When it became clear he wasn’t surfacing, several passers by dove in to rescue him. Minutes later the police arrived and helped drag him to safety, though it was clear from his screams that he was in some pain.

Bizarrely, I just happened to be there at the scene when it all took place. These pics and vids are from my trusty camera, which annoyingly ran out of memory towards the end. The whole thing was very surreal, particularly when the fountains suddenly burst into life. It was a beautiful night, gloriously warm, and the fountain display was particularly dramatic, but it was a discordant backdrop to the drama unfolding directly beneath me, especially when the man started screaming. Oddly, the crowd around me cheered as the fountains came to their stunning climax, with the rescue effort still in full swing.

As the man was stretchered off into a waiting ambulance, an old man in a wheelchair on the side of the street suddenly launched into a full-on religious sermon, telling us all to repent our sins or else.

He never quite said “or else the fountains of Hell will strike you down, too”, but he might as well have!

It’s my first day in Vegas, and if this is a sign of things to come, it’s going to be a pretty eventful week! Hats off to the guys who jumped in and rescued in him, though. They undoubtedly saved his life, as he was knocked out cold by the fall, and was laying there unconscious on the bottom of the lake.

You can see the videos of the rescue after the jump.

Fortunately TI aren’t giving up on the idea of nightclubs altogether. Instead, they’ll be replacing Tangerine with another nightclub that will open on New Year’s Eve. Apparently the reason behind Tangerine’s imminent demise is too much competition from the likes of Tao, Pure, Moon and Jet.

There’s a simple answer to that – get a better DJ! Meh!

[Source: LATimes]

I’m writing this from the comfort of the traditional British summer, with temperatures struggling to reach 20 degrees C, the worst flooding we’ve had in over 150 years, and the Sun last being seen back in April. Which, as coincidence would have it, was the last time I went to Vegas – and yes, it rained in Vegas while we had glorious sunshine in the UK!

Now that I’m back, though, the Vegas weather is reverting to type. No problems with water over there, but a real problem with sand. Just check out these pics taken by Roy Vegas of the sandstorm that hit on Friday July 27th 2007. Apparently it lasted for only half an hour, but it certainly was dramatic.

More pics after the jump.

[Source: RoyVegas]

Fast Company have speculated that the combination of low-skilled jobs combined with the potential for what it calls for an “ecological disaster” (no water in the desert, apparently!), all add up to “an environmental pileup in the making”

Not exactly pulling his punches, Fast Company’s executive editor Keith Hammonds said “We worry about the environmental train wreck that could be approaching, with the sheer toll of population growth and building. But the more important question for us is about talent. If you have rapid population growth and business growth without a corresponding expansion of talent and the capacity to attract more talent, you’re headed for a future with low income and low quality of life.”

Naturally, Las Vegas officials have hit back. Water shouldn’t be a problem, apparently, as the Southern Nevada Water Authority has plans to pump over 31 billion gallons of extra water from Lincoln County and White Pine County.

Also defending their quarter are the casinos, with gaming executives noting that the mega-resorts, despite their huge size and apparent insatiable appetite for water (hundreds of thousands of guests, pools, the Bellagio’s fountains, etc.), only consume 6.7% of Southern Nevada’s water

As for talent, Cara Roberts, a spokewoman for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, hit back by saying that “We’re a city founded by problem-solvers who have, in a very creative, enterprising and innovative way, built an international city in very short amount of time. Las Vegas attracts people whose hard work and ingenuity will continue to drive our economy.”

Las Vegas has always had its critics and doom merchants, and yet look at it now. Seeing Vegas today, you can’t quite believe it’s real, and Vegas tomorrow will be even more unbelievable. Yet it’s all true, and it’s consistently defied its critics.

Personally, if I was in the casino or hotel trade, I’d be worried about there being too much construction underway, with too many hotel rooms and condos on offer, not to mention the millions of square feet of extra convention space and retail space being built. There are only so many visitors that can physically squeeze onto the strip, and you have to be a bit concerned about oversupply.

But then, I’m not a casino or hotel owner, and they have billions and I don’t, so what do I know?!

[Source: Las Vegas Review Journal]

This area of the strip is currently occupied by the Hawaiian marketplace, which I’ve never liked. It’s full of stalls selling junk, gets massively overcrowded, looks ugly, and is a nightmare to walk through when you’re on your way to the MGM Grand and New York New York.

The Hawaiian market has not exactly been a success. According to the Las Vegas Journal, the $175 million plaza, which opened in 2004, has an interior that even now is largely empty. Come to think of it, I didn’t even know there was an interior – I thought it was just the marketplace, with a few random buildings thrown around it that I never considered entering!

Now, though, New York-based FX Luxury Realty has taken control of 18 acres of land on the southeast corner of Harmon Avenue and the Strip, and plans to create what Ed Tagliaferri, spokesman for FX Luxury, says will be a “retail, hotel, casino and residential project on that property. It is likely the property will be used, in part for an Elvis-themed development given that Elvis was the embodiment of Las Vegas.”

Oh god, no, not Elvis! Vegas has done an incredible job in shaking off the cheesy image that Elvis had bestowed upon the place. The last thing the strip needs is an Elvis-themed resort!

Come to think of it, though, with all the new luxurious towers that are being built, none of which offers any sort of theme, and with even some of the existing themed hotels, such as the Luxor, shaking off their themes, perhaps an Elvis-themed hotel is exactly what the new Vegas does need.

It could be a real antidote to the po-faced high-brow luxury hotels that are being built, and an ironic throwback to the the cheesy days of Vegas gone by.

Or it could just be crap as it tries to take itself too seriously!

Whichever it turns out to be, though, it can’t be worse than the damned Hawaiian marketplace, so build it guys, and build it fast!

[Source: Las Vegas Review Journal]

For the huge new billion dollar hotels that are currently being built in Vegas aren’t just changing the skyline – they’re also changing the type of visitor and their corresponding tastes.

Most of the new hotels focus exclusively on luxury, and will therefore attract a much more up-market crowd. As Las Vegas grows up, the existing themed hotels that looked great back in the 1990s when they were built will soon start to look quaint and not a little outdated. Consequently, these hotels are racing to overhaul themselves in an effort not to be left behind.

Personally, I’d rather have the themed hotels, as they’re great to see and part of the reason you go to Vegas. I’d much rather the new hotels being built all had mad themes as well, rather than being just very large buildings. I mean, what would you rather go to the middle of the desert to see – buildings like the Venetian, New York New York and Paris, or buildings like Bally’s and the MGM Mirage? But what do I know?!

So what’s the Luxor doing with its $300 million to attract the new fresh (and rich!) youngsters that will soon be pouring into the city? Well, aside form changing some of the nightclubs and adding new bars, they’re getting rid of the Egyptian theming throughout the hotel, remodelling the guest rooms and the pool area, and making the atrium more adult by adding more lounges, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Most shocking of all though is the rumour that might be doing away with the huge replica Sphynx hat sits outside the hotel. This would be sacrelage! You can’t get rid of the Luxor’s Sphynx – all you’d be left with is a giant black hollow pyramid, causing first time visitors to wonder why a hotel has been built like, well, a giant black hollow pyramid!

I don’t like this one bit- update the place, sure, but mad Vegas should be left just as it is – it’s the madness that makes it great!

[Source: VegasTodayAndTomorrow]

However, it was precisely because they were investing so heavily in CityCenter that it was thought that the company wouldn’t begin work on the land until sometime close to CityCenter’s compeltion – in other words, sometime in 2009.

This being Vegas, though, things tend to happen rather quickly, and MGM Mirage have now announced a deal with Kerzner International Holdings that will see the development of a multi-billion dollar “integrated resort property” on this area of land, which should being construction a lot sooner than 2009.

Kerzner are the people behind the fabulous-looking Atlantis, Pardise Island hotel in the Bahamas, and so with this latest news, rumours are abound that new Las Vegas resort could be a Las Vegas Atlantis right next to Circus Circus – just without the sea and the ships!

Full details of MGM Mirage and Kerzner’s announcement after the jump.

From the press release:

MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Kerzner International Holdings Limited (“Kerzner” or “Kerzner International”) announced today that the companies have entered into a letter of intent to form a 50/50 joint venture to develop a multi-billion dollar integrated resort property on the Las Vegas Strip. The parties plan to enter into immediate negotiations with a view to concluding a definitive agreement in the third quarter of 2007.

The new resort will be designed for approximately 40 of the 78 acres of land owned by MGM MIRAGE, located on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. Kerzner will lead the planning and conceptualization of this project. The joint venture is expected to draw upon MGM MIRAGE’s substantial presence and experience in Las Vegas and Kerzner’s experience in developing and operating some of the world’s most recognized and successful destination resorts.

“We see this type of relationship as a major part of our company’s future,” said Terry Lanni, Chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE. “Our considerable real estate holdings, combined with our experience and efficiencies in developing major entertainment resort properties, are unmatched. We believe this joint venture could well serve as a model for similar transactions which we think could further enhance shareholder value by accelerating growth and conserving our capital, allowing us to pursue other growth opportunities and/or return excess capital to our shareholders.”

Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, observed: “We have studied the Las Vegas market for some time and believe this is an outstanding opportunity to create one of the most innovative and exciting destination resorts in the world. We are delighted to join forces with MGM MIRAGE.”

Under the terms of the agreement, MGM MIRAGE will provide the land for the resort and Kerzner International and one of its financial partners will provide cash equity, such that each party owns 50 percent of the project. The land being contributed by MGM MIRAGE is being valued at $20 million per acre. The new integrated resort complex is anticipated to be a multi-billion dollar project and will be financed through equity contributions and third-party debt financing.

The broad conceptual design direction of the new resort has been agreed by the parties and design and planning is expected to take approximately one year to complete. Upon completion of the design phase, both parties anticipate a three year construction period. The as-yet unnamed resort project may utilize existing brands owned by either MGM MIRAGE or Kerzner International, or a new brand will be introduced.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our company,” said Jim Murren, President, CFO and Treasurer of MGM MIRAGE. “This is a prime location in the heart of a rapidly developing area of the Las Vegas Strip. Partnering with a highly respected global resort operator on such a prime piece of Las Vegas real estate will certainly result in a spectacular project. This resort will further enhance the Las Vegas tourist experience and drive incremental visitors to the Strip. This development will further elevate the value of our surrounding land holdings and assets.”

Boyd Gaming has announced that they’ve broken ground on the construction of the new Echelon Place. What this means is that the last of the detritus of the old Stardust Hotel has now been cleared away, and work can begin in earnest on building the mammoth new Echelon Place Hotel Resort.

The old Stardust hotel, the remains of which Echelon Place is being built on top of, was a 2,400 room icon of the strip that had been around for nearly 49 years.

It took just 3 months to erase it from the face of the Earth.

Kind of sad, really – until you remember that the Stardust was mostly famous for Wayne Newton and what can only be described as an out-dated heap of a hotel that was looking older by the day!

In its place will come Echelon Place, which will feature five distinct hotels and condos, each with their own theme, together with 300,000 square fee of retail space, 750,000 square feet of convention space, and entertainment galore.

Incidentally, Wayne Newton signed a 10-year deal with The Stardust worth $25 million a year. Think of how much better the place could have looked if they’d spent the cash on the building rather than the entertainer!

Boyd Gaming included more details of what’s coming with Echelon Place, which you can read about after the jump. Apparently, there are more renderings of how Echelon Place will look, too, but they haven’t been released yet. Needless to say I’ll publish them just as soon as they are.

Latest news on Echelon Place

Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) today unveiled previously unseen renderings of Echelon, the multi-property resort destination planned for the Las Vegas Strip. Bill Boyd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Boyd Gaming and Bob Boughner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming’s Echelon Resorts, joined top company executives along with executives from its strategic partners, Morgans Hotel Group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, AEG Live and General Growth Properties at a groundbreaking ceremony.

“Today’s groundbreaking marks an important milestone in one of the most exciting and ambitious developments on the Strip,” commented Bill Boyd. “As our anticipation for Echelon continues to grow, we are pleased to share more of our vision, which integrates thoughtful master planning, innovative design and industry leading hotels and partners, which together will elevate the Las Vegas experience.”

Bob Boughner added, “We are creating a destination resort that will be seen for miles, and yet, be accessible within feet. With Echelon, we are making the most of our extraordinary and highly visible Las Vegas Strip site by building five hotels with world class amenities, in one dramatic phase.”

Scheduled to open in the third quarter 2010, Echelon will span 87 acres, including 22 acres available for future development, to include Hotel Echelon and the Suites at Echelon; Delano and Mondrian Las Vegas, operated by Morgans Hotel Group; and Shangri-La Las Vegas, operated by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. Echelon will also feature an extensive array of dining, nightlife, shopping and entertainment experiences.

Echelon will feature a 4,000-seat production theater and a 1,500-seat performance venue operated by AEG Live; a 300,000-square-foot retail promenade co-owned by Boyd Gaming and General Growth Properties; and more than 750,000 square feet of total meeting and convention space. BLT Architects, an award- winning, multifaceted, full-service design and architectural firm, was selected as Executive Architect for Echelon. Tishman Construction, one of the nation’s most experienced builders, will serve as construction manager.

AN OVERVIEW OF ECHELON

Hotel Echelon

Hotel Echelon, with 2,500 guest rooms and suites, will embody elegance, comfort and convenience with clean, contemporary design. The guest rooms and suites, designed by Lawrence Lee Associates, will be thoughtfully appointed to host, with equal attention, guests visiting for business or staying for pleasure. The hotel will feature a grand arrival experience and a dramatic entry lobby designed by Gabellini Sheppard Associates. A separate dedicated group arrival area will ensure smooth check-in and access to the hotel. The hotel will also feature a two-story luxury spa, salon, barbershop, a comprehensive fitness center and lushly landscaped pools and gardens.

Suites at Echelon

The Suites at Echelon is a 650 all-suite hotel catering to the discerning business traveler and indulgent vacationer alike. With a separate entrance and porte cochere, the Suites at Echelon will offer an elevated level of style, service and amenities. With interiors designed by Jeffery Beers International, the hotel will feature suites ranging in size from 800 square feet to over 7,000 square feet, a hotel lobby with guest reception and concierge, an intimate bar and lounge and a feature restaurant. The Suites at Echelon will showcase dedicated conference space, a luxurious spa, salon and full-service fitness center. The all-suite hotel will be steps away from high- limit casino action.

Shangri-La Hotel, Las Vegas

Shangri-La Las Vegas will be operated by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia’s premier five-star luxury hotel company. The intimate, modern luxury setting will include 282 guest rooms and 71 premium suites with a distinctive porte cochere and hotel lobby. Shangri-La will feature 14 guest rooms per floor, providing quick and easy access from elevators, and will offer a superior in-room hospitality experience. With interiors designed by Hersh Bedner Associates, the hotel will feature a 20,000 square foot CHI spa, well- appointed premium meeting space and two feature restaurants.

Delano and Mondrian Las Vegas

The new Mondrian and Delano will feature approximately 860 and 550 rooms respectively, with a diverse collection of rooms, suites, lofts and bungalows. Morgans Hotel Group has named Chad Oppenheim as design architect for both hotels, Marcel Wanders as interior designer for Mondrian and Piet Boon as interior designer for Delano. Together, this celebrated team of designers and architects will design and develop the hotels to bring a new level of style and sophistication to Las Vegas.

Each hotel will feature its own porte cochere, lobby, destination restaurants, nightlife venues, pools and gardens and will have direct access to the gaming, retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Echelon. Delano will boast a lobby bar, one of Morgans Hotel Group’s historically successful restaurants, and amenities including a spa and fitness center, private pool and recreation area. Mondrian will include an innovative nightlife venue, private pool and meeting and conference space to appeal to both business and leisure guests. Construction on the Delano and Mondrian is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2008.

Echelon Retail Promenade

Echelon’s Retail Promenade will complement the style and sophistication of the five distinctive hotels of Echelon. With interiors designed by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, the contemporary promenade will feature a mix of luxury boutiques, international brands, distinctive cafes and signature restaurants. The Retail Promenade is co-owned by Boyd Gaming and General Growth Properties, one of the retail industry’s most diversified and well-resourced operators.

Entertainment Venues

AEG, one of the world’s leading producers of entertainment and sporting events, whose venues include The O2 in London and O2 World in Berlin, the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the Nokia Theater in New York City, will operate the 4,000-seat production theater that has been designed to accommodate both concerts and production shows. In addition, a more intimate 1,500-seat theater will house touring acts and performances.

The Meeting Center

The Meeting Center at Echelon has been designed to meet Las Vegas’ strong and growing demand for meetings and convention space integrated into a resort environment. The Meeting Center will feature 650,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, bringing the total meeting and convention space at Echelon to approximately 750,000 square feet, including over 200 meeting rooms. The Meeting Center’s proximity to the 5,000 rooms at Echelon will offer guests unparalleled convenience and access.

Echelon is planned to open in the third quarter 2010.

Called Diablos’ Cantina, it’s a new multi-level entertainment complex that’s being built at the front of the Monte Carlo casino, which will soon be just next to the giant Project CityCenter complex. Diablos will offer a full service restaurant and a bar and club on the second floor.

More details and a picture of how Diablo’s will look when it’s finished after the jump.


This is exactly what Las Vegas needs. Tangerine in Treasure Island is great because you have a great view of the strip. Well, not a great view, as you can’t see past the two pirate ships, but you get to see out over the strip towards The Palazzo, and thus do a bit of people watching.

Diablo’s Cantina should offer an even better view, positioned where it is next to Project City Center, and being placed much closer to the front of the strip with no annoying pirate ships to spoil the view!

[Source: LasVegastoadyAndTomorrow]

Called the Crown Las Vegas, the new hotel resort will be built next to the $3.4 billion Fontainebleau that’s currently being built opposite Circus Circus.

Crown Las Vegas will be slightly different from other hotels in Las Vegas though.

At 1,888 feet tall, and with 142 stories, it’ll be the tallest building in Las Vegas by a mile, dwarfing even The Stratosphere.

Actually, it’ll be the tallest building in the Western hemisphere!

More details and pictures of the Crown Las Vegas after the jump.


Formerly called The Las Vegas Tower, the project has been on the drawing board for some time, but financing was proving tricky.

Now though, Australia’s richest man James Packer has invested $22.5 million in The Tower’s holding company, LVTI, and will invest further funds to help finance the project.

The newly renamed Crown Las Vegas will feature 5,000 hotel rooms, 250,000 square feet of casino space, and 625,000 square feet of shops, restaurants, convention area and other amenities.

Although the new project is a gamble, particularly with so many other big construction projects currently under way in the immediate area, the Packers are used to the life of the high roller. Packer’s late father, Kerry Packer, is rumoured to have won between $20 million and $40 million over several days at the MGM Grand in 1997 and tipped as much as $1 million at Bellagio.

The Crown Las Vegas could cost his son a lot more than that!

[Source: SkyscraperPage, ReviewJournal]