported no building sway!


That's all true at Turnberry Place, too. People who come to visit me are amazed - I think they are expecting to find an MGM Grand-like hotel room instead of an actual luxury home in the sky.

[mdiederi]

The north Strip has a lot of high rise residential, I count eight towers. I consider Turnberry Place and Turnberry Towers as essentially on the Strip, though not directly. Does anyone know how sales have been at Allure and Turnberry Towers? Those were the last ones built. Seems there should be a lot of residents in that neighborhood who will frequently walk to the restaurants and bars at Fontainebleau. Will Fontainebleau still provide direct access to Turnberry Place residents as originally advertised?

[RandalR]

The north Strip has a lot of high rise residential, I count eight towers. I consider Turnberry Place and Turnberry Towers as essentially on the Strip, though not directly. Does anyone know how sales have been at Allure and Turnberry Towers? Those were the last ones built. Seems there should be a lot of residents in that neighborhood who will frequently walk to the restaurants and bars at Fontainebleau. Will Fontainebleau still provide direct access to Turnberry Place residents as originally advertised?

Fontainebleau refused to give Turnberry Place residents direct access, citing "security concerns". Nothing a $10/hour security guard and a key card system couldn't prevent, so I think they were just mad about the lawsuit some Turnberry residents filed over the ever-increasing height of the garage/convention center. So we'll have to drive around the corner to the Riviera entrance - or walk. It isn't really that far, but most people I know will drive, anyway.

I don't think the newer Turnberry Towers building is selling well at all. Don't know much about Allure except that with other developments stalled out due to conditions, it's going to stand by itself in a fairly bad neighborhood for a while.

[Krases]

I hope this economy turns around soon. The DOW Jones is over 9k now. Do you guys think things are getting better? I think things will come to a low point here in Vegas soon (if not already), then things will slowly get back to normal.

[Aaron Auxier]

Give me a little bit, I'll pull up all CLOSED transactions in Turnberry Place and Turnberry Towers (over the past three months) in a little bit. I'll post a link to them when done.

[mac78130]

Well at least the Harmon website is still up... :hmmm:

http://www.theharmon.com/

[Aaron Auxier]

I did these searches on Jan. 3rd, 2009, and looked back for any actual resale closings in the last 90 days. The only prob is, I cannot send out the detailed report which shows the actual sold-per-foot numbers. These just show the listing price that they were priced at when they went into contract.

I manually did the math for the PPF on the detail I'm allowed to see.

Turnberry Place (last 90 days from Jan 3rd. 2009)

Approx. 8 resale units have closed at Turnberry Place with an average price per foot of approx. $307.63.

See the Turnberry Place Sold Comps (http://las.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1620049964&s=LAS&t=LAS) here (scroll at bottom).


Turnberry Towers (last 90 days from Jan 3rd. 2009)

Approx. 2 resale units have closed at Turnberry Towers with an average per foot of approx. $523.50. (seems higher that TP but mind you one of these appears to have sold fully furnished (667 a foot).

See the Turnberry Towers Sold Comps (http://las.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1019728901&s=LAS&t=LAS) here.

[mdiederi]

Thanks!

[Aaron Auxier]

Tonight, we decided to have a little fun and make some degree graphs. What do you think? If Veer Towers was built to lean at 22 degrees, don't you think that would be impossible? Secondly, if they were messed up and leaning at 44 degrees would we not see that with the naked eye?

By the way - did you know that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is estimated to be leaning just approx. 4 degrees? How could someone think that a tower was built here 5 times that amount? And then, on top of that, think that they are leaning 10x that amount?

Rendering of Veer at intended approx. 5-degree angles
http://item.slide.com/r/1/236/i/iA3l9nboxT_gzPQDvs8uCaT8r7WRRI0E/

A simple graph showing approx. 22 degree angle
http://item.slide.com/r/1/2/i/q0by_5aT7T-BzqJuo1j7kAnj02hfdsUm/

A simple graph showing approx. 44 degree angle
http://item.slide.com/r/1/19/i/-lVHeHkJ6j8oHF7FrFZpUThmuRFRqfDg/

I think we all know the only thing that is leaning too far to one side in Las Vegas - the media.

[mac78130]

Thanks Aaron for all the stats and graphs. I'm so sick and tired of all the negative media.. I'm so close to canceling all my future trips to Vegas:ahhh:

[ondarox]

Trippies Awards are up at Vegas Tripping. Congrats Jazfinger on 3 years in a row!

[mac78130]

A good panorama, Cosmo, Vdara, Bellagio and Caesar
flickr photo by stephen nguyen
http://flickr.com/photos/nguystep/3166399168/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1060/3166399168_6626c19042_b.jpg

[mac78130]

soothing reflections
flickr photo by nick leonard
http://flickr.com/photos/nickleonard/3165891592/

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1380/3165891592_95001499a7.jpg?v=0

[justdefended]

Perini, we have a problem.

http://i44.tinypic.com/27zxesi.jpg

[mac78130]

2009 overview by LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-vegas4-2009jan04,0,6154773.story?track=rss

[Aaron Auxier]

This is a rough estimate what Veer Towers would look like if they were leaning at 44 degrees. Even 22 degrees would be incredibly obvious to the naked eye. LOL.

http://item.slide.com/r/1/111/i/kp4Xreou4D9ZY57DK5WhiebkFa-2jOLE/

[leftopolis]

From Norm's column on Thursday...The bigger concern, I'm told, is the central iconic tower, which was designed to lean about 22 degrees but is now almost double that because of a cabling issue. ...
http://www.lvrj.com/news/36967909.html

I clicked on the link just to be sure if there was more wrt this wierd, wild rumor--nada! of course I did discover that Norm's colomn is more or less a rumor mill more focused on paparazzi sightings than anything else. Nevertheless, you don't have to be the sharpest tool in the shed, or an architecture buff, to know that almost double 22 degreees is almost halfway betwween horizontal and vertical! It's common knowledge to understand that 90 degrees is perpendicular. "Cabling issue" was probably just thrown in to make it sound legitimate. The only explanation I can think of is that there was a typo and 2.2 degrees was the intended statement. If somebody would like to ask Norm himself:
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.

[mdiederi]

LOL, good one! Is 45 degrees about the same angle of the sides of the Luxor?

[justdefended]

Well, The Harmon cancellation rumor can be put to rest. At the CityCenter Careers page (opened today) there are seven pages of employment opportunities at The Harmon from Pastry Chef to Spa Manager.

Listed as operator - The Light Group.

[Aaron Auxier]

justdefended - nothing can be put to rest until MGM MIRAGE makes their statement which will hopefully be soon.

[mac78130]

On the citycenter careers page... The Mandarin sky lobby looks pretty impressive.

[mac78130]

Well, The Harmon cancellation rumor can be put to rest. At the CityCenter Careers page (opened today) there are seven pages of employment opportunities at The Harmon from Pastry Chef to Spa Manager.

Listed as operator - The Light Group.


Echelon was in the process of hiring and we all know how that ended, so it's still wait and see.

[neworleans]

over half of everything you read in the news is false. and you guys all know that already. for the reporter, why go out and do research when you can just sit there and make things up and get paid exactly the same. It's a lack of pride. as long as they get their story, they don't give a crap what impression they leave on vegas. They don't even care if the stories not true.

[justdefended]

According to the LVRJ in Aug., Echelon was not due to start hiring until 2009.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/26182389.html

I don't see why MGM Mirage has to make a statement about The Harmon in order to quell internet rumors. It would be like issuing a press release about how Veer does not lean at 44 degrees.

If they are publicly hiring for a project today, then it's still due to be complete as of today.

[mdiederi]

Rumors heating up that the Mirage has been sold for $1.2 billion with an announcement coming soon. MGM is denying it, of course.
http://www.vegastripping.com/news/news.php?news_id=2462

[Aaron Auxier]

Welcome to 2009. It looks as though this will be quite the interesting year.

[mac78130]

Cosmopolitan is huge !
flickr photo by priscillien
http://www.flickr.com/photos/priscillien/
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1043/3171971629_6ace46e397.jpg?v=0

[CHAPINM1]

mac78130 your posts are the best! Thanks for all you contribute!

[Seva]

I have had a bad feeling about the Fontainebleau lately. The condotel portion of it isn't looking that great now like many others. It's probably just some baseless assumption but even without the economy down I really don't see how it can draw in that many visitors if it's there all by itself when it does open. Echelon and others would have connected it more with the rest of the southern strip but that is obviously not going to happen anytime soon. Even Encore at least has Wynn to channel in guests.

I hope it will survive as it can spark the next growth phase around that area 5-10 years down the road.

[mac78130]

I can't get over that Westgate signage :yuck:
photo by jeremylim
http://flickr.com/photos/jeremylim/3158183661/in/set-72157612038580604/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/3158183661_58293a1af0.jpg?v=0

[Seva]

Weird question but PH tower 2 is a long shot right? Why would they put that huge westgate sign on tower 1's south side if it will be blocked by the 2nd tower in the future? If it was originally planned like that having signs on south sides of both towers would be redundant as well.

Well, nothing can be more insane than this:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/37182444.html

[ondarox]

Well, nothing can be more insane than this:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/37182444.html

Seva- I was just going to post this... good reflexes!

[Aaron Auxier]

In addition to above, did anyone read this?

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINL67500620090106?rpc=44

[mac78130]

In addition to above, did anyone read this?

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINL67500620090106?rpc=44

Why Adelson :koko: ? Should of asked Steve Wynn!!

[mttbox]

Adelson? or Steve Wynn? don't matter! as long as that site gets going with something high-end.

[Krases]

Might I be the first to say HOLY SHI-.

It would be pretty cool if they ended up building a another massive new project. More jobs! Yay!

I would wait for more news before getting excited though. I won't really believe it until they begin construction.

[mdiederi]

In that article about Edge, they say the First World Hotel is the largest in the world (and I say the ugliest) but the Venetian/Palazzo Megacenter™ actually has more rooms and floor area, and is still larger with its three towers than this new Edge proposal and its four towers.

[Krases]

Had a little fun in MS paint. Yeah thats a pretty big site they have there. Blue is city center/cosmo (for comparison) and red is Africa-Israel. The site for "Edge" as there calling the Africa-Israel site now is a bit big in my edit because I figured those apartments in the north eastern portion would all be paved over by the new hotel as opposed to leaving a little isolated pocket, which wouldn't make sense.

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7548/gianthotel1yk6.png (http://imageshack.us)

[mdiederi]

I figured those apartments in the north eastern portion would all be paved over by the new hotel as opposed to leaving a little isolated pocket, which wouldn't make sense.
Actually, that satellite image is old. Those apartments are already gone. That's where the Hard Rock expansion is going.

[Krases]

Stupid satellites. They need to update those satellite images. Its a freaking urban center.

[jazfingr]

Here is a more correct configuration (without Cosmo)

it's still a big property.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3176370388_521ca01ecc_o.jpg

[ondarox]

Here is a more correct configuration (without Cosmo)

it's still a big property.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3176370388_521ca01ecc_o.jpg

OMG- Mr Adams IS alive! Where have you been? Craving an update on VTAT. [Big fan]

BTW- does anyone know how to get the latest Vegas updates on either Google Earth or Google Maps? I'm sick of looking at preconstruction satellite images of Palazzo.

[mac78130]

they say the First World Hotel is the largest in the world (and I say the ugliest)

I agree, it's the ugliest... horrible paint job

[jazfingr]

OMG- Mr Adams IS alive! Where have you been? Craving an update on VTAT. [Big fan]

Ya, alive and well.
I've been going through a reformat and complete system installation...yuk
four days of driver hell, tech support hell and oops hell.

I'm also working (behind he scenes) on bringing VegasTodayAndTomorrow to web 2.0 with an updates-blog with an RSS feed.

I will also be moving to Vegas within the next six months. There will no stopping the updates then.

BTW- does anyone know how to get the latest Vegas updates on either Google Earth or Google Maps? I'm sick of looking at preconstruction satellite images of Palazzo.

There is a more recent aerial map at:
http://major.lasvegasnevada.gov/website/clvcamps/viewer.htm
it's kind of klunky and the sat image doesn't pop in until you zoom in close enough. :D

[leftopolis]

This came via my inbox, so no link...but was published in Las Vegas Sun.Letter: Maglev to Vegas a bone-headed idea -- HSR would do
Published Thursday, December 25, 2008, by the Las Vegas Sun

Letters to the Editor

A regular high-speed train would do

Building a high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern
California would be a welcome move.

But what's with this bone-headed idea of making it a maglev train?

Maglev trains represent an expensive technology that is not yet ready
for prime time.

Luckily, there is no need to risk experimental concepts.

European high-speed trains are already in their second generation and
running at speeds near 300 mph on a huge multinational network that is
highly successful. And those trains are made by companies that would
be only too glad to start building a line here tomorrow at an
affordable price.

I have traveled on the European lines, and the superb engineering,
smooth, rock steadiness at speed and wonderfully quiet interiors of
these beautifully designed trains put so-called express trains in the
U.S. to shame.

Making the trip from Las Vegas to California in 86 minutes is
unnecessary. All the train has to do is match or, preferably, beat
the city-center-to-city-center times for driving or flying, at a
reasonable price. Exactly the European model.

But one of the newest European trains could do the 288 miles to the
coast in about 1 hour on simple metal rails.

And what's with making the line go to Anaheim, Calif.?

It needs to go directly to Los Angeles, the biggest single population
and business center, so travelers can change to that city's existing
public transit and Amtrak hubs.

Philip Jordan
Henderson

[mac78130]

Info on the Harmon Hotel construction delay and correction done at Veer.
(Still waiting on MGM/Mirage's decision)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/07/builder-error-significant/

Aaron Auxier is in this article.. Didn't a unit at Harmon sell for more than $2400 per sq. ft. last summer??

[mac78130]

here it is Harmon hotel postponed, residences canceled !

http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/37202114.html

[CHAPINM1]

With the construction errors regarding the Harmon, I'm amazed they are going to demolosh it all together despite how much money would be lost.

[worldpool]

wow thank you people for info i like to see and whats going on in las vegas its great to have web sites like this one and my fav Vegas today and tomorrow to bring us the lastest stuff about new projest or buliding that are coming to las vegas in the future so thank you so much for your web sites sinserly worldpool

[mdiederi]

With the construction errors regarding the Harmon, I'm amazed they are going to demolosh it all together despite how much money would be lost.
Where did you hear they are going to demolish anything?

[ondarox]

Mark-

Best of luck with the changes in 2009! I can't wait to see the VTAT changes. And also, congrats on the move into Vegas.

Thanks for the website- it's has better updated info.

Re: Harmon-

It is a disappointment that they cancelled the condo portion and are running with an all hotel focus. But changes need to happen with the given market, and it is better than scrapping the project, or capping it where it is. A silly looking stump at the corner of LV Blvd and Harmon would kind of be a sore reminder of a failed project.

I'm really sorry for all of the people who were counting on living at The Harmon in the residential units. Also for the fabulous Realtors who helped them out. I know what it feels like to have dream properties fail in fruition. Even though most may be glad to get their deposits back, some still had their hopes of having a piece of one of the most gorgeous towers in Las Vegas. It really is stunning!

[justdefended]

Sounds good to me. It will be built out AND they save some cash in the process. Although, it is a shame that 88 were already sold.

[worldpool]

i hate to ask if edge is going to happen and its 60 acors of land how is it going to bet mgm grand since its the biggest hotel in las vegas right know and will the edge be the biggest casino in the world

[Bruce911]

In that article about Edge, they say the First World Hotel is the largest in the world (and I say the ugliest) but the Venetian/Palazzo Megacenter™ actually has more rooms and floor area, and is still larger with its three towers than this new Edge proposal and its four towers.

Yes, but the Palazzo and the Venetian are two separate hotels, each with its own room count. They just happen to be side by side and owned by the same company. Same as Wynn and Encore, and same as Treasure Island and Mirage (before the recent sale), and same as Bally's and Paris, etc.

[Aaron Auxier]

Info on the Harmon Hotel construction delay and correction done at Veer.
(Still waiting on MGM/Mirage's decision)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/07/builder-error-significant/

Aaron Auxier is in this article. Didn't a unit at Harmon sell for more than $2400 per sq. ft. last summer??

I had set the top-three residential price-per-foot records in the history of Nevada in this property (one was over $2,400 a foot). Obviously, those records now are no good, as the units will not close. I'm happy for my Harmon clients because MGM MIRAGE has stated they can get their deposits back.

From an emotional standpoint, today is the darkest day of my career and since the crash of the world (what else can we call it?). Forget about the commissions I lost today, I put my heart and soul into The Harmon and this hurt me in an emotional way. Again, I'm just glad that MGM MIRAGE has said my clients can get their deposits back :).

In an online term - I just got PWN3D (put in check). Most importantly, I've learned to not take things personal - it's just business. It happens.

Bottom line is this, the local and national media refuse to let me speak on air about the true number of residential high-rise condos on the Strip (which now is around just 1,300 with Mandarin, Veer, and Sky). So far, they have refused to let me share the difference in condotel numbers vs. residential.

I urge everyone who cares about the truth being reported to call the local and national media and tell them you want me on the air.

I am not saying all is perfect (sales are slow and people are scared)....

What I am saying is that the truth will only get reported when we as a community demand it.

As for me, I will continue to fight for Vegas and the truth.

[lfc4life]

Yes, but the Palazzo and the Venetian are two separate hotels, each with its own room count. They just happen to be side by side and owned by the same company. Same as Wynn and Encore, and same as Treasure Island and Mirage (before the recent sale), and same as Bally's and Paris, etc.

i disagree, palazzo is nothing but an extra tower of venetian alot like TheHotel was an extra tower of mandalay bay, ditto encore with wynn. when venetian originally opened in 1999 it was scheduled to be the worlds largest hotel with over 6500 rooms, it took adelson a few years but he got there

treasure island was a completely different hotel to mirage, different theme, different everything, casinos were also not connected in any way.

i don't know how anyone could compare paris/ballys to venetian/palazzo.

[CHAPINM1]

Where did you hear they are going to demolish anything?

Just an assumption... I'd figure if the project has construction flaws, especially flaws that would deem the building as unsafe, I'd figure it'd possibly have to be demolished.

[ondarox]

I urge everyone who cares about the truth being reported to call the local and national media and tell them you want me on the air.

I am not saying all is perfect (sales are slow and people are scared)....

What I am saying is that the truth will only get reported when we as a community demand it.

As for me, I will continue to fight for Vegas and the truth.

I'm all for it Aaron, you have my support! I was wondering how you felt about all of this turmoil and am sorry to hear how emotional this has been for you. Obviously you are an honest and courageous being- it takes a lot of courage to admit how you truly feel- especially over the internet to a bunch of otherwise strangers.

I am utterly confused (and disappointed) with all of these crappy news reports which spread rumors like herpes. It's almost like they are begging us to have a negative stance towards our future. It is time that we stop glorifying all of this sh*t journalism, and demand factual information. I'm sick of hearing polite conversation that we need "change." We need dollar bills, yo! Lots of them! It's time to get back to reality and block out this downward spiral.

Who else is tired of the rumor and panic that spreads like disease? Let's move on, move forward in a positive way and get ourselves out of this funk. C'mon America... we can do it- together. NOW!

Back to construction and the projects... I'm glad to see at least that there is an option for Buyers to purchase other units in the CityCenter complex. Options may be limited, but hey... there must be a little flexibility out there.

Really bummed to hear that the beautiful Harmon will end up looking a bit stumpy. I figure once it's capped there really is no chance of it looking anything like it was intended to. Same thing goes for St. Regis. Stumps are awkward.

[mac78130]

So that's the final height?
flickr photo by odessea
http://flickr.com/photos/dtutak/3175596020/


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/3175596020_544a081b12_b.jpg

[CHAPINM1]

I personally believe that St. Regis has a chance in the future of being completed. Also, the Harmon will look very strange if it is to remain where it is.

On a side note, are both the Veer Towers only a floor away each from topped out?

[mdiederi]

No stumps here!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Fontainebleau/FontFin2.jpg

[sw5710]

Just heard on klas tv las vegas that the Harmon will top out at 25 floors not 47 floors.

[ondarox]

No stumps here!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/Fontainebleau/FontFin2.jpg

Mark-

Your photography completely amazes me! It always captures the drama and details that a lot of us crave on the forum. Thank you! Not to shoot anyone else down... I welcome and applaud all contributions! Thanks everyone!

Yes, I agree... no stumps at FBlue. And I continue to pray for no stumps at St. Regis, Echelon and most of all The Harmon. By the photo it looks like they're on floor #23- so two more floors wouldn't really pull The Harmon out of stump-dom. I wish I had some $$$ to fix it and make the project complete. I wonder what they can do with the remaining $123.76 left in my MGM Mirage stock. (Hahaha- that was a stupid joke, I know.)

[CHAPINM1]

Great morale booster with that side shot of the Font! How has work been progressing on the upper floors? Like Palms Place, I have a feeling that Fontainebleau will also be a mega Hollywood hangout!

[sw5710]

Great shot of Font!

[Zach6668]

I'm very disappointed about The Harmon. It was my favorite building in the City Center project.

I love the glass.

I'll be in Vegas next week, so I'm gonna get a first-hand look at the overall height. Hopefully it looks better in person than it does in the pictures. It looks so out of place as a stump.

:(

[Aaron Auxier]

I'm all for it Aaron, you have my support! I was wondering how you felt about all of this turmoil and am sorry to hear how emotional this has been for you. Obviously you are an honest and courageous being- it takes a lot of courage to admit how you truly feel- especially over the internet to a bunch of otherwise strangers.



Ondarox, I appreciate your kind words. Last year taught me many lessons about life. I've been humbled and I'm thankful for the experience. I have no problem sharing my personal story so it may be able to help someone else. I have been put in check, period.

Life is amazing. Tonight, a big client of mine invited me to a private event (and I usually never go out). Anyways, turns out, he invited me to personally introduce me to some of the biggest names in entertainment as "Hollywood's Connection to Vegas". Every single celebrity I met asked for my card. I mean, my day went from starting so low to ending so high.

What it all boils down to is, these are crazy times and to survive you have to have faith. The Harmon what? I'm over it after what happened tonight.

Let's move forward everyone. All the celebs I met tonight are now on my email list and all pretty much want real estate here. I have faith in our city - these people could care less about The Harmon or our silly Strip drama. They were like who cares? I want a home anyways.

[mac78130]

This is an article I found from Forbes... The article states that the Harmon condo's were not being built because of the "RECESSION". It never mentions anything about construction issues ?!? I swear, these reporters are driving me nuts!!

http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/07/mgm-citycenter-closer-markets-equity-cx_mlm_0107markets42.html?partner=yahootix

[mdiederi]

How has work been progressing on the upper floors?
This and the side shot were both shot yesterday morning.

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

I'm starting to think that that upper glass really is just a shade darker.

[mac78130]

I'm starting to think that that upper glass really is just a shade darker.

I thought that too :shrug:

[mac78130]

Harmon could have been built up to 49 floors but MGM/Mirage decided it would be too costly. I still give kudos to MGM/Mirage for giving us a wonderful project

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/08/company-exec-says-scaling-down-most-logical-move/

[Aaron Auxier]

This is an article I found from Forbes... The article states that the Harmon condo's were not being built because of the "RECESSION". It never mentions anything about construction issues ?!? I swear, these reporters are driving me nuts!!

http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/07/mgm-citycenter-closer-markets-equity-cx_mlm_0107markets42.html?partner=yahootix

I emailed my source at Forbes and let them know. Let's see if it gets fixed.

Unreal, the local news media here has all turned down my request to tell the truth of the number of residential condos on the Strip. They do not care and say it's not relevant.

[Zach6668]

This and the side shot were both shot yesterday morning.

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

I'm starting to think that that upper glass really is just a shade darker.

I have a friend who was the structural engineer on this project, and while that obviously has nothing to do with the architecture, he assures me that there's only supposed to be the one shade of blue glass.

Take that fwiw.

[mac78130]

Unreal, the local news media here has all turned down my request to tell the truth of the number of residential condos on the Strip. They do not care and say it's not relevant.

All of us on this forum need to write to the Las Vegas news media and let them know we want to hear the truth and we want to hear it From Aaron !!

[Bruce911]

i disagree, palazzo is nothing but an extra tower of venetian alot like TheHotel was an extra tower of mandalay bay, ditto encore with wynn. when venetian originally opened in 1999 it was scheduled to be the worlds largest hotel with over 6500 rooms, it took adelson a few years but he got there

treasure island was a completely different hotel to mirage, different theme, different everything, casinos were also not connected in any way.

i don't know how anyone could compare paris/ballys to venetian/palazzo.

Disagreeing doesn't make it right. Adelson originally planned to expand the Venetian, and he did, with the Venezia Tower. But as to further expansion, according to the April 5, 2004, edition of Vegas4Visitors, "Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson originally planned to build a mirror image of The Venetian on the land just to the north of the hotel, just across from Treasure Island. Those 3,000 or so rooms would’ve been in an identical tower giving The Venetian over 7,000 total, besting the MGM Grand by a couple thousand or so. However now, Adelson plans to build a connected but totally separate resort called The Palazzo." And they have two different street addresses, separate web sites, and separate reservations numbers.

As far as "compare paris/ballys to venetian/palazzo" -- anyone with an iota of English comprehension would hopefully understand that the comparision was limited to what was stated -- "They just happen to be side by side and owned by the same company. Same as Wynn and Encore, and same as Treasure Island and Mirage (before the recent sale), and same as Bally's and Paris, etc." It was true when I wrote it, and it's still true now. Not opinion, but fact. Nothing was stated or implied about any comparison of "theme," or "not connected in any way" or quality, luxury, style, size, or anything else. Just "side by side" and "owned by the same company."

[leftopolis]

^
That angle(the first shot posted) makes F-Blu look so slender! It must be topped out by now, eh?

[mdiederi]

I have a friend who was the structural engineer on this project, and while that obviously has nothing to do with the architecture, he assures me that there's only supposed to be the one shade of blue glass.

Take that fwiw.
Sounds like a reliable source. Must just be different type of dust on the batch of glass up there. We'll know when they finally clean the glass.

[lfc4life]

As far as "compare paris/ballys to venetian/palazzo" -- anyone with an iota of English comprehension would hopefully understand that the comparision was limited to what was stated -- "They just happen to be side by side and owned by the same company. Same as Wynn and Encore, and same as Treasure Island and Mirage (before the recent sale), and same as Bally's and Paris, etc." It was true when I wrote it, and it's still true now. Not opinion, but fact. Nothing was stated or implied about any comparison of "theme," or "not connected in any way" or quality, luxury, style, size, or anything else. Just "side by side" and "owned by the same company."

you are getting caught up in the wynn/adelson spin :haha: had stardust had a big opening party for their highrise tower in 1991 and called it a separate resort you would have believed em i bet. a new resort sounds cooler and gets more press than a new hotel tower opening, wynn and adelson know this and have mastered this

believe whatever you want to believe, i for sure don't consider wynn/encore separate resorts, they are the same resort imo, for one how would wynn go about selling one, he couldn't he would have to sell both :P

[ondarox]

All of us on this forum need to write to the Las Vegas news media and let them know we want to hear the truth and we want to hear it From Aaron !!

EXACTLY! I'm not from the area, but would love for this to happen. Can anyone provide a list or contact infromation? It's time for some honesty and clarity to be given to those who are confused.

[mdiederi]

Didn't mean to ignite a flame war when I mentioned that the Venetian/Palazzo are part of the same complex, so I'll clarify my understanding of it. Although it is obvious that the Palazzo was designed to look and feel like a separate resort, the thing that distinguishes it as being of the same complex as the Venetian is that they both share a lot of the same back-of-house operations not visible to the public. Also, in the Las Vegas Sands 2007 Annual Report it says "With the opening of The Palazzo, our Las Vegas properties represent the world’s largest integrated resort with 7,093 suites..."
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=185629&p=irol-ReportsAnnual

[CosmoVegas]

So that's the final height?
flickr photo by odessea
http://flickr.com/photos/dtutak/3175596020/


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/3175596020_544a081b12_b.jpg




They are working on the tapered top of the Cosmopolitan's Beach Tower, it looks like only 2 or 3 more floors to go without the crown?/sign?/night club? at the top...what is at that at the top of Cosmo anyway?

[Aaron Auxier]

EXACTLY! I'm not from the area, but would love for this to happen. Can anyone provide a list or contact information? It's time for some honesty and clarity to be given to those who are confused.

Thanks everyone. I mean, it's gotten to the point of ridiculous. They will NOT let me report the true numbers of residential condos on the Strip.

While I will not give out any phone numbers, it's fairly easy to Google the news channels and newspapers in Las Vegas and let them know you want me on.

[Krases]

I heard on the news that Obama plans to double alternative energy as a part of the big main street stimulus package. They are already going to build a 600 million dollar wind instillation in northern Nevada, so its possible they might expand that even further.

I think the chances of Las Vegas being wind powered might just go up here soon in February if that stimulus package passes.

[MsuMix]

They are working on the tapered top of the Cosmopolitan's Beach Tower, it looks like only 2 or 3 more floors to go without the crown?/sign?/night club? at the top...what is at that at the top of Cosmo anyway?

The top floors of the east and west tower are penthouses, the parapet wall design is cool and there will be a sign. The nightclub is at the rec deck level on top of the podium, the rec deck will be one of the premier pool decks in vegas the new design is pretty incredible and sprawls the entire property.

[Krases]

MsuMix you just made me laugh out loud purely by accident. I wanted to see some of the plans for myself so I typed "cosmo website" into google, completely forgetting to include "Las Vegas" in the search and I got cosmopolitan magazine as the search results with "sex positions" as one of the subcatagories.

At first I was like "WOAH Cosmo is awfully bold about getting prostitutes. No under the table stuff for them, they just put it out there". Then I realized it was cosmopolitan magazine talking about individual acts of private acrobatics and I laughed. Laughed at my own stupidity.

[CTLV]

The top floors of the east and west tower are penthouses, the parapet wall design is cool and there will be a sign. The nightclub is at the rec deck level on top of the podium, the rec deck will be one of the premier pool decks in vegas the new design is pretty incredible as is sprawls the entire property.

MsuMix, Any hints to where cosmo is headed in the near future in terms of hotel operator? Last I heard was an annoucement was coming in two months, but that was over three to four months ago??? You seem to have your ear to the ground when it comes to the cosmo. Any info you can provide us would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[CosmoVegas]

Any hints to where cosmo is headed in the near future in terms of hotel operator? Last I heard was an annoucement was coming in two months, but that was over three to four months ago???

So much for Deutsche bank keeping the owners and media more updated after the forclosure, one update and an email x-mas card in 3 months....WOW, so much better than when Bruce Eichner was still in control.

[Bruce911]

I mean, it's gotten to the point of ridiculous. They will NOT let me report the true numbers of residential condos on the Strip.

While I will not give out any phone numbers, it's fairly easy to Google the news channels and newspapers in Las Vegas and let them know you want me on.

Please don't be offended, Aaron, but another thing that has gotten ridiculous is the number of times you have repeated yourself in the last few weeks and months. Is constantly preaching to the choir really going to help much? And the "Conspiracy Theory" gets old after a while. I hope you will keep posting, but new things, rather than the same old dead horse. Just my worthless opinion, I know. Thanks.

[Bruce911]

Didn't mean to ignite a flame war when I mentioned that the Venetian/Palazzo are part of the same complex, so I'll clarify my understanding of it. Although it is obvious that the Palazzo was designed to look and feel like a separate resort, the thing that distinguishes it as being of the same complex as the Venetian is that they both share a lot of the same back-of-house operations not visible to the public. Also, in the Las Vegas Sands 2007 Annual Report it says "With the opening of The Palazzo, our Las Vegas properties represent the world’s largest integrated resort with 7,093 suites..."
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=185629&p=irol-ReportsAnnual

Thanks, mdiederi, for the calm and rational approach, rather than being a "thinks he knows it all and only his opinion is correct" person, who chooses to attack people, rather than sticking to discussing facts and opinions.

[Aaron Auxier]

No offense taken Bruce, I respect your opinion. However, I'll keep standing up for facts to be reported.

I've been a member of this forum for several years, and people appreciate the truth I bring to the table.

[JDRCRASH]

Why does the Join Date say June 2008?

[stashu]

Why does the Join Date say June 2008?

I believe Aaron has had other usernames on the forums, that's all. I can't recall any of them, but I've been a lurker here for a while before I signed up and I know it was before this past June and saw Aaron posting.

[vanlaw]

Why does the Join Date say June 2008?

06-01-2008, 01:19 PM
Aaron Auxier
Shapiro & Sher Group Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 92

Vegas Grows Up is back!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello all! I saw Patrick was wondering where I have been, well, I've been reading, just not posting too much.

As you can see, I have a new screenname as well.

[Aaron Auxier]

06-01-2008, 01:19 PM
Aaron Auxier
Shapiro & Sher Group Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 92

Vegas Grows Up is back!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello all! I saw Patrick was wondering where I have been, well, I've been reading, just not posting too much.

As you can see, I have a new screen name as well.

Thank you. For those who haven't been around long, I've been an active member on this forum for several years (since the old thread). I changed my user name a few months back. I'm in Vegas, and do my best to provide everyone with photos, news, and stuff the media doesn't report and/or gets wrong.

As an example, I just had to update a journalist contact that Cosmo did not have 2,999 condotel units (which was printed and causes harm to owners). Actually (Per Cosmo sales center on 1-9-09), the number is more like approx. 2,000-2,200 and the rest is hotel. I also had to educate the journalist that the hotel portion (unless they change something) does not have balconies (you can see that in photos on west end of main tower).

Not a conspiracy theory, just mistakes in journalism, poor fact checking, rushed deadlines, and misleading stat firms who mush the figures. Which in the end, harms us all.

Per the Cosmo sales center (on 1-9-09) they had approx. 80-85 percent of the approx. 2000-2,000 condotel units under hard contract. At 2,999 units, that would drop that sales figure to approx. 60 percent. Does anyone think that it's good for potential owners that the world thinks the property only has 60 percent under hard contract?


Bruce does have a point though - I will try to bring something cool and new soon!

[ondarox]

In the nicest way possible, I'd like to say that how long someone has been posting vs. lurking shouldn't be in question. I have lurked for years and finally started posting this year. And I agree with Stasu- many of us have changed screennames plenty of times, so the join date is merely a reflection of when the screenname was registered.

Also, I'd like to refocus everyone and remind all of us that the key purpose of this group is to discuss construction in Las Vegas and all of the side components that contribute to the construction in Las Vegas. I, as do many others, check in on this forum several times a day to get receive great information from all of the dedicated contributors.

The one thing that we all should remember is that this great forum is only as good as the contibutions that are posted on it. So please keep contributing, and if you feel the need to disagree with someone's post publicly- let's do it in a professional and dignified manner. Let's leave the sassy antagonistic negative stuff for the other forums!

Have a great weekend and I look forward to more great contibutions!

[DrT]

I am a frequent lurker and very rare contributor. I am interested in LV architecture, construction, condos, and general business goings on, but do not live there and hugely appreciate Aaron's hard contributions in terms of photos and soft contributions in terms of ideas/analyses.

I want to thank Aaron and all of the other frequent contributors for making the LV forum one of the best at SSP.

National Public Radio had a piece today on how much valuable data and information is being put on the net by people volunteering their own time and effort for no compensation and I thought of this thread as a good example.

Thanks all!