{"id":5379,"date":"2013-12-31T00:45:10","date_gmt":"2013-12-31T07:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/?p=5379"},"modified":"2013-12-31T15:10:17","modified_gmt":"2013-12-31T22:10:17","slug":"checking-construction-sls-hotel-casino-las-vegas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/checking-construction-sls-hotel-casino-las-vegas\/","title":{"rendered":"Checking in On the Construction at SLS Hotel & Casino Las Vegas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The iconic Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is slowly transforming into SLS Las Vegas. Yes, against all odds, this is actually happening.<\/p>\n

The Rat Pack-era Sahara (rhyming sold separately) operated from 1952 to 2011, and many, including this blog, were skeptical when plans surfaced for a new resort at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. We’re pleased to say we were wrong. Just this once.<\/p>\n

We recently stopped by to see how the construction of SLS Las Vegas is progressing.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
We miss you, Sahara. Your mustiness, not so much. Trivia: The original casino on this site, built in 1947, was called Club Bingo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The plans for SLS Las Vegas include 1,600 rooms, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and a convention center. Sorry, no roller coaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
The SLS will have a patio area, burger restaurant, beer garden and sports book where the Sahara’s roller coaster, Speed – The Ride, once stood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, SLS Las Vegas will have a shiny new casino, with 80 table games and 800 slot machines. This Las Vegas blog fully expects to put a hurting on some of those very same games when SLS opens.<\/p>\n

The renderings for SLS Las Vegas are impressive (see below), including an upscale facade that’s already starting to take shape at the site.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
Bonus: The SLS will certainly be prepared in case of air raids.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There’s a fairly tall construction fence along Las Vegas Boulevard, but those have rarely been a deterrent when we want to see what’s up inside.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
Nice try, fences.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon, all traces of the Sahara will be gone, but as construction takes place, there are still some Moroccan-inspired flourishes visible over the 10-foot-tall fence.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
Your days are numbered, Moroccan-inspired flourish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here’s a good look at the entire Las Vegas Boulevard-facing part of the SLS Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The future home of oontz.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sahara’s porte-cochere, with a distinctive onion-dome minaret, has long since been demolished, and a new porte-cochere is taking its place.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
An onion-dome minaret sounds delicious right about now, doesn’t it?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here’s a look at where the porte-cochere is headed.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
This may actually be the Starfleet Academy, we’re not entirely sure.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The high-end SLS Las Vegas is gambling that the north end of The Strip is ready for an infusion of glitz.<\/p>\n

The $415 million project, which will have a look inspired by Hollywood Boulevard and the Sunset Strip, is expected to open in 2014. Read more about plans for SLS Hotel & Casino Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Review-Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SLS<\/a>
SLS is a palindrome which stands for “style, luxury and service.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you’d like to keep tabs on what’s transpiring at SLS Las Vegas, the hotel’s developer has provided a convenient Webcam<\/a>. Find out more about SLS Las Vegas on the official site<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here are a few more photos of SLS Las Vegas, soon to bringing style, service and luxury (although not necessarily in that order) to the much-neglected north end of the Las Vegas Strip.<\/p>\n