Heart-Shaped Casino Resort Gains Clark County Approval on Former SkyVue Las Vegas Strip Site

Clark County commissioners granted unanimous approval for a 752-room casino resort that will rise 29 stories on the long-vacant south Las Vegas Strip parcel once earmarked for the SkyVue observation wheel project. Developer Eli Applebaum, operating through Kulik River Capital, will convert the existing concrete support columns into an elevated sky venue restaurant while adding a full casino floor, multiple restaurants, retail outlets, a pool deck, entertainment zones, convention facilities and structured parking. The design features a distinctive heart-shaped glass facade equipped with LED displays, and the project secured FAA clearance following earlier height adjustments.

Site History and Project Reuse

The south Strip location sat dormant for years after the SkyVue wheel initiative stalled in 2012, leaving behind massive concrete pylons that now form the structural backbone of the new resort. Those remnants reduce new foundation work and allow the developer to integrate vertical circulation and dining space directly into the existing framework. The heart-shaped envelope wraps around the tower, providing a visual landmark visible from the Strip and surrounding roadways while incorporating programmable LED elements for dynamic lighting and messaging.

Development Scope and Amenities

Plans call for 752 guest rooms distributed across the 29 floors, with the sky venue restaurant positioned atop the repurposed columns to offer elevated views. The casino floor will occupy a prominent position at the base, flanked by dining and retail options designed to serve both hotel guests and local visitors. Additional elements include a resort pool with cabanas, entertainment venues for live performances, flexible convention and meeting spaces, and multi-level parking to accommodate peak demand. Because the project reuses the 2012-era infrastructure, construction timelines are expected to compress compared with a ground-up build on a cleared site.

Regulatory Approvals and FAA Coordination

Commissioners reviewed the proposal in a single session and voted without dissent, clearing the path for permitting and groundbreaking. The FAA had already signed off on the revised height and lighting scheme after the developer lowered the original tower profile to meet aviation safety standards. That coordination addressed concerns about proximity to McCarran International Airport flight paths while preserving the distinctive heart-shaped silhouette. County staff reports noted that the project aligns with existing zoning and master-plan guidelines for the resort corridor, streamlining the final approval steps.

Developer Background and Timeline Outlook

Eli Applebaum and Kulik River Capital have assembled a team experienced in adaptive reuse and vertical construction on constrained urban sites. The company intends to move forward with detailed engineering and contractor selection now that political and aviation hurdles are cleared. Observers note that the reuse of the SkyVue columns positions the project for faster vertical progress once permits are issued, potentially allowing the resort to open in phases during 2026 and beyond. The LED facade system will be installed as the curtain wall rises, giving the structure its signature appearance early in the construction sequence.

Integration with Surrounding Strip Development

The new resort sits among established properties on the south end of the Strip, where pedestrian traffic and tourism remain strong. Planners incorporated walkable connections to neighboring resorts adn future transit improvements, ensuring the heart-shaped tower functions as both a destination and a visual anchor. Retail and dining outlets will open to the street level, creating additional foot traffic along the sidewalk corridor. Convention space is sized to attract mid-sized meetings that complement larger facilities elsewhere on the Strip, broadening the property's market reach beyond leisure travelers.

Conclusion

The unanimous Clark County approval marks a concrete step forward for the long-stalled site, converting an unfinished observation-wheel foundation into a 752-room resort with a heart-shaped LED facade. With FAA clearance secured and the existing columns integrated into the design, Kulik River Capital can now advance engineering and construction planning. The project adds casino, dining, retail, entertainment and convention capacity to the south Strip inventory while preserving structural elements from the 2012-era SkyVue effort. As permitting proceeds, the development timeline points toward phased openings that will contribute new inventory and architectural interest to Las Vegas tourism infrastructure.