Consolidated Resorts Chairman Michael Kaplan said he expects the first phase of the Tahitian Village condominium project, shown under construction Wednesday, will yield sales of more than $1.5 billion. Photo by Gary Thompson.

Las Vegas-based Consolidated Resorts topped off construction on the $60 million first phase of Tahiti Village, a time share project on Las Vegas Boulevard South near Warm Springs Road.

The first three buildings will be five and six stories with 154 two-bedroom units that can be split into 308 one-bedroom units, Consolidated Chairman Michael Kaplan said.

General contractor Martin-Harris Construction poured the concrete roofing on two six-story buildings, which are scheduled for completion in March. More towers are planned for the back portion of the 27-acre property going up to 11 stories.

Kaplan said the first phase is selling quickly and that the finished project, with 1,046 rooms, will generate sales of more than $1.5 billion.

"We assembled 27 acres in the last three years and we had offers of two and three times what we paid for the land before we even started construction," he said. "I can't believe the value of the land out there. You look at that location, it's as close to the Strip as you can get."

Tahiti Village has 1,550-square-foot floor plans for two-bedroom, two-bath condos that come with a plasma-screen televisions. Amenities include a 10,000-square-foot pool and beach, spa, concierge and lounge.

Consolidated Resorts has developed nine vacation ownership resorts in Hawaii and three in Las Vegas, including Club de Soleil and Tahiti on west Tropicana Avenue.

AVI RESORT: Burke & Associates has been awarded a $25 million contract to build an expansion to the Avi Resort and Casino in Laughlin. The project includes a 700-car parking garage, 25,000-square-foot casino expansion, 25,000-square-foot ballroom, offices, swimming pool and employee areas. Completion is scheduled for September 2006.

CANCER INSTITUTE: The $52 million, 142,000-square-foot Nevada Cancer Institute opened Friday at Hualapai Way and Twain Avenue. Built by Marnell Corrao and Associates, the flagship facility has been designated as the official cancer institute of Nevada by the state Legislature and will be home to research, education and multidisciplinary patient care.

JACKSON-SHAW PROJECT: LM Construction has been awarded a $7.2 million contract to build Northeast Crossing, a development by Dallas-based Jackson-Shaw Co. at Cheyenne and Lincoln avenues.

The project calls for six office and warehouse buildings encompassing 130,000 square feet.

Also, LM Construction has completed shell construction for three office and warehouse buildings at Arroyo Industrial Park at Sunset Road and Tenaya Way. The $11 million industrial park has a total of 310,000 square feet.

The company is nearing completion of the $2 million Arlen Ness motorcycle dealership in Henderson with 12,000 square feet of showroom and offices.

CONDO TOWERS: Allure Las Vegas, two 40-story luxury condominium towers planned at Sahara Avenue and Fairfield Avenue, a block west of the Strip, has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for Wednesday.

Developer is The Fifield Cos., a Chicago-based real estate development firm founded by Steven Fifield in 1977. Preconstruction prices start from the $300,000s.

OFFICE BUILDING: SR Construction has been awarded the contract for the 6,500-square-foot, single-story Dan Van Epp office building at Hills Center Business Park in Summerlin.

RETAIL CENTER: The 90,000-square-foot Charleston Festival Center has broken ground at 6292 W. Charleston Blvd., east of Torrey Pines Drive. The developer is Bullseye Commercial Real Estate, general contractor is SR Construction and architect is Perkowitz and Ruth.