There's been talk for years of Donald Trump moving in on the Las Vegas market and that vision may be getting closer. Partnering with Phil Ruffin, the owner of the New Frontier on the Strip, he plans to build a $350 million, 60-story high-end condominium and call it Trump Tower Las Vegas.
The proposed non-gaming development would sit just off the Strip behind the New Frontier and near the expanding Fashion Show mall with a soon-to-open Nordstrom. It would also sit near Steve Wynn's planned $1.63-billion Le Reve mega-resort.
The 300 units would cost about $1.5 million each. The pre-sale of the condominium units is expected to begin by the end of this year. Construction will start some time in 2003 and the opening should be in late 2004 or 2005.
The 600-foot structure would be desert city's version of his Trump Towers in midtown Manhattan and would become the second-tallest building in the city next to the Stratosphere's 1,149-foot tower.
Ruffin is also working on a joint venture to build a $750 to $800 million casino resort project just north of the New Frontier where the Silver Slipper once stood. The San Francisco-themed City by the Bay would be a 1,200 to 1,500-room upscale resort. It would break ground in early 2003, and could open by 2005.
The Latin bombshell, Charo, will open her international revue "Bravo" in the Congo Room at the Sahara on May 6. Due to prior commitments, her show will be dark on May 14 and 15. Tickets for her show start at $44.95 plus taxes and service charge, call 702-737-2515.
Stand-up comedy actor Johnny Dark will headline the Riviera Comedy Club for a week beginning on Monday, May 13. He'll be joined by Nicole Robinson, who is currently featured as Margaret, secretary to Leo, on the Emmy award winning "West Wing," and comedy actor Martin Walsh. Tickets are $17.95 plus taxes, call 702-794-9433.
Dark has opened for an endless list of major stars and made many dramatic role appearances on network shows including "Touched By An Angel," "Equal Justice" and "Silk Stalkings." Dark's stand-up subject matter comes for his personal point of view and he never relies on vulgarity or shock value. He often participates in the Riviera's Celebrity Slots and Blackjack Tournaments held several times a year.
The ticket price to see master illusionists Siegfried & Roy has been increased to $105.50 with tax, two drinks, gratuities and a souvenir program included. Their shows are dark on Wednesday and Thursday and the duo will be on vacation May 8-23, Aug. 21-29 and Sept. 18-26.
Jazz Under the Stars will take place outside at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, about 18 miles west of t he Strip, on May 24. The show will feature Richard Elliot and Chris Botti. Tickets are $39.50, call 1-800-969-8342.
The fifth annual ArtFest of Henderson will take place Mother's Day weekend, May 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event will feature over 200 select artists from across the nation, each presenting one-of-a-kind works of art including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, fashions and jewelry.
The ArtFest will be held along Water Street in Henderson and feature a food court and live entertainment on three different stages. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 1-888-ARTFEST or visit www.888artfest.com.
Local casino Arizona Charlie's West recently celebrated its 14th anniversary. To keep things fresh, the resort has launched a $1.5 million remodeling project that will take up to six months to complete. The makeover will give the Decatur Boulevard property a "Victorian San Francisco" appearance, with new carpet, paint, ceiling tiles and wall coverings. The property is also installing a state-of-the-art air filtration system.
Financier Carl Icahn, who owns Arizona Charlie's West also owns the Stratosphere and Arizona Charlie's East on Boulder Highway.
The 2002 Las Vegas Street of Dreams is open now through June 16. Four homes valued from about $1.95 million to $3.45 million are on display at the guard-gated MacDonald Highlands in Henderson.
The four showcase homes are: Earth, Wind & Fire with 5,408 square feet, Dragon's Oasis with 8,251 square feet, Kismet with 6,000 square feet and Windemere with 7,021 square feet.
The homes are open Tuesday through Sunday and on Memorial Day. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children ages 4 to 12, and free for ages 3 and under. To visit, take Interstate 215 to Valle Verde Drive, then go south to Horizon Ridge Parkway.
KXTE-FM radio will bring its Our Big Concert 5 to Sam Boyd Stadium on June 16. The show will star System of a Down, P.O.D., Rob Zombie, Cypress Hill, Sevendust, Jerry Cantrell, X-ecutioners, Gravity Kills, Unwritten Law, Third Strike, Finch and Pulse Ultra. The parking lot will open and show time will be at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $35 in advance and $40 the day of the show, call 1-888-464-2468 or visit Tickets.com.
A Las Vegas developer, Leonard Mardian, is planning to build a community on 31,000 acres of desert land located 28 miles southeast of Hoover Dam in Arizona. He's envisioning an immense Las Vegas suburb with at least 12,000 single-family homes. Next year, he plans to build a 7,000-yard golf course, a gas station and a small motel.
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