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Any Word On Sahara?

Discussion in 'Casino Industry & Development' started by zamboni, Nov 2, 2012.

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  1. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    How is the renovating of the Sahara going? I remember seeing the models and renderings on a few sites, then nothing.
     
  2. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    Yeah, SLS reps have been saying work would start in the Fall - and here we are. When I go by there I see small exterior cosmetic changes, like old signs removed etc., but no regular work crews and no structural stuff. The rails and tower for the coaster Speed were removed several months ago (to be reassembled at Skyvue). They really need to get on it if they're going to make that promised "Late 2014" opening date.

    To be fair, it seems the norm for projects in Las Vegas to run behind promised schedules.

    Bill
     
  3. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    NUT-UH! Look how fast the Downtown Grand is coming along!!!!!!

    Jimbo338
     
  4. AlwaysVegas

    AlwaysVegas Now it's mostly Reno.

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    Just got back from my trip a few hours ago. The Sahara looks like it did last year with some signs removed...though the big Sahara sign has not been relegated to the Neon Graveyard yet.

    I drove by the Lady Luck THREE TIMES and didn't take great note of the progress as I meant to, but from what I remember there was absolutely nothing different from six months ago.

    On the other hand, the Golden Gate remodel looks really, really nice.
     
  5. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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  6. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    A lot of bad mojo on that end of the strip for way too long. The curse of El Rancho Vegas........
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
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  7. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    I would call it the Curse Of Boyd! :(
     
  8. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Very true DMR..... Things were bad before the aborted Echelon project, but the demolition of the Stardust sure didn't help the north end of the strip. Even with Wynn and Encore, that area has been reeling for a couple of decades now. Too bad, it used to be a fun area to hang out.
     
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  9. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    Looking down last week from the top of The STRAT , I see no glass on the onion dome- or was there none on it? I thought there was. If there was, could that mean that is going bye bye?
     
  10. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    No glass before. It was open, and I just loved the way it was lit up at night.
     
  11. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    I have seen it lit up, it is nice. Never noticed whether or not it had glass in it before. Hopefully the onion dome stays
     
  12. bdjb61232

    bdjb61232 Tourist

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    All the models ive seen for the SLS las vegas show that the onion dome is gone, which is too bad cause i thought it was a real neat piece of the property, but that onion dome is part of the morrocan theme the Sahara had and that won't fit with the new chic fancy pants theme their going for to get the beautiful people in to stay there
     
  13. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    I took a good look at the Sahara/SLS site this weekend. I observed no changes on the West or North sides of the exterior from last month. However, there was some activity in the East entry/dock areas. It looked like they were moving materials around and there were lights on that were not on before.

    Now, having said the above, I'm hesitant to claim there's any progress on the site. They could simply be moving things out they did not remove before rather than starting new activities. We'll just have to keep watch.

    Bill
     
  14. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    I don't think there is anything left. Hell, I have a hotel room phone from the liquidation in my bedroom.
     
  15. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    Yeah, I'm thinking bigger things like carpets, built-ins, bar structures, etc. The optimist in me likes to think they're starting demo on the inside (which has been the plan all along). I am just being cautious.

    Bill
     
  16. tomcat724

    tomcat724 Tourist

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  17. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    How can all of these business experts believe there is market for a luxury high-end, branded "experience" in the old Sahara? It's location killed it at bargain prices. The L.A. rich and beautiful already have plenty of other (better) options at their disposal. If the doors ever actually open, it'll be reworked almost immediately, much like the Encore went from being the quiet getaway tower to party central just 6 months later.
     
  18. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    My crystal ball says that it will open, eventually, with the new management still thinking it will be the latest oh-so-trendy destination for the oh-so-hip.

    Then when reality sets in (months? weeks?) they will adjust their prices to be somewhat in line with the Strat.

    Just a hunch here. :)
     
  19. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Well, location matters much more for the "bargain" market than it does for the L.A. rich and beautiful market, in theory. Which is why previous hotels going after that market have often been off strip.

    Doesn't mean it will succeed. They would have to convince those people that their property is better. But if you're targeting people who drive in and care less about being able to casino hop, the location isn't a deal breaker.

    In other words, I think they'll fail, too. But I think its because they'll be a half-assed entry into an upscale market, and a single property player competing with multi-property behemoths, not because of Sahara's location.

    And in the longer view, the location may not always look so bad as it does now. In 10 years, who knows? Maybe there really will be a scaled down nice property on echelon's site, and a fontainebleu. Maybe they'll start calling Wynn mid strip. Maybe the High Roller will fall off its moorings and crash through the towers of Ballys, Paris, PH, and MGM, and there will be a hotel room shortage.
     
  20. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Let's hope, if that occurs, it's during a JERSEY SHORES REUNION party.
     
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