In 1941, Thomas E. Hull’s car broke down on Highway 91 at the corner of what is now Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. Sitting on the side of the road, and being a businessman who managed hotels in California, he looked around and thought, “This would be a great place for a resort and casino.”
Once home, he told his associates… they bought some land at that location… and in 1941 built El Rancho Vegas Hotel and Casino. It was the first (but not last) major resort on the Strip.
Vegas Then and Now
Highway 91, renamed Las Vegas Boulevard, soon flourished into a series of famous 1950s-era iconic casino resorts lining a neon-drenched thoroughfare.
Vegas is a city like no other… constantly reinventing, rebuilding and rediscovering what it takes to be the entertainment capital of the world and the innovator and leader in world-class luxurious hospitality… and today, driving that same North end of the Strip where it all began, one passes even bigger and better spectacular new world-class casino resorts.
Venetian and Palazzo are now where the 1950s Sands once stood, Wynn and Encore replaced the iconic Dunes, Resorts Worlds was once the famous Stardust and in place of the original Thunderbird Hotel and Casino – at 2777 South Las Vegas Boulevard – is a towering 67-story blue glass building… the latest in a new era of iconic Las Vegas luxury… destined to be the innovative leader in, once again, redefining the ever-evolving entertainment capital of the world.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
After a long and arduous 16-year development, the long-awaited and highly-anticipated iconic Fontainebleau brand has arrived on the Las Vegas Strip.
The December opening of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas unveiled a spectacular property second to none and, as a tribute to the legacy of the original famed Fontainebleau in Miami Beach, seamlessly connects the past, present and future of luxury hospitality that visitors have come to expect.
Now the tallest occupiable building in Nevada, the 67-story $3.7 billion Fontainebleau skyscraper, situated on 25-acres, reflects the grandeur of its heritage at every turn and each of the luxurious 3,644 rooms and designer suites offers a unique blend of timeless elegance and lavish contemporary splendor that is unique to Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas location is a long-held vision of Fontainebleau Development’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Soffer. “For almost 70-years, the Fontainebleau brand has defined luxury hospitality with innovation, sophistication and opulence,” he states, “and now Las Vegas represents an exciting new chapter in our storied legacy.”
“We are thrilled to introduce many of the world-class amenities we are known for in Miami, ,” he adds, “and in the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas, these concepts… along with the dynamic spirit of the Strip… create an unmatched destination that is the best of all worlds, promising an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experience for every guest.”
Iconic Las Vegas 2.0
Once through the dramatic porte-cochere entrance, visitors and guests are surrounded with stunning design that artfully blends art deco and modern at every turn.
Guests initially have immediate access to VIP registration, with an intimate arrival experience that allows the option of going directly to one’s room without passing through the casino.
Enticing pathways also offer guests an option that leads from the lobby to, and through, the lavish 155,000 square-foot casino – with 1,300 cutting-edge slot machines and 128 popular table games – under dramatically-styled high ceilings 42-feet overhead.
Around the perimeter, there are 35 luxury retailers and premium shops located on two levels overlooking the exciting gaming action below and a select curated portfolio of 36 world-class restaurants and bars strategically placed all throughout.
Famous chefs and restaurateurs include Chefs Gabriela Camara, Evan Funke and Josh Capon along with acclaimed Restaurateurs David Grutman and Alan Yau, to name but a few, in addition to an array of Fontainebleau-original dining concepts, such as: Cafe Cuto (upscale European coffees), Chyna Club (eclectic Chinese cuisine), Ito Sushi (with a top-floor view) and La Cote (echoing the French Riviera).
There is also casual dining in the European-style piazza Promenade food hall… and a formidable collection of 13 amazing bars and lounges, ranging from The Tavern and Azul (Mexican drink favorites) to the central Bleau Bar (in the casino), Collins (named Miami’s Collins Avenue with sophisticated classic cocktails) and Vida (styled after the famed Fontainebleau original in Miami Beach)… all sure to please.
Day and Night Entertainment
The expertise of two industry-leading nightlife developers – David Grutman and Groot Hospitality – collaborated with the Las Vegas Fontainebleau in-house team to create a unique experience that takes guests on an immersive journey – both day and night – through the resort’s 50,000 square-foot nightlife venue and 35,000 square-foot day club.
The dramatic three-level 3,800 seat BleauLive theatre offers star-studded entertainment for which Las Vegas is known.
There are also endless luxury amenities where guests can relax and refresh, such as the cutting-edge 55,000 square-foot Lapis Spa and Wellness… and the spacious 14,000 square foot Fitness Center, with the latest in performance-based exercise equipment and experienced personal trainers… in addition to an exquisite six-acre elevated outdoor area, with five bars and two restaurants surrounding the luxurious picture-perfect signature Fontainebleau pool inspired by the original in Miami Beach.
Meeting and Conventions
Business is also on the agenda and, in addition to being adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center, there is over a half million square-feet of flexible meeting and event space located across five different levels.
This includes a 105,000 square-foot ballroom (one of the largest in Las Vegas) that is easily divisible for conventions, trade shows and special events of all size.
There is also 62,000 square-feet of additional space that can be used for pre-functions and to create up to 57 break-out rooms for smaller meetings and special sessions.
Focus Shifting North
After many decades, the focus and attention of Las Vegas – and those of its guests -has once again shifted to the North end of the Strip where wonderful new visions and introductions are creating an even more exciting Entertainment Capital of the World.
What began in 2021, with the opening of Resorts World and the Las Vegas Convention Center’s new West Hall (with Elan Musk’s futuristic underground Vegas Loop Tunnels transporting passengers down below) – as well as this year’s debut of the amazing first-ever dazzling Sphere – underscore that this once passe’ end of the Strip is now on an undeniable winning steak with no end in sight.
Additional projects bring a renewed vibrance to light, as well, such as a planned circular bridge and walkway – just beyond the Fontainebleau – spanning the intersection of Sahara and Las Vegas Boulevard that will provide traffic-free access for pedestrians to all four corners… and just beyond that are the beautiful new lighted arches providing a seamless welcome to downtown and the City of Las Vegas… with much more, sure to come, all just around the corner.
“It’s always exciting when a new resort comes online and adds to the beautiful tapestry that is Las Vegas,” says Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the Fontainebleau has to offer.”
Today, driving past the same location where Thomas Hull’s car broke down some 80-years ago, one can’t help thinking… “”Yes, this is a great place for such a wonderful new resort and casino.”
Don Logay is an award-winning journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of three national magazines. Today he writes luxury lifestyle articles for numerous publications. He can be reached at (949) 240-4444 or [email protected].
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