Downtown hotel-casino plans $20M renovation

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“These people want to see what downtown is and where gaming started in Las Vegas,” Woody said. Our core customer is still coming in, but we’re also seeing a lot of people come in from the Strip from outside Las Vegas. We have to remember how to bring people here midweek or weekends where they’re not just coming for big events.” The narrative that Las Vegas is overpriced has gotten out of control, because a lot of people are still coming and having a great experience, Jossel said. We in downtown are many ways a function of the Strip, and it’s difficult to compete with room rates on the Strip when they’re much lower than they used to be. The thing that makes me curious is when people refer to a ‘downtown customer.’ That doesn’t exist. “And we have a couple of other projects that will take a lot of our time,” Victor said.
The company operates online pokies instant withdrawal australia real money casinos in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ontario, Canada, while also offering sports betting in six states through its 5 percent stake in FanDuel. The management agreement contributed significantly to Boyd’s record-breaking revenue of $3.9 billion in 2024, with management fees generating $88.4 million. Beyond Las Vegas, Boyd is also investing in a $750 million hotel-casino project in Norfolk, Virginia. Meanwhile, Joker’s Wild in Henderson will be replaced by a new casino, which will initially feature 450 slot machines and dining options.
The project also shows that newer Strip properties are not standing still while older resorts undergo major rebuilds. Caesars described the project as a complete renovation, with Vanderpump’s design influence extending across the rooms, reception area, casino and other public spaces. The company pays for the displays, then sells ad space and Caesars Entertainment gets rent or a piece of the ad revenue, plus placement of ads promoting its own amenities, of course. The $1.75 billion ballpark, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and HNTB, spans 1.2 million square feet with a fixed roof and massive operable wall facing the Strip for that postcard-perfect backdrop. This project isn’t just building a hotel; it’s composing the Strip’s next anthem, ensuring 2026 visitors hear the echoes of Hendrix amid the clink of slot machines. With tourism rebounding to record highs and investors betting big on the desert oasis, a wave of ambitious construction projects is reshaping the skyline.
“They come down to Fremont Street and spend about 3½ hours and visit about 3½ properties during that time. Victor, along with other panelists, talked about the state of gaming downtown and Las Vegas as a whole during their discussion. That unfortunately throttles capital projects that we would like to do – expansions and new buildings all get compromised.”
“With all the young people coming in, we have to stick to our history – we’ll be 83 this year,” Wiesberg said. The expansion will also include a Starbucks opening in June 2024 and a modern Asian food concept, Hot Noods by Chinglish, in early 2025. “We are thrilled to unveil our latest expansion project, which represents a significant milestone for El Cortez and the community of downtown Vegas,” CEO and Chairman Kenny Epstein said in the release. The Mirage Hotel & Casino, the property that launched the modern era of Las Vegas mega-resorts when it opened in 1989, has officially closed its doors. After going offline for renovations in February 2026, the 188-room boutique property at Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road has reopened as The Vanderpump Hotel, a Caesars Entertainment partnership with Lisa Vanderpump. Stay up to date with the latest casino openings, renovations, dining additions, and entertainment news from the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown, and beyond.
The race is no longer a brand-new attraction, but it continues to reshape the visitor experience around participating Strip resorts. Its 2026 entertainment slate includes appearances by Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Lopez. That lineup is more useful to travelers than vague talk of a secret film franchise or an unannounced technology upgrade. Its official 2026 show calendar includes the immersive presentation of The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, along with concert runs from the Backstreet Boys, Carín León, Eagles and Metallica. For ordinary vacation planning, this is a targeted upgrade rather than a property-wide transformation. Most guests will not be choosing between a standard room and a penthouse large enough to require its own supporting cast.
Sustainability nods include energy-efficient LED lighting along the guitar facade and water-recycling systems for landscaping. Entertainment hubs include a revamped 6,265-seat theater (up from 3,278), hosting residencies from A-listers like Maroon 5 or Imagine Dragons—echoing the Mirage’s Cirque du Soleil legacy but with a harder edge. The casino floor expands from 94,000 to 174,000 square feet, accommodating 2,500 slots and 170 table games under Hard Rock’s high-roller-friendly banner. Costs are estimated at over $1.5 billion, funded largely by the Seminoles’ gaming empire. A 660-foot guitar-shaped hotel tower, standing 40 stories tall and emblazoned with six illuminated “strings” that shoot laser beams skyward like a cosmic power chord.
Crews will expand the casino’s footprint by 10,000 square feet as part of the project, property representatives said. We are excited to continue to elevate the guest experience with these additions, ensuring every visit is filled with comfort, convenience and timeless hospitality.” The additions come a few years after the property spent $30 million to renovate its original 47 rooms along with renovations to its tower premium rooms, high limit room and casino floor bathrooms, resort officials said. One of downtown Las Vegas’ oldest casinos plans to make things new with a $20 million casino renovation.
With more gaming options available online, land-based casinos are continually updating their properties to keep players engaged. About MGM Grand Hotel & Casino MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, “The Entertainment Authority,” offers the ultimate Las Vegas experience with a variety of accommodations to serve every need and signature dining by top celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio, Wolfgang Puck, Joël Robuchon and Morimoto. This three-day Las Vegas itinerary trades nonstop casino time for iconic Strip attractions, Downtown history, immersive art, standout dining, live entertainment, and a desert adventure. Hard Rock Las Vegas, meanwhile, remains a major construction project rather than an open resort. Caesars Palace and The Cosmopolitan are upgrading accommodations guests can actually experience.