Fontainebleau to Unveil $37 Billion Las Vegas Hotel Project

The United States has a renowned hotel company that is making progress towards the completion of a remarkable $3.7-billion resort in Las Vegas. Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a resort that has been in development for 23 years, will soon join its sister property, Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The latter, a sprawling and iconic landmark, was established in 1954 and is widely recognized as America's original destination resort.

The Las Vegas outpost is scheduled to open on December 13th, occupying 25 acres at the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, located between the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sahara. Its impressive, gleaming façade will be visible from the Formula One car race circuit that will take place in Sin City next month.

In a city known for its grand spectacles, the arrival of this hotel is a significant event. Fontainebleau brings considerable prestige with its well-known name and holds the distinction of being the first new resort to open on the Strip since Resorts World in 2021.

The 3,644-room resort is the result of a 23-year journey for Jeffrey Soffer, Chairman and CEO of Fontainebleau Developments, who purchased the land in 2000. Construction on the hotel began in 2007 but was halted the following year due to the Great Recession. For 12 years, the partially completed building stood as a stark reminder of the consequences of overdevelopment. However, just before the pandemic, a series of deals reignited the project. Soffer and Fontainebleau Development, in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments, regained ownership of the property in 2021 and committed to completing what they had started.

A rendering of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas' Monogram Suite shows off high style for high-rollers.

Courtesy Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Posh suites for high-rollers

According to an exclusive report obtained by CNN Travel, Fontainebleau Las Vegas promises to offer a new level of elegance with its high-end suites. Collectively known as Fontainebleau Fleur de Lis, these 76 suites will be located on the top five floors of the 67-story tower. As the tallest occupiable building in the state, they will provide breathtaking views of the Strip and the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Some of the suites offer additional features such as billiards tables, wellness rooms, and luxurious Italian bedding. According to Brett Mufson, President of Fontainebleau Development, the Fleur de Lis collection provides a personalized "six-star experience" that aims to make every guest feel at home while they are away.

According to CNN, Fleur de Lis is an exceptional work of art, carefully crafted with intention and purpose in every aspect. The anticipation is high as guests eagerly await the opportunity to experience what we have created for them.

The Fleur de Lis suites are available in various sizes, ranging from 1,000 square feet to the epitome of opulence: the grand 10,000-square-foot penthouse. Designed by renowned London-based firm, David Collins Studio, these spaces boast soaring ceilings and pay homage to the iconic mid-century modern Fontainebleau Miami Beach through their thoughtful design choices.

The top 50 hotels for 2023 worldwide have been unveiled. As an illustration, all the suites and various areas throughout the resort showcase the distinctive bowtie design created by the original architect, Morris Lapidus, for this Florida establishment.

"We understood the importance of paying homage to the original site while infusing fresh and innovative elements into the design," explained Simon Rawlings, the chief creative officer at the David Collins Studio. "By seamlessly integrating icons and symbols that embody the brand's rich history and genuine character, every detail in the design tells a story."

In addition, Mufson emphasized that Fleur de Lis guests can enjoy personalized services such as valet and concierge assistance for arranging tickets and dinner reservations. They will also have access to butlers who can assist in finding the most comfortable pillows and ensuring relaxing baths, among other services.

Published rates for Fleur de Lis suites start at $5,000 per night, while regular rooms start at $300 per night.

Designed by the London-based David Collins Studio, the suites feature design nods to the original mid-century modern Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

Courtesy Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Redefining food and beverage

Fontainebleau Las Vegas also is taking an unconventional approach to its 36 restaurants and bars.

The resort has partnered with Groot Hospitality to bring LIV nightclub, Komodo and Papi Steak restaurants from Fontainebleau Miami Beach to the desert, in larger formats perfect for Las Vegas. Other concepts in the resorts collection feature renowned chefs such as Masa Ito, Kevin Kim, Evan Funke, Alan Yau, and David Rodolitz.

Most notably, Cantina Contramar, a restaurant set to open in 2024, will unite three highly acclaimed women in the Mexican culinary and creative communities: chef Gabriela Cámara, architect Frida Escobedo, and Tequila Casa Dragones founder and the first female maestra tequilera, Bertha González Nieves. The cantina will also feature a Casa Dragones tasting room, a first for Las Vegas.

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This unconventional approach to food and beverage is undoubtedly generating a buzz. Al Mancini, the mind behind Neon Feast, a restaurant guide and app, believes that the Fontainebleau strategy has the potential to revolutionize the local food scene.

"We have yet to sample any cuisine, but it becomes particularly intriguing when a fresh-faced contender seeks to collaborate with individuals who are not deeply rooted in the culinary world of Las Vegas," stated Mancini, who spent two decades as a local food critic before launching Neon Feast in 2022. "At the very least, [Fontainebleau] will introduce high-end gastronomy to the strip's northern reach, a development that will prove advantageous to all."

The long-planned resort is set to open in Las Vegas in December.

Courtesy Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Other highlights

There will be other standout elements of Fontainebleau Las Vegas as well.

One example is the Lapis Spa, a 55,000-square-foot spa designed by Lissoni & Partners, based in Milan. Taking inspiration from the Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the Las Vegas location includes 44 treatment rooms, a salt cave for purification, an infrared sauna for healing, separate hydrotherapy lounges for men and women, and a communal sensory room with healing waters. Additionally, the spa lighting is designed to mimic the natural lighting outside, adjusting to the time of day.

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Fontainebleau Las Vegas has been making waves in the entertainment industry with its recent bookings. The resort recently announced that Post Malone will be performing at the 3,800-seat BleauLive Theater on December 30 and 31.

According to Mufson, Fontainebleau plans to work with other artists for shorter runs of shows, ranging from two to eight performances. This is a departure from the current trend in Las Vegas of signing performers to long-term residencies. It is a nod to the past, when legendary figures like the Rat Pack and Elvis would come to Fontainebleau Miami Beach for one or two shows at a time.

The greatest asset of Fontainebleau Las Vegas may be its unique combination of being a new hotel with a rich history. In a city known for its excitement and showmanship, the blend of elegance and significance is sure to be a resounding success. Matt Villano, a writer and editor based in Northern California, has been writing about Las Vegas since 2003.