Las Vegas: 2007 and beyond

One of the most fascinating qualities about Las Vegas is that it is a city that is constantly changing. The excitement of continuous re-invention and rapid growth has helped Las Vegas to achieve record-breaking popularity, resulting in nearly 39 million annual visitors. Plus, with more than $30 billion in projects under construction or in planning stages, it is safe to say that, in 2007, visitors will see and experience more in Las Vegas than ever before. Here are some highlights of what to expect this year and in the very near future.

Shows
Wynn Las Vegas has introduced the Broadway hit “Monty Python’s Spamalot” starring John O’Hurley. The show is based on the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their irreverent quest for the Holy Grail. Preview performances began in March with regular performances beginning in April.

Mel Brooks’ Broadway hit “The Producers,” starring David Hasselhoff and Brad Oscar, opened at Paris Las Vegas in February. Currently, it is the only production of the Broadway musical west of the Mississippi. “The Producers” has won 12 Tony Awards, more than any other show in Broadway history.

“X” Burlesque made its debut this year at the 180-seat Flamingo Cabaret. “X” Burlesque combines imaginative choreography with outrageous props such as bungees, bathtubs and beds.  From slow, sensual ballet-inspired routines to funky and energetic acrobatic numbers, the 90-minute production showcases a variety of dance styles and the latest rock, pop and hip-hop music.

With the opening of CityCenter in 2009, Cirque du Soleil and Elvis Presley Enterprises will team with MGM MIRAGE to debut their sixth resident show in Las Vegas. Based on the life and music of the iconic performer Elvis Presley, the show will feature state-of-the-art technology and captivating visuals.

The Palms will debut a new concert venue this spring. The Pearl, which will seat 2,400 guests, will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology for recording live albums.

Le Rêve Theater closed on March 6 for an $8 million renovation project spearheaded by designers Mark Fisher and Roger Thomas. When the show reopens on April 5, the 1606 seats (down from 2087) will provide a more comfortable and luxurious space for the entire audience and will include luxurious fabrics, plush chairs and a warm blend of cocoa, bronze and deep reds. The show is also introducing a VIP Indulgence Package with champagne bottle service, chocolate-covered strawberries, private video monitors and live glimpses behind the scenes during the show.

Restaurants
David Burke brings his modern American cuisine to The Venetian in March, adding to the hotel’s prestigious list of James Beard Award-winning, chef-owned restaurants. Burke has partnered with E-Brands Restaurants to create his namesake venue. The restaurant will include a bar and lounge with seating for 50, a main dining room with seating for 250 and space for up to 100 guests in the private banquet facilities.

Chef Mario Batali and his partner, winemaker Joseph Bastianich, are bringing their award-winning Italian restaurant expertise, previously only found in New York City, to The Venetian this year. B & B Ristorante will feature their acclaimed blend of exquisite Italian food and casual elegance. In addition, the duo also will open Enoteca San Marco at The Venetian, a casual eatery serving Italian fare such as homemade salami, gelato and panini. Both restaurants will feature extensive wine lists with selections from every region in Italy.

PURE Management Group, the company behind PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace and Social House at Treasure Island, will open Dick’s Last Resort at Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Scheduled to open this year, Dick’s will feature the “wacky-tacky” decor, live music and unique service it is known for. In addition to the new Las Vegas location, these restaurants are also located in Dallas; San Antonio, Texas; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; San Diego and Boston.

Attractions
PURE recently opened Lucky Strike Lanes at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino this year. Complete with a 10-lane bowling alley and full-service restaurant and bar, Lucky Strike Lanes offers an energetic atmosphere for all ages, seven days a week. At night, the venue becomes a 21-and-over hot spot with a nightclub atmosphere and cosmic-style bowling.

Grand Canyon West, a destination owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe at the Grand Canyon’s western rim, announced March 28, 2007 as the official public opening date of The Skywalk. This modern-day marvel will be the first-ever cantilever-shaped glass walkway to suspend more than 4,000 feet above the canyon’s floor and extend 70 feet from the canyon’s rim.

Shopping
As part of the Planet Hollywood transformation, the property’s retail space, currently named The Shops at Desert Passage, will be renamed Miracle Mile Shops. The 1.5 miles of retail space will be redesigned as a sleeker, more urbanized and contemporary space. The $50 million makeover is scheduled to be completed this year.

For shopping enthusiasts, Town Square is scheduled to open in fall 2007 with 150 new stores and 12 restaurants. Town Square will be located at the junction of I-15 and the 215 Beltway. Several new names in entertainment and retail will be coming to Las Vegas as a result. RAVE Motion Pictures will debut its first theater, Robb & Stucky Interiors will bring its high-end furnishings and Yard House will unveil its enormous selection of draft beer. Turnberry Associates and Centra Properties are developing Town Square, which will also have Borders, 24-Hour Fitness, Fry’s Electronics, Banana Republic and more.

This fall, shoppers will have even more to browse at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets. Adding 104,000 square feet and 25 shops, the center will grow to 539,000 square feet comprising a total of 145 stores.  The expansion includes two parking garages (one of which has already opened).

Nightlife
Polly Esther’s, the wildly successful national nightclub chain, has brought its trademark disco balls, DeLoreans and Doc Martens to the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. The sprawling, 1,300-capacity Polly Esther’s comprises four unique clubs – Culture Club, Nerve Ana, Suite 2000 and its namesake – each celebrating the best of the past 40 years of pop culture. Covering 26,000 square feet – one of Vegas’ largest nightclubs – Polly Esther’s features cutting-edge sound and lighting, multiple bars and dance floors and cleverly themed rooms. Polly Esther’s opened in March 2007.

Downtown
The Fremont East Entertainment District celebrated its groundbreaking recently for a six-month improvement project. The three blocks from Las Vegas Boulevard to Eighth Street will be redesigned to include neon-lighted gateways, neon elements placed in new median islands, decorative signage, expanded sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, banners and historical bronze medallions embedded in the sidewalks to commemorate significant Las Vegas milestones.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts will bring a whole new world of song, dance and performance to Las Vegas, including first-run Broadway shows, unique international attractions, theatre and music. It will also become home to the Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. The development will be the largest arts project in the state’s history. Current projections are to break ground in 2008 with construction completed in 2011.

Report by Chitra Mogul