Dan Savage once famously decided not to answer his regular string of profane letters in his advice column, interrupting them to ramble on about his recent vacation to Las Vegas. I have every intention of doing the same.
OK, no, not really. While the magic of the internet has allowed me to fool you all into thinking I wasn’t away, I actually spent the last week in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, vacationing in America’s city of sin. While my vacations would not normally be topic du jour here at Labelscar, I found more than enough in Las Vegas to bother mentioning to all of you–even those (all?) of you who’ve been before.
“The Strip,” which runs along Las Vegas Boulevard south from downtown Las Vegas for approximately 8 miles, is perhaps America’s greatest suburban retail strip. What’s that–this isn’t suburban, you say? Actually, it is: the core of the strip itself–everything south of Sahara Avenue–is in fact located in the unincorporated town of Paradise, not in Las Vegas at all! And despite that The Strip is known for its over-the-top theme casinos and gambling, it’s also home to no less than five enclosed shopping malls–and that’s not even including some of the smaller collections of shops located in some of the hotel lobbies, or two more enclosed shopping malls currently under construction on the same stretch of road.
Of these malls, most are attached to a theme casino–there is the Shops at Desert Passage, which is part of the Aladdin (and is slated for a major makeover soon, to be turned into the LA-themed “Miracle Mile” when the Aladdin is transformed into the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino), the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace (Roman-themed), and the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian (Venetian-themed, obviously). On top of that, there’s also The Showcase by MGM Grand and the massive Fashion Show Mall, the largest mall in the Las Vegas metropolitan area and a more “traditional” mall in style and design, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Robinson’s-May, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s Home, and Dillard’s. The Fashion Show Mall’s dramatic, futuristic facade and sharp break in decor and layout mid-mall–which suggests to me that it was doubled in size at some point, though I have no proof of this–made it into a true find by any stretch.
What’s even better is that the casinos themselves offer the same kind of thrills you can pull from dead mall hunting. Because Las Vegas is a city that seems to almost have a vendetta against history, denizens are quick to implode anything showing even the slightest bit of decay. That means that Las Vegas Boulevard is a surprisingly dynamic stretch of roadway, changing frequently and offering a great many see-them-before-they’re gone sights along the way. Many of the street’s most famous hotels–the original Flamingo, The Hacienda, The Sands, The Boardwalk–are already gone, and more (Stardust is next on the block, and rumors circulate about the aging Tropicana almost constantly. Even the relatively modern Flamingo-where I stayed–is often cited as being an implosion possibility) may not be long for this world. The adventurous traveler may find some real thrills by traveling off strip–and particularly downtown–to see some of the older and shabbier casinos about town. I made a trip to both The Western and The Gold Spike, two of the most notorious joints in town, simply to soak up some color. Surprisingly, neither was as threadbare as some malls I’ve seen, though both had more “characters.” Some other divey casinos, such as the Key Largo and the Bourbon Street, have bit the dust recently. If you go, be sure to visit some of the older casinos downtown, and for a bit of vintage Vegas, you can’t do wrong with a real fan favorite–the Barbary Coast. This small, classic casino is dwarfed by the big boys in its center-strip location, but it’s well-maintained and offers cheaper tables and more vintage flavor, making it a prime stop for the modern commercial architecture enthusiast.
You can read more about the casinos in Las Vegas from CheapoVegas, which is one of my new favorite websites. They review casinos with the kind of sharp pithiniess that I wish I could only muster for malls. Similarly, check out these photos of the strip’s historic casino properties, and swing by Casino Death Watch, a site that tracks news and history surrounding casinos that die or get blown to bits.
Unlike most Vegas tourists, however, I traveled off the strip–and how could I not!?–to check out the rest of the enclosed malls in Las Vegas. There are only four others (and one of these four is an outlet mall) and only one is truly remarkable, but they’ll all be showing up here in the very near future. Without further ado, here are the on-strip malls:
Grand Canal Shoppes (Venetian)
Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace
Shops at Desert Passage (Aladdin)
Fashion Show Mall
Having never really thought about it, I was surprised when I went to Vegas for the first time three years ago that so many of the casinos were attached to malls and shopping areas. From the looks of your pictures, I spent some time in the Grand Canal Shops and Forum Shops, but not Desert Passage. The Fashion Show Mall was under construction–I think they were building the apparatus for that giant disc-like structure overhead–and the sidewalk was closed on that side of the street between the Frontier and Treasure Island. That’s a walk I had to take quite a few times, as I stayed at the Frontier for a couple of days to be cheap, while friends were staying at Treasure Island, where the wedding I was attending was being held. I did move to Treasure Island for my last night or two.
I have lived in Las Vegas since 1992, the Fashion Show mall was doubled in size over a 5 year period starting in 1999 and completed in 2004. WIth the exception on Macy’s (formally Bullock’s) and Nieman Marcus, none of the tenants are in there original location prior to the remodeling and expansion. There is still one anchor store space there that is empty. The original space that Dillard’s occupied was set to become a Lord & Taylor but pulled out after the company’s Robinson’s May at that mall was under performing.
It is known from all the times that Las Vegas is the city of casinos. It is the place where your money is disappearing faster than any elsewhere from your wallet. If you have the opportunity to have some maximum moments of fun it worth to spend even the last penny at least once in your life.
Bellagio and the Wynn also have mall-like areas with VERY upscale (Rodeo Drive-esque) stores.
The Miracle Mile shops are complete. I haven’t visited (yet) but I’m told that, so far, at least some of the decor is the same, as is that in the casino. I believe it – after all, Planet Hollywood did or almost did go bankrupt, this seems to be a heave-ho effort to climb back on the train.
Mike K beat me to commenting on Fashion Show, but he’s a resident, whereas I only visit each year, so he really has the details. But yes, it used to be a basic mall with a fairly bland decor: lots of squares and rectangles, pale tan and black marble and granite tiles, and one very ordinary, boring fountain. It had a very bland take on an early 90s look. If it used to be cooler, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it once had some 70s charm.
A few years ago another outdoor lifestyle center/ mall opened called Town Square Las Vegas. Owned By Aventura Florida Based Turnberry Associates, TSLV features most stores that you would find in your higher-end suburban mall.
Instead of department stores anchoring TSLV , you will find Borders Books & Music, Whole Foods Market, Rob & Stucky, Fry’s Electronics & a Rave Motion Pictures 18-plex theatre.
It’s located on Las Vegas Boulevard South, a little south of the airport where Vacation Village once stood.
This area really grew fast during the housing boom, now I wonder what happened here knowing that the growth was artificially induced.
Now you can add another mall like structure on the Strip. City Center’s “The Crystals,” a 500,000 sq ft shopping district that sits on the front of the 66 acre complex.
Forever 21 opens new bi-level store in Fashion Show mall
Shop will appeal to more than teens, exec says
By HUBBLE SMITH
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
A California-based apparel business is opening its flagship Las Vegas store at Fashion Show mall today, taking 126,000 square feet of retail space that was leased but never occupied by Lord & Taylor when the Strip shopping mall expanded in 2002.
It will be the largest store in Nevada for Forever 21, a brand retailer that specializes in lifestyle clothing and accessories targeted toward the text-messaging generation of consumers.
Forever 21, which was established in 1984, has 480 stores nationwide, including stores at the Meadows, Boulevard and Galleria at Sunset malls in the Las Vegas Valley. The company in June opened a tri-level, 90,000-square-foot store in New York’s Times Square.
The Fashion Show store will create 650 full- and part-time jobs in Las Vegas, which is facing record-high 14.5 percent unemployment.
Forever 21 Executive Vice President Larry Meyer said he feels good about a couple of factors in opening the new store, foremost of which is being in the Fashion Show mall.
“It’s where everyone shops,” Meyer said from company headquarters in Los Angeles. “They shop at Meadows and Boulevard, but ultimately, if you want selection, you go to Nordstrom or Neiman (Marcus). The Fashion Show has a unique mix of both high-end and midrange retailers.”
Forever 21 is expanding during a time of cautious consumer spending. June retail sales, the National Retail Federation reports, decreased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted over May and increased 3.3 percent unadjusted year over year.
“We think our concept of high fashion and great value is even more important to an environment that’s sluggish,” Meyer said. “We want to help people be fashionable.”
Fashion Show’s bi-level Forever 21 store, near Bally and Kenneth Cole, introduces a new concept and overall direction for the brand, Meyer said.
The company has spent “many millions” of dollars remodeling the space and bringing it up to code, he said. The expanded store will have 36 cash registers and 132 fitting rooms.
Bill Dunbar of Dunbar Commercial in Las Vegas said Forever 21 is a good example of a retailer that has capital and is trying to take advantage of the market. The retailer took space that had already undergone some tenant improvement work by Lord & Taylor, he said.
“I think Forever 21 is a great retailer that will add to the Fashion Show mix and bring in a younger customer that fits very well with the tourist population,” Dunbar said. “They’ll be a nice crossover for GGP (General Growth Properties) and overall have a nice positive effect.”
General Growth acquired Fashion Show mall from Rouse Co. in 2005. Anchors include Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Bloomingdale’s Home and Nordstrom.
Forever 21 brands include Heritage 1981, a lifestyle brand for women; 21Men, a line of fresh, fast fashion for men; Twelve by Twelve, a couturelike aspiration line; Faith 21, an extended-sizes line; Love 21, a contemporary women’s line; HTG81, a children’s line; and Love and Beauty, a cosmetics collection.
“Sometimes we get viewed as just a teen business,” Meyer said. “Only 20 percent of our customers are under 18. Thirty-five (percent) to 40 percent are over 24. In these department stores, we get more customers who enjoy new apparel and enjoy having money left over after they have a new ensemble.”
Forever 21’s business model works by keeping stores exciting with the hottest and most current fashion trends brought in daily, he said.
“We embarked on this department store vision three years ago when we purchased some Mervyn’s stores and expanded our accessories, shoes and kids’ line,” Meyer said.
Las Vegas update.
Although traffic counts are lower at Fashon Show & at hotel malls, the levels are NOT something to be concerned about do to extremely low vacancy rates. Even Town Square on Las Vegas Boulevard near I-215 has a surprisingly low vacancy rate. The only fly in the ointment reguarding Town Square is that Robb & Stucky the home furnishings retailer for the residentses at City Center is rumored to be closing do to poor sales. This is related to the crash in the valleys housing market.
City Center’s The Crystals mall does have several high profile vacancies, but give it time. Gucci is opening an enormous 2-story flagship in the front of Crystals right on the strip in 2010.
The most malls in LV are located along the strip. Its sad because no local wants to deal with all the traffic. Two million and counting down locals and then about 50 million visitors per year. Its the 50 million that makes LV malls rock. I used to drive a taxi and all of those women out to party always have to have their day at the mall. Trust me on this. The Meadows, Galleria, and Boulevard cannot compete for flash, cash, and store sparkle with these but they can give a local one great benefit – easy parking, easy walking, easy shopping. Just try to find a parking spot at the LV Premium Outlets. The Forum Shops are ungodly expensive.
Caesars Taps Caruso to Develop Urban District on Las Vegas Strip, Taps Caruso
Aug 26, 2011 10:55 AM, Staff Reports
Caesars Entertainment Corp. has retained Caruso Affiliated to develop The Linq, a $550 million urban district on the Las Vegas Strip. The center will combine retail, restaurants, entertainment and hospitality space. The focal point of the development will be The Las Vegas High Roller, a giant observation wheel. The wheel will be the tallest in the world at 550 feet. The Linq will also contain more than 200,000 square feet of gross leasable space.
As part of the development, Caesars and Caruso will revitalize Caesars’ existing resort properties on the Strip, including the Imperial Palace, Harrah’s Las Vegas and O’Sheas casino. Caesars plans to create pedestrian connections between the Linq and all three venues.
“We are enhancing the allure of the resort experience in a coveted location, introducing an exciting new offering not only for guests occupying our own 24,000 Las Vegas hotel rooms, but also for all who live in and visit Las Vegas,” said Caesars President and CEO Gary Loveman in a statement. “The Linq is going to be the new address for fun at the center of the Las Vegas Strip.”
The project will create about 3,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs. Groundbreaking has been scheduled for the latter part of the third quarter or the early fourth quarter of 2011, with opening of the Linq’s retail, restaurant and entertainment components planned for 2013.
Caesars has retained Caruso to oversee development, leasing, management, marketing and public relations for The Linq
@SEAN, Robb & Stucky as well as Borders have closed since I posted.
Went to The Fashion Show mall and it looks like there is going to be a new department store in the old Robinson’s.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/burbankbaby/7380373394/in/photostream
@Ashley, The empty department store at Fashon Show MAYBE Macy’s Mens, however no decision has been made yet.
@SEAN, I saw that same photo and no, it’s not going to be a Macy’s Men’s, when Macy’s bought May Company, that store became a Macy’s Men’s store but against all odds it closed, sending men’s stuff back into the main store (an old Bullocks if I am not mistaken) according to Wikipedia the store closed in 2008 and GGP is not saying what’s going to open there, I know the old Dillard’s was going to become Lord and Taylor but that never happened but it has since re-opened as a XXI by Forever 21 so who knows?
@Nordrike Field, The person I asked yesterday wasn’t sure, but I thaught Bloomingdale’s was the logical choice to fill that space & not a Macy’s redux.
That XXI Forever is actually 46,000 square feet larger than the Lord & Taylor that was scheduled to open in that location some years ago. I posted the article on this upthe thred.
@ Sean I too think that a full inline Bloomingdales would be a good choice. They already have a Bloomingdales home store. Bloomingdales would fit in with the rest of the Department stores. Only time will tell.
I’m from vegas and the city definitely needs a newer traditional enclosed mall away from the strip for the local residents. The three enclosed malls that we do have are getting a bit old and don’t have stores that most are looking for. I think the newest mall-the galleria was built in 1996 and is now 16 years old.
Chef Gordon Ramsay Leads New British Invasion of the Las Vegas Strip with Opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Gordon Ramsay BurGR
Tuesday, December 11th, 2012
Las Vegas, NV (RestaurantNews.com) Gordon Ramsay and Caesars Entertainment announced today that Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill will open at Caesars Palace Dec. 18, and that Gordon Ramsay BurGR will open at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Dec 22. Two restaurants from the same chef opening within one week of each other in two different casino resorts is a monumental feat never experienced on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Following the highly successful opening of Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas in May, the opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace® and Gordon Ramsay BurGR at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino marks three Gordon Ramsay restaurants to open in Las Vegas in less than a year, expanding his relationship with Caesars Entertainment Corp.
“It’s been incredible the positive reception Gordon Ramsay Steak has received since opening at Paris in May,” said Gordon Ramsay. “We’ve been developing these different concepts for quite a while to deliver three distinct, unique dining experiences with the variety, originality, and high quality that we believe people want and appreciate.”
Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, the neighborhood restaurant conceptualized by the award-winning chef, will open for dinner Dec. 18 and lunch in mid-Jan. 2013. The 290 seat restaurant will be the most authentic English pub experience in Las Vegas, as only a native UK chef can provide.
Chef Jeremy Berlin has been selected as executive chef of the novel concept and will oversee the kitchen operations. Berlin moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles where he served as executive chef of Church and State. Berlin was previously a member of Ramsay’s brigade as Executive Sous Chef of Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood and sous chef of Gordon Ramsay at the London NYC.
Acting as two unique restaurants the grill section of the restaurant will feature a relaxed and friendly setting with dishes including New Zealand Red Snapper, lamb T-bone, whole brick pressed Cornish chicken, dry aged 30 oz. bone-in beef rib eye and spotted dog. The pub will feature elevated British pub food in a comfortable and lively setting showing sporting events from across the world on state of the art entertainment systems. The pub includes 36 beers served on tap plus 24 bottled beers. With an eye towards dishes that pair well with beer the pub menu includes English ale onion soup, shepherd’s pie, and a selection of sausages, fried egg sandwiches and the classic pub fish and chips.
The center piece of the restaurant will be a striking bar with an array of beer taps and a backdrop reminiscent of iconic British telephone booths. A patio area will extend the restaurant towards the casino floor where guests can be part of the action. Tabletops will be comprised of rustic, pottery inspired dishes layered with unprocessed woods and rugged serving vessels. The uniforms are inspired by the English punk scene and will feature a number of multi-media pieces designed by Allison Leach, a continuing trend with Gordon Ramsay’s Las Vegas restaurants. With proximity to the Colosseum, the entrance of the Forum Shops and the self-parking garage, the restaurant will be a convenient location for both locals and visitors enjoying the Caesars Palace amenities.
Four days after the opening of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, the celebrated chef will open his first burger experience restaurant, Gordon Ramsay BurGR, at the center-Strip Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. BurGR, a name that plays on the celebrity chef’s initials, will be located steps from the famous Las Vegas Strip at the entrance of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino adjacent to the Extra! Lounge.
The BurGR menu will take the traditional burger, fries and milkshake comfort food combination to an entirely new level with selections like pork belly bao buns, sweet potato fries with vanilla powdered sugar and pudding shakes—a heavenly combination of thick milkshake and silky pudding. Whether traditional or unique burger preparations they will be crafted using the freshest, quality ingredients. Paying special attention to not only the ingredients but the method, beef patties will be cooked over an open flame fueled by hard woods, BurGR will be the only gourmet burger restaurant on the Strip to use this technique, creating a more complex and powerful flavor.
The BurGR
•Unique blend of three high choice beef cuts
◦ Short rib
◦ Brisket
◦ Chuck
•Milk-based Brioche buns made fresh daily topped with black and white sesame seeds
•Devonshire butter-basted patty to add richness
The Fire
•Burgers prepared on an open-flame, wood-burning grill
•Fire fueled with hard woods
◦ 60% adler wood, known for distinct but lighter balanced smokiness
◦ 40% apple wood to provide fruity notes
•Grill heats to 750 degrees
The Pudding Shakes
•Creamy handspun milkshakes
•Generous section of intensely flavored pudding
•Topped with varying flavored cookie crisps and a dollop of whipped cream
•Flavors include chocolate milkshake with double chocolate pudding and caramel milkshake with butterscotch pudding
Not to be neglected, the beverage program will feature an extensive beer list and robust cocktail program. Focusing primarily on small and large format American craft beers, BurGR will serve 30 beers all from a stunning frozen tap wall with a selection of bottled beer. The cocktail program will feature a selection of traditionally made cocktails, crafted with fresh ingredients with made-from-scratch syrups.
With a location that draws on the energy of both the casino and the nearby Miracle Mile shops, the room is designed in a youthful way with a stylish and modern ambience. The vividly colored room will seat 200 and will be accented by an undulated ceiling, steel and concrete floor, keg display, open kitchen and 30 foot fire feature. The uniforms, designed by Allison Leach, contrast the bright colors of the restaurant with their muted tones. Allison Leach, known for her costume design for the hit shows Glee and Mad Men, helped to set the industry trend for restaurant uniform design with Gordon Ramsay Steak and continues her visionary work at BurGR.
“With numerous hit TV shows entertaining viewers all over the world, I can’t think of a better chef to welcome to Planet Hollywood, a resort with a spotlight on fame, than Gordon Ramsay,” said Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino president David Hoenemeyer. “BurGR will cater to both guests who are fans of Gordon Ramsay and who are in search of a perfect burger and shake.”
“Gordon Ramsay might be the only chef ambitious and talented enough to open two restaurants within days of each other without a second thought,” said Planet Hollywood vice president of food and beverage Jeffrey Frederick. “We are thrilled to bring this new restaurant to our guests and look forward to another successful collaboration.”
Gordon Ramsay will kick-off the week opening his two new Las Vegas restaurants on Dec. 17 with a “British invasion” of the Las Vegas Strip.
For additional information, renderings and broadcast quality video please visit: http://caesars.thedigitalcenter.com
Gordon Ramsay
Scottish by birth, Gordon Ramsay was brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. With an injury prematurely putting an end to any hopes of a promising career in football, he went back to college to complete a course in hotel management. His dedication and natural talent led him to train with some of the world’s leading chefs, such as Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White in London, and Guy Savoy and Joel Robuchon in France.
In 1993 Ramsay became chef of Aubergine in London. Within three years, he was awarded two Michelin stars. In 1998, at the age of 31, Ramsay set up his first wholly owned and namesake restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which quickly received the most prestigious accolade in the culinary world – three Michelin stars. Today, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is London’s longest-running restaurant to hold this award, and Ramsay is one of only four chefs in the U.K. to maintain three stars.
Now internationally renowned, Ramsay has opened a string of successful restaurants across the globe, from Italy to the United States. The group continues to grow with recent openings such as Bread Street Kitchen in London’s City district; two ventures in Doha, Qatar; Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas; and The Fat Cow in Los Angeles. Ramsay received an OBE (Order of the British Empire awarded by Queen Elizabeth II) in 2006 for services to the industry.
Ramsay has also become a star of the small screen both in the U.K. and internationally, with U.K. shows such as GORDON’S GREAT ESCAPES and GORDON RAMSAY: SHARK BAIT, as well as four top-rated FOX shows that air in more than 200 countries worldwide: KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, HELL’S KITCHEN, MASTERCHEF and HOTEL HELL. He is also a published author of a number of books, many of which have become bestsellers around the world, most notably his autobiography, Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen.
Ramsay has a global partnership with WWRD (Waterford®, Wedgwood®, Royal Doulton®), which offers quality home and lifestyle products, and he also has brought out a range of Seriously Good sauces for the charity Comic Relief.
He lives with his wife, Tana and four children, along with their bulldog Rumpole and two cats. He divides his time between Los Angeles and South London.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is the newest member of the Caesars Entertainment® family and is a full partner in Total Rewards®. The hottest property on the Las Vegas Strip with 2,500 beautifully designed guest rooms and suites showcasing the best views in town, Planet Hollywood encompasses more than 100,000 square-feet of gaming, several lounges, nine restaurants including KOI, Strip House, the award-winning Spice Market Buffet and LA’s Pink’s Hot Dogs, and the Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara. The mega resort is also home to the sexy striptease spectacular PEEPSHOW, and Grammy® Award-winning recording artist CeeLo Green will premiere his new Las Vegas resident show, “CeeLo Green is LOBERACE” in Feb. 2013. The property is encircled by Miracle Mile Shops with more 170 specialty stores and restaurants. For more information, please visit http://www.planethollywoodresort.com or caesars.thedigitalcenter.com to access media materials and request high-resolution images. Find Planet Hollywood on Facebook and follow on Twitter.
Caesars Palace
Reigning at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace features 3,960 hotel guest rooms and suites, including the brand new Octavius Tower and 180-room Nobu Hotel. The 85-acre resort offers 25 diverse dining options including celebrity chef-branded restaurants by Gordon Ramsay (opening December 2012), Bobby Flay and Guy Savoy, nearly 130,000 square-feet of casino space, a five-acre Garden of the Gods pool oasis and the award-winning Qua Baths & Spa. The Forum Shops at Caesars showcases more than 160 boutiques and restaurants and the 4,300-seat Colosseum spotlights world class entertainers such as Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld and Shania Twain. For more information, please visit http://www.caesarspalace.com or caesars.thedigitalcenter.com to access media materials and request high-resolution images. Find Caesars Palace on Facebook and follow on Twitter.
This release includes “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements contain words such as “may,” “will,” “project,” “might,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “continue,” “pursue,” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. In particular, they include statements relating to, among other things, new projects, future performance, and future financial results of the company. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified, and, consequently, the actual performance of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Caesars Entertainment may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors, as well as other factors described from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein): the effects of local and national economic, credit, and capital market conditions on the economy, in general, and on the gaming industry, in particular; the ability of the Company’s customer-tracking, customer loyalty, and yield-management programs to continue to increase customer loyalty and same-store or hotel sales; changes in laws, including increased tax rates, smoking bans, regulations or accounting standards, third-party relations and approvals, and decisions, disciplines, and fines of courts, regulators, and governmental bodies; the ability to recoup costs of capital investments through higher revenues; the effects of competition, including locations of competitors and operating and market competition; construction factors, including delays, increased costs of labor and materials, availability of labor and materials, zoning issues, environmental restrictions, soil and water conditions, weather and other hazards, site access matters, and building permit issues.
Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. Caesars disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated or, if no date is stated, as of the date of this press release.
A tour of Town Square Las Vegas.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFMtHEZ1P0s&w=420&h=315%5D
The Rave Digital Cinemas were recently sold to AMC.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk_ltCePzeg&w=560&h=315%5D
The fall of Atlantis @ Caesers Pallace.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrTxHEXI5e4&w=560&h=315%5D
A tour of The Forum Shops @ Caesers.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgehNoOLAcw&w=560&h=315%5D
Strip retail thriving, becoming more competitive
By LAURA CARROLL LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
At one stop, you’re greeted by strolling Carneval characters while perusing Herve Leger. At another, a blue sky shines overhead. Down the street, an indoor rainstorm catches shoppers unaware.
Welcome to retail on the Strip.
As Treasure Island plans to begin construction of its new shopping center Oct. 21 and The Linq rolls along, Strip retail is becoming even more competitive. The new center at Treasure Island will be wholly owned by the hotel and is expected to be completed by fall 2014. The entire first floor will be devoted to CVS Pharmacy, the mall’s first and only tenant thus far.
Strip-based retail centers are unique in that they cater to a tourist clientele yet attract a strong local contingent. According to a report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the average visitor spends about $150 on shopping per visit. In 2012, 39.7 million people traveled to the city, and 2013’s numbers through July are tracking closely to 2012.
Through June, Clark County taxable sales for clothing retailers were up 4.1 percent from a year earlier to $294.3 million. Bar and restaurant sales were up 0.7 percent to $762 million, while sales in general merchandise stores, including department stores, were up 1.6 percent to $257 million.
“Retail along the Strip is doing very well. Visitors have been spending a lot of money on retail,” said Stephen Brown, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at UNLV’s Lee Business School. “A property really can’t compete for the upscale visitor if it doesn’t have shopping. High-end retail is really what’s propelling the growth in taxable sales in Las Vegas.”
Visitors don’t travel up and down the Strip much because of the distance — except for their first visit, he said.
“Basically, properties that don’t have shopping lack a revenue source,” Brown said. “Visitors probably won’t make that up going to another property.”
Janet LaFevre, senior marketing manager for the Grand Canal Shoppes and the Fashion Show mall, agreed that retail is thriving. The former is owned by General Growth Properties and TIAA-CREF, a financial services organization; the latter is owned by General Growth.
The Fashion Show, she said, has transformed into a sought-after retail destination that brands turn to when looking to expand to the West Coast. Meanwhile, both centers have recently welcomed new shops. Grand Canal, for example, is opening Steve Madden, Teavana and Uno de 50. LaFevre has said there’s so much demand for the Strip-based shopping centers that finding space for the retailers that want to be here is the biggest challenge.
Enter the new players.
The as-yet unnamed Treasure Island center has a gross leasable area of 46,000 square feet. The hotel is not releasing the project cost, said Michelle Knoll, Treasure Island’s senior vice president of communications.
By comparison, the Fashion Show has 1.9 million square feet of leasable space, Miracle Mile offers 475,000 square feet, the Forum Shops has 675,000 square feet of gross leasable area and the Grand Canal Shoppes has 875,000 square feet.
While the first floor of the Treasure Island mall is fully leased to CVS, the other two floors are still available. Knoll said the hotel is entertaining any opportunity, but no, a car dealership is not expected to enter the space.
The Linq, owned by Caesars Entertainment Corp., is an outdoor dining, retail and entertainment district that is expected to open in February with more than 300,000 square feet of retail space. Coming tenants include the Polaroid Fotobar store and museum, Chilli Beans sunglasses, Vanity Style Lounge, The Stomping Grape wine bar, and a Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate shop.
“I’m always in the mindset to welcome and recognize retail activity on Las Vegas Boulevard in a positive way,” said Maureen Crampton, director of mall marketing and business development for The Forum Shops at Caesars. “I really do think it’s exciting to see growth. It speaks volumes for the market and the excitement that we bring to the destination.”
Crampton said The Linq will add a different flavor to the overall retail mix since it will have more of a festival atmosphere than the luxury experience most of the other malls provide.
Town Square’s marketing director, Jaimesen Mapes, agreed: “I think that it’s a great thing. It shows the economy is coming back and developers are confident. It’s good for everybody.”
Town Square has a few large tenants coming soon: Sugar Factory is opening an outpost in the fall in the old Meatball Spot location and GameWorks is scheduled to open this winter, possibly in early 2014. Look Style Society, a 9,000-square-foot day spa and salon, also is slated to open in February near Texas de Brazil.
The center as a whole is performing well, Mapes said. The Container Store and Whole Foods both attract a large contingent of tourists, and Town Square has been able to maintain relationships with time-share developments to the south, which helps.
“It’s been mutually beneficial,” Mapes said.
From Crampton’s perspective inside the Simon Properties-owned Forum Shops at Caesars, the outlook is positive. The center’s sales have increased by double-digit percentages this year, and was recognized by Shopping Centers Today as the world’s top-performing enclosed shopping center, based on sales dollars per square foot.
International visitation to the center is strong, and Crampton has seen an increase in visitors hailing from the United Kingdom and Australia in the last five months.
Shoppers seem to be in a spending mood.
On a Sunday afternoon, shopper Jason Snyder and his wife, Celeste, visited the Forum Shops to take in Las Vegas’ sights. The duo from Los Angeles visited Victoria’s Secret and planned to eat at Carmine’s, an Italian restaurant fairly new to the center.
“We’re planning on walking around some more after we eat,” Jason Snyder said. “Maybe we’ll buy a few things.”
The Forum Shops recently opened new-to-market stores including L.K. Bennett, Sandro, M Missoni and Valentino Accessories. Sergio Rossi and Van Cleef &Arpels have opened; RED Valentino is coming this fall. Tod’s remodeled and Tory Burch is expanding.
With just a week on the job, Jerry Irwin is the new general manager of the Miracle Mile Shops. He comes to the center from the Fashion Show, where he held the same position. He replaces Russ Joyner, who left to join Federal Realty Investment Trust as vice president and general manager of Assembly Row, a mixed-use development in Somerville, Mass.
In 2012, 26 million people visited Miracle Mile, garnering the center $865 in sales per square foot. Sales per square foot weren’t available for the other centers.
“I think there (are) some great opportunities at Miracle Mile,” Irwin said. “We’re kind of on the corner of Main and Main.”
The center aims to be accessible to the masses, instead of focusing on the high-end shopper such as other Strip-based centers such as Via Bellagio, the Shops at Wynn and Crystals that feature stores such as Hermes, Alexander McQueen and Manolo Blahnik.
This fall and winter, Miracle Mile will welcome new tenants Ketchup Premium Burger Bar, Meatball Spot, Shoe Palace and Tervis. Other stores already at Miracle Mile recently have reinvested in their space, including Tommy Bahama, Victoria’s Secret, Wyland Galleries and ABC Stores.
As for the state of Strip retail, Irwin said he’s optimistic there’s enough to go around.
“It’s just going to get stronger. … I think it just builds on to the critical mass we’re seeing,” he said.
Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.comor 702-380-4588. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAysqenqK8c&w=560&h=315%5D
A 2013 tour of the Strip on the “Duce” http://www.rtcsnv.com.