Tropicana Plans Being Disclosed in Private?

Comments

February 2, 2006 8:25 AM Posted by detroit1051

I don't see how Aztar can develop the site for $750 million. Construction costs have risen so much that either it's going to be a minor renovation, or they're only going to do the tower at the corner of the Strip and Tropicana. AZR can then partner with someone to develop the back tower as condos or timeshares.

I've long believed AZR missed out by its indecision. Is it too late? Can the Trop compete with the new properties such as Echelon and City Center?

February 2, 2006 8:43 AM Posted by Hunter

The numbers might not work due to construction costs and land values but since every other major player is going for the high end, Aztar has to be seriously looking at the mid-market as a segment that is less and less served in the new Strip economy.

February 5, 2006 12:17 PM Posted by cgriff

Hunter, designer/architect Michael Graves may have trumped everybody on the rooftop water feature back in 1990 when he built the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando (owned and operated by Starwood Resorts). The Dolphin has a large fountain on the roof that cascades down the front of the resort's main building by way of a series of clamshell basins, eventually emptying into a huge pool supported by massive dolphin statues.

If the new Tropicana were to incorporate something like this into their design, it could be a very cool thing. There are lots of different and creatives ways that it could be implemented.

February 5, 2006 12:25 PM Posted by Hunter

I was half kidding about them ripping off 'my idea'. I do sometimes sketch out resort ideas and I do have a few with rooftop water features but I'm sure this has been done before by 'real' designers/architects.

The feature you describe sounds great. I looked briefly for photos but couldn't find any... Anyone have a link?

February 5, 2006 2:53 PM Posted by cgriff

Hunter, my recollection of Michael Graves' water feature at his WDW Dolphin Resort was not quite accurate. "Your" idea may still be safe .I too sought a photo and found this one:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/swan-Dolphin/pages/Dolphin_07_exterior.htm

Clearly, the cascade only starts on the 7th or 8th floor of the structure (not on the roof) and runs down from there. Teh roof can't accomodate a fountain, because the top of the building is triangular in shape! (Don't know why I didn't remember that.) I was further incorrect in that there is a yet-larger basin beneath the one held aloft by the Dolphin statues. This is the final area for spillage. Still, it is one great fountain, especially to be seen in person. I could imagine something akin to this, perhaps on an even greater scale(!), working for the front of a new Tropicana Resort.

P.S. I did not seek permission to use that photo link. So you may not want to post this to public area of the blog. --Cgriff

February 6, 2006 5:50 PM Posted by charlie

Maybe they will actually build the Montecito.

I would frequent the place just to support their sense of humor.