6 Developments Las Vegas Locals are Buzzing About

Las Vegas is always humming. Usually it’s running on a healthy dose of music, adrenaline, and the frenetic energy of vibrating slot machines. Every once in a while, however, Sin City experiences a rush of breath to its lungs from an exciting new project.

In early 2018, there are enough new developments on the horizon to keep locals exhilarated for months. From new stadiums — to accommodate a freshly minted NFL team — to once-abandoned hotel projects suddenly resurrected, the city has a lot of plans coming together at the same time. You can expect to see neighborhoods like the North Strip reinvented in a way they haven’t been for decades.

Whether you’re living in Las Vegas or contemplating a move here, at least six projects are about to transform your experience as a resident. Here’s what you need to know about how development in Vegas is giving your favorite city a makeover.

1. Resorts World is Finally Underway

Construction on Resorts World began back in 2015, but progress has been moving at snail speed – until recently. In 2018, the steam is picking up on this exciting project. A 3,000-room hotel is in the works, and you’re bound to notice the new cranes filling the skyline every week as progress gets rolling. About $400 million in contracts have been signed, and you’ll soon notice windows and bright interiors going up in the Asian-themed venue. When all is said and done, the elaborate casino project will span 87 acres. The two hotel towers will reach 56 stories, topping the Wynn Hotel and altering the state of the Las Vegas skyline forever. The final completion is still about two years away, but the development project stands to bring in a lot of new jobs once the doors are open.

2. The Big Convention Center Expansion is Happening

In the North Strip, a $1.4 billion expansion to the Las Vegas Convention Center promises to bring in a lot of new tourism — which translates to more traffic in local businesses and an increase in sales revenue in the area. The convention center is already a centerpiece of the city, stretching out across 3.2 million square feet with 2 million square feet dedicated to exhibit space. Millions of people flock to the center from around the world for entertainment exhibits and professional conferences alike — an estimated 600,000 additional visitors are anticipated as a result of the convention center expansion. The new visitors will need places to eat and sleep, so the expansion is expected to prompt even more development in the North Strip. Designers are currently being commissioned for the grand expansion.

3. A New Music Venue Is in the Works

The Madison Square Garden Co. and Las Vegas Sands Corp. have filed papers with Clark County to break ground on an exciting music venue in 2018. If all goes according to plan, the massive new venue would cover almost 600,000 square feet and host at least 40 events a year. This means more jobs, better entertainment, and the opportunity for the city to welcome larger crowds for festivals or iconic events. The venue is expected to hold about 19,000 people.

4. Raiders Stadium is On Its Way

The Oakland Raiders have plans to make Sin City their new home, and the city is busy getting ready. A new stadium, tentatively called Las Vegas Stadium, broke ground in late 2017 in Paradise. The massive venue will hold 65,000 fans beneath its dome, and with them a huge potential for additional tourism in the region. As the only NFL team in the desert, the Las Vegas Raiders will no doubt bring in excited football fans from around the region — who will all need places to stay, shop, eat, and more. Las Vegans can expect the Paradise area to see significant growth along with the thrilling addition of a new major venue.

5. Wynn Paradise Park is Under Construction

Looking to replace a local golf course, the ambitious Wynn Paradise Park is still a go at the north end of The Strip. An exhilarating (if a bit perplexing) blend of a planned lagoon, hotel, and bumper car venue, this park will reinvent what it means to provide unique entertainment and ambiance on The Strip. There will even be nighttime parades complete with fireworks displays. Construction began in January 2018, so residents should start seeing real change on the lot within the next six months or so. The advent of this park might make this end of The Strip a bit more family-friendly, welcoming a slew of new tourists and with them ushering potential opportunities for neighboring businesses.

6. Fontainebleau Redevelopment Has Begun

Remember the Fontainebleau? If you’ve been living in Las Vegas, how could you forget it? This project had a lot of promise right before the recession, all of which died when the real estate bubble burst so spectacularly. Now, on the heels of its purchase for $600 million in mid-2017, the development has a new green light — along with a new identity. The project is now called The Drew Las Vegas, and is planning to open in 2020. The hotel will tower 20 stories over The Strip, combining a hotel and casino with expansive convention and meeting space. Given its proximity to the convention center and other Las Vegas developments, The Drew is bound to bring in both new jobs and excited new visitors.

2018: A Year of Growth for Las Vegas

Las Vegas is never one to bore – for both its visitors and its locals. Whether you’ve been living in the city for years or are considering setting down roots here, these development projects speak to the abundance of promise in Las Vegas in the years to come. The plethora of new casinos and entertainment venues bringing fresh interest is already propelling some to consider investing in residential real estate, before the market gets too hot.

What makes this city attractive is not just its variety of options for seeking entertainment and indulging in luxury, but the fact that Sin City never stops growing and expanding those options. Las Vegas is constantly embracing new ways to bring excitement, opulence, and thrill to its patrons. As a first-time vacationer, a longtime resident, or a frequent visitor, you can reap the benefits of the latest, state-of-the-art amenities in the city you love.