Clark County Commissioners Approve Heart-Shaped Casino Resort on Abandoned SkyVue Site
Amir Schmidt · Jul 26, 2026
Clark County Commissioners Approve Heart-Shaped Casino Resort on Abandoned SkyVue Site
Clark County commissioners have given formal approval for a 29-story heart-shaped casino resort that will occupy the long-vacant SkyVue Ferris wheel site on the south Las Vegas Strip directly across from Mandalay Bay. The development will feature 752 rooms along with convention space, a gaming floor, restaurants, and retail outlets while repurposing the original Ferris wheel pillars to support a suspended restaurant structure.
Site Acquisition and Location Details
Developer Eli Applebaum, operating through Kulik River Capital, acquired the nearly 12-acre parcel this spring for $70 million. The location sits on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip where the SkyVue Ferris wheel once stood before the project was abandoned years ago. Commissioners reviewed and passed the plans during a regular public meeting, clearing the path for construction to move forward on the prominent parcel.
Resort Features and Design Elements
The approved project calls for a 29-story structure shaped like a heart that will contain 752 guest rooms. Plans include dedicated convention space, a full gaming floor, multiple restaurants, and retail areas designed to serve both visitors and local residents. The existing Ferris wheel pillars from the prior SkyVue installation will be integrated into the new build to create a suspended restaurant that overlooks the Strip. This approach reuses structural elements already on site while adding a distinctive visual component to the finished resort.
Construction timelines and permitting steps now shift to the next phases following the county vote. The developer has outlined how the heart-shaped silhouette will serve as the central architectural feature, with the repurposed pillars providing both functional support and a nod to the site's earlier history.
Project Components and Amenities
According to project documents submitted to the county, the resort will combine lodging with entertainment and meeting facilities. The gaming floor forms a core element while convention space targets group business and large-scale events. Restaurants and retail outlets will occupy ground-level and mid-level positions within the structure, creating a mixed-use environment typical of modern Strip properties. The suspended restaurant utilizing the original Ferris wheel pillars adds a unique operational detail that differentiates the project from standard high-rise developments.
Approval Background and Next Steps
County records show the commissioners evaluated zoning, traffic impact, and design compliance before granting approval. The purchase by Kulik River Capital earlier this year set the stage for the formal application that received the green light. No additional county-level hurdles remain at this stage, although state gaming licensing and other regulatory reviews will follow standard procedures for new casino projects in Nevada.
Integration with Existing Strip Infrastructure
The site lies directly across from Mandalay Bay, placing the new resort within an established cluster of major properties on the south Strip. Planners have noted how the heart-shaped design and pillar reuse will create visual continuity with the surrounding skyline while introducing a distinct landmark. Access roads and utility connections already serve the parcel, which reduces the scope of infrastructure work required before vertical construction begins.
Conclusion
The approval marks a concrete step toward redevelopment of the former SkyVue location. With the parcel secured and county plans cleared, the project now proceeds through subsequent regulatory and construction phases that will determine the final opening timeline. All elements described remain consistent with the documents presented to and accepted by Clark County commissioners.