The Fontainebleau, famous for its iconic establishment in Miami, finally inaugurated its Las Vegas hotel-casino on December 13. After a 23-year wait and a tumultuous development history, the €3.3 billion luxury resort promises an unparalleled experience. The spectacular opening was marked by performances by Justin Timberlake, Keith Urban and Paul Anka, attracting the likes of Kim Kardashian and Lenny Kravitz.
After the opening of the legendary namesake establishment in Miami (a filming location for movies like Goldfinger and Scarface…), the brand inspired by the famous French castle arrives in Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, December 13, the most anticipated hotel in the United States, Fontainebleau, finally opened its doors on the famous Las Vegas Strip. After 23 years of anticipation and 16 years of construction, this luxury complex, costing 3.3 billion euros, promises a unique experience for its guests with its modern and flamboyant architecture. A development set to rejuvenate the northern sector of Las Vegas.
Ben Novack, the developer of the historic Fontainebleau Miami Beach Club built in 1954, chose the name after visiting the castle of the same name in the southeast of Paris in the 1950s. He was deeply moved by the experience and the beauty of the palace.
Turbulent opening
Fontainebleau Development’s CEO, Jeffrey Soffer, acquired Fontainebleau in 2000 and revealed plans in 2005 to open the complex in Las Vegas. Construction began in 2007 but was halted the following year due to the economic recession. Following this pause, billionaire Carl Icahn took possession of the partially constructed building in 2010 for $150 million.
In 2017, the still-unoccupied building was sold for $600 million to real estate investment firms Witkoff and New Valley. Initial plans to open it as “Drew” in 2022 were largely abandoned due to challenges posed by the pandemic. To bring closure, Soffer and his team reclaimed the building in 2021, in collaboration with Koch Real Estate Investments partners. Thus, after a 12-year hiatus, construction resumed, leading to the official opening on December 13. Fontainebleau Las Vegas spans nearly 25 hectares, adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center District West Hall.
“I believe this will be the last hotel to open its doors for a very long time,” said Colleen Birch, the hotel’s Chief Operating Officer. “I think Vegas needs an interesting place, filled with warm, friendly members capable of establishing relationships. And we are doing it well.”
Luxury at every level
Establishing a hotel in the fiercely competitive luxury sector in Las Vegas required strategic decisions. Fontainebleau stands out with its imposing size, featuring 36 restaurants, 3,644 rooms, and 76 suites named “Fleur de Lis.” These suites, located on the top five floors of the 67-story tower, make Fontainebleau the tallest building in Las Vegas. Inside, refinement prevails, offering amenities such as billiard tables, wellness rooms, and custom Italian bedding.
“We are proud to say that Fleur de Lis is a masterpiece, with meaning behind every detail and design choice,” stated Brett Mufson, President of Fontainebleau Development.
Luxury extends to services with access to valet service, personal concierge, and butlers. Rates start at $5,000 per night for a suite and $480 per night for a standard room. Among the renowned chefs and restaurateurs integral to Fontainebleau are Gabriela Cámara (Cantina Contramar), Masa Ito and Kevin Kim (Ito), Alan Yau (Washing Potato and Chyna Club), Evan Funke (Mother Wolf), David Grutman (Papi Steak), and Josh Capon (Capon’s Burgers).
In addition to luxurious amenities, Fontainebleau offers a spa with 44 treatment rooms and six pools spread across a terrace of one and a half hectares.
With 1,300 slot machines, 128 table games, and 550,000 square meters of space for conferences and meetings, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas casino offers an unparalleled experience. Moreover, Las Vegas-worthy shows are also on the agenda, with rapper Post Malone inaugurating the “BleauLive Theater,” a 3,800-seat venue, on December 30 and 31. Other artists are expected to follow, contributing to the city’s exceptional allure where anything is possible.
Spectacular opening
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Featured photo : ©Fontainebleau Las Vegas
