Announced in 2005, the Fountainebleau casino in Las Vegas is due for a grand opening on December 13. The 3,644-room hotel with 173,000 sqft of gaming space is on the Las Vegas Strip, at a site previously occupied by El Rancho and Algiers.
In the heart of the bustling Las Vegas Strip, a new star is about to rise. After nearly two decades of anticipation, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas is set to open its doors on December 13, 2023. This grand opening marks the end of a tumultuous journey and the beginning of a new era in luxury hospitality.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a resort and casino that has been under construction on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada. It’s a sister property to Fontainebleau Miami Beach and sits on the 24.5-acre site previously occupied by the El Rancho Hotel and Casino and the Algiers Hotel.
The resort will feature a total of 3,644 hotel rooms, including 421 suites. Each room is air-conditioned and comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a safety deposit box, and bed linen and towels. Certain rooms also offer city views. The resort is designed to provide a comfortable and luxurious stay for its guests, with room service and a 24-hour front desk available for their convenience.
In addition to the rooms, the resort will offer a variety of amenities to enhance the guest experience. These include an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar, and a casino. The resort will also feature a 56,000-square-foot spa and nail salon, as well as a 14,000-square-foot fitness center.
The casino at Fontainebleau Las Vegas will span 173,000 square feet and will feature 1,300 slot machines and 128 table games. The games include popular options like blackjack, three-card poker, and more. The casino will also include more than 18,000 square feet of high-limit gaming spaces, including a slot area with 105 games and a private gaming salon with three table games — blackjack, baccarat, and European roulette.
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas is designed to provide a world-class experience for its guests. From its stunning architecture and world-class entertainment to its magnificent fine art and captivating cocktail presentations, every visit to Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be studded with moments of awe.
The resort will also offer seven distinct pool experiences for hotel guests, four bars, two enticing restaurants, and fabulous outdoor gaming options.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas President Mark Tricano told commissioners, “We really want to make a splash in the market.” He also said, “In less than 30 days we will be open and I, with a high degree of confidence, feel that what we will bring to market will make our ownership, our team members, this commission, the State of Nevada and our local community very proud.”
Jacob Francis, president of Koch Real Estate Investments, said, “Securing $2.2 billion in financing in today’s market speaks to the widespread confidence in this project, and the team that’s come together to bring it to Las Vegas.”
Jeff Soffer, the CEO of Fontainebleau Development, has expressed his excitement. He said, “This building represents a remarkable new chapter in our storied legacy and will be a beacon for those seeking to indulge in the unforgettable.” He also stated, “With Fontainebleau Las Vegas, we have transcended aspiration and set the stage for a new era of luxury hospitality defined by innovation, sophistication, and opulence, with an inextricable link to our roots at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.”
The ownership of Fontainebleau Las Vegas has seen several changes since the project was first announced in 2005. It was originally proposed by developer Fontainebleau Resorts, owned by Jeff Soffer. However, the project faced numerous setbacks, including the 2008 financial crisis, which led to a halt in construction and the project entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009.
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn purchased the project out of bankruptcy in 2010 but never restarted construction. Seven years later, the unfinished resort was sold to investment firms Witkoff Group and New Valley LLC, which planned to open it as The Drew Las Vegas in 2022. However, construction stopped in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a twist of fate, in February 2021, Soffer bought back the project through his company Fontainebleau Development, with Koch Real Estate Investments as a partner. Soffer reinstated the original name of the project, and construction resumed in November 2021.
The final financing round for the Fontainebleau Las Vegas was bankrolled by several prominent financial institutions. These include JP Morgan, Japan’s SMBC bank, Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim Partners, and VICI Properties. The secured $2.2 billion construction loan keeps construction on schedule and paves the way for Fontainebleau Las Vegas to make its global debut.
The story of Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a testament to the resilience and determination of those involved. From its initial announcement in 2005 to its imminent opening in 2023, the project has weathered financial crises, ownership changes, and a global pandemic. Yet, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Fontainebleau Las Vegas has emerged stronger and is ready to welcome guests to a world-class experience.
As we count down the days to the grand opening, the anticipation builds. The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, once a symbol of a bygone era, is set to become a beacon of hope and a testament to the indomitable spirit of Las Vegas. The city, known for its resilience, is ready to embrace this new chapter, and the world eagerly awaits the rise of the new star on the Las Vegas Strip.
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Daniel Horvat 
December 4, 2023 
