Wynn Land Deal Shows Deep Connections Between Wynn, Trump, and Ruffin
Posted on: January 16, 2018, 04:00h.
Last updated on: January 16, 2018, 12:27h.
When Wynn Resorts announced that it was purchasing 38 acres of land across from the Wynn Las Vegas last month, it was unclear what the company or developer Steve Wynn might have planned for the plot of land that was once the Alon project site.
But the deal did serve as a reminder of just how interlinked the dealings of many billionaire casino magnates can be, including some of the largest developers in Las Vegas and the current President of the United States.
Over the years, the site that was purchased has been owned by a number of groups who had big plans for the land, though nothing has come of any of these recent projects.
Going far back, the land was the home of the New Frontier, a hotel that was imploded about 10 years ago.
Packer Was Latest Billionaire to Fail to Build on Site
Most recently, the majority of the plot purchased by Wynn was owned by James Packer’s Crown Resorts with the purpose of building a casino resort known as Alon. But Packer backed out last year before any sort of construction had begun, choosing to sell the vacant lot north of Fashion Show Drive instead.
The sale of that land to Wynn Resorts should be finalized sometime this quarter. But the land also includes 3.6 acres that was owned by Phil Ruffin, owner of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, and that’s where the Donald Trump connection comes into play.
Ruffin’s land is next to the Trump International hotel and condo building, and was planned to be the site of a second tower. Back in 2008, the future president said that once the economy improved, he planned to build a second high-rise that would be identical to the first.
But when financial markets failed to recover quickly following the housing bubble crisis, those plans were scuttled.
Since then, the site has passed through the hands of a couple of different investment groups that had plans to build there, but nothing as materialized.
From a planned resort known as Plaza Las Vegas to the recent Crown Resorts effort, nobody has been able to get the ball rolling on development of the vacant site, a pattern that has been seen with other vacant parcels on and near the Las Vegas Strip.
Wynn May Hold Land for Future Projects
Now, it will be Steve Wynn’s turn to try to make something of the land where Ruffin and Trump could not. It’s unclear if anything will be done with the land soon, however, with some analysts expecting the firm to simply hold the land so that it is available for future use.
The connection between these billionaires goes deeper than just land deals in Las Vegas. Ruffin and President Trump have been friends for a long time now, with Trump even serving as the best man as Ruffin’s wedding to 26-year-old Ukrainian beauty queen Oleksandra Nikolayenko in 2008.
Ruffin was a major supporter of Trump’s presidential campaign, and visited the White House last March.
Meanwhile, Wynn and Trump have buried the hatchet on their rivalry from when the now-president was active in the casino industry.
While Wynn initially backed other Republican candidates, he eventually supported Trump’s candidacy, and now serves as the finance chairman of the Republican National Committee.
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Last Comments ( 13 )
Would never stay in any hotel owned by these three, especially the treasonous fat boy
The sale of that land to Wynn Resorts should be finalized sometime this quarter. But the land also includes 3.6 acres that was owned by Phil Ruffin, owner of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, and that’s where the Donald Trump connection comes into play.
It would be great to have Wynn back to uphold the brand. I can see it deteriorating. For those trump hating comments, blame yourselves for the insanely high gas prices and inflation we are about to see with Biden. Voting dem means voting for satan. God bless
TRUMP IS the devil...money money these rich guys care about money only....the worse PRESIDENT ever...they marry women half there age all for money why would a beautiful women 26 years old marry an old 75 year old men looking at his old wrinkled body....all of TRUMPS casinos 6 of them all went under he is the worse bussiness men on earth and the biggest CROOK..lou
Hey Francis, Learn how to spell
There's no place in the world like Las Vegas. Wow one word comes to mind "integrity" and that's what sets the standard of the word "Trust" it's a life style you learn here in Las Vegas NV. And I've been asked that word more then once over the last few years. My answer was yes. If you believe in someone it's for good reason. So I can't wait to see what these three men put together.
I worked for New Frontier Hotel bck then n it was sold to a new york publishing company for 1.2 billion by mr.ruffin n he bought T.I..Mr.ruffin owns Treaure Island
If you think they care about Nevada or anyone living in Nevada or anywhere else you wait and see what you get. More than likely the bill..They care about one thing and one thing only oh yeah two things ..money and pride for who?
death antichrist
What had happened in STRONG VEGAS STAYS HERE...SOO HAKUNA MATATA/NO PROBLEM!! MAKE LAS VEGAS LONG RESIDENCES HAPPY AGAIN.
Phil ruffin bought T.I. from MGM resorts during the financial crisis. Look it up.
Correction: Phil Ruffin does not own Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It was founded in 1992 and has never sold to him.
President Trump's tax plan coming home to roost, and benefit thousands of Nevadans. Thank you Mr. Wynn, for supporting Donald Trump.