Clark County Commissioners Approve 29-Story Heart-Shaped Casino Resort on Former SkyVue Las Vegas Strip Site

Clark County commissioners voted unanimously to approve plans for a new 752-room, 29-story hotel-casino resort on nearly 12 acres at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, and the project will occupy the former SkyVue site directly across from Mandalay Bay. Developer Eli Applebaum through Kulik River Capital will construct a full casino floor along with restaurants, retail outlets, a pool area, entertainment facilities, convention space, and a signature heart-shaped glass facade equipped with an LED display system. The approval came after the developer made revisions to satisfy FAA height restrictions while the plan also reuses two existing concrete support columns from the earlier SkyVue observation wheel project to support an elevated sky venue restaurant.

Site History and Long-Stalled Development

The property remained vacant for years after the SkyVue observation wheel initiative collapsed, leaving two massive concrete columns standing unused on the parcel. Observers note that the stalled site drew repeated attention from county officials seeking to reactivate underutilized land along the Strip corridor. The new proposal incorporates those columns into the design, converting them into structural elements for the sky venue restaurant that will sit above the main resort level. Data from county records shows the parcel had sat idle since the wheel project ended, and the current approval resolves that extended period of inactivity.

Project Components and Design Features

The resort will span multiple amenities across its footprint, including a casino floor sized for gaming operations, multiple dining venues, retail shopping areas, a swimming pool complex, dedicated entertainment spaces, and convention meeting rooms. The heart-shaped glass facade stands out as the most visible architectural element, complete with programmable LED lighting that will face the Strip and surrounding properties. Those who've reviewed the submitted plans indicate the facade will serve both aesthetic and functional purposes by integrating digital displays for promotions and guest information. The elevated sky venue restaurant will utilize the repurposed SkyVue columns, creating an open-air dining option positioned above the primary resort structures.

Regulatory Review and FAA Adjustments

Commissioners reviewed the application through multiple public meetings before granting final approval, and the developer submitted updated height and lighting specifications to align with Federal Aviation Administration requirements. The revisions addressed potential impacts on nearby flight paths while preserving the overall 29-story massing and the prominent facade design. County documentation reveals that the project now complies with all applicable aviation safety standards following those modifications. The unanimous vote reflects agreement among commissioners that the updated plans meet both regulatory and community development goals for the south Strip area.

Economic and Development Context

Local planning records show the new resort will add 752 guest rooms to the Las Vegas inventory at a time when operators continue to expand capacity along the Strip. The inclusion of convention space and entertainment venues aligns with broader patterns of mixed-use development that combine lodging, gaming, and public assembly areas. According to the World Casino Directory report on the approval, construction timelines and financing details remain subject to further permitting steps. The project also positions the site for renewed activity after years of limited progress, supporting county objectives for active land use along major corridors.

Next Steps in Development Process

Following the commission vote, the developer will advance through remaining permitting stages with Clark County and other agencies before breaking ground. Construction schedules will depend on final approvals for building permits, utility connections, and any additional environmental reviews. The reuse of existing concrete columns offers a practical advantage by reducing certain foundation requirements while maintaining structural integrity for the sky venue component. Industry analysts tracking Strip projects note that similar adaptive reuse elements have appeared in other recent approvals, though each case undergoes individual evaluation.

Conclusion

The unanimous approval marks a clear step forward for the long-dormant SkyVue parcel and establishes a defined path for the 29-story resort with its distinctive heart-shaped facade. All elements from the casino floor through the convention facilities now carry formal county endorsement, provided the developer maintains compliance with the revised FAA height parameters. The project will proceed under the direction of Eli Applebaum and Kulik River Capital, with construction expected to begin once remaining permits are secured.