Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Posted by mike_ch

Personally, I prefer rushing wind to a coffin. But either is better than the RNNNNNNNNG of the motor.

I'm curious if there will be a water feature in front of Encore. I thought there was supposed to be, but I haven't seen any progress or pics that would lead me to believe it will be nothing but a landscaped front.

Well, MGM-Mirage reported today as planned. And while the profits were down substaintially, we see yet again, the sky isn't exactly falling in Las Vegas. In fact total revenue was only down 2% for the company. As expected the stock rose significantly, as yet once again, the stock market had greatly over-reacted to the down side. A company who's revenue is down 2% does not justify the stock dropping by what was at one point, as much as 78%. Sometimes making money in the stock market, is eaiser than taking candy from babies. We are not heading into the great depression anytime soon.

I went to the all-new Horseshoe in Hammond, IN, on Sunday and Monday, in advance of the Grand Opening this Friday. It was a revelation. If it was on the Strip in Vegas, it would be one of the top three casinos, maybe only behind Wynn as far as decor/physical plant. By far the best Harrahs-owned casino, even vs Ceasars Palace Las Vegas, as far as design and modern technology are concerned.

The Baccarat room is awesome, feels like the Emperor's Lair, packed w/ 200 Chinese gamblers, with a small semi-private area and a noodle bar. The high limit black jack and high limit slots rooms looks nicer than those at Wynn. The salon prive, while small, was very sophisticated. The high roller lounge, Seven Stars, was gorgeous, on par w/ Wynn and employing similar decorating concepts (browns and reds).

The poker room (my reason for going) is excellent; branded World Series of Poker, wood paneling, chandeliers, flat TV, space between tables, high limit area behind closed doors. Easily surpasses the Venetian poker room. The main casino is gorgeous, beautful, gold- and Earth-tones, chandeliers, thousands of the latest slots, HD video slots, plasma tv everywhers. Buffet was decent but the one area they could improve; I might still drive to Blue Chip for their superior food.

All in all, I can't say enough in praise of this new casino. It's like being teleported to Vegas, 20 minutes from where I live in the South Loop of Chicago. Smoke friendly; beat that, IL. It will dominate this market, too bad we can't buy stock in HET anymore. Going to any of the old boats is now meaningless.

Posted by mike_ch

Dubai and Kerkorian seem to have similar tastes. The former bought 20% of Cirque the other day:
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/08/06/cirque-dubai.html

Looks like they're applying some Encore touches to Wynn near the Le Reve Theather. Expects lots of red, butterflies, new colorful glass chandelier light fixtures, and white/ beige ceilings (possible primer???) Hopefully, this gives us an idea of what Encore will look like in a few months.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/sc_c/Wynn%20Encore/100_2445.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/sc_c/Wynn%20Encore/100_2444.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/sc_c/Wynn%20Encore/100_2499.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/sc_c/Wynn%20Encore/100_2498.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd236/sc_c/Wynn%20Encore/100_2497.jpg

(sorry for the blurryness in the pics. I tried to take as many pics as I could before security shooed me away.)

MGK, there's no question it's a Wynn property. Does the connecting corridor between Wynn and Encore lead north from the Le Reve Theater? How did those round multi-colored glass ceiling fixtures look in person? I like them better than the frilly ones in Wynn with the tassles hanging down. The embossed butterflies in the plaster also look good. Thanks!

Thanks for the pics MGK!!!

Detroit,

The area where I took the pics were directly between the ticket box office and the Drugstore cafe right in front of Stratta. The hallway leading north I think you are refering to is completely blocked off with a temporary construction wall painted bright red. This area of the hotel has been changing rather rapidly over the last two weeks. I'm expecting/ guessing that they'll also be adding new butterfly carpeting and other Encore touches to this area within the next few days or weeks. As for the multi-colored glass ceiling fixtures, I'm not sure what to think of them at the moment. In terms of scale, they're larger, but don't hang as low as the parasol lighting.

What the heck! Those new lights in the wynn look horrible! They remind me a lot of planet hollywood. The old ones are much better.

In listening to the Perini/Tutor-Salibia conference call tonight, It sounds as if The Plaza is still a go, and might break ground by the end of the year. If that does happen, it would be possible that Plaza could open before Echelon does. Also they stated that MGM City Center AC, and the MGM north project by Circus Circus are both still a go, and might be announced by the years end. Maybe they are just being overly optimistic for shareholders, but I have to assume they are just telling us shareholders what they know to the best of their knowledge.

With all due respect, Brian. I don't think this is the time to break ground on these projects. Granted, no one knows what Elad is up to, or how green their money is. But the lending and investing market seems to say that Casino related projects aren't attractive now. My dumb Okie opinion is these projects won't break ground before 2011.

Posted by Mark D

Minus 5 will open a location at Mandalay Bay in late September. The walls and furniture and even the glasses are made of ice and patrons wear parkas and the temperature is minus 5 degrees Celsius. The low temperature is supposed to enhance the effect of alcohol consumption.

http://www.globest.com/news/1224_1224/lasvegas/173103-1.html

Posted by Mark D

Elad can't even make the payments on the loan for the land let alone build the Plaza resort.
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN1527393120080815?rpc=44

XS has a site up. No info, but at least we get a logo: http://www.xslasvegas.com/ Nightlife management sources say it'll open New Years Eve.

Some details on City Center's artwork and placement:

"The first piece of artwork is located within the landscaping area below Harmon Circle and is an assemblage of actual life-size boats of various sizes attached to a steel structure. The second piece of art is a 20 foot high, 11 foot wide typewriter eraser located adjacent to the sidewalk on the south side of the private street �Casino Avenue� in front of the Mandarin Hotel. The third piece of art is 3 turtledove shaped seats constructed of wood and aluminum. The seats are for public use and located outside The Crystals shopping area (formerly Sobella) along the Las Vegas Boulevard South frontage. The fourth piece of art features numerous neon glass tubes wrapped around a support column that extends 80 feet above ground through an opening of the upper deck of the Harmon/Las Vegas Boulevard South pedestrian bridge. The last featured artwork is a 26 foot high stainless steel and aluminum sculpture depicting a rose. The rose is located adjacent to the porte-cochere of the Harmon Hotel on Harmon Avenue."

-- From County filings.

I was just searching for things about Encore on the web and I found four pictures of Encore's rooms on Expedia. One of the bed area, one of the bathroom, one of the entry way, and one of the lounge area.

Wow JK, GREAT find:

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=2223789

Nice. I screen-capped them just in case they get pulled down.