Silverton (hotel and casino) explained

Silverton
Location:Enterprise, Nevada, U.S.
Address:3333 Blue Diamond Road
Theme:Rustic lodge
Rooms:300
Space Gaming:65556square feet
Attractions:Bass Pro Shops
Notable Restaurants:Mermaid Restaurant & Lodge
Seasons Buffet
Sundance Grill
Twin Creeks Steakhouse
Owner:Ed Roski Jr.
Names Pre:Boomtown Las Vegas (1994–97)
Renovations:1997, 2003–05, 2008, 2022–23

Silverton (formerly Boomtown Las Vegas) is a 300-room hotel and casino in Enterprise, Nevada, near the southern end of the Las Vegas Valley. It features a rustic lodge theme and a 65556square feet casino.[1] It is owned and operated by Ed Roski Jr., and is located three miles south of the Las Vegas Strip. Roski purchased an 80-acre parcel in 1989, and originally planned to build an industrial warehouse on the site, before deciding on a casino instead. In 1993, he partnered with Boomtown, Inc. to build a hotel and casino on 56 acres of the property. Roski built the project through a company of his, with financing from Boomtown, Inc.

The Boomtown hotel-casino opened on May 20, 1994, and was operated by Boomtown, Inc., which leased the facility from Roski. The hotel-casino failed to generate a substantial profit in its early years, due to a poor location. Roski took over operations in July 1997, ending his partnership with Boomtown, Inc. He renamed the property as the Silverton on December 2, 1997.

A Bass Pro Shop was added in 2004 as part of a $150 million expansion. Also added was an indoor, 117,000-gallon aquarium, which offers mermaid shows. In 2005, there were plans to eventually add other hotels, retail space, and a timeshare facility on the remainder of the Silverton property. Another expansion, costing $160 million, was finished in 2008. It included additional casino space and a parking garage.

An 18-story timeshare tower – known as The Berkley, Las Vegas – was eventually added in 2016, along with the state's first Cracker Barrel restaurant. Two years later, plans were announced for Silverton Village, a collection of retailers and restaurants. In 2019, the Silverton added a 150-room Hyatt Place hotel as part of its village plan.

History

Boomtown

Ed Roski Jr. purchased an 80-acre parcel of land along Interstate 15 in 1989. The site is located three miles south of the Las Vegas Strip, at the corner of Interstate 15 and Blue Diamond Road. Roski originally intended to build an industrial warehouse, but decided that a casino could be a better use of the property.[2]

On March 15, 1993, Boomtown, Inc. and Roski announced a joint venture to open Boomtown Blue Diamond on the property.[3] [4] The $70-million facility would be constructed by Roski's company, Commerce Construction,[3] with financing from Boomtown.[5]

Located on 56 acres,[6] Boomtown Las Vegas opened on May 20, 1994,[7] [8] with a country western theme. The casino included gold panning in an artificial stream,[9] and the 600-seat Opera House dinner showroom.[10] Former Nevada governor Robert List was among officers in the new property, serving as senior vice president and corporate counsel.[11] A month after the opening, Boomtown, Inc. exercised an option to buy out Roski's 50% share of the property's operating company. Roski remained as the site's landlord.

Management deemed the poker room to be in a poor location. It was closed in mid-1995, and was relocated to the center of the casino, near restaurants and restrooms. The four-table poker room reopened on June 1, 1996. It allowed food consumption at the tables, an uncommon custom in Las Vegas.[12]

The casino struggled to draw visitors, earning annual cash flow of less than $10 million. Its remote location made it unattractive to locals, and tourists would frequently pass it up in favor of the nearby Las Vegas Strip. Boomtown's chairman and chief executive officer, Tim Parrot, said that the hotel needed around 1,000 rooms to adequately compete against nearby resorts. However, Boomtown's lease with Roski made it financially infeasible for the company to purchase the land and expand.[13]

In March 1996, Boomtown, Inc. entered an agreement to be merged with Hollywood Park, Inc. The deal would allow Boomtown to expand the Las Vegas property,[14] although Hollywood Park had little interest in the hotel-casino. An agreement was reached on August 12, 1996 for Roski to buy the property's operating company, in exchange for $8.5 million in promissory notes, $2.1 million in cash and a release from the property's lease.[13] The sale was completed on July 1, 1997, the day after the Hollywood Park-Boomtown merger was completed.[15] [16] Roski owned 90 percent of the hotel-casino, and the remainder was owned by his company, Majestic Nevada Inc.[17]

Silverton

Roski renamed the property as Silverton on December 2, 1997,[18] and spent $10 million on new signs and employee uniforms, among other things.[19] He began down a path of cutting staff from 1,400 to 900.[20] [21] A John Wayne-like character, who would greet guests at the casino, was retired.[17] Roski began targeting local residents as the primary demographic, especially people living in nearby Green Valley.[17] [22] He also planned to attract younger, higher-income guests, while retaining the older clientele.[23] The move towards a younger demographic was inspired by the success of the Rio and Hard Rock resorts in Las Vegas.[2]

The Silverton casino measured 36000square feet.[23] It included 1,200 slot machines and 18 table games. The hotel had 304 rooms, and also offered 460 RV spaces.[17] The property also included an 800-seat showroom.[2] Roski planned to eventually renovate the restaurants,[17] and to expand the hotel and casino.[24] [25] [23] He had been approved to add a 12-story, 600-room tower.[26]

Initial expansion

In June 2000, plans were announced for a $200 million expansion that would include 900 additional hotel rooms, an expansion of the casino, a parking garage, four restaurants, and a movie theater complex. Roski hoped to turn the Silverton into a tourist-driven property. At the time, 70 percent of the Silverton's clientele consisted of locals. The expansion was scheduled to begin in 2001, and a second phase was to add a separate hotel tower and casino on adjacent property.[27] The expansion plans were put on hold while Roski pursued other business opportunities, and the plans were later changed to include a retail component, with hotel expansion being delayed. Business had improved thanks to new housing communities opening nearby, including Seven Hills. However, retail was lacking in the newly developing area.[28]

The upscale Sundance Grill restaurant was added in early 2003, in an effort to attract residents from the affluent Southern Highlands community.[29] Later that year, the Silverton announced that it would add a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World as part of a multi-year expansion project.[30] The project would include new restaurants, hotel renovations, an expansion of the casino floor, and the addition of a large aquarium in the casino area.[30] [31] [32] The entire resort would replace its mining town theme with an outdoor mountain lodge appearance, matching the Bass Pro store. Future plans included a potential timeshare tower.[31]

The Bass Pro store was built directly south of the casino, and connected to it.[31] The two-story, 165000square feet store opened on November 15, 2004.[33] [34] It was the company's first location in the western United States, and targeted local residents and tourists.[35] [36] The store's opening helped to increase business at the Silverton.

Among the casino's new eateries was the Twin Creeks steakhouse,[37] and the Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge, which features mermaid shows in the casino's aquarium.[38] [39] The aquarium holds 117,000 gallons of water, and includes sting rays and small sharks, in addition to the mermaid performers.[40] [41] [42] [43] Each December, the aquarium also hosts underwater Santa Claus actors.[44] [45] [46] [47]

The property's expansion cost a total of $150 million,[48] and was completed in January 2005. Hootie & the Blowfish subsequently performed at the Silverton on several occasions, and the property opened Hootie & the Blowfish's Shady Grove Lounge.[49] [50] The casino has hosted other entertainers as well, including Sheena Easton, Twisted Sister, and the Village People.[51]

Later expansions

In March 2005, the Silverton announced a master plan to develop the remaining vacant land into a mixed-use resort over the next several years, at a cost of up to $2 billion. The project would include a second locals casino and at least five different hotels, as well as retail space, entertainment venues, and a combination of condo hotel and timeshare units. The project was devised by the Silverton's general manager, Craig Cavileer. By that point, the Silverton had become popular among new homebuyers in the area, and had also become a tourist-oriented property in part because of its Bass Pro Shop. The Silverton's clientele included regular visitors from southern California as well as tourists visiting the Las Vegas Strip.[52]

A buffet and Mexican restaurant were added in 2006,[21] [53] and a 54-foot sign was added along Interstate 15 in March 2007.[54] The following month, plans were announced for a $500 million expansion that would include a 25-story hotel tower.[21] However, the expansion was scaled back due to the economic impact of the Great Recession. The expanded facilities opened in November 2008, and included 35000square feet of additional casino space. Also added were two new restaurants and a $750,000 Starbucks. The expansion also included the property's first parking garage, a five-level structure with 1,500 spaces. The $160 million expansion added 40 employees to the resort's 800-person work team.[55] [56] The planned hotel tower was eventually canceled. An aggressive marketing campaign was launched with the expansion to compete with the newly opened M Resort nearby. Following the 2008 expansion, concerts were held in temporary venues set up on the property, while plans for a new showroom were considered.[57]

Cantor Gaming opened a sportsbook at the Silverton in 2012.[58] [59] A Cracker Barrel restaurant opened on the Silverton property in July 2016.[60] [61] It was the company's first location in Nevada. It was built in a separate building near the Silverton, but is considered part of the resort.[62]

The Berkley, Las Vegas, an 18-story, 400-unit timeshare building, was opened on part of the Silverton property in late 2016, and the top of the tower features the Silverton name.[60] [63] [64] It was developed and operated by The Berkley Group, based in Florida.

In 2017, a music video was shot at the Silverton by German rapper Capo.[65]

In April 2018, groundbreaking took place for Silverton Village, a $60 million project that would include various eateries and a five-story Hyatt Place hotel with 150 rooms. The hotel would be built alongside Interstate 15, near the Cracker Barrel, while retail space would be built at Blue Diamond Road and Dean Martin Drive, an intersection where more than 50,000 vehicles passed each day. The retail component would include approximately 28000square feet spread across four buildings, and was expected to be complete within a year. At the time of groundbreaking, old plans were being reviewed and new ones were being created in consideration of how to develop the remaining land. Among the old plans being considered was the canceled hotel tower.[66] [67] A 24-hour Starbucks opened at Silverton Village in December 2018,[68] followed by a Blaze Pizza restaurant two months later.[69] Hyatt Place opened in 2019.[70] [71] [72] It is owned and operated by the Silverton.[73]

The Silverton's main hotel and pool area closed in August 2022, for a $45 million renovation.[74] [75] The project added rustic and western themes to the rooms.[76] [77] The hotel reopened in October 2023, with the updated $10 million pool area scheduled to open in 2024.[78] [79] That year, the casino's sportsbook operations were taken over by Circa Sports.[80]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage. Nevada Gaming Control Board. April 22, 2021. March 6, 2018. 9. December 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161225155040/http://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428. dead.
  2. News: Berns. Dave. Beyond Boomtown: Developer tries to add excitement to the new Silverton. December 15, 1997. Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 1, 2015. NewsBank.
  3. News: Boomtown heads south . Reno Gazette-Journal . March 16, 1993 . April 19, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  4. Boomtown announces Las Vegas definitive agreement. Boomtown, Inc.. July 8, 1993. The Free Library . https://web.archive.org/web/20170904010716/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BOOMTOWN+ANNOUNCES+LAS+VEGAS+DEFINITIVE+AGREEMENT%3B+EDWARD+P.+ROSKI...-a013183313 . September 4, 2017.
  5. Form 10-K: Annual Report. December 27, 1996. Boomtown, Inc.. 12. March 1, 2015. EDGAR.
  6. News: Berns . Dave . Boomtown's Reichartz sets sights on Strip . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 3, 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/19970719133156/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Feb-03-Mon-1997/business/4785817.html . July 19, 1997.
  7. News: Boomtown opens Vegas casino . UPI . April 22, 2021 . May 19, 1994 . subscription . NewsLibrary.
  8. News: Boomtown opens Las Vegas branch . Reno Gazette-Journal . May 20, 1994 . April 22, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  9. News: Reese . Madelyn . As Silverton turns 20, employees recall 'Boom' years . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 14, 2017.
  10. News: Country music legend Porter Wagoner stars in fun, exciting Boomtown show . The Arizona Republic . May 22, 1994 . April 22, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  11. News: Boomtown Las Vegas approved . Times-News . Associated Press . May 20, 1994 . April 19, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  12. News: Shemeligian . Bob . Boomtown dealing perks for poker play . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . May 31, 1996.
  13. News: Boomtown loses Las Vegas . Reno Gazette-Journal . August 14, 1996 . April 19, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  14. News: Boomtown planning merger . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . March 20, 1996.
  15. Form 10-Q: Quarterly Report. Hollywood Park, Inc.. August 14, 1997. 4. March 1, 2015. EDGAR.
  16. News: Merger . Reno Gazette-Journal . April 24, 1997 . April 19, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  17. News: Abrahamson . Alan . NFL Bidder Owns Casino; League Rule Forbids It . April 19, 2021 . Los Angeles Times . November 13, 1998.
  18. News: New name . The Honolulu Advertiser . December 7, 1997 . April 22, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  19. News: Slicker Image . San Francisco Examiner . January 11, 1998 . April 19, 2021 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  20. News: Knightly. Arnold M.. Silverton thriving in downturn. July 17, 2009. Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 26, 2011. Casino City Times.
  21. News: Knightly. Arnold M.. Silverton eyes golden future. April 13, 2007. Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 26, 2011.
  22. News: Shemeligian . Bob . Boomtown to change name, renovate . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . November 14, 1997.
  23. News: Berns . Dave . Boomtown prepares to change name, image . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 24, 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/20000917184117/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Nov-24-Mon-1997/business/6467326.html . September 17, 2000.
  24. News: Panel licenses Boomtown management . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 24, 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/19970720013241/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Apr-24-Thu-1997/business/5263309.html . July 20, 1997.
  25. News: Berns . Dave . Reichartz resigns at Boomtown . Las Vegas Review-Journal . October 2, 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/19971110055834/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Oct-02-Thu-1997/business/6167696.html . November 10, 1997.
  26. News: Thompson . Gary . Reichartz to take over top job at Boomtown . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . January 30, 1997.
  27. News: Berns . Dave . Silverton planning additions . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 16, 2000 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010505174733/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jun-16-Fri-2000/business/13789547.html . May 5, 2001.
  28. News: Berns . Dave . Nevadan at Work: Craig Cavileer . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 10, 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20021003024536/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Feb-10-Sun-2002/business/18050875.html . October 3, 2002.
  29. News: White . Ken . Sundance Grill brings a touch of luxury to Silverton . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 23, 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041230110122/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Apr-23-Wed-2003/living/21139178.html . December 30, 2004.
  30. News: Silverton adding retailer . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . May 20, 2003.
  31. News: Illia . Tony . Silverton expansion retools resort for the great outdoors . Las Vegas Business Press . May 30, 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030706052310/http://lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2003/05/30/news/news05silverton.txt . July 6, 2003.
  32. News: Simpson . Jeff . Silverton hopes renovation, outdoors store, boost business . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 18, 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050122062147/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jun-18-Wed-2003/business/21553380.html . January 22, 2005.
  33. News: Roberts . Alana . Union to protest at opening of Bass Pro Shops . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . November 15, 2004.
  34. News: Bass Pro Shop opens . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . November 16, 2004.
  35. News: Shubinski . Jennifer . The reel thing: Bass Pro Shops angling for big numbers at outdoor superstore . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . November 2, 2004.
  36. News: Henderson . Barb . An indoor adventure for outdoor enthusiasts . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . November 5, 2004.
  37. News: Padgett . Sonya . If casino throws a party, neighbors will come . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 7, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041110045742/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-07-Sun-2004/living/25153451.html . November 10, 2004.
  38. News: Padgett . Sonya . Making a Splash: Silverton pins hopes on 'mermaids' bringing in crowds . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 14, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041227111803/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Dec-14-Tue-2004/living/25450731.html . December 27, 2004.
  39. News: White . Ken . Mermaids Restaurant offers entertainment, 'approachable' food . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 19, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050308105247/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jan-19-Wed-2005/living/25655387.html . March 8, 2005.
  40. News: Levitan . Corey . Sea Minus (Mermaid) . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 21, 2008.
  41. News: Jones . Jay . Las Vegas aquariums bring the sea to the desert . April 22, 2021 . Los Angeles Times . July 13, 2008.
  42. News: Medrano . Monica . A day in the life of a Las Vegas mermaid . April 22, 2021 . Los Angeles Times . April 22, 2014.
  43. News: Luschek . Matt . Take a dive with the Silverton mermaids . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 8, 2018.
  44. News: Scott . Dylan . Swimming Santa returns to Silverton aquarium . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . December 3, 2010.
  45. News: Jones . Jay . Las Vegas: 5 odd places to spot Santa this month . April 22, 2021 . Los Angeles Times . December 3, 2013.
  46. News: Elfman . Doug . See Silverton's Santa soak . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 10, 2010.
  47. News: Spacek . Rachel . At Silverton in Las Vegas, Santa hears wish lists underwater . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 11, 2018.
  48. News: Fink . Jerry . Extreme Makeover: Silverton far more attractive after $150 million renovation . April 19, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . January 21, 2005.
  49. News: Weatherford . Mike . Hootie & the Blowfish at Silverton . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 8, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050122031201/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jan-08-Sat-2005/news/25625355.html . January 22, 2005.
  50. News: Weatherford . Mike . Hootie hits the Silverton . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 16, 2005 . subscription.
  51. News: Katsilometes . John . Marveling at how the ever-expanding Silverton manages to book its vast array of entertainers . January 4, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . January 27, 2006.
  52. News: Benston . Liz . Owners have grand plans for property . January 25, 2019 . Las Vegas Sun . March 18, 2005.
  53. News: White . Ken . Mi Casa Grill Cantina tries to keep menu authentic . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 17, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070627015500/http://www.reviewjournal.com:80/lvrj_home/2007/Jan-17-Wed-2007/living/11929305.html . June 27, 2007.
  54. News: Sign of the times . Las Vegas Business Press . April 21, 2021 . April 2, 2007 . subscription . NewsLibrary.
  55. News: Knightly . Arnold M. . Scaled-back expansion at Silverton set to open . April 21, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 22, 2008.
  56. News: Livingston . Ashley . Silverton's $120 million expansion to open this week . April 21, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . November 27, 2008.
  57. News: Weatherford . Mike . Silverton back in concert game . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 27, 2008.
  58. News: Green . Steve . Cantor Gaming to take over Silverton sports book . April 21, 2021 . VegasInc . June 18, 2012.
  59. News: Sylvester . Ron . New Cantor sports book opens at the Silverton . April 21, 2021 . VegasInc . November 29, 2012.
  60. News: Dye . Dave . Silverton's Kunkle has many plans for 100-acre property . Gaming Today . January 17, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190126060917/https://www.gamingtoday.com/article/65316-Silverton_s_Kunkle_has_many_plans_for_100_acre_property . January 26, 2019.
  61. News: Friedman . Ann . It took six months to plan Las Vegas' first Cracker Barrel . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Business Press . August 14, 2016.
  62. News: Usufzy . Pashtana . First Las Vegas-area Cracker Barrel coming to Silverton . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . December 28, 2015.
  63. Web site: Business license . Clark County . January 25, 2019.
  64. Web site: Business license . Clark County . January 25, 2019.
  65. News: Schulz . Bailey . Nevada businesses welcome film productions for benefits . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 23, 2018.
  66. News: Segall . Eli . Silverton project will add Hyatt Place hotel, restaurants . January 25, 2019 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 17, 2018.
  67. News: Curtis . Anthony . Village planned for Silverton . January 25, 2019 . Honolulu Star-Advertiser . May 4, 2018.
  68. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Fire Pits, Murals, and a View of the Sunset Highlight This New 24/7 Starbucks . . March 3, 2019 . December 21, 2018.
  69. News: Gartner . Jordan . Blaze Pizza celebrates another Las Vegas location with free pizza offer . March 3, 2019 . KTNV . February 21, 2019.
  70. News: Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village Set to Open in August 2019 . April 22, 2021 . GlobeNewswire . July 16, 2019.
  71. News: Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village Celebrates Grand Opening . April 22, 2021 . GlobeNewswire . November 7, 2019.
  72. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Silverton furloughs more than 600 workers, keeps Hyatt Place open . April 22, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 21, 2020.
  73. News: Akers . Mick . Silverton adding shopping center, Hyatt Place hotel . April 22, 2021 . VegasInc . May 29, 2018.
  74. News: Barnes . Jim . Silverton closing hotel, pool for complete remodeling . July 19, 2022 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 11, 2022.
  75. News: Silverton Casino in Las Vegas renovating 300-room hotel . July 19, 2022 . KSNV . July 13, 2022.
  76. News: Horwath . Bryan . Silverton resort to start work on $45 million renovation . January 4, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . July 30, 2022.
  77. News: Ross . McKenna . Silverton leans into 'cowboy glam' in 300-room hotel remodel . January 4, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 14, 2023.
  78. News: Silverton Casino unveils newly remodeled hotel rooms . January 4, 2024 . KSNV . October 2, 2023.
  79. Web site: Szydelko . Paul . Silverton Casino Lodge welcomes back guests with modern refurb . Travel Weekly . January 4, 2024 . October 14, 2023.
  80. News: Circa Sports launches at Silverton Casino Lodge . January 4, 2024 . Gambling Insider . January 3, 2024.