Heart-Shaped Casino Resort Wins Approval for Former SkyVue Site on South Las Vegas Strip

Clark County commissioners approved plans for a 29-story heart-shaped casino resort that features 752 rooms and occupies the long-abandoned SkyVue Ferris wheel site on the south Las Vegas Strip directly across from Mandalay Bay, and the decision clears the path for a project that combines gaming with convention space, dining, and retail. Developer Eli Applebaum, operating through Kulik River Capital, purchased the nearly 12-acre parcel for $70 million this spring after the Ferris wheel attraction sat idle for years, and the new resort will repurpose the old Ferris wheel pillars into a suspended restaurant that hangs above the property. The approval process highlighted the site's strategic location along a busy stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard where foot traffic and visibility remain high, while the heart-shaped design sets the building apart from traditional rectangular towers that dominate the skyline. Plans call for a gaming floor that spans multiple levels, convention facilities designed to host large meetings and events, several restaurants with varied cuisines, and retail outlets that connect directly to the main casino area.

Project Details and Site History

The parcel once hosted the SkyVue Ferris wheel, an attraction that aimed to draw visitors but never reached full operation before it was dismantled, leaving the structural pillars standing as a landmark of unrealized development. Applebaum's acquisition this spring marked a shift from stalled entertainment concepts to a full-scale resort that integrates the remaining pillars into functional dining space, and county records show the purchase price of $70 million reflected current land values along the south Strip corridor.

Commissioners reviewed architectural renderings that depict the 29-story tower with its distinctive heart silhouette, and they confirmed that the 752 guest rooms will sit above the casino and amenity levels. The suspended restaurant will use the original Ferris wheel pillars as support points, creating an elevated dining experience that preserves elements of the site's past while adding a new attraction for guests.

Development Timeline and Components

Construction timelines discussed during the approval meeting point toward groundbreaking in the coming months, with the full resort expected to open in phases that begin as early as 2026, and the project includes dedicated convention space that targets both corporate and leisure groups seeking Las Vegas venues. The gaming floor will feature standard table games and slot machines, while the restaurants and retail spaces are positioned to serve both overnight guests and day visitors who arrive from nearby properties such as Mandalay Bay.

Observers note that the reuse of the Ferris wheel pillars reduces the need for new structural materials and maintains a visual connection to the site's earlier plans, and the overall design incorporates pedestrian walkways that link the resort to the surrounding Strip infrastructure. County planning documents list the total square footage for public areas and emphasize compliance with current zoning rules that govern height, setbacks, and signage along Las Vegas Boulevard.

Financing and Ownership Background

Kulik River Capital, the entity led by Eli Applebaum, secured the land through a straightforward cash transaction this spring, and the $70 million price tag positioned the purchase among notable south Strip acquisitions in recent years. Financing details released alongside the approval indicate that construction costs will be covered through a combination of equity and traditional lending, with no public subsidies requested from Clark County or the state of Nevada.

The project joins other Strip developments that have repurposed underutilized parcels into mixed-use resorts, and the heart-shaped motif is expected to serve as a distinctive marketing element once the property opens to the public. County officials confirmed that all required environmental and traffic studies were completed before the final vote, and the approval resolution passed without conditions beyond standard building permits.

Conclusion

The commissioners' decision moves the heart-shaped casino resort from concept to permitted status, and the 29-story project on the former SkyVue site now stands ready for the next stages of design refinement and groundbreaking. With 752 rooms, convention facilities, gaming, dining, and retail all included in the plans, the development will transform an idle parcel into an active resort destination across from Mandalay Bay. The repurposed Ferris wheel pillars that will support the suspended restaurant add a unique architectural touch that ties the new structure to the property's history, and the entire effort reflects ongoing investment patterns along the south Las Vegas Strip.