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After remaining vacant and incomplete for over a decade, the tallest hotel in Las Vegas has at last commenced operations.
The Fontainebleau hotel-casino tower, which stands at 67 stories, is the partner property to the renowned Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Florida. Located on the vibrant resort strip of Las Vegas, this outpost cost $3.7 billion to construct, making it the second most expensive property after the $4.3 billion Resorts World which opened in June 2021, just a brief stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard.
There is a total of 3,644 rooms available, with prices beginning at $300 per night.
The blue building on the left is Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
This text is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission from The Associated Press, © 2017.
In 2007, Jeffrey Soffer, who is based in Miami and serves as chairman of Fontainebleau Development, initiated the project. However, following the 2008 financial crisis and a halt in funding, he abandoned the project when it was about 70% finished.
Several different individuals became the owners, including renowned investor Carl Icahn and New York real estate developer Steven Witkoff. In 2018, Witkoff revealed intentions to revamp and rebrand the resort as The Drew, but due to the pandemic, the project faced setbacks once again.
The large structure, which had an unfinished exterior facing the street, remained unused for many years. It was occasionally utilized by local firefighters for practicing high-rise rescue techniques. In July of last year, as renovations were in progress and the opening date was approaching, a fire occurred on the roof but resulted in minimal harm.
In 2021, Mr. Soffer’s company regained ownership of the building and collaborated with Koch Real Estate Investments to fund and complete it.
“Mr. Soffer expressed that the process of bringing Fontainebleau Las Vegas to fruition has been an exceptional adventure. He also shared that the opportunity to open a resort of such magnitude is a unique and unforgettable experience.”
The president of Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Mark Tricano, stated that the establishment boasts 1,300 slot machines, 128 gaming tables, and over 36 bars and restaurants.
The building stands at a height of 737 feet, making it the tallest inhabitable structure in Nevada and the second tallest in Las Vegas. The nearby Strat tower observation deck, which stands at 1,149 feet (350 meters), holds the record for the tallest in Las Vegas.
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas ranks in the top 30 tallest hotels globally. However, it is surpassed by the two hotels at 1717 Broadway in New York City, standing at approximately 750 feet, and is significantly shorter than the Gevora Hotel in Dubai, reaching heights of 1,169 feet.
According to information from The Associated Press
Source: independent.co.uk
