LAS VEGAS | Boom Project Rundown! 2.0

If you travel down Desert Inn going west, you'll see that Golden Glass is being installed on the backside of the Trump Tower.

[JonVegas]

I've seen this from the 15. I was pretty pleased with how it looks. Gold is always in danger of looking tacky and hopefully Trump is avoiding this. If nothing else, it will be in good company: The Mirage, the Hotel, Mandalay Bay, The MGM Residences, what am I forgetting?

[Patrick]

Ugh the Aladdin looks horrible

[LMich]

Originally Posted by JonVegas

I've seen this from the 15. I was pretty pleased with how it looks. Gold is always in danger of looking tacky and hopefully Trump is avoiding this. If nothing else, it will be in good company: The Mirage, the Hotel, Mandalay Bay, The MGM Residences, what am I forgetting?

The biggest one of all: Wynn Las Vegas.

[JonVegas]

Yes, that blue color on the Aladdin is terrible. I see it on my way to work every day and I just feel helpless watching the color go on. It used to look very at home near the Venetian and Bellagio.

[GeorgeLV]

Originally Posted by LMich

The biggest one of all: Wynn Las Vegas.

I wouldn't call the glass on the Wynn gold. It's a much darker copper/bronze tint.

[drobar]

That blue color is "Tacky Vegas". Who approved this change? What were they thinking?

A number of cranes is seen in this photo, reflecting the high level of construction activity in the city these days. Exciting times...

[Patrick]

^wow I've never seen the Strip from that angle look at the MGM Residents right behind Wynn Las Vegas wierd....Hilton Grand Vacations Club Once Looked very tall until Sky Passed it.

Here are some random Stratosphere Cam shots

Here is a shot of Trumps Facade


The HUGE Sands Expo/Harrahs Parking Garage


Hilton Grand Vacations Club Phase Two, FINALLY got the building fully painted


Sky Las Vegas Detail


Palms Fantasy Tower finally finished the top


Allure from the pool area

[GeorgeLV]

I was downtown today and noticed Streamline is putting up their crane and is well underway on their foundation.

Maybe this is a job better suited for Spiderman. But instead, a lone window washer is tasked at cleaning the windows as SOHO Loft's opening day gets ever closer.



Not the best skyline view but gives another angle to some familiar buildings. Trump Tower is in this photo althought he is a bit hidden. Taken from a 2nd floor Chinese restaurant on W. Spring Mtn. Rd. and Jones.

[ScottG]

i went to red rock station las night. let me say: unbelievable. this definietly combeats (and beats) with the strip. VERY LAVISH. in the casino there is a sales office for residences at red rock. there is a model and somoe renders- i wanted why nothing has been online. anywho, it is 2 twin towers, about... 18 stories, no taller than the hotel. they are black..or dark dark red. with white/ tan horizontal striping. looks very posh.

[ScottG]

Manhattanization.com


$4.5 Million Penthouse Purchased at Allure
Allure Growing Up
Allure Condo Towers
Vertical construction is well underway on Tower I at Allure Las Vegas and the luxury high rise continues to enjoy strong sales. The recent purchase of a $4.5 million unit on the top floor of Allure reaffirms that there is an ongoing and robust appetite for sophisticated urban high rise living in Las Vegas.

Located on Sahara just west of The Strip, Allure Las Vegas is an architecturally stunning pair of condominium towers each forty one stories high. Tower I of Allure has already grown more than 16 stories and is estimated to be complete in November 2007. Additionally, groundbreaking on Tower II is planned for the fall. In total, the dual towers of Allure will offer 900 luxurious residential high rise units.

According to Alan Schachtman, senior vice president for The Fifield Companies, Tower I is nearly 90% sold out and Tower II units have recently been released for purchase.

"Today's Las Vegas high-rise shoppers are increasingly savvy -- they understand that with the city-wide condo supply shrinking, Allure offers quality, value and a strategic location as well as a credible developer with a demonstrated track record. The new owner of this customized penthouse residence was attracted to the exceptional amenities Allure offers as well as the spectacular Las Vegas strip views. Our buyers typically have very discriminating taste and they want their personal space to be a reflection of their personality and style. We were happy to work with this client to create a space that uniquely expresses who they are. The further ability to create your own floor plan on the top floor with incredible panoramic views proved to be very attractive to this purchaser. We are seeing very strong demand for all of the penthouse units."


Construction
When finished, Tower I will have 428 units comprised of studios, one, two and three bedroom residences, as well as tower suites and extraordinary penthouses. Mirroring the success of Tower I, Tower II will have 472 units with 14 distinct open floor plans being offered ranging in size from 669 to 6,235 square feet.

Every carefully planned Allure residence will have exceptional designer ready appointments and finishes. Impressive floor to ceiling windows and spacious balconies will allow for sweeping views of The Strip, the valley's breathtaking mountain ranges and the city lights of Downtown Las Vegas. Hands down, Allure offers the best views in Las Vegas.


Pool Rendering
Each home will provide an atmosphere of personal luxury with exceptional amenities and superbly executed finishes, such as stainless steel GE Profile appliances, granite counters, European style cabinetry, Italian tile floors and lush landscaping with an expansive pool deck with hotel-like amenities, (including wireless high speed internet access) surrounded by private exclusive cabanas. The penthouse units will feature upgraded GE Monogram series appliances with built-in wine coolers and upgraded finishes including marble floors.

Unique to this community, Allure Now is Allure's new and very exciting Five-Star Concierge service. Allure Now will allow Allure purchasers to enjoy the Las Vegas lifestyle while their residence is still being built. This unique, exclusive concierge service is available to buyers at the time of their Allure purchase.

Additional Allure Five-Star services include valet parking, storage spaces, 24 hour doorman, club room with catering kitchen, fitness center with state of the art equipment overlooking a lushly landscaped pool deck, business center with Wi-Fi, media room and conference facilities, a private wine cellar and professional on-site management.

Allure is scheduled for completion November 2007.



...........
Hard Rock Sold
Hard Rock Sold for $770 Million Cash
Hard Rock Hotel
>>more images
Morgans Hotel Group Co. a fully integrated hospitality company that owns and operates boutique hotels in gateway cities under well-known brands such as Delano, Mondrian, and Hudson, today announced the signing of definitive agreements to acquire the 647-room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a neighboring 544-unit apartment complex, and other related assets from Peter Morton for an aggregate purchase price of $770 million in cash.

"It was just time to take the chips off the table," Morton told The Associated Press. "I'm looking to do some different things in my life. That was it."

Morton co-founded the Hard Rock brand in 1971, and in 1996 he sold his chain of Hard Rock Cafes to the London-based Rank Group Plc for $410 million.


Rendering of the Hard Rock currently on hold
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is an entertainment resort located on 16.7 acres situated strategically on Harmon Avenue, one of Las Vegas' fastest growing entertainment corridors. It was built in 1995 and expanded in 1999. The property offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property has also been a popular music scene destination where such acts as the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, David Bowie, Snoop Dogg and Nine Inch Nails have all performed.

Features of the property include an 11-story Hard Rock Hotel tower with 647 guest rooms; a 30,000 square foot casino; a beach club with a swimming pool that was selected by the Travel Channel as one of "The Top 10 Pools" in the world; the Body English nightclub; "The Joint" concert hall; five restaurants, including the world famous Nobu; three cocktail lounges; several retail stores; and an 8,000 square foot spa, salon and fitness center.

The adjacent 23-acre land parcel, including a 544-unit apartment complex currently situated on the parcel will be held for further development. The acquisition includes the rights to use the "Hard Rock Hotel" and "Hard Rock Casino" trademarks in connection with casinos and hotel/casinos in specified locations, as well as certain other intellectual property such as merchandising and retail rights.


Purposed Echelon rendering
This transaction represents the third planned offering in the Las Vegas market by Morgans Hotel Group. The Company has already announced a joint-venture partnership with Boyd Gaming for their development project, Echelon Place, that will be anchored by two prominent MHG brands, Delano and Mondrian, which are expected to add a total of 1,600 rooms to the market in 2010.

“The prior owner has in-place plans and entitlements for a $1.2-billion hotel expansion and condominium development and we are acquiring those plans as part of the transaction,” said Scheetz. “There is significant expansion opportunity on the Hard Rock property as well as the neighboring parcel; we plan to maximize any expansion to maximize the amount of land available for sale or JV and extract every drop of value….”


Purposed Hard Rock rendering
“Since Las Vegas is the largest hotel market in the US, it is key for our growth strategy,” says MHG chief executive W. Edward Scheetz. “This transaction provides us with an immediate and highly-visible entry into this market."

MHG says the acquisition will be financed with cash on hand and MHG's corporate line of credit, as well as a $700 million credit facility from an affiliate of Credit Suisse. The transaction is expected to close no later than the first quarter of 2007.

"We believe that having immediate operating capability in Las Vegas will be a help for our overall intended presence in the market,'' Scheetz said.

The company will continue to run the resort under the Hard Rock brand for now, he said. Morgans did not have immediate plans for a more than $1 billion condominium project that had been planned for a 24-acre site next to the casino.

Hard Rock Hotel Inc. stopped sales and offered refunds on deposits for some of the 1,350 units at the condo project in February.

"We're going to take a look at the whole package with a fresh set of eyes,'' Scheetz said. "We may sell off some or all of the land, yes.''

Analyst David Katz of CIBC World Markets Corp., said of the deal, "I think the price they're paying is fair.''


Las Ramblas Rendering
But he noted that many questions remained, such as whether the proposed $3 billion (euro2.36 billion) George Clooney-backed Las Ramblas complex beside the Hard Rock on Harmon Avenue would still be built.

"It really depends on how much capital of Morgans this will consume,'' Katz said.

"I founded the Hard Rock brand. It's been great to me. I sold two companies with that brand totalling $1.2 billion. And it's just time to move on,'' he said.

About Morgans Hotel Group

Morgans Hotel Group Co. (Nasdaq: MHGC), which is widely credited with establishing and developing the rapidly expanding boutique hotel sector, owns and operates Morgans, Royalton and Hudson in New York, Delano and The Shore Club in Miami, Mondrian in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Clift in San Francisco, and Sanderson and St Martins Lane in London. MHG has other property transactions in various stages of completion, including projects in Miami Beach, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada, and continues to vigorously pursue its strategy of developing unique properties at various price points in international gateway cities in the United States, Europe, South America, Asia and around the world.

....
from vegasTAT

News 5/16/06 Edge Resorts and Starwood Hotels (owners of the W Hotel) have acquired some more land from D. R. Horton increasing the size of the W Hotel property (see map image below).

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/whotel.htm

[JonVegas]

Best part of Red Rock: Capriottis in the food court! I hope this is a trend.

FYI - Red Rock Residences Website

http://www.theresidencesatredrock.com/

These towers I heard are planned to be several feet higher (20?) than the main hotel tower. With all the debates that over heights the surrounding residents caused. For these towers, Station says since the land will be lower then that of the hotel tower, the condo towers will look as tall as the hotel tower despite being higher.

What do you think, is this cheating on Station Casino's behalf? I understand the orignal uproar over views at red rock and the casino's size but deep down I thin many of those residents just hated casinos in general. Yet look how they flock now to Red Rock Resort in droves.


Speaking of Station Casinos, a future casino from them called Durango Station is planned. As I heard on the 5pm news, if you call 702-853-1336 to reserve your name, you can visit their free meeting tomorrow at Sierra Vista High School, where the preliminary plans for Durango Station will be revealed and they will take your input on what you want to see in the new resort.

[LMich]

I added the Red Rock Residences to Emporis.com a week or two ago. They will, indeed, be taller. But, they won't appear that way as they will sit on a lower elevation than the hotel/casino complex making them appear the same height.

[ScottG]

The future Durango Station Hotel and Casino.

[Patrick]

Red Rock looks great!

Looks like HGVC Tower Two is open or is about too....I like the lights


And is that lighting I see on the MGM Residents Tower One? I hope so...but I need a better shot than this Tower Two is completley blocking tower One.

A Future Bedroom Community for Vegas or sprawl getting insane?

Another interesting article, think about this seriously for a bit, I think it's mindblowing to put this in the middle of nowhere.

160,000 homes planned for Coyote Springs
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/st...566629973.html

The Coyote Springs Valley sprawls between three Southern Nevada mountain ranges in an area rich with creosote, cactus, purple sage, jack rabbits and tortoises.

In the midst of this classically Western setting, thousands of homes are expected to sprout soon. Already, workers are busy carving out a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course to help entice residents. Harvey Whittemore, the powerful lobbyist-turned-developer, says he is as proud of the natural elements of Coyote Springs as he is of the golf course.

The work under way is the product of a decade of scientific study, land-use planning, cajoling governments and sometimes acrimonious debate. It is the product that some once thought impossible: a new city in the desert, 55 miles north of Las Vegas, halfway to just about nothing at all.

"People said I was crazy," Whittemore says while touring the nascent development Tuesday. "What I said was: You have all this land, the best land in Southern Nevada, and you've got water."

Most people still believe the project is confined to blueprints, he says, but the movement of heavy equipment on the site belies that belief: "When people talk about it, they think it's another four or five years. I tell them, no, it's another four or five months."

While land and water provide the essential ingredients for desert development, Coyote Springs would not be possible without federal and local governments.

The project's roots date to a controversial land swap Congress approved in 1988 for a rocket-production company. In the swap, Aerojet, which owned land in the environmentally sensitive Florida Everglades, traded that land for 29,000 acres at Coyote Springs and a 100-year lease on another 14,000 acres.

In 1996, the company agreed to sell the land to Whittemore's holding company.

Two years later, Coyote Springs Investment finalized the deal and began the process of winning federal and local approval for the development. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an interest because the land included habitat for the endangered desert tortoise. The Bureau of Land Management had oversight of the leased land and surrounding land.

Both Lincoln and Clark counties also had zoning oversight, and wanted to ensure that municipal services would be provided without charging existing taxpayers. Whittemore and a small army of consultants overcame the permitting challenges, in part by creating self-funding districts for the municipal services, and in part by providing land and water for habitat protection.

Among the agreements, Coyote Springs Investment will provide 460 acre-feet of water annually - about 150 million gallons - to sustain the endangered Moapa dace, a 3-inch fish found in northeast Clark County.

The dace would receive the water through releases within Coyote Springs' Pahranagat Wash, which feeds the Muddy River 15 miles downstream. The wash is part of the land set aside from development, and the set-aside and agreement to release water for the dace helped Whittemore and the project win an award this spring from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Water is, understandably, a crucial element of the Coyote Springs project. Whittemore is working to win state approval to import water from Lincoln County for the project.

In 1998, however, he made news by selling a portion of the water he controlled by purchasing the land. The Southern Nevada Water Authority, the water wholesaler for all of urban Las Vegas and its suburbs, paid Whittemore $25 million for 7,500 acre-feet.

The money was helpful, but so was the strategic alliance with the Water Authority, Whittemore says. Even with the sale to the authority and the portion going to sustain the Moapa dace, Coyote Springs still has 4,140 acre-feet - more than 1.3 billion gallons annually - for the project, more than enough to support thousands of homes and the first golf course.

That water is already pumping to the project, filling lakes on the golf course and watering thousands of plants in the project's greenhouses. The project's well goes 700 feet into Coyote Springs Valley's deep aquifer.

Pardee Homes is among the homebuilders who have dived into the project. Klif Andrews, Pardee's division president, says his company and four other builders will begin selling custom lots later this year. Homes in the master-planned community will go on sale in August 2007, and people can open their front doors by the end of that year.

Andrews anticipates selling "1,000 to 1,200 homes a year for the first two, three years."

Not everyone is as impressed with the project. Some environmentalists have opposed the project from the beginning. Jane Feldman, a Sierra Club activist, served a few years on a technical committee that advised Whittemore's firm on how to limit the development's environmental impacts.

The basic problem is the location, miles away from existing urban development, Feldman says: "We have tremendous concerns about what's going on out there. Leapfrog urban development is just not smart by any definition of the word."

The distance means long drives for commuters working in Las Vegas, meaning more cars and pollution, she says.

While Feldman says federal and local governments should have blocked the development, she still credits Whittemore with providing natural space in the development: "That's how he's going to market his villages - as a place with a lot of open space, a lot of green space. It's as light as you can live in a leapfrog sprawl development."

Whittemore says he's done everything he can to make the project environmentally friendly. He was under no obligation to provide 13,000 acres for green space, he says, and would have received federal and local approval without it.

"The land is going to be developed," he says. "Don't you want it done to the highest standard? We have a true commitment to protecting the natural resources."

Whittemore realizes that his argument won't convince skeptics: "Some people suggest there should be no development at all. That's just not going to happen. What we can do is hold ourselves to the highest standards."

Coyote Springs does have some advocates within the conservation movement, although those supporters are from organizations that work closely with companies.

Mike Ford, Southwest director for the Conservation Fund, a nonprofit group that supports the purchase and conservation of sensitive land throughout the country, worked as a consultant on the Coyote Springs project.

"I'm pretty proud of what we've been able to accomplish," Ford says.

The development sets a new standard for development in Clark County, he says. The 13,000-acre set-aside "will be protected in perpetuity. It's exactly what we had envisioned."

The project also could get a thumbs-up from Audubon International, a nonprofit group not affiliated with the National Audubon Society.

Audubon International has given its endorsement to developments such as golf courses the organization views as environmentally sustainable.

"I'm interested in working with any company that's committed to building in a sustainable way," says Audubon International President Ron Dodson .

Dodson says he's worked with Whittemore before and that Coyote Springs could be "a model development for Audubon International."

Whittemore says he hopes the endorsements will win support for the project. Some opposition will always be there because of his history as a lobbyist , he acknowledges.

Looking over the valley that one day could be home to thousands of houses, condominiums, stores, clinics and schools, Whittemore says his success has generated some opposition:

"I think people are a little bit jealous. I am very blessed. I am the luckiest guy in America."