LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The long-stalled Fontainebleau resort project on Las Vegas Boulevard expects to be finally be completed.
Representatives from the Fontainebleau Development company, Koch Industries and Nevada leaders held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to make the announcement of construction work returning to the site.
"This is really a show that the renaissance of Las Vegas, we’re coming back," said Tick Segerblom, Clark County Commissioner representing District E. "Resorts World across the street just got finished, so it’s exciting and I think this time it’s really going to happen.”
The project is now said to have a construction schedule to be complete by the end of 2023 and open under the name Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
It first broke ground in 2007. It is finally back on the rails after a recession and a pandemic later, along with ownership complications. And the tax revenue from the finished product will help revitalize more than the north end of the Strip.
“Which we can then use for bonds and the redevelopment agency goes from here all the way down Maryland Parkway, all along Sahara," said Segerblom. "So, we’ll be able to build hopefully thousands of apartments and some mixed-use and hopefully some other really fun things.”
“We are grateful to have the opportunity to finish what we started and finally introduce the iconic Fontainebleau brand into one of the world’s largest hospitality destinations,” says Fontainebleau Development Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Soffer. “We have been extremely selective when it comes to expanding our brand. Las Vegas has always been our number one choice. We are excited to make this dream a reality.”
The 67-story unfinished blue-glass building has been hard to miss on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip over the years after going through several different names and failed previous construction plans.
Tuesday, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said there will be 6,000 permanent employees working at the Fontainebleau with about 3,300 construction jobs in the meantime.
“Without badmouthing it, it’s been a tremendous eyesore," said Segerblom. "It’s so big, you can’t miss it. You see the holes, the windows that are missing, and it’s just like, ‘Oh, my God, this represents old Las Vegas.’ And now, when it’s done, it’ll be the future. So, you couldn’t be more transformational and I’m so proud.”
