[NYguy]

Haven't seen this one here. If so, this thread can be deleted...

Las Vegas Business Press

New Strip development is really going vertical

http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/content/articles/2006/12/04/news/iq_11011032.jpg

BY ARNOLD M. KNIGHTLY

The new owner of the dormant Wet 'n Wild land has a tall order in mind for the Strip property -- a 1,888-foot-tall hotel tower.

Texas-based developer Christopher Milam wants to build a 142-story obelisk as the centerpiece of a hotel-resort-casino project, according to plans presented to the Clark County Planning Commission late last month. "It makes sense in Las Vegas," Milam explained. "A 4,000-room hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is just fine whereas, in most non-gaming markets, a 400-room hotel would be plenty large."

The structure would be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the tallest hotel tower in the world. The 1,149-foot-high Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower, less than a mile north on Las Vegas Boulevard, is currently the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.


To realize his dream, Milam first has to surmount many regulatory hurdles. His biggest may be persuading the Federal Aviation Administration and Nellis Air Force Base that the project will not be a flight hazard.

Pending a final height-determination study by the FAA, the Planning Commission approved all the use permits and design reviews -- except for the height waiver. The full County Commission will likely review the project at its March 21, 2007 meeting.

The Texas developer may think his project, modeled on the 2,313-foot-tall Burj Dubai pinnacle, is "just fine." But it has already attracted a few powerful opponents upset about its height.

The FAA sent Milam a "Notice Of Presumed Hazard," dated Nov. 4. It began a 60-day period in which Milam must respond, or else the approval process will begin again. A typical study takes one to six months, according to the FAA, although a more complex study can take longer.

"The big problem with the proposed 1,888-foot tower is that it would punch into the airspace that airplanes use while performing instrument arrivals and departures into and out of McCarran," said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor, adding that any height exceeding 708 feet would have an adverse effect on air traffic.

Milam is currently working with Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm JDA Aviation Technology Solutions to develop a response to the FAA's notice. Once a determination becomes final, the decision would have to be appealed to FAA's Airspace & Rules Division. Clark County development code mandates that county officials cannot vary or grant waivers from the final determination of the FAA.

Attending into the wee hours of the Planning Commission meeting -- the item was not heard until after 9:30 p.m. -- was outgoing Clark County Aviation Director Randall Walker, as well as representatives from Nellis.

While Walker would only say he was there to "monitor" the issue and did not speak, his attendance was noted by one of the commissioners.

Col. Timothy Green, Nellis' mission support commander, submitted a letter from 99th Wing Commander Col. Michael Bartley asking that Clark County deny Milam's application. Describing the project as "of significant concern to Nellis," the letter said that the project could result "in a loss of critical aircrew training (and) represents an unnecessary level of risk to the long-term sustainability of Nellis AFB operations."

"You'll find that quote, that exact language, every time this issue comes up for them, whether it's a residential neighborhood close to them or a new retail center outside the base or a building on the Strip," Milam rejoined. "It's a policy they have. Nellis is never going to say, 'We love tall buildings in the valley.' That's never going to happen."

While Milam admits that the project is at the outer reaches of the base's airspace, he is said that he has been in discussions with Nellis and believes that, being eight miles from the base, that the issue can be resolved.

Even if it is, some are skeptical the project can be realized. "We've seen a lot of these out-of-towners come and go," said John Restrepo, principal of Restrepo Consulting Group, a Las Vegas real estate-research firm. "I find it difficult to believe that they can pull off a project like this unless they have financial strength, development experience and a recognizable brand."

Some are even more vehement. "We've filed a complaint with the county on this project," said Bruce Hiatt, owner of Luxury Realty Group, which specializes in high-rise real estate. "It's completely out of character with the neighborhood, and it has an immediate impact on neighboring projects such as Sky Las Vegas, Turnberry Place, and Fontainebleau.

"There are a whole host of issues that something like this creates including traffic, emergency services, parking, and obstruction of views," Hiatt lamented. "It casts extreme shadows on nearby properties. Would something of this size and scale even sell in a slowing real estate market? I don't know."

______________________________


http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/content/articles/2006/12/04/news/iq_11096974.jpg


http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/content/articles/2006/12/04/news/iq_110969742.jpg

[NYguy]

quote from the second article, interview with the developer:

As far as the height itself, Nellis AFB registers objections to the project as submitted. Also, the FAA says it's notified you of a "presumed hazard." Given those objections, how do you intend to move forward?

Those are two separate issues and we are working with both the FAA and Nellis, and have been for some months. With respect to Nellis, they have a general policy of opposing tall buildings, for obvious reasons, but it's an issue that can be resolved.

As far as the FAA is concerned, any building over 200 feet tall within a five-mile radius of McCarran is determined by regulation to be a hazard to air navigation. So every hotel on the Strip is a Part 77 obstruction, technically. That's why they issued the DNH. Everybody gets issued a DNH. We're in the middle of the process to determine if the building does present a hazard and -- if it does -- how to make it not. We have a consultant in Washington who's working directly with the FAA.

So you're taking it to the top?

No, we're actually working from the bottom up, which is the way you do it. But we haven't yet responded to the obstruction finding because we're doing our homework and then we'll respond formally to the FAA.

So is the 1,888-foot height non-negotiable?

We think that will ultimately be found to not be a hazard and that's where we wanted to be. The reason is that makes it the tallest building in the U.S. The next-tallest building is the Freedom Tower in New York, which was World Trade (Center), which is 1,776 (feet). They're locked into that number for obvious reasons. You don't build a building this tall and make it a little shorter than the one they just built. That's not a good approach to marketing, if you will.

[Stratosphere]

Go Vegas! *crossing finger*

[Rise To The Top]

the thing looks hideous in my mind, i would hate to see that thing everytime i fly out to vegas, being 4-6 times a year. Lets hope they redesign this 1.

[toddguy]

It should not be an obstruction..it is close to the Stratosphere and that is over 1100 feet tall anyways. Build it Vegas!!!! If it would fit in anywhere it would be in Las Vegas. I bet it would end up being spectacular.

[HK Chicago]

"It's completely out of character with the neighborhood

WTF? Quote of the day...

The title should be "Milam Tower"

[BnaBreaker]

In my opinion, it is completely in character for the "neighborhood", which is why I hate the damn thing.

[CoolCzech]

What's "modeled on the Burj Dubai" about it? I don't see the resemblance...

[Atlas]

:previous: It does bear some resemblence to Al Burj (which used to be called the "Pinnacle")
modeled on the 2,313-foot-tall Burj Dubai pinnacle
Just a thought. But since they said Burj Dubai, I don't know how they see a resemblance.

[Scruffy]

1. I need more renders to make a judgement but on the whole it doesn't look too exciting.

2. Quote from the first article- "Some are even more vehement. "We've filed a complaint with the county on this project," said Bruce Hiatt, owner of Luxury Realty Group, which specializes in high-rise real estate. "It's completely out of character with the neighborhood, and it has an immediate impact on neighboring projects such as Sky Las Vegas, Turnberry Place, and Fontainebleau." Are you fuckin kidding me. Out of character, its the vegas strip. thats one of the only places on earth where that argument holds no water.

3. Isn't about time they realized that maybe McCarren has outlived its usefulness in its current position. They should relocate to a larger area farther away from the strip. What, they don't have the money? Can you imagine the paycheck the city will receive if they sell that huge swath of ultra prime real estate that is right on the strip and the literally the size of an airport. make financial sense to me. and would encourage more growth in Las Vegas

[foxmtbr]

:yuck:

[Stratosphere]

What's "modeled on the Burj Dubai" about it? I don't see the resemblance...
I guess they both have a tri-petal base design

[Lecom]

Nice design, but I'd rather see it at around 1200 feet.

[chi-townJay]

what is with you people vegas is getting a tower close too 2,000 ft tall and all i see is alot of negativity c'mon,get mad if you want to and give your cheesy perentages but this is the new GEM of vegas baby.....

[Nowhereman1280]

All I have to say is, 1888' in Vegas? Interesting, very interesting...

[LeftCoaster]

the first thing i thought when i saw this design was Dubai! not burj dubai in particular, it just has sort of a dubaiesque look to it. Either way its huge, so bring it on!

[mdiederi]

If this is approved, then they should go ahead and allow the Stratosphere tower to proceed with their proposed extension.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/StratosphereTower04.jpg

[High Pointer]

The height: awesome! Hope this works out for Vegas, though my gut says this building has a slim chance...

The design: blah. I really hope this one gets a redesign, but keeps the height.

[NYguy]

But since they said Burj Dubai, I don't know how they see a resemblance.

I guess based on the layout...

http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/content/articles/2006/12/04/news/iq_11096974.jpg

Very similar, though I don't see why they couldn't be more original.

So is the 1,888-foot height non-negotiable?

We think that will ultimately be found to not be a hazard and that's where we wanted to be. The reason is that makes it the tallest building in the U.S. The next-tallest building is the Freedom Tower in New York, which was World Trade (Center), which is 1,776 (feet). They're locked into that number for obvious reasons. You don't build a building this tall and make it a little shorter than the one they just built. That's not a good approach to marketing, if you will.

Also, if they wanted to top Freedom Tower, why not just make it an even 2,000 ft? Though I think this tower has little chance of getting built, its not a surprising proposal. I've always thought of Dubai as an oversized Vegas, so its fitting Vegas tries on Dubai for once.

[NYguy]

The title should be "Milam Tower"

That would make more sense, though I took the title from this graphic...

http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/content/articles/2006/12/04/news/iq_11011032.jpg

[Thefigman]

This is going to be a fun battle to watch. When's the last time anyone heard of NIMBY issues on the Vegas Strip?!?!?

[buildup]

I think the Milan Tower is perfect for LV. If you are going to have 4,000 room you should have a tall tower. I don't like all the fat boxy hotels in these big resorts on the strip.

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

Well, if they're gonna build a 1888' sex toy, at least it's in the right place. :haha:

[CGII]

I would honestly consider suicide if thewtb was in Vegas.

[northbay]

dont know about suicide but...

i like the height, but ya, they couldve been a little more original i think.

[forumly_chgoman]

Well, if they're gonna build a 1888' sex toy, at least it's in the right place. :haha:

I agree, from that angle .....:haha: .....it looks like a dildo


anyhow tallest in western hemisphere.....I guess you guys haven't heard of the Chicago Spire...formally Fordham Spire at 2000ft:banana: :banana:

[NYguy]

anyhow tallest in western hemisphere.....I guess you guys haven't heard of the Chicago Spire...formally Fordham Spire at 2000ft:banana: :banana:

You mean they put that one up already? Gee, those guys work fast....:rolleyes:

[kalmia]

This is going to be a fun battle to watch. When's the last time anyone heard of NIMBY issues on the Vegas Strip?!?!?
it'll be lolz

[kalmia]

You mean they put that one up already? Gee, those guys work fast....:rolleyes:


I think he's thinking that this Vegas building will never catch up to the spire in Chicago. The spire in Chicago is farther along than this.

probably correct

[mdiederi]

I think he's thinking that this Vegas building will never catch up to the spire in Chicago. The spire in Chicago is farther along than this.

probably correct
The Milam doesn't have a spire or antenna on top, more like a crown, so they could easily add a 120 foot spire and be taller than the Chicago Spire. Milam already had a higher roof, but now Chicago Spire has just announced that they have eliminated their spire and added condos to the top making their roof higher, and I suppose they could add another spire too if necessary.

It's a new battle for the tallest in the states! :cool:

[StatenIslander237]

honestly if Las Vegas was going to attempt 1,888 ft., I think this is about as hideous and tastless as it can get, especially when vegas is trying to redefine its image as a classier city, this would be suicide. :dead:

[texcolo]

The should name it "The Steely Dan Building"

[Pandemonious]

It has a three pronged design in plan, similar to Burj Dubai's.. that is why they compared them. This was originally supposed to be 200 stories, but cut down I heard, and now that is confirmed. This is an S.O.M. design, which I saw develop some over my summer there. Honestly, I wasn't really a fan of this design, but it is really tall...

[NYguy]

I think he's thinking that this Vegas building will never catch up to the spire in Chicago. The spire in Chicago is farther along than this.

probably correct

Meanwhile, both are going nowhere fast....:D

But they are exciting proposals, no doubt about that. To think that we would actually be discussing towers that tall here in the US , just 5 years after 9/11....

[vegasrain84]

Some have had some questions about whether this is an actual proposal or just a vision, so I wanted to see what you guys thought. Vision or Proposal?

I can tell you a little bit about the owner of the property. Christopher Milam is president of Austin-based IDM Properties, which Hard Rock owner Peter Morton had tapped in October 2005 to build the $1.25 billion condominium project. Las Vegas-based Archon Corp. is in the process of selling the 27-acre site of the former Wet n Wild waterpark to Milam for $450 million. Milam has put down a $5 million non-refundable payment on the property. Milam has built several mixed use project across the country including a $500 million project in Austin Texas. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Steelman Design Group are the architects of the tower, which are the architects of some of the worlds tallest buildings, incuding Trump Tower Chicago, Jin Mao Tower, and Burj Dubai. http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/artic...q_11096974.txt


If you look at the Clark County page, it does say that several aspects of the project have been approved. From the website:http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_ho...s/8263203.html

"Approval of use permits #1, #2, #3, #5, #6, and #7, deviations #1, #2, #3, and #4, and design reviews #1, #2, #3, and #4 (based on the reduction of the tower height); and denial of use permit #4. This is a project of regional significance and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on December 20, 2006 for final action."

"Due to the height of the proposed building, the development will penetrate the 100:1 notification airspace surface and the Part 77 airspace surface. Therefore, final action by the Board of County Commissioners on this land-use application cannot occur until written evidence that the FAA has determined whether the proposed structure constitutes a hazard to air navigation has been received and the Department of Aviation has had an opportunity to review the determination."

As the Commision has stated, the height of the building has not been approved pending an FAA study to determine whether the building would be an aviation hazard. That study is not due until after the first of the year, and final approval is not expected until then. It has been approved pending FAA approval, and the property owner has the capital to build it, with a reputable architectural firm. But does that mean its an actual proposal?

[mdiederi]

http://www.gemcomm.com/cj/headline_detail.htm?id=6064

LV STRIP TO SEE $4 BILLION CASINO DEVELOPMENT AT WATER PARK SITE


The site of the defunct Wet 'n Wild water theme park on the Las Vegas Strip could soon become home of a $4 billion casino resort. Las Vegas-based Archon Corp., which has held control of the site for several years, said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing last week that it had agreed to sell the property for $450 million.

The buyer-LVTI-is a limited liability company based in Delaware. Chris Milam, an Austin, Texas-based developer who owns LVTI, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the company would use private equity investors to fund the resort. While details of the resort are not finalized, it would include 4,500 suites, a sizeable casino and a retail component.

Construction wouldn't begin for 15 to 16 months, taking about three and a half years to complete, Milam said. One advantage is that the site is already vacant.

"The Wet 'n Wild site was like a gift," Milam said. "There's nothing on it that needs to be torn down, and you get frontage on Las Vegas Boulevard and Paradise Road. Five years ago the north Strip was the lonely child, but now it's where everything is happening."

Milam said LVTI would operate the resort for two years, and then sell it to an established gaming operator. Milam said the company has not been involved in any previous gaming projects. Milam, however, has been tied to a condominium project at the Hard Rock Las Vegas that never came to fruition before the property's recent sale to Morgans Hotel Group.

Milam is president of Austin-based IDM Properties, which Hard Rock owner Peter Morton had tapped in October to build the $1.25 billion condominium project adjacent to the resort.

LVTI has provided Archon with a $5 million refundable deposit. Should the deal clear a due diligence period ending July 24, a second deposit of $40 million will be due. Thirteen months after that deposit, LVTI would have to begin making payments of over $2.19 million per month.

Archon, through its Sahara Las Vegas Corp. subsidiary, has controlled the Wet 'n Wild site since 1995. In 2004 the water park's operators-Palace Entertainment-were asked to vacate the site. Archon had planned to build a 3,250-room megaresort of its own on the site, but development never got off the ground.

-Andy Holtmann

[oreoman85]

Build Itttt!!!!!!!!

[vegasrain84]

I finished the Milam Tower, and uploaded it this morning.. This makes Stratosphere look tiny!!

http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/images/43795.gifhttp://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/images/34728.gif

[Bergenser]

^ Good drawing. :tup:

[vanhenrik]

i hop thats going to be a realety if it is viva las vegas here i kome ! :-)

[Pandemonious]

^^^Nice drawing.

[JuniorReb]

This new tower looks like a big shiny vibrator. Would hate to see the woman that uses it.

[M II A II R II K]

I don't really like the shape, and it could do with a better colour too.

[Marcu]

Does this thing have windows or is it solid stainless steel?

[MONACO]

I acutally like the design and I think it is perfectly appropriate. I mean where else can you build a 2,000 foot silver dildo except in a state with legalized and regulated prositution? Vegas needs to constantly re-invent itself. This is a great step forward for the gambeling and tourist agencies. How in the hell can anything NOT fit into a neighborhood in Vegas? I mean what do these critics think this structure will do.......clash with 40 storey casino's build in the shapes of pryamids, the NY skyline, a 14th century castle or a marketplace from Venice. Give me a break.....if anything this building would give Vegas some badly needed class.

[Jularc]

This new tower looks like a big shiny vibrator. Would hate to see the woman that uses it.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/c/cf/200px-Giant_Women_3.jpg

[kalmia]

Does this thing have windows or is it solid stainless steel?

solid concrete

[vegasrain84]

Its a stainless steel giant sex toy without windows, What do you want from me people! lol.. I distinguished between the floors, and from the drawings I had to work with, it looks as though there aren't any real distinct windows.. I could change it if it would make you happy.. jeesh.. :)

[Kngkyle]

The Milam doesn't have a spire or antenna on top, more like a crown, so they could easily add a 120 foot spire and be taller than the Chicago Spire. Milam already had a higher roof, but now Chicago Spire has just announced that they have eliminated their spire and added condos to the top making their roof higher, and I suppose they could add another spire too if necessary.

It's a new battle for the tallest in the states! :cool:

Chicago Spire is 2,000' roof height now yea.

[Dale]

Meanwhile, both are going nowhere fast....:D

But they are exciting proposals, no doubt about that. To think that we would actually be discussing towers that tall here in the US , just 5 years after 9/11....

Jumping the gun a bit, are we ?

[PhillyRising]

This new tower looks like a big shiny vibrator. Would hate to see the woman that uses it.


My sentiments exactly. I wonder if it comes with a "Grand Canyon" view?

[phillyskyline]

Luv the design!!! Figures it takes a Texan to make things go big!

[mthq]

is this true that the building will have no windows??

[CGII]

is this true that the building will have no windows??

Windows are for plinko commies.

[CoolCzech]

The should name it "The Steely Dan Building"

Why? Is it going to be steam powered?

[PuyoPiyo]

I think this one is nice design, but not quite for Las Vegas. It need different design, like add more colors, lights, stunning, which will fix for Las Vegas.

[BINARY SYSTEM]

This thing is not gonna be built..... come on...Vegas is in a boom right now but...I dont see this thing being constructed.

[vegasrain84]

The proper name of the project is The Las Vegas Tower (LVT). The project is located at 2600 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Clark County, Nevada (the resort corridor is not in the City of Las Vegas proper). The site was once commonly known as Wet 'N Wild. LVT is a straight hotel-casino. However, the keys/units have been designed, entitled and will be constructed as resort-condominiums to provide for the possibility of one day selling units in the building if market conditions once again permit.

The developer is International Development Management (IDM) based in Austin, Texas. The owner (of LVT and IDM) is Christopher F. Milam.

The height of the crown is 1,888' AGL. LVT will be the tallest building in the US and the tallest hotel in the World. The architect of the tower component is Adrian Smith of SOM (Chicago) and of the podium is Paul Steelman of PSDG (Las Vegas). The senior structural engineer is Bill Baker of SOM (Chicago). Hotel room ID and retail ID are RTKL (variously the Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago offices; led by Daun St. Amand in LA).

Structurally, LVT is modeled on the Burj Dubai (BD). It has the same architect (SOM), structural engineer (SOM), MEP engineer (F&K), fire & life safety consultant (RJ) cost consultant (F&G), wind tunnel consultant (RWDI), and many others. It is a tripod, which is the most efficient structural shape for a super-tall building. The similarities have already been noted to BD in the typical level plans. This allows the maximization of height with minimum penalty for structural weight/cost. It is also rigid with respect to both wind and seismic effects. Wind is the controlling force in the case of LVT. The LVT structure is composite steel and concrete for reasons of both speed and cost (whereas BD is all concrete). For a hotel/residential building, this shape also maximizes curtian wall area, minimizes view conflicts, and minimizes walking distances for guests. Almost all the resort hotels in Las Vegas are Y shaped (look at the various permutations on Google Earth). In a distant-relative way, LVT is the same for different reasons (LVT was driven by the need for structural efficiency). It's a happy circumstance that this shape is also the best for hotel/residential buildings from the user/occupants perspective.

LVT is 67% efficient top to bottom. A standard-height hotel tower would typically be 70%. LVT's efficiency (excellent for a tall building) was made possible by maintaining an economic aspect ratio (building height to total mass). BD, although elegant, is very inefficient in it's top 80 floors. It's non-commercial as a stand-alone project. The owners have the financial resources and a greater regional objective. LVT is a stand-alone investment and therefore must be physcially (and therfore economically) efficient. That being the primary variable to solve for, the consequence of maintaining a high on-floor efficiency at 1888' is a tower of 4.5 million gross square feet containing 3,975 rooms (also constrained by the owner so that 80% of all units had to be 620 net/salable square feet or less). In most markets a hotel with 400 rooms would be large. On the Las Vegas Strip, a hotel of 4,000 rooms is an appropriate size for a variety of reasons related to market demand, land cost and competitiveness. LVT therefore makes good economic sense in Las Vegas, and potentially Manhattan, but unlikely elsewhere in the US. It cannot be smaller (in total mass) and still be efficient, at nearly 2,000' AGL. Such are the constraints of the current state of the art.

As an aside, the height was kept below 2,000' to avoid compound FAA and FCC issues. There was no possibility to reach the height of BD (2,640' AGL = one-half mile) and remain efficient (we tried and it generated 6,500 appropriately sized keys) so a relavant height below 2,000' but above the Freedom Tower's 1,776' was selected. 1,888 is the year the Washington Monument was finally opened to the public, at that time the tallest made made structure in the world. Freedom Tower, in its third incarnation (the one that's being built) was designed by David Childs of SOM's New York office. Anyone familiar with the industry would also know the sub-text here; the unspoken competition between these two primary offices of the America's most storied architectural firm.

Internally, LVT can be thought of as being organized as three hotels stacked on top of each other. There are three double-height sky lobbies, each of which are served from the base by high-speed double-deck cabs. Check-in occurs at each of the sky lobby levels, not at the base (which has a parallel double mezz confirguration. The sky lobbies, represented by bands around the tower, sit above, and phycially adjacent to, the MEP floors. These MEP floors contain the elevator overrides for the stacks below, along with all MEP equipment for the stack.

Each sky lobby serves approximately 60 floors with five lower and five upper-zone single-cab elevators serving approximately 30 floors each. This organization allows the express elevators to drop away above the sky lobby they serve, and for the locals to share the same shafts in each of the three tiers (so there are three tiers, containing two zones each, for a total of six zones). This is an extremely efficient organization with reduces the core size to about 40% of what it would otherwise be. There are also two express double-deck cabs which serve the observation deck and roof restaurant, and two which stop at each sky lobby and serve the pool deck (roof of the podium). All this courtesy of Jim Fortune at Fortune Consulting (rocket scientists).

While probably less interesting to readers of this forum, the podium is also a work of art, both architecturally and economically. The podium consists of two primary elements, a large parking garage along the northern property line, and an open-plan casino/retail building along the southern property line. These two structures come together in the middle of the site, the divisor being the sheer walls coming down from the tower above. The casino, restaurant, retail and other front of house (FOH) uses are south of the tower, and all back of house (BOH) functions are north of the tower. All BOH functions roll seemlessly into the relatively inexpensive garage structure, while all FOH functions are contained in the areas south of the tower sheer walls in a relatively expensive structure. The ground floor is primarily casino, restaurants and high-end retail. The mezzanine and second floor is devoted to retail and supporting food service. The roof of the podium contains the resort pools. This organization is most similar conceptually to the Venetian. The large foot-print clear-span space required for the showroom and ballroom is on top of the garage. Placing them here eliminated any need to transfer loads, as the garage structure is already heavily stressed. The showroom and ballroom are on opposite ends, where both can be easily and effectively served by the required mass exit staircases down the outside garage walls and on to the street. The showroom and ballroom co-joint at TV and music recording studios which all share the same BOH areas and equipment; all courtesy of Patrick Berge at Sceno Plus in Montreal (rock stars).

Finally, at the groundplane, there are three large porte cochere's, one on the Strip, one on Paradise, and one on a new east-west road connecting the Strip to Paradise along the southern site boundary. The Strip porte cochere will primarily serve the casino, the southern porte cochere will primarily serve guests entering and leaving the hotel room tower, and the Paradise port cochere will primarily serve for quick access to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) which is two blocks to the south. LVT will also be directly connected to the Las Vegas Monorail with the intent of making the LVCC a direct extension of LVT. Truck and servicing all occurs along the base of the garage wall (northern property line).

Regarding entitlements, LVT is located just north of the northern limit of the circling approach airspace at McCarran Airport. This airspace is the primary limiter of height along the Strip and does not impact LVT. There are other procedure-segments which are affected but those issues are not material and can be mitigated. LVT is, in a sense, in the zone of the Stratosphere. Importantly LVT is south of Sahara Ave. The Stratosphere is several blocks north of Sahara and as such is in a much less desirable economic area, and is within the City of Las Vegas proper. LVT is either physically adjacent to or in the immediate vicitnity of the four Turnberry Residence Towers, Fontainebleau, Montreaux, Echelon, Sky, Hilton Resort Residences, Allure, The Sahara, the two Turnberry Towers, and the Hilton Hotel. These are all projects which are either completed, underway or otherwise funded and represent $10 billion in new resort investment, surrounding, but exclusive of LVT itself, which will cost approximately $4.8 billion to deliver (inclusive of land and all softs) - about $1,250,000 per room.

The more development oriented reader will probably have already noted that there is no economic demand for a five-star resort of this scale north of Sahara Ave. or east or west of the Strip. And there is no possibility to construct a building like LVT further south due to the circling approach airspace cap. And there is, outside of possbilty Manhattan, little ability to activate the necessary capital due to the number of rooms created, which is derivative of maintaining an econcomic aspect ratio at this height. Therefore, in a very real sense, there is about a one-square mile area in all of the US where a tall building like this is achievable. And here it is. The market at work...

Design started on LVT in Jan of 2006 and is currently in advanced SD. DD will be completed by mid-2007 and initial CD packages for the foundation will be issued in the Fall of 2007. Construction of the foundations will start in the 4th quarter of 2007. Completion is expected in the 4th quarter of 2011.

http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491739
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71490467
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71490295
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491738
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491740
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491742
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491743
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491744
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491745

Here is a detailed post by Chris Milam about his building.

[cmilam]

The proper name of the project is The Las Vegas Tower (LVT). The project is located at 2600 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Clark County, Nevada (the resort corridor is not in the City of Las Vegas proper). The site was once commonly known as Wet 'N Wild. LVT is a straight hotel-casino. However, the keys/units have been designed, entitled and will be constructed as resort-condominiums to provide for the possibility of one day selling units in the building if market conditions once again permit.

The developer is International Development Management (IDM) based in Austin, Texas. The owner (of LVT and IDM) is Christopher F. Milam.

The height of the crown is 1,888' AGL. LVT will be the tallest building in the US and the tallest hotel in the World. The architect of the tower component is Adrian Smith of SOM (Chicago) and of the podium is Paul Steelman of PSDG (Las Vegas). The senior structural engineer is Bill Baker of SOM (Chicago). Hotel room ID and retail ID are RTKL (variously the Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago offices; led by Daun St. Amand in LA).

Structurally, LVT is modeled on the Burj Dubai (BD). It has the same architect (SOM), structural engineer (SOM), MEP engineer (F&K), fire & life safety consultant (RJ) cost consultant (F&G), wind tunnel consultant (RWDI), and many others. It is a tripod, which is the most efficient structural shape for a super-tall building. The similarities have already been noted to BD in the typical level plans. This allows the maximization of height with minimum penalty for structural weight/cost. It is also rigid with respect to both wind and seismic effects. Wind is the controlling force in the case of LVT. The LVT structure is composite steel and concrete for reasons of both speed and cost (whereas BD is all concrete). For a hotel/residential building, this shape also maximizes curtian wall area, minimizes view conflicts, and minimizes walking distances for guests. Almost all the resort hotels in Las Vegas are Y shaped (look at the various permutations on Google Earth). In a distant-relative way, LVT is the same for different reasons (LVT was driven by the need for structural efficiency). It's a happy circumstance that this shape is also the best for hotel/residential buildings from the user/occupants perspective.

LVT is 67% efficient top to bottom. A standard-height hotel tower would typically be 70%. LVT's efficiency (excellent for a tall building) was made possible by maintaining an economic aspect ratio (building height to total mass). BD, although elegant, is very inefficient in it's top 80 floors. It's non-commercial as a stand-alone project. The owners have the financial resources and a greater regional objective. LVT is a stand-alone investment and therefore must be physcially (and therfore economically) efficient. That being the primary variable to solve for, the consequence of maintaining a high on-floor efficiency at 1888' is a tower of 4.5 million gross square feet containing 3,975 rooms (also constrained by the owner so that 80% of all units had to be 620 net/salable square feet or less). In most markets a hotel with 400 rooms would be large. On the Las Vegas Strip, a hotel of 4,000 rooms is an appropriate size for a variety of reasons related to market demand, land cost and competitiveness. LVT therefore makes good economic sense in Las Vegas, and potentially Manhattan, but unlikely elsewhere in the US. It cannot be smaller (in total mass) and still be efficient, at nearly 2,000' AGL. Such are the constraints of the current state of the art.

As an aside, the height was kept below 2,000' to avoid compound FAA and FCC issues. There was no possibility to reach the height of BD (2,640' AGL = one-half mile) and remain efficient (we tried and it generated 6,500 appropriately sized keys) so a relavant height below 2,000' but above the Freedom Tower's 1,776' was selected. 1,888 is the year the Washington Monument was finally opened to the public, at that time the tallest made made structure in the world. Freedom Tower, in its third incarnation (the one that's being built) was designed by David Childs of SOM's New York office. Anyone familiar with the industry would also know the sub-text here; the unspoken competition between these two primary offices of the America's most storied architectural firm.

Internally, LVT can be thought of as being organized as three hotels stacked on top of each other. There are three double-height sky lobbies, each of which are served from the base by high-speed double-deck cabs. Check-in occurs at each of the sky lobby levels, not at the base (which has a parallel double mezz confirguration. The sky lobbies, represented by bands around the tower, sit above, and phycially adjacent to, the MEP floors. These MEP floors contain the elevator overrides for the stacks below, along with all MEP equipment for the stack.

Each sky lobby serves approximately 60 floors with five lower and five upper-zone single-cab elevators serving approximately 30 floors each. This organization allows the express elevators to drop away above the sky lobby they serve, and for the locals to share the same shafts in each of the three tiers (so there are three tiers, containing two zones each, for a total of six zones). This is an extremely efficient organization with reduces the core size to about 40% of what it would otherwise be. There are also two express double-deck cabs which serve the observation deck and roof restaurant, and two which stop at each sky lobby and serve the pool deck (roof of the podium). All this courtesy of Jim Fortune at Fortune Consulting (rocket scientists).

While probably less interesting to readers of this forum, the podium is also a work of art, both architecturally and economically. The podium consists of two primary elements, a large parking garage along the northern property line, and an open-plan casino/retail building along the southern property line. These two structures come together in the middle of the site, the divisor being the sheer walls coming down from the tower above. The casino, restaurant, retail and other front of house (FOH) uses are south of the tower, and all back of house (BOH) functions are north of the tower. All BOH functions roll seemlessly into the relatively inexpensive garage structure, while all FOH functions are contained in the areas south of the tower sheer walls in a relatively expensive structure. The ground floor is primarily casino, restaurants and high-end retail. The mezzanine and second floor is devoted to retail and supporting food service. The roof of the podium contains the resort pools. This organization is most similar conceptually to the Venetian. The large foot-print clear-span space required for the showroom and ballroom is on top of the garage. Placing them here eliminated any need to transfer loads, as the garage structure is already heavily stressed. The showroom and ballroom are on opposite ends, where both can be easily and effectively served by the required mass exit staircases down the outside garage walls and on to the street. The showroom and ballroom co-joint at TV and music recording studios which all share the same BOH areas and equipment; all courtesy of Patrick Berge at Sceno Plus in Montreal (rock stars).

Finally, at the groundplane, there are three large porte cochere's, one on the Strip, one on Paradise, and one on a new east-west road connecting the Strip to Paradise along the southern site boundary. The Strip porte cochere will primarily serve the casino, the southern porte cochere will primarily serve guests entering and leaving the hotel room tower, and the Paradise port cochere will primarily serve for quick access to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) which is two blocks to the south. LVT will also be directly connected to the Las Vegas Monorail with the intent of making the LVCC a direct extension of LVT. Truck and servicing all occurs along the base of the garage wall (northern property line).

Regarding entitlements, LVT is located just north of the northern limit of the circling approach airspace at McCarran Airport. This airspace is the primary limiter of height along the Strip and does not impact LVT. There are other procedure-segments which are affected but those issues are not material and can be mitigated. LVT is, in a sense, in the zone of the Stratosphere. Importantly LVT is south of Sahara Ave. The Stratosphere is several blocks north of Sahara and as such is in a much less desirable economic area, and is within the City of Las Vegas proper. LVT is either physically adjacent to or in the immediate vicitnity of the four Turnberry Residence Towers, Fontainebleau, Montreaux, Echelon, Sky, Hilton Resort Residences, Allure, The Sahara, the two Turnberry Towers, and the Hilton Hotel. These are all projects which are either completed, underway or otherwise funded and represent $10 billion in new resort investment, surrounding, but exclusive of LVT itself, which will cost approximately $4.8 billion to deliver (inclusive of land and all softs) - about $1,250,000 per room.

The more development oriented reader will probably have already noted that there is no economic demand for a five-star resort of this scale north of Sahara Ave. or east or west of the Strip. And there is no possibility to construct a building like LVT further south due to the circling approach airspace cap. And there is, outside of possbilty Manhattan, little ability to activate the necessary capital due to the number of rooms created, which is derivative of maintaining an econcomic aspect ratio at this height. Therefore, in a very real sense, there is about a one-square mile area in all of the US where a tall building like this is achievable. And here it is. The market at work...

Design started on LVT in Jan of 2006 and is currently in advanced SD. DD will be completed by mid-2007 and initial CD packages for the foundation will be issued in the Fall of 2007. Construction of the foundations will start in the 4th quarter of 2007. Completion is expected in the 4th quarter of 2011.

http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491739
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71490467
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71490295
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491738
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491740
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491742
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491743
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491744
http://www.pbase.com/cmilam/image/71491745

[future29]

heres the images from the links above. looks great from the current pics imo and not ugly like some people suggest. the first time i saw it i said to myself it looked alot like the burj dubai and then i found out it was designed by the same architect! i would love to see this get built.
http://k53.pbase.com/g6/48/733348/2/71491740.QLGXLnIJ.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/71491742.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/71491743.jpg

http://k47.pbase.com/o6/48/733348/1/71491739.sBGfPcGT.LVTRender1.JPG

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/71490295.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/71491738.jpg

http://ct.pbase.com/g6/48/733348/2/71493685.g8QgBz60.jpg

[NYguy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/71491738.jpg
http://k47.pbase.com/o6/48/733348/1/71491739.sBGfPcGT.LVTRender1.JPG

Las Vegas Tower. Hope that's just a working name (not that the other was
much better). It's really not all that bad, though I don't see it getting built.

[BINARY SYSTEM]

Why do people propose such extravagant buildings in places where they are not needed. Don’t get me wrong I love the design... but I doubt this thing will be built.

[mdiederi]

Why do people propose such extravagant buildings in places where they are not needed.
Really, really large hotels are needed in Vegas and are the engine that drives the economy here. But, they are quickly running out of land with strip frontage large enough to accommodate the big wide boxy buildings of the past. It was just a matter of time before they started to go higher in order to have the room count they need to make a project of this size feasible.

[toddguy]

Certainly the information provided yesterday sheds alot more light on this project. It looks better with the newly provided renderings(not that I thought it was bad to begin with). If it can be built anywhere it is Vegas(both economically and aesthetically IMO). with the desert setting it really does eerily seem like somthing that would be equally at home in Dubai.

[Ktulured55]

I would honestly consider suicide if thewtb was in Vegas.

Well, you don't have to worry, there will still be some buildings taller than this one. It will never be the tallest building in the world. You can still live!!!!


I think the design is great! A nice and 'different' design for the USA. still is wide too until the very top.... it's not like a little thin needle. I really hope this is built. Plus, if most people are unaware, Las Vegas has been the fastest growing city in the United States for years now. They need and deserve something that will really put their skyline on the map.

:banana: :banana:

[NEWNANGuy]

the Statrosphere Tower is on the north end of the strip near commercial downtown. a good bit away from the airport. is this where this is proposed???

[Ktulured55]

honestly if Las Vegas was going to attempt 1,888 ft., I think this is about as hideous and tastless as it can get, especially when vegas is trying to redefine its image as a classier city, this would be suicide. :dead:

Don't you think Chicago and NYC are classy? And they are the other cities with all of the tallest buildings in our country. .... if you don't think so, then what is a 'classy city' in your example? A little country town with a 40ft tallest building?

Building a taller building does not take away any class. It has nothing much to do with it in my opinion. This is good for Vegas becuase it's different, and again... the population is growing vastly and there is less room to build more hotels with all the people living there. It would be nice to see a tall building there. In addition, this builiding makes sense to build in that city and in it's particular location.

[Scoutthedog]

Don't you think Chicago and NYC are classy? And they are the other cities with all of the tallest buildings in our country. .... if you don't think so, then what is a 'classy city' in your example? A little country town with a 40ft tallest building?

Building a taller building does not take away any class. It has nothing much to do with it in my opinion. This is good for Vegas becuase it's different, and again... the population is growing vastly and there is less room to build more hotels with all the people living there. It would be nice to see a tall building there. In addition, this builiding makes sense to build in that city and in it's particular location.

I don't believe he was referring to height when he made this comment but his dissatisfaction with the design. Do correct if I'm wrong though...

[mdiederi]

the Statrosphere Tower is on the north end of the strip near commercial downtown. a good bit away from the airport. is this where this is proposed???
The Strat is just a couple blocks further north, as this render shows.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/renders/71519700.png

[Thskyscraper]

That is one spectacular tower. Hope it gets built.

[westsider]

I like the design, don't love it, but what I do love about this building is that it would be taller then the freedom tower with out needing a massive spire to do it. I don't know what the deal is with NYC, the freedom tower, BOA tower, Times headquarters, they all have spires that are way too large. :yuck:

[sentinel]

Futuristic, I like it..just wish it was in Chicago :) Lucky Vegas, hope it gets built!!

[mightygoose]

i dont think its tall enough such a simple design really reminds me of like the huge arcologies like the bionic tower... this should compete for wtb really...

[WonderlandPark]

^^ In the photo, what is that grey tower to the right of LVT? Looks to be 700+ feet at that scale.

[mdiederi]

^^ In the photo, what is that grey tower to the right of LVT? Looks to be 700+ feet at that scale.
That's the Fontainebleau that Turnberry should start building real soon. It was originally supposed to be 1,070 feet, but got shortened to 735 feet. The county made them change the access too, so that delayed the start of construction a couple months, but the new plan just got approved.

[NYguy]

Plus, if most people are unaware, Las Vegas has been the fastest growing city in the United States for years now. They need and deserve something that will really put their skyline on the map.

:banana: :banana:

Fastest growing, but nowhere near the largest cities of the US. Still, I briefly lived in Las Vegas (long time ago) and the metro area is probably twice as large now as it was then.

Las Vegas is Las Vegas. It doesn't need anything else to put it on the map. Even a world's tallest would be lost in the background there.

[CoolCzech]

"As an aside, the height was kept below 2,000' to avoid compound FAA and FCC issues. There was no possibility to reach the height of BD (2,640' AGL = one-half mile) and remain efficient (we tried and it generated 6,500 appropriately sized keys) so a relavant height below 2,000' but above the Freedom Tower's 1,776' was selected. 1,888 is the year the Washington Monument was finally opened to the public, at that time the tallest made made structure in the world. Freedom Tower, in its third incarnation (the one that's being built) was designed by David Childs of SOM's New York office. Anyone familiar with the industry would also know the sub-text here; the unspoken competition between these two primary offices of the America's most storied architectural firm."

************************

Anyone know what they mean by "it generated 6,500 appropriately sized keys" when they tried designing this tower to reach the height of the BD?

Anyway - so they based the height on the year the Washington Monument was completed, huh? Looks like Libeskind started an interesting trend...

Based on their comments regarding why they didn't design the thing to hit 2,000 feet at least (FAA & FCC issues), I don't think this country will see anything like the BD for a long, long time - if ever.

[StatenIslander237]

Don't you think Chicago and NYC are classy? And they are the other cities with all of the tallest buildings in our country. .... if you don't think so, then what is a 'classy city' in your example? A little country town with a 40ft tallest building?

Building a taller building does not take away any class. It has nothing much to do with it in my opinion. This is good for Vegas becuase it's different, and again... the population is growing vastly and there is less room to build more hotels with all the people living there. It would be nice to see a tall building there. In addition, this builiding makes sense to build in that city and in it's particular location.

First of all, I am from New York, and I have been to Chicago, and they are very classy cities in my opinion. It is not the height that concerns me, even though Vegas is not in need of such a tall building right now. But the design is silly. It looks to me like a five-year old's rendition of a rocket ship. It's not just about Vegas, I would not want it built anywhere.

You cannot compare this design to the Sears Tower, Empire State Building, or even the Freedom Tower.

Also, Vegas is not ready for an almost-2,000-ft. tower. It needs to build up its shorter skyline first. New York and Chicago have vast bases of shorter and mid-height buildings to visually support a building of such significant height. Vegas needs to stop sprinting ahead, and take a little time to escape its old-time kitsch. A city of 500,000+ people needs a chance to turn into a real city besides a resort destination.

[StatenIslander237]

I don't believe he was referring to height when he made this comment but his dissatisfaction with the design. Do correct if I'm wrong though...

yea thats what i meant :previous:

[mdiederi]

New York and Chicago are very classy cities. :cheers: You cannot compare this design to the Sears Tower, Empire State Building, or even the Freedom Tower.
Those are office buildings with completely different aesthetic requirements than a resort. I think the design works just fine as a resort, in fact, with no garish colors it's actually a breath of fresh air.

Also, Vegas is not ready for an almost-2,000-ft. tower. It needs to build up its shorter skyline first. New York and Chicago have vast bases of shorter and mid-height buildings to visually support a building of such significant height. Vegas needs to stop sprinting ahead, and take a little time to escape its old-time kitsch.
As shown in the CS thread, ESB, Sears and Hancock were all "sprints" at the time of their construction. In fact, they all still tower over their immediate neighbors and they are saying the same thing about CS. Look, the Strat is less than half a mile away from LVT and it's almost 1,200 feet tall and already has two sets of plans to go over 1,800 feet tall. The Fontainebleau going up right next door to LVT is nearly 800 feet and the approved Summit across Sahara Ave. is over 900 feet. There are already 8 towers around 500 feet tall within one block of LVT.

A city of 500,000+ people needs a chance to turn into a real city besides a resort destination.Actually, 1.7 million in the valley (LVT is not in the city limits) and soon will top 2 million. But, the valley is surrounded by mountains and protected National land, we need to go higher. Plus, the Strip is rapidly running out of empty land big enough for the old style big box mega resorts. This thing is on one of the last pieces of Strip frontage that doesn't require knocking something down to make a big resort. Plus, for a new player like Milam, he needs something really impressive to compete with the established gaming giants like Kerkorian, Wynn and Adelson. But, yeah, the design would be too eccentric for an office building. Maybe eventually other industries will start to recognize the incredible business friendly tax structure in Nevada and we'll start to get some tall office buildings. An 800+ foot tall office tower is slated for downtown as we speak.

[StatenIslander237]

:previous: I agree with alot of what you are saying. Yes Vegas needs, and can go higher, but there is a difference between 800' and 1,800'. and if you read, i stated that vegas needs to escape its old-time kitsch, i.e. big box resorts. This tower would not do as a tallest building in any city, resort or office or residential or whatever.

I'm sorry but but dislike this design. I love Vegas but it can do better than that. :(

[mdiederi]

Usually I don't care for rounded buildings very much, but this one has really grown on me as the renders kept getting better and better.

Las Vegas Tower breaks both the "big square box" and "kitsch" molds of the earlier mega-resorts in one bold design. It's not square-cornered or "Disneyesque", yet still supplies enough rooms and spectacle to make it work in this market.

[LMich]

Yeah, I usually hate these "sculpture" type buildings, but this one seems to be very classy. I was worried before I saw it in the context of the skyline that it would look too fat, as most of these rounded buildings do, but this one looks perfect. As for all of the other talk about Vegas needing to build a skyline to fit this first, and all of that, that's just ridiculous and a double-standard applied to newer cities whenever they decide to jump for something big.

[sbros]

Its a stainless steel giant sex toy without windows, What do you want from me people! lol.. I distinguished between the floors, and from the drawings I had to work with, it looks as though there aren't any real distinct windows.. I could change it if it would make you happy.. jeesh.. :)

I own the advertising/creative agency working for the developer on the Las Vegas Tower project. The renderings Mr. Milam linked to in his log were largely produced by us.

I'm happy to provide an elevation rendering of the project to VegasRain to include in the height comparison graphics (replacing the current building image). Those are well-done, informative graphics and I just want to ensure that you have the most current LVT image.

I'll try to have something up this evening that you can use (tiff image with alpha?). Let me know if you need anything else.

Our main priority is to ensure that the project is presented as accurately as possible from a visual standpoint.

Thanks.

[mdiederi]

The more I hear about this project the more confidence I have.

For those of you worried about the FAA killing this project, I was just looking at the bios for the team at JDA negotiating with the FAA in Washington. Some of these guys know the FAA inside and out because they used to run it or the NTSB.
http://www.4jda.aero/team.html

Joseph Del Balzo is the founder and President of JDA, Mr. Del Balzo previously served as FAA Acting Administrator and Deputy Administrator during his FAA tenure. Other positions included serving as FAA Executive Director of Systems Operation and Executive Director of System Development, as well as directing the FAA Technical Center. Mr. Del Balzo is a Fellow of the America Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Air Traffic Control Association.

The Honorable John J. Goglia, former two-term Member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, is JDA’s Senior Vice President for aviation operations and safety programs. Mr. Goglia is an internationally recognized expert in aviation maintenance and aircraft operations, and led numerous important investigations and safety initiatives out of his NTSB office. Prior to his Senate confirmation, Mr. Goglia was based with USAir for over thirty years and was the recipient of the prestigious 1994/Industry Aviation Mechanic of the Year Award.

Gregory A. Feith is a former National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Senior Air Safety Investigator with a wide range of aviation investigative and safety experience. He has investigated hundreds of general aviation and air transport aircraft accidents worldwide during his more than 20 years with the Safety Board. Greg has served as the Investigator-in-Charge or U.S. Accredited Representative of a number of high profile aircraft accidents.

William Handel is currently JDA's Vice President for Airport and Airspace. Bill retired from the FAA as Regional Administrator of the Eastern Region. During his tenure at the FAA, Bill held positions such as Eastern Region Deputy Regional Administrator and Airports Division Manager. As VP of Airports and Airspace, Bill primarily focuses on FAA policy issues related to Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) for runway safety areas. He also manages JDA's program for obstruction evaluation for planned structures near an airport.

Lou DeRose is currently the Senior Airport Specialist for JDA Aviation Technology Solutions, headquartered in Washington, DC. His work at JDA has focused primarily on application of the new technology Engineered Materials System (EMAS) to civil airports and assisting airport owners in dealing with the relationship of EMAS to FAA safety area standards and policies. Prior to his current work with JDA, he spent over 38 ½ years with the FAA, initially as an engineer involved in the siting, design and installation of air navigational systems but, most of his FAA career was devoted to airport safety, planning, design, environmental protection and grant administration programs. Prior to his retirement from FAA in January 1994, Lou was the Manager of Eastern Region Airports Division where he was responsible for FAA decision-making for the complex airport system.

[mdiederi]

Las Vegas is Las Vegas. It doesn't need anything else to put it on the map. Even a world's tallest would be lost in the background there.
That's probably true, Vegas is already on the map, and when I'm down on the south Strip, I usually don't even notice the Strat.

[Zerton]

Vegas is full of hype. but I have hope.

[Calalb]

I think its a great looking tower and you've got to admire its height! Las Vegas would seem to be an ideal place for such a project.

[sbros]

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/sbros/tower_elevation_01.jpg

Elevation rendering as promised.

[vanhenrik]

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/sbros/tower_elevation_01.jpg

Elevation rendering as promised.

this skyscraper is so bjuteful ! the best in a long time i rely hope that they ar going to get it done !

viva las vegas here we come ! :yes: :haha:

[NYguy]

Reminds me of the Tower of Russia somehow.

[Dalton]

Looks better in the current rendering. This building would really "belong" in only two cities. As long as it doesn't rotate or feature the "World's Tallest Sun Dial", I guess I have no major issue with it being in Las Vegas. It's not as tasteless as it could have been.

[LMich]

That's one graceful tower. What are the facade materials? I'm having a hard time placing them.

[Vtown420]

Quick cut and paste to see what it would look like from my house. Of course, it’s facing the wrong direction and you must envision all the new buildings around it (this pic is already way outdated), but you get the idea.

http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/1874/lvtower1qv0.jpg

Impressive! I must say I’m starting to love this tower. At ~ 3,930 feet above sea level, this tower would be almost as high as Frenchman Mountain 4,052. Never in my life did I think I would see something this tall in Vegas. I really hope it gets built.

[LMich]

I've always wondered, does the Stratosphere hold any television or radio station transmitters on its mast, or is everything located on Black Mountain? Man, that's an odd site at night.

[PuyoPiyo]

Yeah, I would like to see what it will look like during the night..

[NYguy]

http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/1874/lvtower1qv0.jpg


"Take us to your leader!"

Maybe a tower that size doesn't belong in Vegas afterall. But then again, it you're going to have a lone tower
of that size in any city, it would be there...

[TexasStar]

I love it! It tells the world that the U.S. is not about to fall out of the skyscraper race.
Game on, baby!

[M II A II R II K]

Not bad, but the skyline would be better if they threw in many more highrises for balance.

[CHAPINM1]

I love it! It tells the world that the U.S. is not about to fall out of the skyscraper race.
Game on, baby!

Couldn't agree more! :yes: