Category Archives: Architecture

Leven leaving, Adelson staying

Posted on May 23, 2014 by David McKee

In a less-than-shocking turn of events, Las Vegas Sands President Michael Leven has announced his retirement, effective the end of this year. Let the speculation over his successor commence! President of Global Gaming Operations Rob Goldstein would seem the obvious choice … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Harrah's, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off

Skepticism in Atlantic City; Hope in Schenectady

Posted on May 21, 2014 by David McKee

Hard Rock International has decided to stop being coy about its interest in Revel Resort. It wants it … if the price is right. “We certainly looked at it. We participated in the process,” said Hard Rock CEO James Allen. “The question … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Louisiana, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pinnacle Entertainment, Revel, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts | 1 Comment

After Adelson … what then?; Hope in Springfield

Posted on May 20, 2014 by David McKee

One of the issues that has buzzed around Las Vegas Sands like a shoo-fly is the lack of a line of succession. President/COO Michael Leven was superannuated when he took the job at, at age 76, isn’t getting younger. According … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Detroit, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Sheldon Adelson, Sports, The Strip | Comments Off

MGM National Harbor: Icon or overkill? You decide

Posted on May 9, 2014 by David McKee

MGM Resorts International‘s National Harbor project literally hasn’t gotten off the drawing board and yet it’s already stirring controversy. The beef mainly involves five oversized LED screens, the largest of which would be 60 by 100 feet. MGM has similar … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Environment, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology | 1 Comment

Up, up and away … slowly

Posted on May 7, 2014 by David McKee

I’ve been putting off writing about riding the Vegas High Roller. Not because it isn’t a powerful new icon for the Las Vegas Strip (it is). Not because the ride isn’t smooth as silk. (It is.) And not because Caesars … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, California, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Wynn speaks … and speaks

Posted on May 2, 2014 by David McKee

With a dustup with George Clooney still making headlines and a quarterly reporting emerging, Steve Wynn could be expected to be in an expansive mood. He did not disappoint. Ironically, Wynn’s comments about people who “live in a very strange … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, International, Japan, Macau, Steve Wynn, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Selective outrage at Mandalay Bay; Tough call in Delaware

Posted on April 30, 2014 by David McKee

Mandalay Bay, which hosts Los Angeles Clippers pre-season play, and which advertises during Clippers games is out of the picture … for now. Although the NBA has banned unspeakably vile Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league, Mandalay Bay is … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cretins, Delaware, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Racinos, Sports, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 29, 2014 by David McKee

“These resorts are very inward-facing. They were designed to try to be provocative, to get people inside and have them stay as long as possible. By opening up these resorts, by creating a much more porous environment with outdoor and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off

MGM’s inspiring, new vision

Posted on April 28, 2014 by David McKee

I’m digging the architecture but what’s with the softcore-porn music? MGM Resorts International has released a new tranche of details on The Park, its mega-project (and substitute for extending CityCenter) that seems to progress in almost imperceptible steps. While CEO … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Racinos, The Strip | 2 Comments

Much ado about Massachusetts

Posted on April 18, 2014 by David McKee

Stephen Crosby, phlegmatic chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, makes a very unlikely looking lightning rod. But such he has become. He’s already drawn the wrath of Gary Loveman and now Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh wants Crosby to recuse … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Foxwoods, Harrah's, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Racinos, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tribal | Comments Off

Mr. Leven, your tinfoil hat is ready

Posted on April 14, 2014 by David McKee

Given the chance to make some friends and influence people in Washington, D.C., instead Las Vegas Sands COO Michael Leven chose to spit in their eye. He made the rather wild claim that the present administration wants legalized Internet gambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Internet gambling, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

SLS makes a believer

Posted on April 10, 2014 by David McKee

It took a while but SLS Las Vegas has made a believer of me. The hotel crossed the Rubicon this past Tuesday when it began taking reservations. It also trotted out a handsome new Web site, one which gives an … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, Reno, Sahara, Sam Nazarian, The Strip | 1 Comment

Meet Derek Stevens

Posted on March 18, 2014 by David McKee

Posted in Architecture, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Marketing | Comments Off

New York’s challenge; History repeats itself as farce

Posted on March 13, 2014 by David McKee

Wasting no time, the New York State Gaming Commission appointed three experienced public servants to the Resort Gaming Facility Location Board and gave them a June deadline to accept bids. That’s light speed compared to Massachusetts. It also overshadowed something … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Economy, International, New Hampshire, New York, Racinos, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wisconsin | Comments Off

China: Hands off Hainan

Posted on March 7, 2014 by David McKee

China dealt a severe blow to the hopes of Big Gaming this week, declaring the island of Hainan off-limits for gambling. “We cannot at all allow Hainan to operate casinos,” declared resident Communist Party strongman Luo Baoming. This cannot have … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Charity, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Kansas, Macau, MGM Mirage, Phil Ruffin, Sports, Stanley Ho | 1 Comment

Penn, Cordish ready to rumble in Massachusetts, New York

Posted on February 25, 2014 by David McKee

It seems just yesterday that applicants for slot parlor licensees were kicking the tires in Massachusetts and that Suffolk Downs threw its hat into the racino ring. And here we are today, with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission beginning deliberations on … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cordish Co., Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun, New York, Penn National, Politics, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off

Nugget strikes gold; Hailing Caesars

Posted on February 25, 2014 by David McKee

One casino’s misery is another’s good fortune. The Golden Nugget in Atlantic City says it’s being swamped with new business ever since Caesars Entertainment and Tropicana Entertainment conspired to the euthanize the Atlantic Club. According to General Manager Tom Pohlman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Delaware, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Taxes, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment | 1 Comment

Keeping up with the Joneses

Posted on February 17, 2014 by David McKee

Long a money pit for the Saulte Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Greektown Casino in downtown Detroit is now owner Dan Gilbert‘s problem. A smoky warren of gambling spaces, the original layout is a clusterf**k that warrants Greektown’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Dan Gilbert, Detroit, International, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Problem gambling, Revel, Rhode Island, Sports | Comments Off

Battle of Sands widens

Posted on February 13, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands‘ Web sites remain “under maintenance,” as the company reels from a vast and invasive cyber-attack. In addition to the FBI, the Secret Service has taken an interest in the matter. The assault is a boon for third-party … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Politics, Problem gambling, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off

Pathbreaker

Posted on February 6, 2014 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ history is incomplete without any mention of Paul Revere Williams, the pathbreaking ‘architect to the stars’ who designed some of Sin City’s most iconic non-casino buildings.

Posted in Architecture, history, The Strip | Comments Off