The Fontainebleau Las Vegas has passed all four of its appearances before the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), according to local reports in the Nevada Independent and Las Vegas Review-Journal, and has earned a gaming license for its planned December 13 opening.
Construction on the property began in 2007, and after a (long) pause due to financial issues, Fontainebleau Development will debut its second resort, but first with a casino element.
Fontainebleau CEO Jeff Soffer said, “It's been a long time and [the Fontainebleau] has been talked about through the years.” He added that the most recent hearing “marks a pivotal milestone” in the property’s 16-year journey, and that the team is “deeply appreciative of the trust and confidence that commission members have placed [on the resort].”
The development was previously recommended by the NGCB in early November, following which it began taking reservations for some of its restaurants.
President Mark Tricano, who will be featured in Gaming America’s January/February magazine, said, “The building has been there for so long. We really want to make a splash in the market.”
The resort has cost developers over $3.7bn and originally lost its backers when it was around 70% constructed in June 2009. Two different ownerships followed, though eventually, Soffer was able to reacquire the property in 2021.
The hotel spans 25 acres and will operate independently, without a partner company such as Hilton or Marriott. Red Rock Resorts was licensed to supply Fontainebleau’s sportsbook technology; however, the staff will be made up of Fontainebleau employees and STN Sports will not be part of its branding.
A black-tie reception will precede its public opening. Musical performer Post Malone is also planned to headline the BleauLive Theater for the Fontainebleau’s first New Year's Eve weekend celebrations on December 30 and 31.
