Las Vegas, particularly the iconic Las Vegas Strip, often witnesses numerous projects being announced that ultimately need to be completed.
Examples include the All Net Arena, a proposed NBA-ready facility slated for construction on a parcel of land between the Sahara and Fontainebleau on the North Strip.
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Despite gaining initial approval, the project, spearheaded by its owner and former NBA and University of Las Vegas star Jackie Robinson, failed to secure the necessary financing.
Despite a groundbreaking ceremony held years ago, persistent delays in securing promised funding led to Clark County commissioners opting not to renew permits for the project.
This scenario is not uncommon on the Strip. Ambitious projects, some quite grand in scale, are announced but have yet to come to fruition.
Occasionally, construction may commence, only to be halted due to financial constraints, leaving the project uncertain.
Presently, the partially constructed boutique Dream Las Vegas Hotel, located near the Harry Reid Airport, stands exposed to the elements.
The owner of the resort casino, Shopoff Realty, faced a financial shortfall in March, with assurances of swift resolution. However, nine months later, construction has yet to resume as promised.
The saga of Fontainebleau Las Vegas reads like a script fit for a movie, albeit one about the construction of resort casinos.
This North Las Vegas Strip establishment has been in the making for approximately two decades, marked by multiple construction halts and changes in ownership.
After an extraordinary and almost unbelievable journey, Fontainebleau has finally announced a scheduled opening date of December 13. The debut of a new resort casino on the Las Vegas Strip is always a cause for celebration.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas arrives on the Strip
The most recent major opening, Resorts World Las Vegas, occurred in June 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which somewhat tempered the festivities.
This is especially true for the north Strip casino, competing with the densely packed south and central Strip where Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International, and Caesars Entertainment operate nearby.
Situated across the street from Resorts World, Fontainebleau is poised to breathe new life into a somewhat desolate area.
“Seamlessly connecting the past, present, and future, the 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas – the tallest occupiable building in Nevada — is the first western expansion for the iconic brand. Reflecting the grandeur of its heritage, the resort’s 3,644 rooms and suites present an aura of timeless elegance, while incorporating a lavish splendor and distinctive amenities unique to Las Vegas,” the company shared in a press release.
The property is set to boast 36 distinct restaurants featuring culinary offerings from renowned chefs such as Gabriela Cámara, Michelin-starred chefs Masa Ito and Kevin Kim, Alan Yau, Evan Funke, David Grutman, and others.
Fontainebleau will also present a 14,000-square-foot fitness center and a 55,000-square-foot Lapis Spa, meticulously designed by Milan-based Lissoni & Partners.
Furthermore, the resort will encompass a 96,500-square-foot luxury boutique retail area spanning the first two levels, a sprawling six-acre pool district, 550,000 square feet of customizable indoor-outdoor meeting space, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, and the upcoming LIV and LIV Beach experiences.
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Fontainebleau Construction began in 2007
Initially announced in 2005, construction on Fontainebleau commenced in 2007. However, the 2008 housing crisis and recession led to a financial shortfall in 2009, resulting in the property changing hands among owners, including billionaire Carl Icahn, in 2010.
Despite changing hands, Icahn took no action with the property and eventually sold it in 2017—ten years after ground was first broken.
The same year, developer Steve Witkoff acquired the property, rebranding the project as Drew Las Vegas.
Although an opening date of 2022 was initially announced, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, causing a funding setback.
Subsequently, Jeff Soffer, the original owner of Fontainebleau, repurchased the property and successfully completed it.
You’ll check back here regularly to stay updated on the news.
