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Clark County commissioners have approved plans for a 752 room casino resort on nearly 12 acres across from Mandalay Bay. Developer Eli Applebaum wants to replace the long vacant SkyVue site with a 29 story hotel, gaming floor and elevated restaurant.
Good to Know
- Applebaum bought the south Las Vegas Strip land for $70 million in spring 2026.
- Plans include a heart shaped hotel facade covered by a full height LED display.
- Two unfinished SkyVue columns will support a restaurant about 265 feet above the site.
SkyVue Site Gets Another Casino Plan
Two concrete columns have stood on the property since work stopped on the failed SkyVue observation wheel more than a decade ago. Applebaum plans to reinforce both structures, add a third column and build a suspended restaurant above the land.
Land use consultant Nancy Amundsen described the existing columns as “two matchsticks” during the Clark County hearing.
The approved resort will include a casino, restaurants, retail space, a pool and more than 42,000 square feet of convention facilities. A covered pedestrian plaza will run through part of the property, using an overhead visual concept similar to the Fremont Street Experience.
Earlier plans listed 874 hotel rooms. The final county proposal reduced that total to 752 rooms to meet development requirements. No construction budget, financing package, casino operator or opening date has been announced.
Applebaum acquired the parcel through Kulik River Capital after paying $70 million for nearly 12 acres along Las Vegas Boulevard. The land includes vacant lots, several small buildings and the remaining SkyVue structures.
South Strip Gains Another Major Development
The location places the planned casino near one of the busiest development zones on the south Strip.
The Athletics ballpark is under construction on the former Tropicana site and remains scheduled to open for the 2028 MLB season. The domed stadium will hold about 33,000 spectators and host 81 regular season home games each year.
A casino across from Mandalay Bay could benefit from baseball crowds, event traffic and visitors entering Las Vegas from the south. However, county approval only covers land use. Applebaum still needs financing, construction permits and Nevada gaming approval before casino operations can begin.
Several developers have tried to redevelop the land since the SkyVue plan collapsed.
The original project called for a 500 foot observation wheel as part of a wider London themed resort with a casino, hotel, shops and restaurants. Construction began in 2011, but financial problems stopped work after crews completed the two support columns.
A later owner proposed a 29 story hotel and casino, though that plan also failed to reach construction. Applebaum now intends to use the most visible remains of the abandoned wheel as a central feature rather than demolish them.
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