No thank you very much
When plans for Robert F.X. Sillerman’s $3 billion redevelopment of his company’s 17.72 acres at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue were reported in the March 27 Review-Journal, Vegas gossip columns and insider blogs immediately questioned whether a high-end “Elvis-themed” resort would ever secure the financing for construction. Furthermore, could the property possibly compete for the patronage of Las Vegas’ coveted luxury market against such formidable, established competitors as Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian and the upcoming CityCenter? After all, thoughts of Elvis Presley and Las Vegas together lean more toward cheap buffets and cheesy impersonators than the opulent spas and extravagant amenities largely associated with today’s successful luxury resorts.
After researching the matter, we found that the answers appear to be “um … perhaps” and “doubtful, mama.”
In examining FX Real Estate’s plans for the property, we found that their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission also mentions use of the company’s licensing agreement with legendary boxer Muhammad Ali’s camp in the branding and development of the resort, and that they plan to begin construction as early as January 2009 with an anticipated completion in 2012. This suggests (to the relief of anyone who has worked to upgrade Las Vegas’ image over the past many years) that the property isn’t entirely Elvis-themed, and, more importantly, that all of the businesses currently operating within the property’s future footprint could be set for demolition as early as nine months from now. That is, if the land and funding can even be secured.
While this may seem like yet another “Only in Vegas!” moment, ask any card-carrying house fan and they’ll tell you that Empire Ballroom is located within this proposed strike zone, and that ain’t good.
In response to the notion that their building would be razed, an Empire Ballroom rep called the project “a pipe dream,” citing that, due to height restrictions, cost, uncertain financing and the difficulty of acquiring county approvals, he estimates it taking at least three years (after CityCenter’s initial completion) before the project could even move forward.
It is certainly worth noting that the afterhours club has been tightening its belt in recent times, and rumors abound as to the venue’s future. Nightclub industry icon Tony Verdugo commented, “It would be sad to see Empire Ballroom go, as it is the last freestanding nightclub in Las Vegas where people can go and just be themselves.”
As with so many of the other large-scale development projects that have been promised to the Valley in recent years, only time will tell if Sillerman’s celebrity-themed resort will ever actually take to the sky. While some businesses in the proposed Elvis/Ali resort zone are indeed “All Shook Up,” others have “Suspicious Minds.”
It takes two to Tryst
Another year, another birthday … and another club! Film producer-turned-restaurateur-turned-nightclub magnate Victor Drai will unveil the name of his new nightclub at Wynn’s Encore tower—set to open December 2008—as only Drai can: with plenty of pomp and circumstance and a great open bar. Guests at Tryst Nightclub’s two-year anniversary this Thursday, April 10 can expect the surprise (well, not anymore, we suppose) presentation to occur sometime between 12:30 and 1 a.m. The honor of being master of ceremonies for the night will be shared by Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell of American Idol. Sorry, Paula Abdul fans, you’ll have to be satisfied with the 10 p.m.-midnight open bar. Come to think of it, maybe that’s why she wasn’t invited.
The anti-Strip sentiments continue
Joining the ranks of other Strip-alternative parties such as Mondays at the Roadrunner on Pebble and Eastern, locals favorite the Red Room Saloon debuts its slightly more aggressive party, FTS (artfully, “F--k the Strip”) Fridays, with sounds by Mr. Goodvybe and DJ White Chocolate spinning Top 40, hip-hop and vocal house. Says Red Room co-owner Mike Taing, “It will have a small club atmosphere, no door cover, cheap drinks and bottle service.” FTS kicks off this Friday, April 11, and the first Friday of every month will remain Snap Shot with Ozzy, Johnny Rox and the Rawkerz crew.
Wine not?!
Prefer vino to hooch? You’re not alone. Behold, a trio of events created with you in mind, beginning this Saturday with the first of New Vista Community’s monthly Wine Walks at The District at Green Valley Ranch. Sample your way down Main Street from 7-10 p.m.; tickets are $30 per person or, better yet, $50 per couple. Next Wednesday and every hump day thereafter in April, journey out to Casino Montelago’s Tappo Lounge at Lake Las Vegas for Sunny 106.5-FM’s Wine Down Wednesdays with wines by Deluca and jazz by Rocky Gordon from 6-8 p.m. And it’s free! But if you’d prefer to invest in something a little finer for that discerning palate, let the 2008 Wine Spectator Grand Tour be the highlight of spring, on Saturday, May 3 in the Venetian’s ballroom. With 211 wines hailing from some of the world’s greatest wineries and chateaus, rest assured that all wines are top-scoring as rated by Wine Spectator magazine’s senior editors. Hobnob with winery owners and winemakers, and who knows? You might even receive an invitation to visit some estates.