The $4BN Mega Casino that NEVER should've happened | Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Today I dive into one of the most intriguing American infrastructure stories over the pas few decades!
Thanks for watching!
Recap:
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas has become a captivating story in the world news, not just for its luxurious design and experiences but also for its tumultuous journey marked by failures and resiliency. Initiated in 2005, the ambitious project aimed to redefine luxury on the Las Vegas Strip, but it faced numerous setbacks, including safety concerns, legal disputes, and financial troubles. By mid-2009, Fontainebleau declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leading to a series of legal battles and the eventual takeover by Carl Icahn in 2010.
The dormant project saw renewed hopes in 2017 when investment firms Witkoff Group and New Valley LLC acquired it for $600 million, renaming it The Drew Las Vegas. However, delays, financial hurdles, and the COVID-19 pandemic hindered its resurrection. In a surprising turn in 2021, the original developer, Jeffrey Soffer, reclaimed the project through Fontainebleau Development, partnering with Koch Real Estate Investments. The Fontainebleau finally opened on December 13, 2023, marking the end of a tumultuous journey.
The construction of the Fontainebleau was a marvel in itself, involving over 8 million cubic feet of high-performance concrete, 55,000 tons of steel, and 600,000 square feet of Low-E glass. The concrete's strategic use, including fly ash from coal-fired power plants, showcased both environmental and structural benefits. The steel framework underwent rigorous testing to withstand the unpredictable desert winds, and the glass contributed to the building's energy efficiency.
Building the Fontainebleau required intricate planning and coordination due to its large scale. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology played a crucial role, providing a 3D virtual model of the project and optimizing workflows to prevent errors. A workforce of 2,200 construction workers, spanning various disciplines, contributed to the project's realization.
The hotel boasts several impressive features, including the Grand Dome, a 67-foot-tall masterpiece of light and sound, the Lapis Spa with eco-conscious practices, and a 6-acre pool complex with advanced hydraulics and filtration systems. The nightly rates range from $500 to $1500, targeting a high-end clientele within the luxurious Las Vegas market.
The Fontainebleau's estimated yearly power consumption of 175 million kilowatt-hours raises concerns about its impact on the local electrical infrastructure. While the hotel plans to source some of its power from renewable energy, the specific percentage and timeline remain undisclosed.
With the creation of an estimated 4,000 permanent jobs and an expected $3.2 billion annual economic contribution, the Fontainebleau injects vitality into the city's workforce and businesses. However, its shift towards high-end tourism and potential impact on the local economy, including the possibility of increased prices, remains a topic of discussion.
In conclusion, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas represents a remarkable tale of resilience and success amid adversity. Its construction and engineering marvels, combined with luxurious features, contribute to its status as one of the most impressive high-end buildings in the United States. The hotel's impact on the local economy and tourism landscape, particularly its focus on high-end clientele, raises questions about the future trajectory of Las Vegas as a tourist destination.

[@devonwhetenhale8828]

Great job 👏

[@KlignEngineering]

I apologize for any misinformation in the video, I now recognize that I should've spent an extra day of research and double checked my facts. The video reached far more of an audience than I originally expected it to. Here are some important remarks: 1. My figure regarding the number of 787 Dreamliners was based off of the fact that 787's are made up of approximately 10% steel by weight. (ScienceDirect) 2. The English pronunciation of "Fontainebleau" is more like "Fountain - blue" and less like "Font - en - blue" 3. I did not talk about the concrete in the structure portion, and this was a miss on my part. Anyway, thanks for watching!

[@clempocap]

I don't know where that Fountain-blue pronunciation came from when the better Fountain-blow is as easy to pronounce in English.

[@sofakingrad3530]

Somewhere there is an airport missing it's terminal and food court.

[@josephohanlon205]

How in these 'trouble' times, They kept thinking bigger is better. Didn't Resort World is having trouble filling-up their rooms. Thank you for spending 26 hours for bringing us this origin of FOuntainbleu!

[@PlanetKaosIRL]

Great vid btw, super well done! Congrats

[@hebneh]

Las Vegas is not on a very stable foundation overall. The electrical system was mentioned, but the elephant in the room is the water supply. If this gets significantly restricted, a lot of this overdone glitz will be unsustainable. Remember, this is VERY arid desert, which humans have managed to disguise and ignore.

[@jacobroberts6946]

Great video, very informative

[@KlignEngineering]

Thank you very much!

[@raymondcaylor6292]

It will be almost impossible for Fontainebleau to equal the Wynn's room guest's experience. But going to give them a shot to March 3rd through the 7th. 3 night's at $377 including all taxes & fees. That's exactly what I gladly pay at Wynn's for comparable room, a 490 square foot King. We'll see.

[@y031962]

Is that the total amount or per night?

[@raymondcaylor6292]

@@y031962 that was per night. Room credit of $200 per day based on my table play so $177 actual cost per night. I'm no Whale so happy with that discount.

[@cbsguy6363]

@@y031962total amount

[@vintagetoys2490]

Great job! I really enjoyed the video

[@KlignEngineering]

Thank you!

[@jameshavard3182]

I haven't been to Vegas for a few years. My younger brother and travel partner passed from cancer in June 2021. Resorts World is on the Stardust site which is the first place my brother and I stayed. So, I will try Resorts World for sure and maybe the Fountain Blue for the old been there done that.

[@kennixox262]

As far as the electrical grid: The demolition of the Riviera, The New Frontier and soon, apparently, the Tropicana; one might imagine that the electrical draw would be a wash. Saying that, with all the new homes and businesses that have been built across the Las Vegas area over the past 18 years is significant. We can't discount the solar systems on homes, vast solar farms nearby including the one that powers pretty much all of Nellis AFB's daytime power needs, we should be doing fairly well from the grid stand point and not to mention that new power line from the north to the south and the new one that is slated to come online in the next few years.

[@kennixox262]

I guess that you mean that in the main tower that is constructed of reinforced poured concrete, the rebar. As far as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The fuselage is made of a composite material not aluminum.

[@shawn3405]

Informative and fun ....the prices in the food court outrageously funny whose gonna pay 50 bucks for a burger and sit in a food court lol

[@sergiowhat88]

Stayed there last week. Amazing property won 5k in craps, never played craps before the people working the table were super nice and walked me through it with all the patience in the world (I was pretty tipsy). Room was the nicest I've stayed in ever. Was a bit empty though but overall 9/10. Just bring the prices down a bit and I won't stay anywhere else in Vegas.

[@kendahl7922]

It does look amazing…I recall MGM Resorts was the luxury property..then time moved on to others…it’s a monster of a property which any swings in economy can have impact..see the Sr.VP of Operations was FIRED this week…not good.. Plus Wall Street rumors are the project is up for sale..lots of $$$ spent on the project…see who prevails..😱😱🥶🥶🥶

[@kennixox262]

Today's newest luxury resorts will be tomorrow's dump. Look at the Tropicana or the now demolished Riviera. Both in their day were considered the height of luxury. Then came the Mirage which changed the mega resort paradigm and currently is in major decline before a soon to start expansion and renovation. Was recently in the Venetian, it is getting a little rough around the edges.

[@kennixox262]

One huge advantage I see for the Fontainbleau is being next door to the convention center. One of these days, I would expect a climate controlled bridge over to that. CES starts tomorrow, January 8th, 2024.

[@user-zu3md5qz8y]

They better build the DUBAI CITY MEGARESORT NEXT TO FOUNTAINBLEU, ANOTHER A GOOD THEME FOR THE LAS VEGAS STRIP@@kennixox262

[@PlanetKaosIRL]

Yeah I stayed at Fontaine Bleau already. They have a ways to go but it's still really nice. It's a bit too fancy for that side of the strip 😏

[@sachibanerjee7748]

I will visit there Mgm going down this will be good for every gambler

[@johnboehm5689]

I didn't know they built airplanes with steel

[@KlignEngineering]

Yes, a 787 is approximately 10% steel by weight

[@JuliusVinh]

How about the Las Vegas Sphere ? is it gonna be closed down soon as someone has predicted as well as Formular 1 and many more Mega projects in the making , never heard optimistic opinions about new projects lately though .

[@mindgames9614]

I don't see that resort succeeding and that's based on it's location on the strip and the price point. There's too much competition nowadays and from what I've heard they already made a mess of their casino aspect by not offering tier match when they opened. The head of gaming has already been fired and the place has been opened a couple weeks

[@KlignEngineering]

I agree that the location definitely isn't ideal and there's a lot of competition. But Vegas is one of the faster growing cities in the country, so I see this as a temporary issue. Also, the VP who was just released a few days ago probably had some other non-public issue unrelated to performance.

[@mindgames9614]

@@KlignEngineering bro they spent decades building that property… these resorts change hands all time and it’s across the street from circus circus. No one walks that far and if they can’t attract gamblers they will fail within a couple years.

[@1lbcrudy]

Took the tram from mgm all the way to Sahara, then walk 1/4 mile sketchy street to bleau….other option was $25 Uber there….location sucks for sure.

[@user-zu3md5qz8y]

BETTER HAVE THE MISSION TO MARS SPACE STATION MEGACASINO WITH MARS COLONY

[@user-zu3md5qz8y]

BETTER HAVE THE MOON RESORT AND MISSION to Mars Space Station themed Space megaresort

[@DarkstarDarth]

Last week a person at that casino got charged $67.00 for two Fiji waters and one coffee. He was pissed!

[@MrnokturnalNyc]

That was at Venetian

[@DarkstarDarth]

@@MrnokturnalNyc ...WRONG! I have a copy of the receipt from fountain blue proving it

[@HAVEFAITHINGOD-jc7by]

@@DarkstarDarthstop lying i work there

[@cbsguy6363]

@@DarkstarDarthyou are likely a plant from another resort , I have stayed there and those prices you suggested this invisible person paid are 💯 wrong.

[@billdivine9501]

I stayed at Aria and the Fiji waters in the room are around $30 each, so, yeah.

[@liudizzle]

These projects have to be money laundering fronts

[@know-body2519]

See what happens when you rely on local contractors to make your unneeded den of sin.

[@steveb9525]

Can I get a free topshelf drink if I play the penny slots? I already get free rooms and food at all Caesers and MGM properties. Does my player’s card work there?

[@mattstockham5043]

It’s pronounced “fountainblue”.

[@briancurran1140]

Not get area

[@chazzmichaelmichaels5766]

I never understood why these big glass monoliths didn't use solar panels as window glass, or figure out how to make a unique design that incorporated solar. After all you are in a desert!

[@mark33328]

Wasted 2 hours there. This place has no energy, no vibe. The entire layout is disjointed and everything is overpriced.

[@danw2112]

Another Las Vegas KZbin channel said that one baked potato cost $95. 😮😮

[@Patrick-yh5yd]

In Miami today they are building a 100 story Waldorf..WHY? With hurricanes and Global Warming the ocean will cover this town. Its good Miami is doing great but why this? Who wants to be in that building in bad storms?

[@mindgames9614]

Makes you think huh ;)

[@TEE_86]

Global warming is fake. Investors would not invest in beachfront property in MIA if this were the case.

[@ryanhughes1101]

Hurricanes aren’t knocking over a massive building.

[@kleptodathief3946]

4bill hunkajunk lolz...its already emptyAF lolz ..its cool and elegant and shit but the location there sucks ass! no foot traffic...that area is sketchyAF at night..no one shops or woks in malls anymore as well, its all online shopping now

[@user-zu3md5qz8y]

GET READY FOR MISSION TO MARS AND MOON RESORT PUT TOGETHER as one big SPACE THEMED RESORT

[@limeyprat]

Why stay there when you can stay at Wynn? N. strip is a hard sell, this place will be dead in 5 years and dilapidated in 10 years. Bummer.

[@sirphew4941]

OH MY GOD!!!! No way???!!! A Vegas casino is “open to the public”????? Mind blowing!!!

[@y031962]

It will go bankrupt soon. All casinos in Las Vegas are suffering now. Mostly rely on Macau business to sustain. The economy is very challenginng now.