Wynn reveals new staircase of luxury
Steve Wynn's flair for dramatic staircases has resurfaced in his new residence at Wynn Las Vegas.
The botanical gardens at Bellagio, which Wynn built, featured a stunning curved staircase that Julia Roberts' character, Tess Ocean, descended in the "Ocean's Eleven" remake. It was later removed during a 2006 remodel to accommodate a passageway for The Spa Tower expansion.
A replica of the staircase from "Hello Dolly" is prominently featured in Alex Stratta's Alex restaurant at the Wynn.
Wynn's new staircase "was our greatest engineering challenge," according to Wynn design chief Roger Thomas. It came when Wynn conjoined and reconfigured two V.I.P. guesthouses into a duplex villa overlooking the property's pristine golf course.
The main challenge, Thomas told the November issue of Architectural Digest, was "because the site abuts a very high-end hotel, we also had serious constraints on raising dust or noise. The whole project was conceived in four months and executed in five -- working limited hours."
The staircase, which is enclosed, was mirrored to maximize the light.
According to the article, the staircase "unites an open living area on the lower story with a sybaritic master suite above. The pool terrace and the private balcony enjoy a romantic view."
Wynn had the residence built during his divorce.
"This hard-driven tycoon turns out to be a softie," the magazine said. Quoting Thomas, "Steve loves buttery textures, sensuous arches and contemporary furnishings with the curves of a female body."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Competitive eating sensation Joey Chestnut narrowly defeated Pat Bertoletti to win the inaugural Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating contest Sunday at the Rio. Chestnut downed 50 meatballs, each weighing 2 ounces, in 10 minutes, outlasting Bertoletti, who put away 49. Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas was third with 42. Competitive eating newcomer Angelica Bridges, who recently ended a run as host of "Fantasy" (Luxor), gulped down 10 to finish 10th. ...
Kelly Clinton Holmes returned to "Nunsense" as Sister Amnesia on Sunday at the Hilton. She has been sidelined for several months with a broken foot.
SIGHTINGS
The celebrity turnout for Tao's fifth anniversary party over the weekend at The Venetian included newly engaged Karina Smirnoff of "Dancing with the Stars." She revealed her engagement ring from St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Brad Penny and the Everlon Knot Collection diamond necklace he had delivered to her inside Tao's signature fortune cookie dessert. Also attending: Kelly Bensimon of "The Real Housewives of New York"; comedian David Spade, Christina Milian, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Ryan Eggold of "90210" and Jack Osbourne ... Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and their children at Tony Hawk's Stand Up for Skateparks fundraiser, benefiting skate parks in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and other cities. Also there: Olympic snowboard star Shaun White, Bill Walton, Erik Estrada, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Holly Madison, Corey Harrison and Chumlee Russell of "Pawn Stars." ... Lionel Richie, at the opening night of Rod Stewart's eight-show engagement at The Colosseum (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. ... Jason Alexander, in the audience at Geechy Guy's "The Dirty Joke Show" at Hooters Hotel Casino. ... At Vanity (Hard Rock Hotel): Joba Chamberlain of the New York Yankees, with Jason Giambi. Also at Vanity: pro wrestling icon Bill Goldberg and David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. ... Special guest Lil Wayne, making a surprise performance during Drake's show at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"The world's oldest woman passed away at the age of 114. So the curse of the world's oldest woman continues." -- Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
