Fontainebleau Las Vegas Now Open after 23-Year Wait

Article ByDavid Weir

December 13, 2023

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Posted in: Nevada Gambling News, US Casino News, US Gambling News

After a 23-year journey, the long-awaited Fontainebleau Las Vegas this morning opened its doors with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. There will be an exclusive invitation party later in the day before the resort opens to the general public at midnight.

This $3.7-billion resort, situated on a 25-acre site, is the latest project from Fontainebleau Development’s Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Soffer, who initiated the venture in 2000.

The construction halted in 2008 because of the Great Recession, and it remained 70% complete for over a decade. It was then revived, but put on hold again just before the pandemic.  

In 2021, Fontainebleau Development reacquired the property in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments. With that renewed investment, things have moved forward to today’s grand opening.

It also marks the first major addition to the list of Nevada casinos on the Las Vegas Strip since 2021’s opening of Resorts World Las Vegas.

“This building represents a remarkable new chapter in our storied legacy and will be a beacon for those seeking to indulge in the unforgettable,” said Soffer.

Opulent Accommodations

Fontainebleau Las Vegas introduces 3,644 rooms in its 67-story blue glass tower, the tallest on the Las Vegas Strip. Those rooms include the luxurious Fleur de Lis collection.

These 76 suites span the top floors of what is also Nevada’s tallest occupiable building, offering awesome views of Las Vegas and particularly of the nearby Las Vegas Sphere.

As well the sweeping urban-desert landscape view, the suites at the Fontainebleau include luxury amenities, such as wellness rooms and custom Italian bedding.

Rates for these exclusive suites begin at $5,000 per night, reflecting the resort’s focus on high-end luxury. Regular rooms, still finished to a high standard, start at $300 a night.

The design choices are all inspired by Fontainebleau Development’s iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which opened in 1957. Jeffrey Soffer’s father, Donald Soffer, bought the Miami hotel in 2005 and completely redeveloped it before reopening it in 2008.

The new Fontainebleau’s exclusive opening party will have a black bow tie theme, paying homage to legendary Miami architect and designer of the Miami Beach venue, Morris Lapidus, who wore them daily.

“With Fontainebleau Las Vegas, we have transcended aspiration and set the stage for a new era of luxury hospitality defined by innovation, sophistication, and opulence, with an inextricable link to our roots at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach,” said Jeffrey Soffer.

Casino Floor

The latest Las Vegas Strip property is set employ some 7,000 workers. The team will be responsible for 1,300 slot machines, 128 gaming tables, and a 14,000-square-foot new addition to the list of Nevada retail sportsbooks, as well as nongambling facilities.

The sportsbook, worked into a sports bar style venue, will have Fontainebleau branding. But it will run on technology provided by fellow Las Vegas casino operator Red Rock Resorts.

The 150,000-square-foot casino floor will also include various high-end table gaming rooms and a high limit slots room with 105 titles.

Dining and Amenities in Balance

The resort’s dining options feature 36 diverse restaurants and bars, partnering with renowned chefs and hospitality groups.

It has opted for exclusive and unique venues over the chain joints and celebrity chef restaurants found at many Las Vegas casinos. Unique offerings include the Cantina Contramar, opening in 2024, Mother Wolf, Papi Steak, and the creator of renowned high-end eatery Hakkasan, Chyna Club.

Many of the Fontainebleau’s restaurants opened for reservations over a month ago, such is anticipation among the already well-served Las Vegas culinary scene.

In terms of entertainment and events, Fontainebleau brings a huge 55,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, and 10 times that amount — 550,000 square feet — in convention and event space.

The resort is moving away from traditional long-term residencies, focusing on shorter runs of high-impact performances. It has booked Post Malone for the opening act of its BleauLive Theater. He will play to 3,800 fans on December 30 and 31.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas President Marc Tricano summed up the new resort’s attitude to its diverse offerings, speaking to Las Vegas Review-Journal ahead of the opening.

“I do view this as a wholly integrated resort, where it’s going to find that balance between all of those elements of the business,” Tricano said.

“In order for us to be successful long term, that’s what we have to do as a team. If we allow any one of those elements to dominate, I think we would be shortchanging ourselves in some of those other areas.”

With its grand opening today, Fontainebleau Las Vegas takes the title of newest casino in Las Vegas away from the locals-oriented Durango Casino Resort, which opened last week on December 7.