Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

July 22, 2006 6:53 AM Posted by detroit1051

Hunter, thanks for the photos. I couldn't tell from the B Bar pics what the room looks like. Are there many small cocktail tables with comfortable chairs? I assume the barstools have backs? Is it accessible from both corridors?

Looking forward to your Bellagio report. I've only got another month to use my summer offers from Wynn and Bellagio. I'd better not let them go to waste.

July 22, 2006 9:57 AM Posted by John

Hunter, I loved the pics and I can't wait for the Bellagio report, but I've got one question. I know they are waiting for the new employee parking structure to be completed before they take down the old one, but isn't it going to get increasingly difficult to take the old garage down, while construction keeps moving forward at a steady pace?

Also, do you have any idea what will be going into the space that the Keno Lounge occupied?

Again, I loved the photos, and can't wait to read that Bellagio report.

July 22, 2006 11:56 AM Posted by Hunter

Yeah, the pix didn't come out great. The new bar is about half the space. The back half is still high limit gaming and not really connected to the front half (connected on the side to baccarat).

Not much seating besides at the bar itself but I did sit there and enjoy a few drinks - it was quite comfortable.

It is open on both sides but the majority of the seating is on the casino side.

On the Keno lounge, I don't know what is going into that space... I assume more retail.

I hear the garage is coming down in the next month.

July 22, 2006 7:53 PM Posted by Billy

The employee lot is open and the previous structure from the Boardwalk was half gone as of a month ago.

July 22, 2006 8:38 PM Posted by brian Fey

Sweet Encore pics Hunter, Thanks a Ton! They are progressing. It should be up and out of the ground before we know it! I can't wait. B Bar looks nice.

July 22, 2006 11:08 PM Posted by John

Just as a comment/question about Encore, I'm still wondering why Steve chose Tutor-Saliba as the GC for Encore (I know that there is a relationship between Tutor-Saliba and Perini). I don't know if it is the fact that Steve likes to be able to control his projects as much as possible, or that there were no other contractors who were willing to do this project in the time frame Wynn wanted it complete. Also, I've been wondering if this is the start of a new builder/designer relationship between Wynn and Tutor-Saliba (ala Wynn and Marnell Corrao)?

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

July 23, 2006 12:15 PM Posted by detroit1051

John, I didn't know Tutor-Saliba was the general contractor. I looked at the corporate website, and almost all their past projects have been municipal ones. I didn't see any resort, casino or hotel projects in the Portfolio section. Where/when did you see them as general contractor? I noted that at least one VP came from Perini, but are they connected at all? Thanks.

July 23, 2006 12:53 PM Posted by Hunter

Detroit-

Yes, they are the GC for Encore. The official word is that Marnell was too busy to do it but I suspect that WLV may not have been a great profit day for them and perhaps they decided not to jump in this time around - though I would expect the Encore profit to have higher margins given that there are far fewer unknowns this time around.

July 23, 2006 6:22 PM Posted by John

Well, Detroit brings up a fairly good question. I, too looked at T-S' website, and they don't seem to have any experience (listed) in the gaming/hospitality industry. I wonder how this will translate into how Encore will be built? Wynn may have chosen T-S, because they're going to need someone to build that lake (which could be comparable to some of the things that T-S has listed in their portfolio), and the infastructure that will follow from it. It begs the question that Steve is truly planning future relationships to fully develop the golf course.

I've also been wondering, if going with T-S as the GC will change other materials, products, etc. that are used in the resort? That would be truly odd, if they went with Otis elevators rather than Thyssen-Krupp, because T-S is the GC (even though I think that is more of a Steve, or Wynn D and D choice). However, it also makes you think that Encore might feel just slightly different than all the other Wynn resorts, because it hasn't been built by MCA.

July 24, 2006 1:27 AM Posted by chris

On a largely unrelated topic, it looks as if Wynn Macau will be opening around about 6/7 September because the reservations website is up and running and it is showing availability from the 7th. The pictures of the rooms that come up on that website are the same as those for Wynn LV although I would be surprised if there weren't some changes made to reflect local tastes (maybe just the artwork on the walls?). Am tempted to go ahead and make a booking for the first weekend they are open.

July 24, 2006 3:14 AM Posted by Brian

Here's a shot of Encore (mosaiced) that looks even more recent than Hunter's!!!

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/wynn.htm#newencore

July 24, 2006 9:42 AM Posted by Brian Fey

I wouldn't worry about the quality of Encore. A GC is just a paper work handeler, they very likey will use many of the same subs, and all of the interior items, IE, Carpet, Decor, is all spec'ed by Wynn D&D. T-S knows how perfect Wynn expects things, I'm sure they can hold themselves up to his standards.

July 25, 2006 7:18 PM Posted by motoman

Wow, Hunter....

Just got back Monday and was also going to title my photos "The Pit That Will Be Encore!" But I do have wider shots of the new B-Bar, and some detail appearing on the LV Blvd side of Palazzo. (If someone here could help me post 'em. )

Also the promised pics of the new outer entrance to the Wynn Esplenade (Yes, there is some strangely unfinished paintwork). And from the Wynn self-park, a view of Trump rising.

B-Bar is basically on the corner, with as Hunter mentioned a wall separating the high-limit Baccarat area behind. The bar itself is a counter w/ video poker, no tables I could see, and the small connecting space (a doorway really) to the Baccarat room was at that time roped off.

July 25, 2006 9:23 PM Posted by Hunter

Regarding photos, send em to editor@ratevegas.com and I'll put them up for you.

July 26, 2006 12:52 AM Posted by motoman

Thanks, Hunter....

Also I have pics of the sandlot where Westward Ho was, and since parking was mentioned, the biggest parking structure I have ever seen, nearing completion behind Harrah's/IP monorail station. (Wynn visible in background!) One or two of the CC site too, tho not much to see there--blurred by window screen. Thought the view from top deck of The Deuce would be good, but oh well....

August 2, 2006 6:34 PM Posted by motoman

Well guys....I'm having a heck of a time sending these pics; but here's the blurb for when you do finally see 'em:

"Some pics from the weekend of July 21-24, 2006. (Sorry for the delay but I wanted to edit and caption them first, rather than a wholesale camera dump.)

-- Venitian Palazzo construction: the steel continues to rise, now dominating the view from LV Blvd. and the Fashion Show Mall. Also, I managed to get some shots of details appearing on the streetfront of LV Blvd. (The upper deck of The Deuce's new buses provided a good vantage point over the fence; as does the elevated walkway to the Fashion Show.)

-- Encore pit: to avoid duplicating Hunter's shots, I picked out some structures beginning to rise and a Wynn employee walkway between WLV and the Encore site. Sorry no work crews, these were taken over the weekend. On Monday the place was bustling with activity but we had other things to do that day. (Like pack, check out, and go shoot machine guns at The Gun Store!)

-- B Bar: some additional shots to add to Hunter's. Wider views and a shot from the Baccarat room entrance.

-- Sugar & Ice patio: the desk blocking the doors that was mentioned here.

-- Wynn Esplanade, new outer doors: views of some unfinished paintwork in the alcove, and wear & tear on the new outer doors.

-- Wynn misc.: as mentioned by Hunter and others, some signs of wear & tear that Steve wouldn't normally allow, but may be due to focus on Macau or vision problems. Also for the curious, the self-park "space available" signs, and the famous splash guards in the men's rooms(!) Plus a couple "art" shots.

-- Mirage, "LOVE" signage: as mentioned by Hunter in his audiowalk/podcast, you can see the upper story Suite windows have been transformed into giant billboards.

-- Misc. signage from a few MGM Mirage properties: since this was mentioned by others here.

-- Westward Ho!: the sandlot formerly known as.

-- Trump rising.

-- Project City Center: I aplogize for these, there's not much to see but a huge sandlot at this point. I thought riding The Deuce and shooting from the upper deck of their new buses would give a good view. But my camera kept focusing on the window screen (that doubles as advertising billboard from the outside).

I wasn't able to get any shots of Caesar's or Bally's signage to see if they are still suffering the "lightbulb shortage" Hunter mentioned in his audiowalk in June."