On road to opening, Resorts World envisions a singular guest experience

A view of Resorts World Las Vegas construction site on the Las Vegas Strip Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

When Resorts World opens next summer on the north end of the Strip, officials expect 75% of its revenue will come from nongaming options.

“When people walk in, the casino will be kind of an afterthought,” said Scott Sibella, the Resorts World president. “We know people will find the casino, it’s going to be there. We want to be the first truly integrated joint on the Strip where you won’t have any reason to leave.”

Sibella, a veteran casino executive and former president and CEO of the MGM Grand, said there’s going to be something for everyone at the $4.3 billion resort being constructed on 88 acres.

Along with an array of dining options, the complex will also have a massive 220,000-square-foot pool area — there will be suites with their own private pools — and 350,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.

Resorts World will also have a 5,000-seat concert and entertainment venue, which will sit on the far south side of the complex’s footprint. AEG Presents, along with its Concerts West division, will develop and operate the Theatre at Resorts World.

Entertainment has always been a big part of the Las Vegas experience, but Sibella referred to the idea that resorts will continue to collect more revenues via experiences — rather than gaming win — a “paradigm shift.”

“It’s been happening the past 20 years, so it will continue,” Sibella said. “This city will always be a gambling city, but it’s all about creating guest experiences through attractions and entertainment, great food, great shopping. The key to success, I think, going forward is creating these guest experiences.”

On Thursday, a scaled-down model of the property was placed at McCarran International Airport to allow visitors to get a glimpse of what’s being built — a sprawling campus with two hotel towers, an events and concert center, meeting space, dining areas, parking facilities, and a massive pool area facing the property’s east side.

“I don’t think anything has been done at this level, and we think we can pull it off,” Sibella said.

Around 3,000 workers are laboring at the site daily, Sibella said. He said the pandemic has posed challenges — some having to do with securing building materials and getting them shipped here — and admitted the pace of construction slowed. But he has no doubts that construction will be finished by next summer.

Close to 200 resort employees have been hired to date, Sibella said, with the goal being about 6,000 new hires by the time the resort opens.

“The opening of Resorts World Las Vegas is coming at the perfect time,” said Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association. “It will provide Southern Nevada with a much-needed economic boost. Las Vegas’ latest integrated resort is already delivering many economic benefits to our community and will continue in the future.”

While much work remains to be done at the site in the coming months, passersby along the Strip or Interstate 15 will notice that the resort’s twin hotel towers appear from the outside to be mostly complete. And in July, Resorts World first showcased a 100,000-square-foot LED screen, which is on its west hotel tower. Sibella said he envisions the possible airing of Super Bowls on the screen, along with movie nights for pool-goers.

“We know it won’t happen overnight, but we think what we’re building will bring more business to this side of the Strip,” Sibella said. “The Convention Center (expansion) had a lot to do with what we’re seeing down here. Hopefully, we can help find work for some of the people who were let go or furloughed because of the pandemic. I think that’s good for this city, and a good story for everybody.”

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