You’re looking at a photo that was imbedded in a new Riviera press release and — praise be! — Fontainebleau has disappeared. Yes, vanished, gone as though it were never there: like it was all a bad dream. Yes, yes, that’s what it must have been … a dream.
What’s that you say? It’s still there, more pockmarked by the day? [sigh] Too true. Riv President William Westerman is no sorcerer, alas, although some of his employees can obviously work wonders with Photoshop. How we wish he could wave a wand and actually cause F-bleau to dry up and blow away in the desert winds. The megaresort that was to have been a lifeline to the Riviera, Sahara and Circus Circus is now but the carcass of a sinking ship, dragging the first two properties down in its deadly undertow.
Still, you have to give Westerman credit for — even if by necessity — operating “in the now,” dealing for untold years with the economy as it actually exists. History will remember F-bleau overlords Jeffrey Soffer and Glenn Schaffer as being among those who operated in some mad, fantasy-fueled economy that never existed except on over-optimistic spread sheets. Local luminaries say, by gosh, we sure have learned our lesson this time. To those predicting a chastened future, I would reply with the old adage that history repeats itself, first as tragedy and then as farce … or does Vegas have it the other way ’round?
If Fontainebleau would have stayed somewhat close to the original price of $1.5 billion dollars when it was announced back in 2005 it might have had a chance on the Las Vegas Strip. I guess we will see what happens in the bankruptcy auction and just hope for the best. I feel bad that this albatross will hurt the north end of the Strip until it opens.
Hopefully, Fountainebleau will come to fruition with the right investors as that part of the strip sure needs a shot in the arm. The “Riv” is one of the older properties on the strip but their exterior/facade is in better shape than most, say for example, the Sahara. Do you foresee a facelift?
NOW…can they do the same thing with their
entertainment sign? On the other hand, if you
can’t keep a headliner/show around long enough
to make it worth the time to climb up there and
hang new names…guess there’s no point and
ANDREW DICE CLAY is better than nothin’ (ORISIT?)
The Riviera played an interesting role in the movie “The Hangover,” but they did not get a fraction of the publicity from the movie that Caesar’s Palace did. But the Blu-ray extras include a piece about the Riviera and why the art director liked shooting there.
Maybe the Riviera needs to promote its suites, too….
It don’t see the need for (or likelihood of) a Riviera exterior makeover. It looks great, IMO.
The mishmash on the outside of the Sahara could use some rethinking, though. The porte cochere, the main casino floor and House of Lords all exude the retro charm that people associate — or used to associate with the word “Vegas.” Unfortunately, there’s a lot of crud and dilapidation that’s detracting from the Sahara’s Rat Pack flavor.