Hard Rock Cuts Off Expansion Plans
Rita Rudner's NY-NY Show To Close
Updated: 11:00 am EST February 28,2006
A proposed $1 billion expansion of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has been canceled amid rumors that owner Peter Morton is in negotiations to sell the property to an unnamed buyer.The expansion was going to include more than 1,200 condo units, plus additional entertainment, retail and pool/spa space on 24 acres behind the hotel, along Harmon Avenue.Deposits were already being taken for the condos, and all of that money will be returned to the people who reportedly laid out anywhere from $40,000 to $250,000 to make a reservation for one of the upscale units that had been planned.This doesn't necessarily mean that the condos won't be built, but that decision will ultimately go to new owner, whoever that may be. The rumored asking price is somewhere in the neighborhood just south of $1 billion, including the land on which the expansion was to be built.There have been several whispered rumors of who might be the leading contender for the property, with nothing but denials coming from places like Station Casinos, Harrah's Entertainment and Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, who already announced his intention to build a Rolling Stone-themed hotel in the same neighborhood.Whether the property will keep its Hard Rock branding is another mystery that will depend on who buys it.
This is getting annoying. A couple of weeks after the announcement of the closure of one of my Vegas favorites, "Avenue Q," comes the surprise announcement that Rita Rudner's very popular (and very funny) stand-up stint at New York-New York is over come this June.The hotel will reportedly turn the space into yet another nightclub (just what we need) and Rudner was quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal saying that she is in negotiations to move to another property this fall.In case a new home for Rudner doesn't come through, you should do yourself a favor and catch her show before it closes. It's one of the funniest, most entertaining experiences in town.
A dramatic standoff between Las Vegas police and a man accused of murder unfolded over six hours at Harrah's on Feb. 22.The incident began when guests at Harrah's reported hearing a gunshot in one of the guest rooms. Security guards responded to find Phillip Anthony McElreath, 43, of Reno, Nev., with gunshot wounds and Curtis Billy Bonilla, 22 of Las Vegas, allegedly holding a gun.Bonilla allegedly began firing at the security guards who managed to get McElreath to safety, but he died later at a local hospital.A SWAT team was called in. After negotiations for Bonilla's surrender failed, it tried several tactics to bring the suspect out, including stun charges that blew out the windows of the room on the 20th floor and, finally, tear gas. Bonilla surrendered to police after about six hours and was booked on multiple charges, including murder.Several floors of the hotel were evacuated during the standoff, but no one else was hurt.Police are still trying to figure out the connection between the victim and his accused killer but have only stated that two knew each other somehow, so they believe it was not a random crime.
The popular locals' casino Arizona Charlie's on Boulder Highway is undergoing an $8 million expansion project that will add 7,300 square feet of space for additional gaming areas, along with a new front desk, rewards center, gift shop and porte cochere.The newly expanded area will feature an additional 250 slot and video-poker machines, as well as several table games. The front area of the property will undergo a complete make over, and the front desk and rewards center will moved around. The construction is expected to be complete later this year.
Southern Highlands, the new locals casino hotel planned for the southern part of Las Vegas, won approval from the Clark County Commissioner to bring in the construction crews and get to work.The resort will be built at the intersection of St. Rose Parkway and Interstate 15, about 10 miles south of Mandalay Bay. It will feature a 3,200-room hotel (done in phases, with the first phase containing about 1,400), a huge casino, restaurants, entertainment facilities and more. Ground breaking on the first phase is expected this summer, with completion anticipated for early 2008.
This is getting annoying. A couple of weeks after the announcement of the closure of one of my Vegas favorites, "Avenue Q," comes the surprise announcement that Rita Rudner's very popular (and very funny) stand-up stint at New York-New York is over come this June.The hotel will reportedly turn the space into yet another nightclub (just what we need) and Rudner was quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal saying that she is in negotiations to move to another property this fall.In case a new home for Rudner doesn't come through, you should do yourself a favor and catch her show before it closes. It's one of the funniest, most entertaining experiences in town.
A dramatic standoff between Las Vegas police and a man accused of murder unfolded over six hours at Harrah's on Feb. 22.The incident began when guests at Harrah's reported hearing a gunshot in one of the guest rooms. Security guards responded to find Phillip Anthony McElreath, 43, of Reno, Nev., with gunshot wounds and Curtis Billy Bonilla, 22 of Las Vegas, allegedly holding a gun.Bonilla allegedly began firing at the security guards who managed to get McElreath to safety, but he died later at a local hospital.A SWAT team was called in. After negotiations for Bonilla's surrender failed, it tried several tactics to bring the suspect out, including stun charges that blew out the windows of the room on the 20th floor and, finally, tear gas. Bonilla surrendered to police after about six hours and was booked on multiple charges, including murder.Several floors of the hotel were evacuated during the standoff, but no one else was hurt.Police are still trying to figure out the connection between the victim and his accused killer but have only stated that two knew each other somehow, so they believe it was not a random crime.
The popular locals' casino Arizona Charlie's on Boulder Highway is undergoing an $8 million expansion project that will add 7,300 square feet of space for additional gaming areas, along with a new front desk, rewards center, gift shop and porte cochere.The newly expanded area will feature an additional 250 slot and video-poker machines, as well as several table games. The front area of the property will undergo a complete make over, and the front desk and rewards center will moved around. The construction is expected to be complete later this year.
Southern Highlands, the new locals casino hotel planned for the southern part of Las Vegas, won approval from the Clark County Commissioner to bring in the construction crews and get to work.The resort will be built at the intersection of St. Rose Parkway and Interstate 15, about 10 miles south of Mandalay Bay. It will feature a 3,200-room hotel (done in phases, with the first phase containing about 1,400), a huge casino, restaurants, entertainment facilities and more. Ground breaking on the first phase is expected this summer, with completion anticipated for early 2008.
The Full Story
- Hard Rock Cuts Off Expansion Plans
- South Coast Nice, But Where's The Fun?
- Marino's Restaurant Is A Slam Dunk Success
- Vegas Q&A: Does Vegas Have Biggest Bowling Alley?
In Next Week's Column
Next week: The latest from Las Vegas.Plus, don't forget to send your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!Find the hotel that's right for you with Vegas4Visitors.com's reviews!And check out the new Moon Handbooks Las Vegas.Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors
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