This question was posed by a reader following a recent QoD we ran in response to a reader who thought they'd seen construction activity at the site. We went along in person to check on the status and confirmed that they were mistaken and had probably seen either some maintenance trucks in action, or else the building of a temporary party zone for a high roller on an adjacent lot. However, we were informed by a usually reliable source that the windows had been falling out, a fact that we related in that answer in good faith.
The building has been standing derelict -- and is showing considerable evidence of rust -- for so long that we'd ceased monitoring its inevitable and somewhat depressing attrition. However, we placed a call to architect and KNPR-FM commentator Robert Fielden, owner of Henderson-based RAFI, a local planning and urban-design firm, to get the lowdown on the glazing situation. His response? "I think that they weren't all put in," he said of the windows. "I think the site was closed down before that process was completed."
Project funding was yanked in March 2009 by bank of America and other lenders, causing construction to slowly grind to a halt. As of the subsequent June, the building still hadn't been wrapped. "Open areas of the project, such as areas where windows haven't been installed, will need to be wrapped," reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal. This was not done.
By contrast, Boyd Gaming was able to wind down its Echelon project in a timely manner, and Caesars Entertainment finished the outside of its Octavius Tower before putting the building on hold for several years, while Venetian threw a painted wrap over its St Regis project to protect the unfinished building, as well as thoughtfully removing yet one more depressing reminder from the skyline. Much of Fontainebleau, by contrast, stands open to the elements,
As for windows plummeting from the tower, however, "If there was a problem, the county would be screaming about it," Fielden says. We heard no screaming when we called Clark County Public Information Officer, Dan Kulin. He checked around and found nary a report of falling glass, so it seems that our "spies" had perhaps had one cocktail too many, a point upon which we will be challenging them when next our paths cross, as we hate to broadcast misinformation.
Kulin did, however, have this message for LVA readers: "If by any chance you do see windows, or any other debris, falling from this or any other unfinished building, please report it immediately."
