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Paris Las Vegas opens to crowds

 

	FIREWORKS erupt around the $800 million French-themed Paris-Las Vegas as part of the hotel-casino's opening ceremonies Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999. This picture was taken from the top of the Bellagio hotel-casino. ETHAN MILLER / LAS VEGAS SUN

By Gary Thompson
LAS VEGAS SUN

Paris Las Vegas, the fourth new megaresort to open in Las Vegas in the past 11 months, made its debut with a celebration spanning two continents.

Thousands of eager visitors and locals crowded the Strip across from Bellagio and next to Bally's Las Vegas, waiting for the doors to open at the $800 million French-themed resort.

Inside, a few thousand formally clad invited guests, including more than 150 journalists from around the world, had a few hours head start sampling French cuisine from the 2,916-room hotel-casino's eight restaurants.

The opening ceremonies began about 8 p.m. with a medley of French songs penned by Michel Legrand, the multitalented musician with 150 musical scores and two Oscars to his credit, and performed at the based of the resort's 540-foot tall Eiffel Tower replica.

The medley was sung by Legrand and French actress Line Renaud, accompanied by the Nevada Symphony Orchestra.

That performance segued into one by French composer Charles Aznavour, who was followed by a preview by cast members of "Notre Dame de Paris," the hit French musical opening at Paris-Las Vegas in January. Acrobatic performers from Project Bandaloop cavorted across the face of the Eiffel Tower.

At about 9:30 p.m., dignitaries from Paris -- the real one -- tripped a symbolic switch dimming the lights at the Eiffel Tower -- the real one -- as a European dawn broke over the City of Lights.

Simultaneously, dignitaries from Paris -- the new one -- tripped a switch illuminating the lights at the Eiffel Tower -- the Las Vegas one -- for the crowds lined up outside the lavish Strip resort, eager for a glimpse of the interior.

"This is absolutely the greatest," said retired casino executive Burton Cohen. "Where else can you go in a few short blocks and see the Eiffel Tower, pyramids, a castle and erupting volcanoes? This (Paris) captures the excitement of this town."

Downstairs, a sea of curious enveloped the casino and rows of shops and restaurants lining cobblestone streets.

Phyllis Blanck of Staten Island, N.Y., watched as her husband, Mel, fed quarters into a slot machine at a bank of slots bearing the name "Le Jacque Pot." She said she was amazed at the size of the crowd - both those swarming through the resort and thousands more lining up outside.

"It was like salmon swimming upstream," she said. "We just kinda stood out of the way and let the waves pass."

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn called the new resort "magnificent."

A 35-year resident of Las Vegas, Guinn said he was "totally amazed how people keep raising the bar. I don't think there's a limit here."

The $785 million megaresort is the latest of four to open here in the past 11 months, with Bellagio opening in October, Mandalay Bay in March and The Venetian in May.

"What's wrong with re-creating the most wonderful city God ever created?" Arthur Goldberg, chairman of parent Park Place Entertainment Corp., told a mid-day news conference Wednesday.

Earlier today, actress Catherine Deneuve received a $350,000 donation on behalf of Women in Film from Sarah Kugelman of Gloss.com, a sponsor of the resort's opening celebration.

 

	CROWDS SNAKE through the newly opened casino at Paris Las Vegas. The hotel opened Sept. 1. LORI CAIN / LAS VEGAS SUN

Also on hand for that presentation were Park Place Entertainment President Arthur Goldberg and Paul Pusateri, president of the new property and its adjoining hotel-casino, Bally's Las Vegas.

The opening ceremonies will continue through the weekend, when legendary singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder will present a concert.

The exterior of the Parisian-themed property features intricately detailed recreations of famous French landmarks, including the Paris Opera House, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre, while the theme continues through on the interior with variously quaint and elegant dining and shopping areas.

The 85,000-square-foot casino includes 2,800 slot machines and video games whose signage complements the French decor. Five lounges, including two that offer live entertainment, dot the casino floor, while Tres Jazz, the fourth restaurant built by Black Entertainment Television owner Robert Johnson as a venue for live jazz music, occupies the walkway linking Paris-Las Vegas with Bally's.

The resort also feature 130,000 square feet of elegantly appointed convention and meeting space, a European health spa and 31,500 square feet of retail space.

Park Place is the largest casino gambling company in the nation. In Las Vegas it owns Bally's, the Flamingo Hilton and the Las Vegas Hilton. It's buying Caesars Palace and its sister casinos around the world, except the Desert Inn.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

08/31/99

Paris to open Wednesday evening

LAS VEGAS SUN STAFF REPORT

 

	PARK PLACE Entertainment's Paris-Las Vegas hotel-casino, photographed July 16, 1999, is scheduled to open in September. AARON MAYES / LAS VEGAS SUN

The $785 million Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino will open Sept. 1 with fireworks, parties for high-rollers and top French entertainment.

The lights on the Eiffel Tower in Paris will be turned off as the lights on its smaller sister in Las Vegas are switched on at about 10 p.m. when the public will be allowed in the newest resort on the Strip.

David Zerfing, executive vice president of the company said he expects 90 percent occupancy at the 2,914-room hotel which will have 2,100 slot machines, 80-90 table games and 4,200 employees who will be called "citizens of Paris."

Tests runs have started at the hotel with employees checking into the rooms acting as guests. They will give their evaluations on what improvements need to be made and what glitches can be eliminated before the opening.

Festivities start at about 5 p.m., Sept. 1 as the special guests will be free to tour the hotel and sample food at the eight restaurants. At 8 p.m., about 1,500 of the guests will be entertained by composer-orchestra leader Michel LeGrand, singer Charles Aznavour and songstress Line Renaud, who will be master of ceremonies.

Guests will gather around the swimming pool on the roof of the casino. Another 1,000 guests will be in the Paris Ballroom. In the front, jugglers and other acts will perform for the general public. In addition, there will be screens televising the inside entertainment to those standing on the Strip.

In Paris, where there is a nine-hour time difference, the lights will be turned out on the Eiffel Tower and a French official will pass the light to the 540-foot replica in Las Vegas. There will be a live video feed from Paris. Fireworks will be touched off from near top of the tower and the doors will swing open to the public.

Paris is an extension of the adjacent Bally's and is owned by Park Place Entertainment Corp., the largest gaming company in the world. Approval by the gaming commission came quickly with only a few questions.

Rates will average $125 a night for a 400-square-foot room. But for a top 4,000-square-foot suite, the tab is $5,000. Rides to the top of the Eiffel Tower will be $6 to $8.

In addition to the Eiffel Tower, there are replicas of the Arc de Triomphe, the Paris Opera House, the Louvre and the Hotel de Ville.

Bob Dowd, director of public relations for Bally's and Paris, said Paris won't be competing for the same high rollers as Bellagio and Venetian. But the hotel will be happy to accommodate them. He said it will cater to the players that frequented the Mirage when it first opened on the Strip.

For those planning their millennium party, Paris officials says they will be glad to play host. For about $150,000, the resort will serve a "Dinner of the Century" for 32 guests in the 11th floor Eiffel Tower Restaurant. And afterwards, the guests will take the elevator to the observation deck in the tower to enjoy French champagne and dessert while welcoming in the year 2000.

Paris is the latest addition to the top resorts in Clark County, joining Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, the Venetian and the Resort at Summerlin. But unlike the Venetian, which is involved in disputes with contractors, Paris was built from the cash flow of Park Place Entertainment which didn't have to go into debt.

Dowd said there will be various entertainment, including famed mime Marcel Marceau, in the 1,200-seat theater until January when the production "Notre Dame de Paris" makes its American debut.

Regulators OK Paris opening

By Cy Ryan
SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

 

	PARK PLACE Entertainment's Paris-Las Vegas hotel-casino, photographed July 16, 1999, is scheduled to open in September. AARON MAYES / LAS VEGAS SUN

CARSON CITY -- Plans for the Sept. 1 opening of the 2,914-room Paris-Las Vegas hotel-casino, the latest in the wave of new resorts on the Strip, were approved by the state Gaming Control Board Wednesday.

The $760 million project was built entirely with cash flow and without any debt by Park Place Entertainment Corp. of Las Vegas, the largest gaming company in the world. Paris will operate as an extension of the adjacent Bally's, under common management and employees will have a work card so they can be assigned to either location.

Room rates will average $120 but will fluctuate, depending on the season and the attractions in Las Vegas, said David Zerfing, an officer in Park Place Entertainment. There will be about 2,100 slot machines, 80-90 table games and an estimated 4,000 employees.

By treating Paris as an extension of Bally's, the company will be able to avoid some state fees, a gaming official said. Chairman Steve DuCharme of the Control Board said this is consistent with past cases involving Harrah's and Circus Circus.

Park Place owns the Hiltons in Las Vegas, Reno and Laughlin and has gaming operations in such places as Atlantic City, Louisiana and Mississippi. It's also buying the Caesars World casinos.

David Arrajj, counsel for Park Place, told the Control Board Paris and Bally's will be operated as one facility. But the revenues must be reported separately during the first year to the state.

Zerfing said there hasn't been any adverse reaction from France to the project, which will have a scaled down 500-foot Eiffel Tower and will feature the American debut of the show Notre Dame de Paris in its 1,200-seat theater starting in January. "We have had lots of cooperation from the French government," Zerfing said. "There will be a live video feed from Paris," at the opening.

Advance room reservations at Paris are living up to expectations, Zerfing said, but he declined to say what the projections were.

Paris follows openings of the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, the Venetian and the Resort at Summerlin. But Zerfing said he did not believe the Las Vegas market is overbuilt.

The final vote on the application will come Aug. 19 at the meeting of the state Gaming Commission in Carson City.

The Control Board also recommended approval for Carl Giudici, owner of four casinos in the Reno-Sparks area, to open the Club Fortune Casino, formerly a bingo parlor in Henderson. The building is at 725 S. Racetrack Road in a residential area off Boulder Highway.

Giudici said he has been looking to expand to Las Vegas for 10 years. His location, planned to open Oct. 1, would have 286 slots and sports betting but no table games. There will be three restaurants and he added, "Food is going to be a big draw for us."

Thomas R. Fuetsch, who will be chief executive officer and general manager at the Club Fortune, was warned by board member Bobby Siller that he must be on his toes in running this casino.

Siller said Fuetsch was a manager at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks, which this summer paid a $250,000 fine to the state for taking almost $2 million in illegal sports bets over six football seasons. Siller said this activity "took place on your watch. I caution you to be more mindful."

Siller said Fuetsch testified during the investigation he was not aware of the illegal betting, which was described as "blatant." Fuetsch now manages the other four casinos for Giudici.

The board recommended approval for former Lt. Gov. Bob Cashell to have a slot machine distributor's license. Cashell, who is manager of the financially troubled Ormsby House in Carson City, told the board there are three companies negotiating with owner Cerberus, a financial firm from New York. He said he hoped an announcement could be made in the "next week or so" of a new owner.

Cashell said there has been no talk of closing the hotel-casino, built in 1972 by former U.S. Sen. Paul Laxalt. But he said there has been a "serious dropoff in business" since the property went on the auction bloc.

Cashell, who is under contract to Cerberus to run the Ormsby House, said he wants the distributor's license so he can sell slot machines if he assumes control of a casino that has an excess of the machines. He said he would not have to go through a third party, thereby earning more money for himself or the casino.