Reprieve for Harmon Hotel extended at least one more week

The one-week reprieve for the unfinished Harmon Hotel has stretched into at least two.

At a Dec. 6 hearing, Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez gave insurance company FM Global one week to submit an official filing concerning how much time it needs to inspect the Harmon. FM Global furnished the construction policy for the hotel; MGM Resorts International, the half-owner and operator of CityCenter, has filed a $393 million claim for the building as a total loss.

MGM wanted to begin the demolition, starting at the top of the 26-story tower and peeling away one floor at a time, on Dec. 2. This followed Gonzalez’ approval in August of their request to be rid of it.

But concerns raised by FM Global in September about destroying the evidence they need to evaluate how much, if anything, to pay on the claim cause Gonzalez to reverse herself in November. An insurance company response in the coming week could play a large role in how much longer the Harmon is left standing.

MGM has obtained a demolition permit from the county, but will not being work until final court approval is in hand, according to an MGM statement.