more feedsGolden Nugget Update
The Golden Nugget is undeniably the nicest hotel in downtown Las Vegas. It's a fine property.
The GN went through its vertical growth in the 70's and the 80's, which was (in my opinion) the worst era for architecture. The undistinguished corporate look of both of the existing towers is quite a burden when you're designing a new tower to exist with them. If the new tower was cool and flashy, it would have made the older towers look even uglier by comparison. So it is with a great and powerful yawn, that I rate the design as OK - considering with what they had to work.
I would have probably gone with a cool, flashy design and let it stand alone, giving Downtown some pizazz.
The photos below shows work on the new crown for the (Wynn built) existing South Tower and the finished paint job.
The next shot is the new tower.
You can see larger versions of these photos here
Photos 4/12/09 by Greg Clarke
The GN went through its vertical growth in the 70's and the 80's, which was (in my opinion) the worst era for architecture. The undistinguished corporate look of both of the existing towers is quite a burden when you're designing a new tower to exist with them. If the new tower was cool and flashy, it would have made the older towers look even uglier by comparison. So it is with a great and powerful yawn, that I rate the design as OK - considering with what they had to work.
I would have probably gone with a cool, flashy design and let it stand alone, giving Downtown some pizazz.
The photos below shows work on the new crown for the (Wynn built) existing South Tower and the finished paint job.
The next shot is the new tower.
You can see larger versions of these photos here
Photos 4/12/09 by Greg Clarke
Posted by Mark Adams at 4/15/2009 12:11 AM 
Categories: Mark's Commentary,Construction Photo Updates
Tags: construction photos golden nugget
Categories: Mark's Commentary,Construction Photo Updates
Tags: construction photos golden nugget
One thing the GN owners might consider is working out a deal to demolish that old Hotel Nevada that sits right next to their parking garage. The old building is gutted and decaying--a total eyesore. It is owned by Tamares Group (Plaza owners across the street) and has been sitting dead there for several years. Maybe a 50/50 deal on a demolition--it would benefit both properties and the downtown in general. Some landscaping and restored neon signage from the Neon Museum would vastly improve the look.
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If I have my facts correct Landry's attempted to buy the Hotel Nevada site from Tamares and were turned down They intended to build another self-park garage
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That's too bad--extra parking downtown is always welcome. Plus anything would be an improvement over that crumbling old building--can't imagine why Tamares would want to hang on to it (more money, no doubt--good luck to them!)
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This tower is the most uninspired new high-rise I've seen in a long time.
They should have gone Trump or Mandalay Bay-style with a flashy gold glass finish.
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I agree, at least skin it♠ like the north tower.
However I do believe the reason they are going this way with it is because you normally don't see the towers on Fremont. When you are under the FSE you don't see the towers the way you do if you were on The Strip. Therefore you can save the money you would spend on a cool facade or be able to invest it into additional space. Downtown has never been about cool looking buildings.
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The current ownership of GN are notorious for being cheep. Just ask any of the employees who work there. They rarely reinvest in the property and over time this will ensure the same fate as the Tropicana. The new tower is a testament to their frugalness and it dose nothing to elevate a north skyline which desperately needs elevating.
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Ha! Have you walked around inside the GN since the remodel? It may not be strip-snazzy but you certainly can't call all the stained wood trim and finish details cheap. Seemed awfully foolish, plain stupid, to me except for the fact that even if it cost him the rest of his restaurant portfolio, I am willing to bet that Tilman Fertitta is going to own that property till the day he dies and I will also bet you it won’t have a rival downtown till then.
You are right about the new tower being a testament to frugalness, but you're also ignoring the fact that it cost just as much to build downtown as it does on the strip and the rates down there will never be close to those a mile away. That it is being built at all is a wonder and could be the catalysis that forces the adjacent properties to step up whenever money starts flowing again. Anyone remember the renderings for Lady Luck? Good enough to have been sited next to City Center.
From the renderings on the VTaT site the new tower doesn’t look like it is going to be Landry’s front page shot but it is certainly not offensive and better than some of the recent residential tower projects in the area. And if the Trump or Mandalay Bay are design markers you using to set standards, it’s sort of hard to take your comments seriously.
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