The massive big blue casino-resort on the north end of the Vegas Strip just received a permanent name – The Drew. This is now the third name for the massive blue glass building. The structure was built with the intention of being the Las Vegas version of Fontainebleau. After halting construction and sitting around for years the current owners, Witkoff Group, purchased the property and has been using a working name of Project Blue. Now, it’s The Drew. What’s in a name, anyway?
The Drew Will Be A Marriott Hotel
Late last year, ownership said that tax breaks would ensure construction will begin in 2018. That remains the case and The Drew plans to be open in late 2020. The Drew will become the Vegas Strip’s first JW Marriott. In fact, The Drew Las Vegas will debut the EDITION brand in Las Vegas.
The Drew will be another luxury property on the Vegas Strip. The EDITION brand is the one of the more exclusive in the Marriott portfolio with only 11 boutique properties located around the world. EDITION prides itself on “groundbreaking design, vibrant public spaces, and sophisticated programming to give each property a sustainable competitive edge over the competition in every market.” Once open, the hotels will be managed by Marriott International.
The Cosmopolitan is currently the only Marriott hotel on the Vegas Strip. Expect to see even more Marriott properties in the area by 2020.
What To Expect At The Drew
As previously discussed the resort will feature nearly 4,000 rooms and suites. The reconfigured floorplan will include more than 500,000 square feet of convention and meeting space. The latest version of this property calls for 20 restaurants. The original plans for Fontainebleau included 27 restaurants and lounges so we could see seven lounges that may have been built.
Other plans for Fontainebleau included a 100,000 square foot casino, a 60,000 square foot spa, a seven-acre pool deck, multiple nightclubs and more. John Unwin, who opened the Cosmopolitan, will oversee the launch and operations of The Drew.
We should start hearing specific names and venues at The Drew over the next year. Between Unwin’s connections and EDITION’s partnerships, there should be some big names teaming up at The Drew.
The Westgate will no longer be the only casino-resort that connects with the Las Vegas Convention Center. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, The Drew will connect directly with the expanded Las Vegas Convention Center. There will be a bridge between the hotel and convention center.
Directly From The Drew
“The Drew Las Vegas will become a landmark property for Marriott International,” said Tony Capuano, EVP and Global Chief Development Officer, Marriott International. “The resort will give our more than 100 million loyalty members the chance to enjoy our brand of hospitality in one of the most exciting and popular cities in the world, whether the visit is for a convention or a leisure trip.”
“With Marriott International, we have the opportunity to leverage the world’s most powerful group and convention pipeline as well as an unmatched loyalty program to ensure we unlock the unparalleled value of this asset,” said Witkoff Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steven Witkoff. “This acquisition, made in partnership with New Valley LLC, is a well-designed, structurally-sound project with a significant discount to both replacement cost and the implied public market valuations of comparable Las Vegas Strip resorts.”
What’s In A Name?
The Drew sounds like the name of a condo building someone on Million Dollar Listing New York would try to sell. Personally, casino names don’t matter as long as they offer a good experience. The Drew will offer a luxury property with great amenities, easy access to the Convention Center, and a link to the largest hotel company in the world. That’s really what matters.
