Malaysian company to turn Echelon site into $2B resort

In the most significant Las Vegas development in several years, Malaysian-based Genting Group is buying the stalled Echelon property on the north Strip from Boyd Gaming Corp. and will build a $2 billion resort called Resorts World Las Vegas.

The Asian-themed property will include 3,500 rooms in seven hotel towers that surround 8 million square feet of high-end dining, entertainment and retail options.

Also planned are a live panda habitat, a replica of the Great Wall of China, tea gardens, pagodas and a 7.5-acre indoor water park.

Echelon, originally called Echelon Place and intended to be a CityCenter-style metaresort, had sat idle since construction was halted in 2008. The new Genting resort is scheduled to open in 2016.

» Vacating the Venetian: Several big-name restaurants are on their way out at the Venetian. The biggest among them is Piero Selvaggio’s Valentino, which will close in June. Also leaving are FIRST Food & Bar and Rattlecan, the latter having been open for only a month. Replacements have not been announced, though the departing eateries are all seeking new venues.

» Diceman moveth: Andrew Dice Clay has moved from the Riviera to the Hard Rock, with a 20-show schedule running from March 14 to May 26 in the new club Vinyl. Tickets start at $54.

» See CeeLo: "CeeLo Green is LOBERACE" has debuted at Planet Hollywood, playing dates through April 13. Tickets are $74.90 to $554.25 (and CeeLo makes you steak and eggs while singing "Crazy" after the show). Kidding about the eggs but not the prices.

Question: Are any of the party pools open in March?

Answer: Several pools open this month in order to capitalize on the spring break crowd. The pools at MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are already open, while the pools at Aria, Encore, the Mirage and the Venetian will open midmonth. The rest, along with extended hours at those named here, will open in April.

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