Encore Las Vegas Explained

Casino:Encore Las Vegas
Pushpin Map:United States Las Vegas Strip#Nevada
Pushpin Mapsize:260px
Coordinates:36.1274°N -115.1662°W
Location:Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Address:3121 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Owner:Wynn Resorts
Architect:Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo,[1] Michael Hong[2]
Rooms:2,034
Space Gaming:72000square feet
Attractions:Encore Beach Club
XS nightclub
Notable Restaurants:Sinatra
Wazuzu
Renovations:2010, 2015

Encore Las Vegas (also called Encore at Wynn Las Vegas or simply Encore) is a luxury resort, casino and hotel located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The resort is connected to its sister resort, Wynn Las Vegas, located directly south. Both are owned by Wynn Resorts and located on the former site of the Desert Inn resort, which Steve Wynn purchased and closed in 2000. Encore took the place of two Desert Inn hotel structures, the Palms and St. Andrews towers, both demolished in 2004. Construction of Encore began on April 28, 2006, the first anniversary of Wynn Las Vegas' opening. The Encore project, built by Tutor Saliba, cost $2.3 billion. It opened on December 22, 2008.

The 48-story hotel tower includes 2,034 rooms, and the resort also offers 72000square feet of gaming space, as well as the Encore Esplanade retail area. In addition, it has several restaurants, including one dedicated to singer Frank Sinatra. The resort has also had several clubs, two of which were added in 2010, marking the completion of the Wynn resort complex. The property includes the Encore Theater, originally built for Wynn Las Vegas and now located in between the two resorts. Encore has received numerous accolades, including the AAA Five Diamond Award and the Five Star award from Forbes Travel Guide.

History

Encore is a sister property to Wynn Las Vegas,[3] which consists of a single hotel tower. By February 2004, owner Steve Wynn had decided to build a second tower with 1,300 rooms, for an approximate total of 4,000. This would help make the Wynn complex more competitive among other expanding resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.[4] [5]

The Wynn complex was built on the former site of the Desert Inn resort, which was purchased and closed by Steve Wynn in 2000. The last remaining hotel structures of the Desert Inn – the Palms and St. Andrews towers – were imploded in November 2004, making way for Encore.[6] [7] It was originally planned only as a hotel tower with a boutique casino, although the strength of the economy prompted Wynn to expand the project,[8] [9] adding restaurants and convention space, among other features.[10] Encore would be targeted at a higher-end clientele compared with that of Wynn Las Vegas.[8]

Wynn Resorts sold $400 million in stock to help finance Encore,[11] which cost a total of $2.3 billion. Groundbreaking took place on April 28, 2006, the first anniversary of Wynn Las Vegas' opening.[12] [13] Tutor Saliba, based in California, served as the general contractor.[14] A nine-story Desert Inn parking garage, the last remainder of the resort's structures, was imploded on March 6, 2007, as construction progressed on Encore.[15]

Encore was expected to employ more than 5,000 people,[16] [17] with approximately 1,400 relocating from Wynn Las Vegas. As with the original resort, Steve Wynn starred in a commercial for Encore featuring him on the roof of the new hotel's tower. The commercial was directed by Brett Ratner.[18] [19] [20]

Encore opened at 8:00 p.m. on December 22, 2008.[21] More than 1,000 people attended the opening.[22] Due to the period's economic downturn, the opening was designed to be more subdued compared with that of previous resorts.[23] At the opening, Steve Wynn gave high rollers a few million dollars to make the initial bets and initiated the action by declaring over a microphone, "Let the games begin!"; the start of gambling was accompanied by a recording of Frank Sinatra's "Luck Be a Lady Tonight".

The resort opened with one nightclub, and two other clubs were added in May 2010, replacing the resort's existing porte-cochere at a cost of $68 million.[24] [25] The project included a new pedestrian entrance and landscaping, both along the Strip. With these additions finished, Wynn declared that the $5.2 billion Wynn complex was now complete.[26]

A fight involving 15 to 20 people broke out at Encore in September 2020, prompting Wynn Resorts to file a lawsuit.[27] The resort subsequently increased its security and added temporary metal detectors on weekends.[28]

Features

During the design phase, Wynn Resorts consulted with Forbes Travel Guide in hopes of attaining its five-star rating. Encore was designed to attract an upper-class clientele, competing with other upcoming luxury resort projects such as CityCenter and Cosmopolitan.[29] DeRuyter Butler was the chief architect.[30] Jerry Beale, senior vice president of design, described Encore as "the flirty younger sister" of Wynn Las Vegas. The interior design was handled by Roger Thomas, who is a butterfly enthusiast. Flower and butterfly designs are prominent throughout the resort. Thomas's passion for butterflies intrigued Wynn, prompting their inclusion in the design.[31]

The Encore hotel tower is nearly identical to the one at Wynn Las Vegas, both using bronze glass.[32] The Encore tower is 48 stories,[33] although its top floor is labeled "63". Due to bad-luck superstitions among gamblers, the tower skips the 13th floor (triskaidekaphobia) and those containing the number 4 (tetraphobia).[34] Encore opened with 2,034 hotel rooms.[35] [36] The rooms were remodeled in 2015,[37] and a $200 million hotel renovation project was announced for both Wynn and Encore in 2021.[38]

Like Wynn Las Vegas, Encore also features natural lighting in certain areas of the resort,[39] an uncommon trait for casinos.[34] Other notable design elements include red chandeliers above the casino floor,[32] [31] which contains 72000square feet of gaming space. Upon opening, the casino also had five gaming salons on the hotel's top floor. The salons, reserved for high rollers, offered table games such as baccarat and floor-to-ceiling views.[34] A race and sports book was added in 2017.[40]

The resort opened with 27000square feet of retail space at the Encore Esplanade, featuring 11 upscale retailers such as Chanel, Hermes and Rock and Republic.[41] Designed by Dan Barteluce, the Encore Esplanade consists of an indoor walkway connecting to Wynn Las Vegas, with lattice ceilings providing natural lighting.[41] The resort also opened with a 61000square feet spa.[31]

Restaurants

Encore opened with five restaurants, including Sinatra; it serves as a tribute to the singer, who was friends with Wynn.[42] [43] [44] The Italian restaurant features various personal memorabilia that once belonged to Sinatra.[44] A French restaurant, Switch, featured a rotating decor; walls would retract into the ceiling every 30 minutes, allowing for a new one to descend.[45] [43] Victor Drai, a nightclub operator for the Wynn complex, also opened Botero Steak, named after artist Fernando Botero.[46] Other dining establishments included Society Cafe, and the Asian restaurant Wazuzu, the latter overseen by chef Jet Tila.[43]

Society Cafe closed in 2015,[47] along with Botero Steak.[48] Following a renovation, the latter reopened at the end of the year as Jardin (French for "Garden").[49] [50] Switch operated until 2012.[51] Andrea's, an Asian restaurant and lounge named after Wynn's wife Andrea Hissom, opened in its place in 2013. The lounge area included an LED screen image of Hissom's eyes.[52] [53] [54] It closed in 2020 and was replaced by Elio, marking the first Mexican restaurant for the Wynn complex.[55] [56] A new Mexican restaurant, Casa Playa, opened in its place the following year.[57]

Clubs

Drai, who operated the Tryst nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas, was again recruited to run the XS nightclub at Encore.[58] XS, measuring 40000square feet, was designed as Encore's top attraction.[42] [46] It included access to a pool area which had 29 cabanas,[43] as well as topless sunbathing.[59]

Encore Beach Club, a 55000square feet pool complex for adults,[60] opened in May 2010. It was joined by a new 5000square feet nightclub known as Surrender, which connected to the beach club.[61] [62] [63] Both were managed by Sean Christie's Las Vegas Nightlife Group, which also operated the Blush nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas.[64] XS and Surrender later became some of the top-grossing nightclubs in the United States.[65]

Later in 2010, rapper Lil Jon signed a DJ residency at Surrender.[66] Swedish DJ Alesso has also performed there and at Encore Beach Club.[67] The Chainsmokers and Kygo each began ongoing residencies at XS in 2017.[68] Performing artists are managed by Jared Garcia.[69] [70] Later that year the position of artist relations was taken over by David Hadden.[71] [72] By 2018, Encore Beach Club had taken over the Surrender space.[73]

Shows

The Wynn complex has two theaters, including the Encore Theater. It was originally built as part of Wynn Las Vegas and is located between the two resorts.[74] It has 1,480 seats,[75] and has hosted numerous entertainers, including Danny Gans,[74] Beyoncé,[76] and Garth Brooks.[77]

Accolades

In a 2009 review for The New York Times, Brooks Barnes wrote, "Until the economy improves, the opulent hotel will come across a bit like a boom-times relic. But there's always a market for quality, and Encore offers that in spades".[78] That year, Travel + Leisure named it among the 45 best new hotels. The magazine praised Encore's natural lighting and indoor plant life, stating that both features make the expansive public spaces feel "downright cozy".[79]

At the end of 2009, Encore received the AAA Five Diamond Award,[80] as well as the Five Star award from Forbes Travel Guide. The two spas at the Wynn complex were also the only ones in the state to have five-star ratings.[81] The complex has since been a repeat winner of both awards.[82] Encore is among the three largest Forbes Five-Star resorts in the world, along with Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Palace in Macau.[83] In 2017, readers of Condé Nast Traveler named Wynn Las Vegas and Encore as the best hotel property in the city, noting the high level of luxury.[84] [85]

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.watg.com/?pageID=F3624E2B-1372-FA94-03E1BB18BC97A740 Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo
  2. Web site: Michael Hong Architects | Encore, Las Vegas. www.mhongarchitects.com.
  3. News: Richtel . Matt . No More Cheap Shrimp Cocktail . November 4, 2022 . The New York Times . May 6, 2006.
  4. News: Second tower planned . November 4, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . February 13, 2004.
  5. News: Smith . Rod . Strip Development: Expansion already in Wynn plan . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 4, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041223014253/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/May-04-Tue-2004/business/23802119.html . December 23, 2004.
  6. News: Jones . Chris . Smith . Rod . Another bit of yesterday blown away . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 17, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041208131102/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-17-Wed-2004/business/25276887.html . December 8, 2004.
  7. News: Clarke . Norm . Tunnel adds to Desert Inn's lore . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 14, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041205031516/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-14-Sun-2004/news/25257611.html . December 5, 2004.
  8. News: For Wynn, two new Vegas hotels better than one . November 4, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . March 16, 2005.
  9. News: Stutz . Howard . Wynn's Encore in works: Project would be second megaresort on former Desert Inn property . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 17, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060103230839/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Mar-17-Thu-2005/news/26095103.html . January 3, 2006.
  10. News: Benston . Liz . Wynn unveils tower details . November 4, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . November 9, 2004.
  11. News: Smith . Rod . Wynn to complete $400 million stock offering . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 9, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041213210043/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-09-Tue-2004/business/25210830.html . December 13, 2004.
  12. News: Smith . Rod . Back for More, Encore . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 29, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060518131845/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Apr-29-Sat-2006/business/7107643.html . May 18, 2006.
  13. News: Clarke . Norm . Encore's pool will heat up the scene . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 29, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060518114239/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Apr-29-Sat-2006/news/7113933.html . May 18, 2006.
  14. News: Simpson . Jeff . Wynn, who has an early winner, plans an Encore . November 4, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 6, 2005.
  15. Web site: Vegas Implosions: #13 Wynn parking garage / Encore . Vegas Today and Tomorrow . November 4, 2022.
  16. News: Benston . Liz . Wynn 'relaxing' interview strategy for Encore . November 4, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . July 17, 2008.
  17. News: Finnegan . Amanda . 65,000 apply for 5,300 jobs at Encore . November 4, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . September 25, 2008.
  18. News: Leach . Robin . Wynn's daredevil stunt an Encore encore . Las Vegas Sun . October 9, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071434/https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2008/oct/09/wynns-daredevil-stunt-encore-encore/ . July 28, 2018.
  19. News: Was that Steve Wynn, Encore commercial real? . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . January 2, 2009.
  20. News: Encore resort launches Web site . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 2, 2008.
  21. News: Wynn's Encore opens without 'speck of compromise' . Las Vegas Business Press . December 23, 2008 . November 5, 2022 . subscription.
  22. News: Knightly . Arnold M. . Enter the Encore . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 23, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090209020924/http://www.lvrj.com/news/36620094.html . February 9, 2009.
  23. News: Abowitz . Richard . Steve Wynn's Encore . Los Angeles Times . December 22, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081225000115/http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2008/12/today-is-the-mo.html . December 25, 2008.
  24. News: Wynn Resorts sees profit in first quarter . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . April 29, 2010.
  25. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Wynn Resorts to hire 400 . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . February 26, 2010.
  26. News: Wynn declares $5.2 billion Desert Inn makeover 'finally done' . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 27, 2010.
  27. News: Komenda . Ed . A man 'made it rain' at Encore Las Vegas. A brawl broke out. Now Wynn Resorts is suing . November 5, 2022 . Reno Gazette Journal . September 11, 2020.
  28. News: Horwath . Bryan . Wynn Resorts enhancing security measures in Las Vegas . November 5, 2022 . VegasInc . October 6, 2020.
  29. News: Benston . Liz . Wynn reaches for next level . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 23, 2008.
  30. News: Simpson . Jeff . Wynn hoping to make megaresort feel smaller . November 2, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . February 15, 2005.
  31. News: New kid dazzles on Vegas Strip . The Ottawa Citizen . February 14, 2009 . November 5, 2022 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  32. News: Witcher . T. R. . Encore: Let there be light . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 23, 2008.
  33. News: 2 window washers rescued at Las Vegas Strip casino . November 9, 2022 . Nevada Appeal . March 26, 2009.
  34. News: Beasley . Deena . Wynn's Encore woos high rollers with "Sky Casino" . November 9, 2022 . Reuters . January 23, 2009.
  35. News: Creswell . Julie . The chips are down in Vegas, but Steve Wynn is betting big . November 5, 2022 . The New York Times . August 3, 2008.
  36. News: Benston . Liz . Envy this casino operator . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 20, 2008.
  37. News: Stapleton . Susan . Encore updates its rooms, offering 507-thread-count sheets and more . November 5, 2022 . Los Angeles Times . July 8, 2015.
  38. News: Horwath . Bryan . Wynn Las Vegas slot revenue jumps; room renovations planned . November 5, 2022 . VegasInc . May 10, 2021.
  39. News: Simpson . Jeff . Wynn: Encore will take hit despite 'position of strength' . November 4, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . October 9, 2008.
  40. News: Wynn Las Vegas unveils newly renovated race and sports book . November 9, 2022 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . August 2, 2017.
  41. News: Hansel . Mark . Encore Esplanade shops reveal sense of discovery . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . January 30, 2009.
  42. News: Finnegan . Amanda . $2.3 billion Encore opens its doors . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 22, 2008.
  43. News: Reynolds . Christopher . Encore steals the show . November 5, 2022 . Los Angeles Times . December 28, 2008.
  44. News: That's life: Wynn says Sinatra restaurant was fate . Las Vegas Sun . Associated Press . December 17, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081225173735/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/17/thats-life-wynn-says-sinatra-restaurant-was-fate/ . December 25, 2008.
  45. News: Benston . Liz . Wynn reaches for next level . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 23, 2008.
  46. News: Benston . Liz . Who needs a showroom? Posh nightclub is resort's hub . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 20, 2008.
  47. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Society Cafe Closes Its Doors at the End of the Year . Eater . November 7, 2022 . August 28, 2015.
  48. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Botero Out at Wynn in November, Remodel on the Way . Eater . November 7, 2022 . August 19, 2015.
  49. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Wynn's Botero Will Now Be Known at Jardin . Eater . November 7, 2022 . December 16, 2015.
  50. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . A Jardin Blooms at Encore Las Vegas Today . Eater . November 7, 2022 . December 18, 2015.
  51. News: Radke . Brock . Switch calls it quits, new restaurant coming to Encore . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . June 13, 2012.
  52. News: Leach . Robin . Andrea's grand opening photos: Steve Wynn's 'Funhouse' . Las Vegas Sun . January 18, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130323004835/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jan/18/andreas-grand-opening-photos-steve-wynn-funhouse-/ . March 23, 2013.
  53. News: Bean Yancey . Kitty . New in Las Vegas: Aria buffet redo, cool Wynn lounge . November 7, 2022 . USA Today . January 19, 2013.
  54. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Pan-Asian Restaurant Closes to Make Way for Blockbuster Mexican on the Strip . Eater . November 7, 2022 . September 3, 2019.
  55. News: Radke . Brock . Taste Trends: Mexico comes to Encore with Elio and more Vegas food news . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . January 12, 2020.
  56. News: Radke . Brock . Wynn's first Mexican restaurant, Elio, builds toward a post-pandemic party . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Weekly . October 8, 2020.
  57. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Casa Playa Brings the Vibe of Mexican Playacitas and Their Coastal Fare to Encore Las Vegas . Eater . May 24, 2023 . September 16, 2021.
  58. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Wynn says he's prepared to weather economic storm . November 5, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . December 20, 2008.
  59. News: Bracelin . Jason . Encore Opens: Lavish XS . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 26, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090209083230/http://www.lvrj.com/neon/36741599.html . February 9, 2009.
  60. News: Katsilometes . John . Famed Vegas party haven Encore Beach Club to reopen . November 9, 2022 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 24, 2021.
  61. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Wynn Resorts unveils nightclub, pool plans for Encore . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . March 24, 2010.
  62. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Encore set to open $68 million Beach Club, nightclub today . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . May 28, 2010.
  63. News: Feldberg . Sarah . Rilling . Deanna . By the numbers: Encore Beach Club and Surrender . November 9, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . May 26, 2010.
  64. News: Corbin . April . Blush nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas to close Saturday . November 6, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . September 7, 2011.
  65. News: Stapleton . Susan . Only in Vegas: 15 of the 100 top-grossing nightclubs in the US . November 7, 2022 . Los Angeles Times . February 10, 2015.
  66. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Rapper Lil Jon signs DJ residency contract at Encore Las Vegas' Surrender nightclub . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . November 8, 2010.
  67. News: Stapleton . Susan . Two Las Vegas clubs land deejay Alesso for exclusive U.S. residency . November 7, 2022 . Los Angeles Times . October 2, 2015.
  68. News: Wynn Las Vegas launches NightSwim series with Kygo, The Chainsmokers, more. 2017-04-25. DJMag.com. 2017-10-23. en.
  69. News: XS Artist Relations Exec Jared Garcia Takes His Job Personally . 2016-01-13. Vegas Seven. https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172015/http://vegasseven.com/2016/01/13/xs-artist-relations-exec-jared-garcia-takes-job-personally%E2%80%82/ . January 21, 2016.
  70. Wynn Nightlife Names Jared Garcia Director of Lifestyle Marketing: Exclusive. Billboard. 2018-08-10.
  71. News: David Hadden: Changing The Nightlife Game . 2022-05-04.
  72. News: wynn nightlife welcomes David Hadden . 2018-02-12.
  73. News: Radke . Brock . Encore Beach Club launches its pool season with big-name DJs and a new industry night . November 9, 2022 . Las Vegas Weekly . March 8, 2018.
  74. News: Fink . Jerry . Gans shapes encore show for Wynn . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . January 30, 2009.
  75. News: Sheckells . Melinda . How Jo Koy found his voice on Vegas' comedy club scene . November 7, 2022 . Los Angeles Times . January 31, 2020.
  76. News: Katsilometes . John . Beyonce, an $87 million dreamgirl, to shake up Encore . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . July 29, 2009.
  77. News: Katsilometes . John . After three years, Garth Brooks closing at Wynn Las Vegas on Nov. 17 . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . October 3, 2012.
  78. News: Barnes . Brooks . Hotel Review: The Encore in Las Vegas . November 7, 2022 . The New York Times . November 12, 2009.
  79. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Encore makes magazine's annual 'It List' . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . May 14, 2009.
  80. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Vegas area adds three resorts to elite AAA list . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . November 6, 2009.
  81. News: Finnegan . Amanda . Encore, M Resort added to Forbes Travel Guide list . November 7, 2022 . Las Vegas Sun . November 10, 2009.
  82. Retrieved November 7, 2022:
  83. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Wynn Resorts secures top rankings on Forbes Travel Guide list . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 18, 2021.
  84. News: Forgione . Mary . Conde Nast Traveler readers choose Wynn as best Las Vegas hotel, and Waldorf Astoria as L.A.'s No. 1 . November 7, 2022 . Los Angeles Times . October 18, 2017.
  85. Web site: Bennett . Andrea . Wynn Las Vegas & Encore . Condé Nast Traveler . November 7, 2022.

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