Architect files lawsuit, says he came up with original idea for New-York theme

Bill Gang

Wednesday, April 8, 1998 | 10:03 a.m.

A Las Vegas architect who claims he originated the plans for a New York-themed property that eventually became the New York-New York hotel-casino has filed a lawsuit against the company he said solicited him.

Domingo Cambeiro Professional Corp. alleged in the District Court lawsuit that in the spring of 1993 he was approached on behalf of Mark Advent and Tri-M Holdings Inc. to design a commercial facility.

His ideas, which the lawsuit contends were supposed to be kept secret under a confidentiality agreement, were turned over to the Primmadonna Corp. and expanded to become the resort on the Strip at Tropicana Avenue.

The original concept was for a New York-themed shopping center to house a Saturday Night Live restaurant and a Virgin Records megastore. The property was supposed to include brownstone facades and a skyline with the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, the World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty.

The lawsuit claims that Cambeiro had an understanding that if a deal materialized to build the property originally dubbed "The New Yorker," he would get the job as architect and reap his rewards at that time.

According to the lawsuit, Advent and Tri-M were paid more than $50,000 for their involvement and Cambeiro wants what he claims is due him.

The lawsuit, filed by attorney Joseph Kistler, alleges breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and unjust enrichment. Unspecified damages in excess of $50,000 are being sought.