Las Vegas Boulevard is running out of utilizable land, but that isn’t stopping its growth. Las Vegas Blvd extends from Nevada Highway 604 all the way to North Las Vegas. However, that which Las Vegas residents and tourists collectively refer to as “The Strip” comprises roughly the area of Las Vegas Blvd between Sahara Ave and Russell Ave. With land along The Strip selling for eight figures an acre, the most economic alternative for developers is to “build up.”
Over the past eight years, high-rise condos have been constructed in record numbers along The Strip. The largest of these projects is City Center, an MGM Mirage, Inc. development estimated to cost between seven and nine billion dollars. City Center has become such a large project, The Dubai World Group has committed 5.1 billion dollars for half of its purchase, including stock in the MGM.
As Las Vegas Boulevard stretches north, it distances itself from McCarran International Airport. This remoteness allows hotels and condominiums more leeway as far as “building up” is concerned. The intersection of Spring Mountain Rd/Sands Ave and Las Vegas Boulevard is home to some of Vegas’ highest standing structures. The Palazzo, Wynn Las Vegas, and Trump Tower, all located within a block of each other, are the three tallest resorts south of The Stratosphere. North of Spring Mountain Rd / Sands Ave, high rise condominium developments like Turnberry Towers, One Las Vegas, and Sky Las Vegas help stretch Las Vegas Boulevard’s skyline both east and westward.
At the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard’s skyline lies The Stratosphere, Las Vegas’ tallest structure. For years, The Stratosphere has stood aloof from its neighboring Strip properties. However, a nine billion dollar condominium development project is soon to be under construction just north of The Stratosphere. With this current project covering the north end of The Strip and City Center covering the south end, Las Vegas Boulevard is bound to expand that which residents and tourists consider worthy of calling “The Strip.”
Photo Credit: Rendering of City Center from www.citycenter.com
