Two New Major Casino Proposals
Two new Strip developments have gone to the next phase as the Clark County Planning Commission approved building permits. The permits were given for the makeover of The New Frontier and a new Wynn development Encore adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas.
The cornerstone of The New Frontier plan is an “observation wheel,� which would be very similar to the London Eye. The wheel would have 32 cabins, each with a 25-person capacity that would allow for unobstructed views of the Strip. Such developments are representative of the unprecedented building boom that continues on the Strip.
Continued projects like these documented in the proposals are also raising concerns that the proverbial bubble may soon burst on the city. While many do feel this is a probability, Carlton Geer, director of the Global Gaming Group disagrees. Geer believes that these new, large-scale projects will continue to help attract tourists. He states, “the worst thing Las Vegas can do is allow these properties (The New Frontier) to age and deteriorate.
Both of these projects are expected to cost over $2 billion a piece. The plans for Encore show a 631-foot, 1,745-room hotel tower and 45,000 square feet of casino space. Also featured are a 100,000 square-foot pool deck, 40,000 square feet of retail space, 100,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and a 36,000 square-foot spa and salon.
The New Frontier plans include many features typical of modern resorts, including a performing arts theater, health club, nightclub, poker room, wedding chapels and space for conventions and meetings. The casino would be more than 90,000 square feet, retail space would be more than 540,000 square feet and the pool area would be more than 250,000 square feet. The resort would feature one 62-story hotel tower containing 2,057 rooms at 500 square feet and 699 suites at 750 square feet. The plans also call for more than a dozen “lanai” suites.
According to the current estimates, Encore will be ready in late 2008 and The New Frontier’s project by 2009 or 2010. These projects join Echelon Place as multi billion dollar projects and may help to once again make the northern end of the Strip a draw for tourists.
Article by Angela Ford