VegasTodayAndTomorrow Updates and News Blog

New Photos of Wynn's Switch Beach Club Addition

2010-03-14T09:41:00Z

I took some new photos of the progression of the Switch Beach Club at Encore. The photos seem to comfirm the validity of the renderings I posted a few weeks ago.
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New Photos and Pages for Smith and Ruvo

2010-03-11T21:11:00Z

I created two new pages on the site, one for the Ruvo Center for Brain Health and one for The Smith Center for the Preforming Arts

These were just blurbs on the Symphony Park page and deserve their own pages. I also updated the construction photos for both projects.
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Luxor's Remodel is Ummm.....

2010-02-05T07:29:00Z

well, a few words come to mind when pondering the remodel of Luxor's casino:

Unfocused
Blurry
Hazy
Indistinct

They not only de-themed the place, they failed to give it any character at all (unless hazy is a character) The carpet looks old and faded (soft blues and tans), the ceilings are soft blues, the lighting is blueish. I found it difficult to achieve a focus, there is no contrast.

I uploaded some photos to the site, they are at the bottom of the Luxor section

On the up-side, it is an improvement from the tacky, older, over-themed motif. The new look is clean (albeit too clean for my taste). The lack of contrast does bring your attention to the slot machines which dominate the space.

The center bar, Liquidity, is very nice, as are all the new lounges and restaurants.

The lobby and entrance areas are untouched (let's hope they leave them alone).

What are your thoughts?

Tivoli Village Under Construction Again

2010-01-29T11:03:00Z

The $850-million Tivoli Village at Queensridge is out of the "stalled" category. Construction is moving at a good pace on one of Vega's most expensive new projects. The 29-acre development is going to be a true mixed-use project with shopping, entertainment, office and residential all rolled into a beautiful, walkable village-like setting.

Tivoli Village uses real building materials (no EIFS here)

I created a new page for the project with lots of model and construction photos.

Enjoy.
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Encore Going Through Changes

2010-01-21T09:33:00Z

The restless Mr. Wynn has the front of Encore torn up and is building a new Beach Club where the Porte Cochère was.
The club (Switch Beach Club) will be viewable from the Switch restaurant within Encore. I've included some construction photos and sneak peek renderings to the site. The renderings may or may not be the actual project as the source is unknown (we all know The Steve never releases renderings. so enjoy them while they are up.

another change to Encore is the removal of the drapes and palm plants in the casino, apparently to open up the space. I liked the more intimate feel of the draped casino. What do you think?
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Fontainebleau Saved by Icahn

2010-01-20T07:35:00Z

Well, it looks like Carl Icahn's measly $156.2 million bid for the Fontainebleau will win the foreclosed property (as reported in the Las Vegas Sun on Tuesday), since the other bidders failed to meet the Monday deadline. Icahn has deep enough pockets ($9 billion deep) to finish the project.

There is a big "however" attached to this deal - It is doubtful that Icahn will complete the project with the same vision as the original developers. According to an earlier LV Sun article, Icahn could finish the project on the cheap, replacing the planned high $$ restaurants with middle class chains like Cheesecake Factory and Outback Steakhouse - an overall dumbing-down of the resort. Or, he could sit on it and wait out the economy.

The dumbing-down option might be the best choice (I hate to say). I mean lets face it, one of the biggest complaints I hear is that the Strip is becoming unaffordable for the average visitor (like the Crystals (look but don't touch) mall at CityCenter). So a brand new affordable resort might just be the ticket. After all, look at the current neighborhood - Circus Schmirkus, Sahara, Riviera, and the Ruins of Echelon. Is this really a place and time for a Five Star property?

Icahn purchased the Stratosphere and saved it in ~~1989~~.1998

I'm expecting a lot of comments on this one...

Harrah's is running (not ruining) Planet Hollywood

2010-01-19T10:03:00Z

As some of you probably know, last weekend, Harrah's took over the management of Planet Hollywood from Sheraton. Since they do not (yet) own PH, THE Who Owns What Map will stay as it is. The Total Rewards program is not yet in place and Harrah's will have nothing to do with the PH Tower(s).

Harrah's has no plans to change or rename Planet Hollywood.

Speaking of the PH Towers, I visited it a few weeks ago and took some photos of the lobby and pool area. The lobby is a very nice open area with a full view of the pool.

More Updates of Hard rock

2010-01-19T09:59:00Z

I've added some shots of the expanded casino and the new (very dark) HRH Tower lobby.

The casino is much larger now that the old The Joint has been opened up and filled with slots, tables, a bar and a lounge. The whole place has a classier look and feel.

The HRH lobby is real dark and very cool.
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ARIA Serves Coke - Updated the Coke v/s Pepsi Map

2010-01-01T21:49:00Z

I updated the Coke v/s Pepsi Map to include ARIA as a Coke property. Way to go Coke!!!
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New Shots of Cosmopolitan

2009-12-28T08:18:00Z

I just uploaded several new photos of the Cosmopolitan. Its slow-but-sure progress can be seen when compared to the last set.
The most newsworthy feature is that the ziggy-zaggy facade will be outlined with white (neonish) light which will look awesome (IMO).
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