Slow economy hasn’t slowed resort owners from renovating properties

Even though the economy remains sluggish, that hasn't stopped hotel and gaming executives from renovating their properties, thus creating the need to hire more employees, while simultaneously stimulating our struggling construction industry. It's been a win-win situation for everyone.

The Plaza has led this renovation process downtown. Originally opened in July 1971 and located at the apex of Fremont Street, it reigned for years as the centerpiece of Glitter Gulch. At one time, rock 'n' roll legend Dick Clark even prominently featured the hotel's impressive rooftop fireworks display on national television every New Year's Eve, while throngs of revelers partied on below.

The hotel, however, hadn't had a good scrubbing since it opened. It was getting to be pretty frayed around the edges, which is why its owner, Tamares Las Vegas Properties, decided to spend $35 million to renovate the property.

The casino floor was entirely remodeled, as were 1,003 guest rooms. The lobby was redressed in Crème Marfil marble and inlaid mosaic tile. The front registration desk was given a more contemporary look and elevators leading to the guest rooms were given badly needed face-lifts.

Nancy Paolino, general contractor and designer on the renovation, scored big when she was able to save the hotel thousands of dollars by purchasing new interior furnishings from the defunct Fontainebleau project on the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard. She secured 8,200 pieces of furniture, 1,000 light fixtures, 50,000 square yards of carpeting and 300,000 square feet of marble, granite, porcelain tile and mosaics.

The renovation spurred the hiring of 450 employees at the Plaza, 200 of whom were rehired after being laid off earlier when the recession first hit Las Vegas.

"It's great to bring back these longtime employees," said Michael Pergolini, corporate vice president of hotel operations. "We have employees who have been here for 38 years. We also hired a lot of people who were unemployed."

Pergolini added that he was happy the Plaza was leading the way for renovations in downtown. He commended his neighbor, the Golden Gate, for also undertaking similar renovations.

"There is a great energy and excitement in downtown," Pergolini emphasized. "We all rely on each other down here."

Besides the hotel and casino renovations, the Plaza has also added several new restaurants that include Gigi's Cupcakes, Island Sushi and Hawaiian Grill, Radio City Pizzeria, McDonald's, Subway, a new food court, the coffee bar Cafelatte and Zaba's Mexican Grill. Former Mayor Oscar Goodman's Oscar's steakhouse will open next month.

Pergolini pointed out that all these new venues are, or will be, hiring new employees. He expects Oscar's alone to hire approximately 70 employees.

The Golden Gate at the corner of Fremont and Main streets in downtown Las Vegas is undertaking a massive $12 million renovation that will encompass redesigning and relocating its famous deli, expanding the casino floor and adding five new table games, a high-limit blackjack pit, a new hotel entrance and hotel registration front desk and 16 new guest suites.

"I'm gung-ho on downtown," said Derek Stevens, chief executive officer. "We'll be adding more dealers and guest-room attendants. I'm excited with what Fremont Street is doing and especially with the move of the new city hall and Zappos coming downtown.

"We are banking on good growth downtown. With the Smith Center for the Performing Arts opening, you will be seeing a resurgence in downtown."

The Gensler architectural firm that is redesigning the Golden Gate is also benefiting from renovations at the hotel. Alice O'Keefe, project manager and lead designer for the Gensler project, said her firm added between 20 to 30 people for the design team and between 50 and 70 contractors.

"This is a very significant project for us, for the community and for this client ...," O'Keefe said. "This will definitely create jobs for 2012 ... both directly and indirectly. The work currently happening downtown and on Fremont Street specifically will continue to feed on each other to create jobs ongoing."

O'Keefe went on to point out why Gensler is involved in downtown's redevelopment.

"The Golden Gate hotel and casino is a gem and historical landmark to Fremont Street," she said. "We are thrilled at the opportunity to be working on this renovation. The future of downtown Las Vegas is very bright, and we are so happy to be a part of the growth. We love the authenticity of the hotel and casino and are providing a design that highlights the historical elements, while enhancing it with a modern approach."

Traveling up the Strip to the MGM Grand, the hotel has earmarked $160 million to renovate nearly 4,000 guest rooms and more than 600 suites in the main tower of the hotel. THOR Construction, general contractor on the massive project, will receive approximately $50 million for the construction portion of the project, according to Matthew Moore, vice president of strategy at THOR.

"We have completed a variety of projects with MGM Resorts International over the years ...," Moore said. "This would be one of the largest jobs THOR has done with MGM Resorts International."

Moore went on to explain that at peak construction -- and expecting to complete their contract by next September -- THOR will have had 200 personnel on the jobsite. These positions will have included a senior project manager, project managers, assistant project managers, project engineers, assistant superintendents, superintendents and a variety of union trades positions. All employment positions will have paid union-scale wages.

"THOR construction has had the honor of working for MGM Resorts International since early 2001," Moore said. "We are very thankful for the continued relationship and increasing responsibilities they have trusted our company with.

"We owe much of our success to the hard work and dedication of the THOR employees and the late Terry Lanni for inviting THOR Construction to Las Vegas. Since our expansion to Las Vegas, the amazing team at MGM Resorts International has provided THOR with many great opportunities, which we completed and ensured the highest quality, cost savings and community impact."

Bellagio in June kicked off a $70 million renovation project of its 2,568 guest rooms in its main tower. Completion is expected by mid-December. The PENTA Building Group is doing the remodeling, which also includes corridors on 24 levels of the tower.

PENTA's contract for the project is approximately $14 million and will employ about 140 workers that include carpenters, laborers, plumbers, electricians, painters and carpet/tile professionals. All wages will be union scale.

"We feel very fortunate to be working for a core client, doing a project type that is a core competency of ours in our hometown," said Jeff Ehret, president of PENTA. "PENTA has completed over 16,000 new and remodeled hotel rooms, and we are always glad to continue to build on this base of experience."

Casino MonteLago at Lake Las Vegas reopened in May and underwent extensive renovations of the property's casino entrance, which included a new spacious marble floor. The property's HVAC systems, generators, IT systems and kitchen equipment were also upgraded.

According to Jon Berkley, chief operating officer, more than 100 new jobs were created with the reopening. New positions included those in guest services, valet and various technical areas. The property also reopened three restaurants and, in September, added a sports book.

"We really think we have a high-end product for a value price with the restaurants and casino," Berkley said. "We are focused on getting the locals out here. It's a getaway you can enjoy every day of the week.

"The economy continues to be a challenge. But what we have here is unique in the world. You have here one of the greatest resort destinations in Henderson."

Brian Lake, president of Lake Construction, was the contractor who did the renovations on Casino MonteLago's 49,000-square-foot casino. The contract earned his company $1 million and provided work for 50 trades over an eight-week period. Jobs were created for managers, superintendents, dry wall contractors, framers and several subcontractors that included electricians and mechanical technicians.

"This was a critical time for us because of the timing," Lake said. "Our previous job had come to an end and this filled a badly needed hole. This was a bridge that helped us get from one project to another. This job was critical to our company."

In December of last year, Dolce Hotels and Resorts bought the former Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas and renamed it Ravella at Lake Las Vegas. At that time 125 employees were hired, and in 2011 that number has grown to 160 employees. Positions have been filled in food and beverage, finance, sales, housekeeping, the spa and guest services.

Lake said the Ravella recently contacted him about possible renovations at the hotel in 2012. He's excited about the opportunity to work with the property again because it would not only mean more badly needed work for the still struggling construction trade in Southern Nevada, but a chance to work for what he described as a very professional organization.

"It was a great team to work with," Lake said of the Dolce Hotels executives. "Hopefully, if they build again, they will call me. We enjoyed working with them very much."