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What 500 Million Gets You These Days In Vegas

August 17, 2011 at 8:56 PM | by | Comments (9)

Flashy. Over the top. Never before. Only in Vegas.

When it comes to giving the people what they want, Caesars Entertainment seems to have all the right ingredients with its ambitious project, The Linq.

In two years time, gone will be O'Sheas. Gone, too, will be Imperial Palace as we know it. In their place will be The Linq, a $500 million dollar project that will merge O'Sheas and IP into a new, hybrid, errr, let's say resort for now and that will bring upwards of 40 restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment options to one expansive outdoor promenade. Oh, and let's not forget about the world's tallest Ferris observation wheel, too. Yes, even taller than the London Eye.

According to company officials, Linq is meant to bring you the same type of experience you'd find on Bourbon Street (we're guessing minus the beads and boobs, tho) or at The Grove in LA. In fact, Linq will be brought to us by the exact same company responsible for The Grove, Caruso Affiliated. They're also the minds behind The Americana in Glendale, The Waterside in Marina del Ray, The Commons at Calabasas. Let's just say that if you've ever gone a'shopping in Cali, you've probably been at one of their outdoor malls outdoor shopping centers open-air destinations.

Gallery: The Linq

While the razzle and dazzle was impressive -- from the slick renderings above to the snazzy video played during the press briefing (we're working on it) -- something only casually mentioned by Caesars reps was the most compelling to us. After remarking that the average age of the Vegas customer was 50 plus, officials said that much of what they are designing is targeted to that niche. Great. Now the 'rents are going to want to tag along to Vegas even more.

Project Linq will break ground in September and is expected to make its debut in June 2013.

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for real?

and I'm pretty sure that's a flying car in that rendering...
santhony on August 17, 2011 at 10:09 PM #Permalink

Disaster movie.

I think the wheel thing is ripe for some sort of disaster movie/Final Destination 18 kind of production.  Each ball-like-thing holds 40 people and can include food and bar service?!  I bet they're wishing they'd waited to make 2012 until 2013.  
BrianG on August 17, 2011 at 10:42 PM #Permalink

Have to ask

According to an article in the LV Sun, the IP will get a new "wrap". Does that mean the IP rooms in their current condition will be going away? (please God).
girlygirl on August 17, 2011 at 11:05 PM #Permalink

IP

From what was discussed in the press conference, the IP will cannibalize some of O'Sheas and will get a new casino floor as well as a new "skin" or exterior. Nothing was mentioned about the rooms so I would assume that little or nothing will be done to them. That could possibly be a "day 2" goal after the initial opening. (please God, as well)
702Becca on August 18, 2011 at 12:00 AM #Permalink
Parent

Back to the Future?

Along with the flying car I think I also spotted Marty McFly on a hoverboard...?

Yes, it's a good centre strip location and the IP and O'Sheas are well past their sell by date, but will Caesars get the funding and how likely are they to recoup it?

It sounds like a Planet Hollywood / Miracle Mile type makeover - I don't remember that being a tremendous money spinner...which perhaps is why Caesars/Harrahs were able to hoover up PH for a knockdown price a year or so back?

Having said that, the positives are that it will provide some construction work and improve the area between IP and Flamingo - the 'observation wheel' should also prove to be popular.

Still sceptical that it will happen this side of 2015...

Lord Lucan on August 18, 2011 at 8:35 AM #Permalink

Flamingo

Are they "remodeling" the Flamingo as well?  I know it could use some love (although my wife and I enjoy our stay at the HGVC there); however, it's one of the few original hotels left.
vegasfan79 on August 18, 2011 at 7:14 PM #Permalink

@vegasfan79

They are reconfiguring The Flamingo's arrival entry and doing something to refresh the outside of the building (painting? a new Donny & Marie wrap?), but that sounds like the extent of it.
702Becca on August 18, 2011 at 8:02 PM #Permalink
Parent

Flamingo rooms are getting a Facelift.

After I kvetched about their Deluxe rooms on Twitter, The Flamingo contacted me to apologize and let me know that by the end of 2012 their Deluxe rooms would be renovated and that the renovation would include new mattresses.  (Thank God!)
BrianG on August 20, 2011 at 4:47 PM #Permalink

@702Becca

Thanks!  Glad to hear it isn't going anywhere.
vegasfan79 on August 22, 2011 at 7:19 PM #Permalink
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