A lot of projects get announced on the Las Vegas Strip.
Usually, the owner has secured a piece of land for whatever they might plan to build. Someone'll schedule a press conference and maybe even a ribbon cutting. but for developers, going from idea to reality on the Strip may be harder than anywhere else in the world.
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Current examples of projects like this include former National Basketball Association player Jackie Robinson's planned NBA-ready arena, hotel, and retail complex on the north end of the Strip.
After nine years, the project has gone through many iterations, but aside from some land being cleared, nothing has actually moved forward. (Calling it a project isn't really fair as it's mostly a hole in the ground and some paperwork.)
Nor is the Robinson saga unique. Dream Las Vegas, a boutique resort near Harry Reid International Airport, actually got well into construction before its owners stopped paying vendors.
That resort might get bought or its original owners could raise money to begin construction, but right now it's an uncompleted project slowly rotting in the desert sun. Usually, if a Las Vegas Strip project doesn't move steadily forward, it never happens.
There is, however, a major exception to this. A major North Strip resort casino that's been in various phases of construction for roughly 20 years now has an opening date.
Image source: Palms Casino
New Las Vegas Strip casino has an opening date
During the pandemic Resorts World Las Vegas opened on the North Strip. That casino, the first new one on the Strip since MGM Resorts International's (MGM) -) Cosmopolitan in 2010, was meant to be part of an effort to revitalize that section of the city's famed road.
While the south and central sections of the Las Vegas Strip are tightly packed with MGM and Caesars Entertainment (CZR) -) properties, the north section has The Strat, Circus Circus, and a lot of empty land. Resorts World is definitely a major draw for the area, and it's about to be joined by one of the Strip's least-likely success stories.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas has been in the works for nearly 20 years. The project has changed hands multiple times and has been left for dead on countless occasions. Now, the original developer, Jeffrey Soffer, not only owns the property but has disclosed its opening date.
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Fontainebleau Las Vegas will open in December
Located roughly across the street from Resorts World Las Vegas, Fontainebleau Las Vegas continues the plan to make the North Strip a location on par with the south and central sections of the road. And while the property is not as large as its across-the-street neighbor, it's still an impressive resort.
"Seamlessly connecting the past, present, and future, the 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas — the tallest occupiable building in Nevada — is the first western expansion for the iconic brand. Reflecting the grandeur of its heritage, the resort's 3,644 rooms and suites present an aura of timeless elegance, while incorporating a lavish splendor and distinctive amenities unique to Las Vegas," the company said in a news release.
The Fontainebleau brand began in Miami, and the Las Vegas location is more of a spiritual sister to the original one than a corporate one.
Las Vegas Fontainebleau will offer 36 first-to-market restaurant concepts from around the globe, opening in December 2023 and throughout 2024.
"The collection features 10 of the Top 100 grossing restaurants in the United States and concepts from award-winning chefs and restaurateurs, including Chef Gabriela Cámara, Michelin-starred chefs Masa Ito and Kevin Kim, Alan Yau, Evan Funke, David Grutman, and more," the company said.
Reservations can be made now with the resort's first day of operation being Dec. 14.
The property will also feature a 14,000-square-foot fitness center and 55,000-square-foot Lapis Spa.
Additional resort amenities will include a 96,500-square-foot luxury boutique retail district, located on the first two levels of the resort; a six-acre pool district, 550,000 square feet of customizable, indoor-outdoor meeting space; 150,000 square-feet of gaming space; and the forthcoming LIV and LIV Beach experiences.
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