Heart-Shaped Facade Approved for Las Vegas Strip Resort on Former SkyVue Parcel
Clark County commissioners delivered unanimous approval for a 752-room casino resort that stands 29 stories tall and carries a distinctive heart-shaped glass facade fitted with LED displays, and the project now occupies the long-vacant south Las Vegas Strip parcel once reserved for the SkyVue observation wheel that never opened. Developer Eli Applebaum through Kulik River Capital will fold the existing concrete support columns from that earlier project 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.
Project Details and Site History
The resort reuses remnants of the 2012-era unfinished wheel structure, and the design keeps the height within limits that already secured Federal Aviation Administration clearance after earlier reductions. Construction plans call for the heart motif to serve as both architectural signature and dynamic lighting element visible from passing traffic along the Strip. Observers note that teh reuse of pre-existing columns reduces foundation work and allows the sky venue restaurant to sit above the main casino level without new vertical supports. The overall program includes 752 guest rooms distributed across the tower, convention space sized for mid-sized meetings, and parking structures that accommodate both hotel guests and day visitors.
County records show the approval came after review of traffic, utility, and height studies, and the developer confirmed that all required adjustments for aviation safety had already been incorporated. The heart-shaped facade will incorporate programmable LED elements that can display event information or seasonal themes, yet the structure itself remains within the envelope approved by the FAA. Retail and dining components will occupy the lower levels while entertainment areas and the pool sit adjacent to the tower base.
Developer Background and Regulatory Path
Eli Applebaum and Kulik River Capital have outlined a timeline that begins with site preparation using the remaining concrete elements from the SkyVue project, and the company expects to move forward with permitting and design finalization in the months ahead. The same parcel sat idle for more than a decade after the observation wheel project stalled, and the new plan converts that dormant footprint into an active gaming and hospitality venue. County staff confirmed that the unanimous vote followed standard public hearings where no major objections were recorded.
The Federal Aviation Administration had previously reviewed tower height proposals and granted clearance once the developer lowered the overall elevation to address flight-path concerns near Harry Reid International Airport. Those same adjustments now allow the 29-story structure to proceed without further aviation review. County commissioners also verified that parking, drainage, and pedestrian access plans meet current Strip corridor standards. The project adds convention space that can support both gaming events and corporate gatherings, and the elevated restaurant component will offer views across the southern end of the Strip while resting on the original wheel columns.
Construction and Timeline Outlook
Work on the site is expected to begin once final engineering drawings receive stamps, and the reuse of existing columns should shorten the overall build schedule compared with a ground-up foundation. The developer has indicated that the heart-shaped glass and LED system will be fabricated off-site before installation, which further streamlines on-site labor. Retail and dining tenants have not yet been announced, yet the floor plans allocate dedicated space for both local operators and national brands. The pool and entertainment areas sit on the south side of the tower to capture afternoon sun and evening foot traffic from neighboring properties.
Las Vegas tourism figures for 2026 continue to show steady visitor growth, and the addition of a new mid-tier resort on the south Strip aligns with ongoing corridor revitalization efforts. The project does not require new gaming licenses because the operator will pursue a standard non-restricted license already available for Strip locations. County planning documents list the total project cost in the range typical for a 750-room tower with integrated gaming, although final figures remain subject to material and labor bids.
Conclusion
The unanimous approval clears the last major local hurdle for the heart-shaped resort, and the developer now holds the permits needed to advance design and financing. The transformation of the former SkyVue parcel into an active casino and hotel complex marks another step in the gradual redevelopment of underused south Strip land. With FAA clearance already secured and existing structural elements integrated into the new plan, construction activity could begin later this year and continue through the balance of 2026 and into 2027.