Two Way Hard Three: Comments

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:20:44 -0800

Aria has a job posting for a Villa manager. Are the high roller villas on the penthouse floor with the Sky Suites, or is it a totally separate area?
http://www.citycentercareers.com/city_center_description.aspx?identifier=123724

- detroit1051

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:44:57 -0800

I was wondering if the Aria Sky Suites registration was in the back of the property (Harmon Circle?) and one level higher on the Promenade Level? Does the Promenade Level connect to Vdara, via an outdoor bridge?

- charlie

Comment on "Open Topic Discussion - November 1, 2009"

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:26:06 -0800

Scott Sibella is surprisingly candid in his description of The Mirage's position on the Strip:
"Scott Sibella, who has spent more than four years as the hotel-casino's president, said The Mirage is in the middle of the pack on the Strip.
"It's hard for us to compete with the Bellagios and the Wynns," Sibella said. "But when it comes to the second-tier properties, we think we're at the top of that level."
http://www.lvrj.com/news/the-mirage-turns-20-today-70780102.html

- detroit1051

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:54:23 -0800

Good insights on Aria's public areas, but I heard a few warning signals in Hunter's description. I wonder whether the two levels will take away from the cohesiveness of the property. The separation between the main and promenade levels may be off-putting to visitors especially with lots of stairs and escalators. Although Bellagio requires a lot of walking, I see advantages to having all public areas on the same level, with restaurants on the perimeter of the casino.
Also, Hunter said visitors coming to see a spectacular casino at Aria may be disappointed. Aria needs a hook to bring middle-America tourists all the way in from the Strip. I'm not sure urban architecture will do it. Once they get into Aria, will they say, "Is that all there is" and head to a more traditional casino hotel?
Finally, I was surprised to hear that one has to walk outside to go between Vdara and Aria and between Aria and MO.
Anxiously awaiting Hunter's blog report on his tour.

- detroit1051

Comment on "Encore Beach Club Underway?"

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:42:17 -0800

And on the new Strip Podcast, Roger Thomas and co. discussed the beach club and answer a few of the questions we have all had. They also discussed the evolution of casino design and that they are starting to look at ideas for Wynn room remodels.
Unfortunetly for me, it looks like there will be not entrance for Encore from LVB. When you think about it, although not many people use it, it defeats the purpose of putting the Tower Suites in the atrium because you didn't have to walk through the casino to get out of the hotel, but now you have to walk through the casino, go through the North Porte Cochere and then back west just to get onto the strip. It would be much easier to at least create two doors that lead to the strip so anyone that wanted to go to Las Vegas Blvd. didn't have go through the "struggle" of walking back and forward. Even walking through Wynn is a roadblock compared to walking out directly towards the Strip and going down a straight line. It wouldn't be so bad if North Porte Cochere wasn't so far away from the Strip... but it is.

- JK

Comment on "Encore Beach Club Underway?"

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:43:56 -0800

Encore's tweet page describes it as "an exciting new entertainment complex that will feature expansive pools, food & beverage, and nightlife."

- JK

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:04:49 -0800

I'll take that invite off your hands, Mike.

- John

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:29:10 -0800

That sounds like what they sent to me as well - it's a very impressive invite.

- Hunter

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:19:36 -0800

I got a nicely packaged invitation to Aria's opening celebration in the mail yesterday. It came in a cloth covered box wrapped in a silvery mesh fabric. Inside was the invitation ("suggested attire: urban chic") and a miniature coffee table style book titled "THE ARTISTRY OF ARIA". The book has 50 pages or so of photos, sketches, and short quotes from various designers and artists involved in the development. Some of the photos appear to be actual interior shots. There's not a single picture of a slot machine or gaming table though, or anything else to even suggest there's a casino on the property.

All in all it's very artfully done. This is actually the first casino hotel opening I wish I could attend, but it's not to be unfortunately.

- Mike P.

Comment on "Encore Beach Club Underway?"

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:02:08 -0800

Darn

- Jeff in OKC

Comment on "Open Topic Discussion - November 1, 2009"

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:20:42 -0800

Let's not forget downtown during all the CityCenter hype. Any locals been to Golden Nugget's Rush Tower opening? What did you think?
http://www.lvrj.com/business/expect-to-pay-at-nuggets-new-tower-70690457.html

- detroit1051

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:32:36 -0800

I have been cautiously optimistic about the traffic situation for a while. Gensler was in charge of the ins and outs of the project. They have a pretty good track record. For now, until I actually experience December's mess, I will try (very, very hard) to reserve judgement.

But yeah, those signs look like airport signage. Blegh.

- John

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:06 -0800

Yeah, some potential traffic issues - cabbies will have to learn the ropes - it's like an airport.

The walking traffic isn't bad - there are walkways all over and it's pretty simple to figure out.

Yes, Vdara is totally non-smoking.

I remembered a few other things from my tour which I will include in a blog post I'm working on.

- Hunter

Comment on "Vegas Gang #40 - November 20, 2009"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:46:34 -0800

Interesting view that our focus shouldn't be on the casino, but on the overall project. I guess I am disappointed that they aren't shooting for anything new with the casino.

We will find out soon, but I predict some traffic (vehicular and pedestrian) flow problems in and around CC. E.g. how do taxis get to the front door of the MO? how to walk from MO to Aria?

Interesting points about CC that:
Vdara connects internally with Bellagio, but there is not an easy/direct internal connection to Aria;
There are a number of elevation changes between buildings which require stairs/ramps;
Vdara is a nonsmoking property;
Marble floors can be really noisy (and they will be endlessly buffing them);
Vdara's public spaces are too small for a hotel (because it was designed as condos);

- parchedearth

Comment on "Encore Beach Club Underway?"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:17:22 -0800

I seriously doubt that, Jeff. They're gone from all parts of the casino.

Also, they have customers at 21 tables about 4 feet from the construction wall, which other than being unsightly, really doesn't impact the interior in terms of noise or dust.

- Hunter

Comment on "Encore Beach Club Underway?"

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:15:06 -0800

I wonder if they took down the curtains to keep them from getting too much dust on them during construction?

- Jeff in OKC

Comment on "Encore Beach Club Underway?"

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:54:11 -0800

Charlie - You bring up a few good points.

- Brian Fey

Comment on "Open Topic Discussion - November 1, 2009"

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:53:10 -0800

I would say, no it won't open in 2010, unless they feel like the demand is there. They won't spend the money to finish it, and staff it, if its only going to just lose money.

- Brian Fey

Comment on "Open Topic Discussion - November 1, 2009"

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:03:35 -0800

Is Harmon going to open in 2010 or not? Murren is quoted in the RJ that Harmon will be "evaluated" next year. He told the Sun the project was "dormant" until the market improves.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/Regulators-OK-70571087.html
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/nov/19/gaming-commission-oks-licensing-citycenters-aria/

- detroit1051

Comment on "Encore Beach Club Underway?"

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:47 -0800

if they are going to remodel Encore, I wish they would just use the blueprints/design docs from the encore spa.

as noted, my guess is that this is pretty massive change in function. some thoughts...
1. the high limit slots/bar may become a larger more casual bar adjacent to the atrium
2. the atrium will ample have seating for drinks... potentially breakfast from switch???
3. does the high roller room go away, thus allowing access to the pool area through the outside doors?
4. does sinatra become the high roller room (with more direct access from tower suites)
5. does sinatra move to DB Bistro - a much more grandiose space, where frankie can come alive outside?

- charlie