Clark County Approves Heart-Shaped Casino Resort on Former SkyVue Ferris Wheel Site
Written by Alex Keller · Jul 26, 2026
Clark County Approves Heart-Shaped Casino Resort on Former SkyVue Ferris Wheel Site
Clark County commissioners have approved development plans for a 29-story heart-shaped casino resort that will occupy the long-vacant SkyVue Ferris wheel site on the south Las Vegas Strip directly across from Mandalay Bay, and the decision clears the way for a project that includes 752 hotel rooms along with convention space, a gaming floor, restaurants and retail outlets. The developer Eli Applebaum acting through Kulik River Capital purchased the nearly 12-acre parcel for $70 million earlier this spring, and the approval marks a significant step forward for a location that has remained undeveloped since the Ferris wheel project was abandoned years ago.
Project Scope and Design Elements
The approved design incorporates the existing Ferris wheel pillars into a suspended restaurant that will hang above the property, while the overall structure maintains a distinctive heart shape visible from the Strip and surrounding areas. Construction plans call for a full gaming floor, multiple dining venues, retail space and convention facilities that together will create a self-contained resort destination on the southern end of the famous boulevard. Observers note that the repurposing of the old pillars provides both a structural and visual link to the site's history while adding a unique attraction that differentiates the property from neighboring resorts.
Developer Background and Land Acquisition
Eli Applebaum through his firm Kulik River Capital completed the land purchase this spring after the parcel had sat idle for an extended period following the collapse of the original SkyVue Ferris wheel initiative. The transaction totaled $70 million for nearly 12 acres, and county records show the site had remained largely untouched since the Ferris wheel structures were left in place without further development. Those familiar with the transaction point out that the acquisition price reflects both the prime Strip location and the challenges associated with integrating existing infrastructure into a new build.
Regulatory Approval Process
Commissioners reviewed and ultimately endorsed the detailed plans during a recent public meeting, and the approval covers the heart-shaped tower configuration along with all associated amenities including the suspended restaurant concept. The process required coordination across multiple county departments to ensure compliance with zoning, height restrictions and infrastructure requirements specific to the south Strip corridor. Data from county planning documents indicates that the project meets all current land-use standards for the area while introducing an innovative architectural element that stands out against the more traditional resort profiles nearby.
County staff reports highlighted the project's economic contributions through job creation during construction and ongoing operations, and commissioners cited these factors alongside design compliance when casting their votes. The timeline moving forward includes final engineering reviews and permitting steps that must be completed before groundbreaking can occur, yet the recent approval removes the primary regulatory hurdle that had delayed progress on the site.
Site History and Location Context
The property sits on the south Las Vegas Strip where the SkyVue Ferris wheel once stood as an ambitious but ultimately unrealized attraction, and the parcel's proximity to Mandalay Bay places it in a high-traffic corridor that benefits from steady visitor flow. Previous attempts to develop the land stalled after the Ferris wheel project encountered financial and operational setbacks, leaving the steel pillars as the most visible remnant of those earlier plans. The new resort will integrate those pillars into its design rather than removing them entirely, and this approach preserves a visual landmark while transforming the space into a functional dining venue suspended above the resort grounds.
Planned Amenities and Features
Inside the 29-story structure visitors will find 752 guest rooms, a substantial gaming floor, convention facilities capable of hosting large events, multiple restaurants and retail outlets that together form a complete destination experience. The suspended restaurant built around the repurposed Ferris wheel pillars adds a signature element that capitalizes on the site's existing infrastructure, and designers have incorporated the feature as both a functional space and a conversation piece visible from the Strip. Retail and dining options are expected to draw both resort guests and local visitors, while the convention space targets business travelers and group bookings that complement the gaming and hospitality offerings.
Next Steps and Timeline Considerations
With county approval secured the developer can advance to detailed construction planning and permitting phases, and industry sources indicate that groundbreaking could occur within the coming year once final engineering and financing details are locked in. The project aligns with broader south Strip development patterns that have seen renewed interest in large-scale resort properties, yet this particular plan distinguishes itself through its heart-shaped architecture and the creative reuse of the former Ferris wheel elements. Updates on construction milestones are expected to be released periodically as the project moves from approved concept to active build.
Conclusion
The Clark County approval represents a concrete step toward transforming an abandoned parcel into an active resort destination, and the combination of the heart-shaped tower, suspended restaurant and comprehensive amenity package positions the development as a notable addition to the south Las Vegas Strip. As planning advances toward construction the project will continue to draw attention from industry observers tracking new resort openings and the evolution of the Strip's southern corridor.