Clark County Approves 29-Story Heart-Shaped Resort on Former SkyVue Site

Clark County commissioners gave unanimous approval to plans for a new 752-room hotel-casino resort that will rise 29 stories on nearly 12 acres at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, and the project will occupy the long-vacant former SkyVue site directly across from Mandalay Bay. Developer Eli Applebaum through Kulik River Capital will construct the full resort which includes a casino floor, multiple restaurants, retail outlets, a pool deck, entertainment facilities, convention space, and a signature heart-shaped glass facade fitted with LED displays. The development reuses two existing concrete support columns left from the never-completed SkyVue observation wheel, turning them into the foundation for an elevated sky venue restaurant that will offer views along the Strip. The approval came after the developer submitted revisions that satisfied Federal Aviation Administration height limits, and the decision ends years of stalled activity on the property that had remained empty since the observation wheel project collapsed. Construction timelines now move forward with the project expected to add new lodging, gaming, and dining options in an area that has seen limited new resort activity in recent years.

Site History and Project Evolution

The south Strip parcel sat undeveloped for an extended period after the SkyVue wheel failed to materialize, leaving the two massive concrete columns as the only visible remnants of prior plans. Applebaum acquired the site and redesigned the concept around a heart-shaped architectural element that will serve as both a visual landmark and a functional facade integrated with digital displays. Those same columns will support the elevated restaurant, which reduces the need for new foundation work and incorporates existing infrastructure into the final build.

Commissioners reviewed updated drawings that lowered the overall height to meet FAA requirements for airspace safety near McCarran International Airport, and the adjustments cleared the last regulatory hurdle. The revised plan keeps the resort at 29 stories while maintaining the 752-room count and the full complement of amenities originally proposed.

Key Features of the Approved Resort

The casino floor will occupy a central position within the resort, while restaurants and retail space will line pedestrian areas designed to connect with the surrounding Strip environment. A pool complex and entertainment venues will provide additional attractions, and convention facilities will target group business that often seeks larger meeting spaces on the south end of the Strip. The heart-shaped glass facade with its LED system will create a distinctive nighttime presence visible from Mandalay Bay and points north along Las Vegas Boulevard.

The elevated sky venue restaurant built atop the reused SkyVue columns will offer a unique dining experience at height, and planners expect the feature to become a focal point for both hotel guests and visitors from nearby properties. All elements received approval in a single unanimous vote, which reflects alignment between the developer, county staff, adn federal aviation regulators.

Regulatory Process and Timeline

County planning staff worked with the developer over multiple months to address height, traffic, and infrastructure concerns before the matter reached the full commission. The FAA coordination focused on ensuring the structure would not interfere with flight paths, and the final design incorporates the required reductions without sacrificing the heart-shaped signature element or the room count. Once permits are issued, site preparation can begin on the long-dormant parcel, and the reuse of existing columns will accelerate certain phases of construction.

Observers note that the approval resolves a persistent gap in the south Strip skyline, and the project adds to the inventory of new hotel rooms and gaming space that the Las Vegas market continues to absorb. No specific opening date has been announced, yet the developer has indicated that work will proceed promptly now that county approval is secured.

Conclusion

The unanimous commission vote clears the path for a 752-room resort that will transform the former SkyVue site into an active hotel-casino destination featuring a heart-shaped LED facade, an elevated sky restaurant, and a complete range of gaming, dining, and convention amenities. By incorporating the existing concrete columns and satisfying FAA height limits, the project demonstrates how stalled developments can move forward when developers and regulators align on revised plans. The south Strip location across from Mandalay Bay positions the new resort to serve both leisure and business travelers seeking options in that corridor of Las Vegas Boulevard.