Clark County Approves 29-Story Heart-Shaped Resort on Former SkyVue Las Vegas Site

Clark County commissioners granted unanimous approval for zoning waivers and use permits that clear the way for a 29-story, 752-room hotel-casino on the south Las Vegas Strip parcel long occupied by the abandoned SkyVue observation wheel project, and the decision came during the July 2026 meeting cycle. Developer Eli Applebaum, operating through Kulik River Capital, acquired the prominent location earlier in 2026 for $70 million and now moves forward with plans that feature a distinctive heart-shaped glass facade fitted with LED displays along with a full casino floor, multiple restaurants, retail outlets, entertainment venues, convention facilities, and an elevated sky venue restaurant that reuses the existing concrete support columns from the prior development. The project incorporates mandatory FAA height reductions while targeting redevelopment of a site that has stood as a visible landmark since the original wheel concept stalled years ago.

Project Specifications and Design Elements

The approved resort will reach 29 stories and contain 752 guest rooms while maintaining a footprint that aligns with current zoning adjustments granted by the county, and the heart-shaped exterior serves as the primary visual identifier along the Strip corridor. Plans detail a casino floor positioned at ground level alongside restaurants and retail spaces that wrap around the base, whereas an elevated sky venue restaurant will occupy upper levels supported by the preserved concrete columns originally installed for the SkyVue wheel. Entertainment facilities and convention space occupy intermediate floors, creating a mixed-use layout that connects directly to the hotel tower above, and the LED-integrated facade will provide dynamic exterior lighting visible from surrounding roadways and neighboring properties.

Site History and Acquisition Details

The parcel remained undeveloped after the SkyVue observation wheel project encountered repeated delays and eventual cancellation, leaving behind the structural columns and a cleared lot that became a familiar sight for Strip visitors traveling south of the central corridor, and Applebaum's purchase through Kulik River Capital in early 2026 positioned the new resort as the latest effort to activate the location. County records show the site carried longstanding entitlements that required updated waivers to accommodate the current design, including adjustments for the heart-shaped form and the integration of the sky venue element, while the $70 million transaction reflected market interest in high-visibility Strip properties despite the prior project's challenges.

Regulatory Process and FAA Requirements

Commissioners reviewed the zoning waiver requests alongside use permit applications during the July session, confirming that all elements complied with county ordinances after staff analysis, and the FAA-mandated height reductions were already factored into the tower design to maintain safe airspace around McCarran International Airport. The unanimous vote followed presentations that outlined traffic circulation plans, utility connections, and facade lighting standards, while observers noted the process moved efficiently once the developer submitted revised drawings that addressed earlier feedback on the distinctive heart shape. County documents indicate the approvals allow construction to proceed without further zoning hearings, provided the project adheres to the submitted elevations and operational guidelines for the casino and entertainment components.

Broader Development Context on the Strip

South Las Vegas Strip parcels have seen renewed interest from multiple operators seeking to fill gaps between established resorts, and this project adds to the pattern of vertical mixed-use developments that combine lodging, gaming, and dining in a single structure, according to data compiled by the Nevada Department of Business and Industry. The reuse of existing concrete columns reduces certain foundation costs while preserving structural elements already cleared through prior engineering reviews, and the overall scale remains consistent with neighboring properties that line the boulevard. Those tracking regional growth patterns point to the Clark County decision as one step in ongoing efforts to activate underutilized sites along the southern extension of the Strip.

Next Steps for Construction

With permits secured, the developer can advance detailed engineering and permitting submissions to other agencies, including final FAA confirmation of the reduced tower height, and construction timelines have not yet been publicly detailed beyond initial site preparation work expected later in 2026. The project team will coordinate with utility providers and transportation officials to manage impacts during the build phase, while the distinctive facade design requires specialized fabrication that will occur off-site before installation. County staff will monitor compliance through standard inspection processes once ground work begins.

Conclusion

The approval marks a concrete step toward transforming a long-vacant south Strip location into an operational resort, and the heart-shaped design combined with the retained structural columns sets the project apart from more conventional tower developments nearby. County records and the developer's filings provide the primary details on scale, use, and regulatory compliance, while further updates will emerge as construction documents move through subsequent review stages.