Clark County Approves Heart-Shaped Resort Tower at Former SkyVue Site

Clark County commissioners gave unanimous approval to a 752-room hotel-casino resort that will rise 29 stories on the long-vacant SkyVue observation wheel site, and the decision clears the way for redevelopment of nearly 12 acres directly across from Mandalay Bay on the south Las Vegas Strip. Developer Eli Applebaum of Kulik River Capital will incorporate the site's existing concrete support columns into an elevated sky venue restaurant while wrapping the tower in a heart-shaped glass facade that features a prominent LED display. The project also includes a casino floor along with restaurants, retail outlets, entertainment facilities, convention space, a pool deck, and structured parking, all of which will occupy the parcel that has sat idle after earlier development plans stalled. The approval process moved forward once the developer reduced the tower height to secure Federal Aviation Administration clearance, and commissioners reviewed the revised plans during their regular meeting. Observers note that the site has seen multiple stalled proposals over the years, yet this version advances because it reuses existing structural elements and meets current height restrictions near McCarran International Airport. The resulting design keeps the building at 29 stories while still delivering substantial guest capacity and amenities that align with south Strip demand.

Site History and Redevelopment Context

The former SkyVue location remained undeveloped for an extended period after the observation wheel project ended, leaving the concrete columns in place and creating a visible gap in the Strip skyline. Those columns now form the foundation for the elevated restaurant, which will sit above the casino and retail areas and offer views across the resort corridor. People familiar with the parcel point out that the nearly 12-acre footprint provides enough space for surface and structured parking while accommodating the full program of casino, dining, and convention functions without requiring additional land acquisition.

Design Elements and Amenities

Applebaum's plan centers on the distinctive heart-shaped glass facade that will serve as both an architectural signature and a large-scale LED canvas for exterior messaging. Inside the tower, the 752 rooms will occupy the upper floors while ground-level and podium spaces house the casino floor, multiple restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. Convention facilities and the pool deck round out the guest offerings, and the entire complex connects through internal circulation that links parking directly to the main resort areas. The elevated sky venue restaurant reuses the original concrete supports, reducing new foundation work and preserving the engineering already completed on site.

Regulatory Steps and FAA Coordination

Before commissioners voted, the developer coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to adjust the building height and obtain the necessary airspace approval. That adjustment satisfied concerns about flight paths serving the adjacent airport while still allowing a 29-story structure that fits the scale of neighboring resorts. Clark County planning staff reviewed traffic, zoning, and infrastructure impacts, and the unanimous commission vote reflects agreement that the project meets all current land-use requirements for the south Strip entertainment district. The process also addressed the long-standing vacancy by requiring a construction timeline that moves the site from dormant land to active development within a defined period.

Project Components and Integration

The casino floor will occupy a central position within the podium, surrounded by restaurants and retail that open onto both interior and exterior spaces. Entertainment facilities and convention space sit adjacent to the main gaming area, while the pool deck provides an elevated outdoor amenity for hotel guests. Parking structures wrap the rear of the property, keeping vehicle access separate from pedestrian flows along the Strip frontage. The heart-shaped facade and LED display create a visual anchor visible from Mandalay Bay and points north, and the sky venue restaurant will operate as a distinct destination that capitalizes on the retained structural columns.

Timeline and Next Phases

With approvals secured, Kulik River Capital can proceed to final engineering and permitting steps before groundbreaking. The design team continues to refine interior layouts and facade detailing, while coordination with utility providers ensures the site receives adequate power, water, and data infrastructure. Construction is expected to follow standard Strip timelines once permits are issued, and the project will add a new 29-story resort option to the south end of the corridor where several other properties have undergone recent upgrades.

Conclusion

The unanimous Clark County approval marks a concrete step toward filling a long-vacant parcel with a 752-room resort that reuses existing foundations and meets federal height limits. The heart-shaped glass facade, sky venue restaurant, and full complement of casino, dining, retail, and convention facilities will reshape the nearly 12-acre site across from Mandalay Bay. Observers note that the project now moves into detailed design and permitting, bringing renewed activity to a south Strip location that has awaited redevelopment for several years.