News is that Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic Airlines is considering the building of a London-Themed casino just south of Mandalay Bay. He has been in town looking things over and checking on the possiblities. Guess since Virgin Airlines now has service to LV, he wants to sleep in his own casino.

Doesn't Circus-Circus own a good deal of land South of Mandalay Bay?

jm

Jeff,

Wasn't that once called the Milennium Mile or something similar. I, too, thought MBG (once Circus,Circus) owned it. I read where Branson would possibly enter into a partnership agreement as he is not experienced in running a casino. Maybe that agreement will be with MBG.

Beth

Beth,

I don't rememebr hearing that name but I do recall hearing that MBG owned a good deal of land South of Mandalay bay. I even think I remember hearing ideas for a couple more resorts down there.

Maybe you're right that it will be some sort of combined effort with MBG running things.

jm

Jeff,

I stand corrected. I did some checking and the name was the MASTERPLAN MILE. MBG owns another 65 acres that complete the main stretch of the Las Vegas Strip. Otherwise put, Mandalay owns all of the property that can be developed on the Strip's south end.

They say the historical cost is about $1 million per acre. Going rates for prime land these days probably start at $5 million. Mandalay feels this acreage will give them growth opportunities for years to come as customer demand warrants. Just a few months ago they said the land was not necessarily open for sale. We all know how that can change in the "blink of an eye".

Beth

Beth,

That's a good chunk of real estate. I think I'll see if the Clark County Auditor has their plat maps on the net. I'd like to see exactly where that runs. I kind of wonder if you can build a hotel right at the end of the runways?

jm

Beth,

Where will it all end? I keep saying they will have too many rooms and the rates will go so low we can visit once a month! Only thing is I've been saying that for years now!!! Every time I read about Vegas the tourist crowds get bigger? I think the Senator may have a point there. Get off the plane and walk to the casino at the end of the runway<G>TTYL.
Bob NY.

PS.Have you been getting my E-mails?? Let me know.

I also thought that with all the hotel rooms that rates would stay low. But they seem to have stayed fairly high. Also, the price of a comped room has gone up at most of the strip properties. They seem to require more play now to get your room comped. This one has me puzzled.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum and Entertainment, Attractions and Sightseeing Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John,
It's what ever the market will bare.
If they are still selling rooms at the higher prices, they can also afford to let some of them go empty too. My guess is, they will continue to rise as long as new casino's keep opening and give reason to make a visit to the ever changing Las Vegas. But if the openings slow down or stop, the prices will drop off, and they will again try to lure the value minded traveler back to Las vegas. M2C

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

I'm surprised anyone would want to build south of Mandalay Bay. Wouldn't a hotel in the direct line of the runways be awfully noisy?

Mike,

Maybe they'll use that particular aspect of the location for a "six-minute wonder" to attract tourists. "Hey, look real planes!" I'm sure someone could come up with a pretty good scheme to make it work for the casino.

Beth

Have any of you Las Vegas locals heard anymore on the plans or future building of the London-Themed Casino south of Mandalay Bay? Seems as though the subject died once it was announced.

Wonder if Richard Branson has been seen around town lately.

Beth

Interesting topic here!

Only 20 years ago they were saying that they would not expand Las Vegas any further due to the water problem.

They claimed that there wasn't enough water to suppor further expansion.

And that was 20 uyears ago!

But now they're building homes for sharks!

It's also very interesting to note that it looks like a major portion of the vacant land south of Mandalay Bay is already ready for development at a moment's notice.

Have you walked through that long hallway that leads from the Mandalay Bay Casino to the Shark Exhibit? Have you stopped to look around and wonder why that shark tank is built so far away from the casino?

I don't think that there is any county ordinance saying that the sharks have to be so many feet away from the customers, but I think it was built way out there at the border of the property line so that it can be immediately connected to the next casino development.

They have a lot more room to expand before they interfere with the runway and even then, they'll just move the runway.

Are you aware that the major housing area on the east side of the airport has been abandoned and ready for the bulldozer?

Maybe the airport is planning to move tomarrow!

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will800