Clark County Approves Heart-Shaped Casino Resort on Abandoned SkyVue Site

Clark County commissioners approved plans for a 29-story heart-shaped casino resort that will occupy the long-abandoned SkyVue Ferris wheel site on the south Las Vegas Strip across from Mandalay Bay, and the decision clears the way for a project that includes 752 rooms along with convention space, a gaming floor, restaurants and retail outlets. The developer Eli Applebaum through Kulik River Capital acquired the nearly 12-acre parcel for 70 million dollars this spring, and the proposal calls for repurposing the old Ferris wheel pillars into a suspended restaurant that will hang above the property. The approval marks a significant step forward for a site that remained dormant for years after the original Ferris wheel project stalled, while the new resort design incorporates the existing pillars as both structural and thematic elements that tie the heart shape directly to the former attraction. County records show the commissioners reviewed the plans during a regular session and granted the necessary permits after confirming compliance with zoning and development standards for the Strip corridor. Project specifications detail a 29-story tower arranged in a heart formation that will house the 752 guest rooms along with multiple dining venues and retail spaces spread across several levels, and the gaming floor is positioned to serve both hotel guests and day visitors who arrive from nearby properties. Convention facilities are integrated into the lower floors to accommodate large meetings and events, while the suspended restaurant will utilize the repurposed Ferris wheel pillars to create a distinctive dining experience suspended above the resort grounds. Developer Eli Applebaum and Kulik River Capital completed the land purchase earlier this year, and the transaction positioned the group to move quickly into the permitting phase that culminated in the recent county approval. The 12-acre parcel sits in a high-traffic section of the south Strip where redevelopment interest has remained steady, and the heart-shaped concept emerged as a way to create visual distinction while honoring the site's history with the Ferris wheel structure. Construction timelines discussed during the approval process point toward initial groundwork beginning later this summer, with full operations targeted for phases that extend into 2027 and 2028, although exact groundbreaking dates remain subject to final engineering reviews. The resort will feature multiple restaurant outlets and retail stores that are expected to draw both tourists and local residents once completed, while the gaming floor will operate under standard Clark County licensing requirements. Observers note that the project revives a prominent vacant lot that had become a landmark of stalled development on the south Strip, and the heart-shaped design offers a fresh architectural approach that could influence future resort concepts in the corridor. The repurposed pillars will serve as both functional support and a visual reminder of the original Ferris wheel, creating a layered history within the new structure that blends old infrastructure with contemporary hospitality elements. Additional details from the approved plans include extensive parking facilities and pedestrian connections that link the resort to surrounding properties along the Strip, and these features were highlighted during commission discussions as important for traffic management and guest accessibility. The convention space is sized to compete with other large venues on the Strip, and the overall layout positions restaurants and retail areas to encourage foot traffic throughout the property.

Site History and Redevelopment Context

The nearly 12-acre parcel remained undeveloped after the SkyVue Ferris wheel project encountered financial and regulatory setbacks that left the steel pillars standing idle for more than a decade, and the new ownership group acquired the land with the explicit goal of transforming the site into an active resort destination. County planning documents describe the location as strategically positioned opposite Mandalay Bay, which places the future resort within a dense cluster of major properties that already attract millions of visitors annually. Eli Applebaum's acquisition through Kulik River Capital represented one of the larger land deals completed on the south Strip in recent years, and the 70 million dollar purchase price reflected both the size of the parcel and its development potential once approvals were secured. The heart-shaped tower design was presented to commissioners as a way to maximize room count while creating a recognizable silhouette that stands out from neighboring rectangular structures.

Project Components and Design Features

The 29-story structure will contain 752 rooms distributed across the heart-shaped wings, and the layout incorporates multiple levels of restaurants and retail that are designed to operate independently of the hotel tower during peak hours. Gaming space occupies a central position on the lower floors, while convention facilities extend outward to accommodate large groups without interfering with regular resort operations. The suspended restaurant will utilize the original Ferris wheel pillars as its primary support system, and this element preserves a piece of the site's past while adding a unique dining venue that will be visible from the Strip. Additional amenities such as pools, spas and entertainment venues are referenced in the approved plans, although specific square footage allocations for those areas will be finalized during the detailed design phase that follows permitting.

Approval Process and Regulatory Steps

Commissioners reviewed traffic studies, environmental assessments and architectural renderings before granting approval, and the process included public comment periods that allowed neighboring property owners to voice concerns about construction impacts. The final vote confirmed that the project meets all current Clark County requirements for height, density and land use within the gaming enterprise district. County staff reports indicated that the development will contribute to the local tax base through property assessments and resort fees once operational, and the addition of new hotel rooms and convention space aligns with broader regional goals for expanding hospitality capacity. The repurposing of existing pillars was cited as an environmentally conscious choice that reduces the need for complete demolition of prior infrastructure.

Future Timeline and Market Position

Groundbreaking is expected to occur after final engineering permits are issued, with initial structural work potentially starting as early as July 2026 depending on contractor schedules and material availability, and the phased opening approach will allow portions of the resort to begin generating revenue while construction continues on upper floors. The south Strip location places the property in direct competition with established resorts, yet the distinctive heart shape and suspended restaurant are positioned as differentiators that could attract visitors seeking novel experiences.

Conclusion

The Clark County approval represents a concrete advancement for the long-dormant SkyVue site, and the 29-story heart-shaped resort developed by Eli Applebaum through Kulik River Capital now moves toward construction with 752 rooms, extensive amenities and the creative reuse of existing Ferris wheel pillars. The project adds measurable capacity to the south Las Vegas Strip while preserving elements of teh site's earlier history, and observers will continue to track progress as engineering and building phases unfold in the coming months.