[Trimac20]

I must have totally missed the downtown you saw. I wouldn't expect it to be like the strip, but it could be a lot nicer than what I saw.



This is pretty much how I remember it. Pretty lacklustre. I guess being desert it lacks greenery too. They could improve it by having maybe Spanish/Mexican style architecture.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I was there last June when it was about 41C/105F.

My apologies. I assumed, incorrectly, that you were writing about something that happened recently.

Try the Golden Nugget next time you are downtown. It's a lovely property.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by NLVgal

My apologies. I assumed, incorrectly, that you were writing about something that happened recently.

Try the Golden Nugget next time you are downtown. It's a lovely property.

I absolutely agree with that. We normally stay at the GN, but wanted to try out The D, as the owner is a friend of our friends in Henderson. It didn't change much since it was Fitzgerald's. The Nugget, IMO, is by far the nicest downtown hotel in which to stay and will give you a little of the "strip" feel without as much of the glitz.

[demoknite]

Well the strip is our skyline and our "financial district", and you can see the mid rises of downtown from many parts of town. And for those of us who have been here for a while, downtown now is very rejuvenated compared to the 90s. While some more gentrification is needed, too much would drive away the character that makes downtown what it is.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by NLVgal

My apologies. I assumed, incorrectly, that you were writing about something that happened recently.

Try the Golden Nugget next time you are downtown. It's a lovely property.

I did go there, it's kinda cool. The whole complex had a more old style, Wild west vibe to it. I remember actually searching all around there for my camera, which I thought I'd left there the previous night when I was at the Fremont Street Experience. Turns out I'd left it in the cab.

[Willy702]

I agree with the thinking the Strip is more downtown than Downtown. More residences, more business, more workers, etc. In general revitalization comes from demand for urban living. Most Vegas residents moved for the suburban lifestyle. Those who really crave urban tend to move out of the area. It isnt so much impossible, its just not the right time. Zappos efforts are a good first step and who knows how much progress they can make 10 years from now. I think there are a lot of good ideas out there and lots can be learned from studying other cities. One obvious point is every other urban core is a transit hub. Another is you need high value workers to justify higher urban core office rents. These exist in Howard Hughes Center, but how could you entice them to a downtown tower? Further if you got the executives and corporate staff of the gaming companies, both operators and manufacturers, you could create a good synergy. Unfortunately these companies rather compete the old fashioned way bunkered down in their operations.

So yeah its complicated. I dont know if Downtown should be where its centered, but the makings of urban core are around. Something needs to bring it all together even in small stages. Maybe Zappos Tony does it, maybe not. But it will take more than just some will, it takes careful thought and planning. And money in the form of infrastructure. The area's residents have shown resolve against spending it so I have my doubts. After all build a project which may generate return 10 years from now or build something on the Strip and get a return in short order. This is the math which has kept Vegas going as it has and demographics, business growth levels and just plain demand have to change to disrupt the current model from beng the model for the next 20 years.

[FindingZen]

Glad to hear you got your camera back!

Downtown Vegas has definitely come a long way even in just the past five years. Were you able to do any exploring beyond the canopy area and casinos? Lots of new nightlife venues north and east of Fremont Street without the velvet rope treatment down on the Strip. While I haven't been to see it in person, the new Smith Center for the Performing Arts looks amazing. There are new condos around as well. Come back in a couple years and there will be more shopping too (i.e. the Container Park) but you're better off heading over to the outlets or the Strip for "serious" shopping.

But yeah, downtown Vegas definitely isn't your typical urban core...but I agree with others who say mainstreaming it too much would cause it to lose its gritty and affordable charm.

[LV2ndHome]

I kind of like the nostalgic feel of the low ceilings and poor lighting in Binions, and often try to envision the old days when surveillance consisted of people actually watching games through peep holes in the ceiling from catwalks overhead. Some of the old ambiance has been lost though as they really sweat the action now, compared to the old Horseshoe days of Benny & then Jack having the reputation of being willing to accept most any bet (up to a million dollars I think it was). And another downside is the low ceilings and poorer ventilation of older buildings means the cig smoke doesn't dissipate as well.

[Raiderman]

I was trained at and worked for Foxwoods in CT. The biggest thing I noticed about LV in general, but worse in downtown, was how lax the dealers are! We sat at one table for about an hour at Binions earlier in the week and watched the dealer perform at least 3 fireable offenses. And that doesn't count the "dancing dealers" that seem to have sprouted up everywhere lol. Tough for game security when you're spinning and dancing..

[Golfinnova]

Originally Posted by Ryan_Eagan

I absolutely agree with that. We normally stay at the GN, but wanted to try out The D, as the owner is a friend of our friends in Henderson. It didn't change much since it was Fitzgerald's. The Nugget, IMO, is by far the nicest downtown hotel in which to stay and will give you a little of the "strip" feel without as much of the glitz.

Say what? The entire property was gutted and new flooring, carpet, furniture, beds were replaced at the D. The decor is now dark gray and red whereas Fitzgeralds was old vegas in whites, greens and no money was put in the property by Don Barden whereas Derek Stevens has put a ton of money into it.

Don't know what property you're thinking of but the difference between The D and Fitz is like night and day.