Category Archives: Architecture

Boston: Another agonizing delay; Loveman: Don’t worry, be happy

Posted on September 11, 2014 by David McKee

Just when it looked like the suspense would be ended over who’d get the Boston-area casino, the slow-moving Massachusetts Gaming Commission imposed another week’s delay on the process. Basically, commissioners want Wynn Resorts to do better than it has in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Genting, Harrah's, history, Marketing, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Transportation | Comments Off

Decision time in Boston

Posted on September 9, 2014 by David McKee

At last, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is taking up the Steve Wynn vs. Mohegan Sun battle for a Boston-area casino. Hearings began yesterday, with one round going to each challenger. Wynn Resorts surprisingly (given its reputation) lost the swimsuit competition, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Penn National, Racinos, Singapore, Steve Wynn | Comments Off

MGM courts Japan; More Strip land hits the market

Posted on September 5, 2014 by David McKee

Taking a veiled stab at Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International President William Hornbuckle said that a MGM megaresort in Japan would be “uniquely Japanese, not a copy of an integrated resort from Las Vegas or Singapore.” It … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, Entertainment, history, James Packer, Japan, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, Singapore, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off

Revel: A quiet death

Posted on September 3, 2014 by David McKee

“Gaming in Atlantic City isn’t dead, but it has to go on a crash diet to survive.” That’s the coroner’s verdict of the Newark Star-Ledger, in which former Atlantic Club worker Bill Terrigino adds his voice to the chorus that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Atlantic City, Illinois, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Revel, Sam Nazarian, Slot routes, The Strip, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 3 Comments

Narrow race in Massachusetts; Boffo biz in Alabama

Posted on September 2, 2014 by David McKee

No state that has ever approved casino gambling has repealed it in over 80 years. That being said, casinos are polling weakly in Massachusetts — with support hovering at 50% — and the opposition is getting cocky. A perversely worded … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Architecture, Economy, Election, Florida, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Regulation, Rhode Island, The Strip, Tribal | 1 Comment

Showboat, 1987-2014; Paris, 1999-????

Posted on September 2, 2014 by David McKee

In the end, the Showboat Atlantic City had a good run of it, lasting almost three decades on the Boardwalk. It succumbed, in part, to wounds inflicted by owner Caesars Entertainment, which cut into its customer base by building Harrah’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Harrah's, New York, Pennsylvania, Revel, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Sam’s Place

Posted on August 22, 2014 by David McKee

“The Sahara is gone. The SLS is here. Before long … we’ll only be talking about the SLS.” That was the Great & Powerful Harry Reid, administering a verbal beatdown to anyone still nostalgic for the Sahara. Reid’s dose of Tough … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Dining, Harry Reid, MGM Mirage, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn | 1 Comment

Revel’s 21 grand goof

Posted on August 21, 2014 by David McKee

Revel‘s high-speed shutdown is descending into farce. Its armored-car contractor, GardaWorld, managed to lose $21,000 of long green. How? They — no kidding — left a cash bag on top of the truck. Security footage shows the cash still precariously … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Harrah's, Mississippi, Racinos, Revel, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Cali Tribe goes rogue and other Case Bets

Posted on August 19, 2014 by David McKee

Legislative inaction be damned, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel is going ahead with Internet poker. It’s already got a free play site but plans to go live with the real deal perhaps as early as next week. Isn’t that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Dining, Election, Entertainment, International, MGM Mirage, Transportation, Tribal | 1 Comment

MGM’s comeback; Packer’s presumption

Posted on August 12, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International is feeling optimistic about getting back into Atlantic City (at a time when so many are getting out), to the point of talking about it publicly. “Borgata continues to be the market leader. We’re pretty excited to be able … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Genting, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Macau, MGM Mirage, New York, Pansy Ho, Regulation, Singapore, Stanley Ho, The Strip | 3 Comments

The Macanese squeeze

Posted on August 5, 2014 by David McKee

“Everyone has got dealers and waitresses and cooks and housekeeping and we all got them from the same place … what do you think is going to happen 18 months from now? Exactly the same thing.” That’s the sound of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Current, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

MGM beats the Street; The wrath of Loveman

Posted on August 5, 2014 by David McKee

Not only did MGM Resorts International swing from a loss to a profit in 2Q14, its revenues exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. Analyst consensus foresaw $0.10/share in earnings and MGM delivered more than twice that. Revenues at every MGM property were … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Detroit, Harrah's, Illinois, Macau, Maryland, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

A Grand weekend

Posted on August 4, 2014 by David McKee

Thanks to the missus’ connections, we were able to swing a brief stay at the Downtown Grand last weekend. The liveliness of the atmosphere was at just the right level, not Fremont Street-manic. There are certain inherent design flaws that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, history | 1 Comment

MGM’s urban renewal; Ruffin rides again

Posted on August 4, 2014 by David McKee

Despite an atmosphere of uncertainty in Massachusetts, executives at MGM Resorts International are putting their faith in a November victory at the ballot box. They’ve closed on the purchase of two tornado-damaged buildings, the Springfield State Armory (shown) and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Economy, Election, Kansas, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Phil Ruffin, Racinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Too much amount of wrong; Big deal in Boston

Posted on July 9, 2014 by David McKee

Ownership at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has apparently lost its appetite for charmingly off-kilter variety show Vegas Nocturne. The show is not only rumored to be closing at the Cosmo but SLS Las Vegas has been mooted as its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Harrah's, Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, Sam Nazarian, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Goodbye, Harmon, we never knew ye

Posted on June 23, 2014 by David McKee

It’s that long-awaited time: The demolition of the Harmon Hotel, which holds the ignominious distinction of the first Strip hotel demolished without ever hosting a single guest. This $11.5 million sidewalk show will leave an awkward void next to Crystals. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off

Getting it up in Philadelphia

Posted on June 18, 2014 by David McKee

Joseph “Tomato King” Procacci‘s proposed LoSo Entertainment Center, would-be home to Casino Revolution (2,400 slots, 105 tables) has “initiated discussions” with U.S. Thrill Rides about building a 615-foot observation tower as part of the project. That’d be 10 feet taller … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Harrah's, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Politics, Tomato King Procacci, Tourism | 1 Comment

Making MGM Springfield happen; Dinner with Isaacs

Posted on June 12, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Springfield is shaping up as the most architecturally interesting casino project not only in Massachusetts but the nation as a whole, a charming mix of the new and the old. The company had been planning a few nods to … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Detroit, Dubai, history, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Scientific Games, Shuffle Master, Wall Street | Comments Off

Case Bets for a Monday morning

Posted on June 2, 2014 by David McKee

Because Vegas is starved for retail along the Strip (ha!), Caesars Entertainment has been beavering away busily on Grand Bazaar Shops, in front of Bally’s Las Vegas. Vital Vegas has been sussing out the progress of the mall and it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Derek Stevens, Entertainment, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Mohegan Sun, Revel, The Strip | Comments Off

The SLS saga

Posted on May 29, 2014 by David McKee

This is all very well and good — but enough with that “north is the new south claim.” It’s presumptuous and (let’s face it) SLS Las Vegas is no Bellagio.

Posted in Architecture, MGM Mirage, Sam Nazarian | Comments Off