“Fontainebleau Las Vegas: The Journey to Opening Day Spanning 6,145 Days”


Date Posted: December 13, 2023, 08:09h.

Last updated on: December 13, 2023, 08:09h.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas officially opens after 16 years of unexpected development hurdles. The resort became the Strip’s newest casino as of December 13, 2023, and its journey to completion was nothing short of tumultuous.

Image of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas just before its opening on Dec. 13, 2023.
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas just before its opening on Dec. 13, 2023. (Image: CNN)

Nearly Bleau It

Construction on Fontainebleau Las Vegas commenced in 2007, but the real estate bubble burst and subsequent Great Recession of 2008 posed significant setbacks for the project. With $770 million in funding from Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase canceled, the $2.8 billion project went bankrupt.

In December 2008, the Frontier’s sign gets dismantled as the Fontainebleau struggles to continue development across the street. (Image: Vintage Las Vegas)

For nearly a decade following the bankruptcy, the structure remained mostly incomplete and stood as a symbol of economic hardship in the area.

Unfinished Business

Billionaire Carl Icahn acquired the unfinished resort in a bankruptcy auction for $150 million, later selling it for a substantial profit. The property was then redeveloped by Steven Witkoff before facing further challenges due to fires, funding issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As recently as 2021, the stalled construction site was an eyesore. (Image: Twitter/@702_Local)

Full Circle

The Fontainebleau was eventually reacquired by its original owners and developed into a luxurious casino resort, ending 16 years of construction struggles. The opening marks a new era in Las Vegas hospitality.

Guests arrive at the Fontainebleau for an invite-only ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 13, 2023. (Image: KLAS-TV/Las Vegas)

Conclusion

Now open to the public, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas promises to deliver the ultimate luxury hospitality experience. Follow the full story of its journey here.



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