Clark County Approves Heart-Shaped Casino Resort Near Mandalay Bay

LAS VEGAS: Clark County commissioners approved land-use plans for a 29-story, heart-shaped casino resort near Mandalay Bay. The vote advances redevelopment of a South Strip site left unfinished since the failed SkyVue observation wheel project.

Kulik River Capital’s revised proposal includes 752 hotel rooms on nearly 12 acres between Mandalay Bay Road and Four Seasons Drive. Plans also show a casino floor, more than 42,000 square feet of convention space, restaurants, retail outlets, a pool and a covered pedestrian plaza.

County Vote Clears Land-Use Hurdle

The Clark County zoning agenda included permits to expand the gaming enterprise district and allow a resort hotel and recreational facility. Commissioners also considered the project’s design review, tentative property map and requests involving existing easements.

The approval permits the proposal to move through the county planning process, but it does not guarantee construction. The developer has not announced a financing package, construction schedule, opening date or casino operator.

Any operating casino would also require approval from Nevada gaming regulators. Building permits and further technical reviews would be needed before construction could start.

Heart-Shaped Tower Revised for FAA Requirements

The central section of the hotel would feature a heart-shaped glass curtain wall covered by a large LED display. The project would also create a pedestrian-focused entertainment area with dining and retail venues beneath a covered structure facing Las Vegas Boulevard.

Earlier plans called for 874 hotel rooms, but the tower was reduced by about 60 feet following discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration and Clark County aviation officials. The redesign lowered the room count to 752 while retaining the 29-story structure.

The proposal would add another major development to the south end of the Strip, near Mandalay Bay and the former Tropicana site. Bally’s is separately advancing casino and entertainment plans beside the future Athletics ballpark, increasing development activity around the southern resort corridor.

SkyVue Columns Would Become Elevated Restaurant

The property is best known for two unfinished support columns built for the SkyVue observation wheel. Construction on that project began in 2011 but stalled amid financial problems, leaving the structures unused for more than a decade.

The new design would reinforce and incorporate the columns into a restaurant approximately 265 feet above the property. The feature would turn the most visible remains of the abandoned wheel project into part of the proposed resort rather than demolishing them.

Kulik River Capital purchased the land this spring for a reported $70 million. County approval gives the developer permission to advance the concept, but its next significant milestone will be securing financing and announcing when construction could begin.

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