Summerlin hotel targeting medical crowd

At a time when many commercial developments have halted construction or gone bankrupt, the 123-suite Element by Westin is substantially complete and scheduled to open Dec. 18 in Las Vegas, near the Las Vegas Beltway and Town Center Drive.

The $25 million project, a joint venture between Las Vegas-based LaPour Partners and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, was financed by Wells Fargo Bank before lenders experienced problems, developer Jeff LaPour said Wednesday.

"The combination of the brand and the location was very appealing," he said.

It is the first franchised Element by Westin in the country and is next to Nevada Cancer Institute, which is undergoing a $100 million expansion with an administration building that's almost ready to open and a third research building under construction.

Element, with kitchenettes in every suite, is targeting faculty, researchers and patients from four hospitals in the general area, LaPour said.

"I think there's a lot of other big employers out there that need quick, convenient and easy-access lodging and then there's a lot more medical," he said. "Not many people are from Las Vegas, so they need a place for family and friends to stay when they're visiting."

Room rates will run from about $100 to $250 a night, depending on the season and suite size.

Every suite has a flat-screen television, stainless-steel appliances, Wi-Fi capabilities, wood floors, oversized windows and Westin's Heavenly brand beds with down-filled pillows and comforter and leather headboards.

The lobby is mostly glass to allow for abundant natural lighting, a common theme throughout the property, LaPour noted. The fitness center has floor-to-ceiling glass. The pool area has an outdoor barbecue and two cabanas.

"It's a lot more detailed than a typical select-serve hotel, a lot of high touches," LaPour said.

James Coleman, chief development officer for LaPour Partners, said Element could have opened in November, but he wanted "a little cushion" to make sure the hotel was in compliance with Starwood's brand initiatives.

R&O Construction is the general contractor. The architect is Costas Kondylis of New York.

Element by Westin is among several new developments in the master-planned Summerlin community, including major expansion at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, a $65 million private school, new office space and a 19-acre community park with three Little League baseball fields.

New commercial projects include the 150,000-square-foot Hills Center North Business Park, the 7-acre Gardens Plaza business park and the 40,000-square-foot Trail Gate office park.

Summerlin Hospital broke ground on its new six-story patient tower in June. Scheduled for completion in early 2010, the tower will add 180 private patient rooms, bringing the total number of hospital rooms to 480. The expansion also includes a larger emergency room, four-story, 80,000-square-foot medical office building and a 600-space parking garage.

"All of these are amenities and commercial developments that will certainly enhance life in Summerlin," said Tom Warden, spokesman for developer Howard Hughes Corp.

Contact reporter Hubble Smith at hsmith@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0491.