Plans unveiled for new Hyatt resort

Robert Macy

Wednesday, May 6, 1998 | 4:01 a.m.

HENDERSON, Nev. - Using a golf iron rather than the traditional groundbreaking shovel, golfer Jack Nicklaus kicked off the ceremonial start for a $150 million upscale resort at the multibillion-dollar Lake Las Vegas project Wednesday.

The 500-room resort will be surrounded by an 18-hole course designed by Nicklaus.

Completion is scheduled in 20 months for the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas. The idyllic setting, in picturesque mountains 20 miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip, is part of a $4 billion, 2,245-acre residential and resort community being built around a 320-acre lake. Homes range from the mid-six to seven-figures.

Nicklaus lofted five balls onto a makeshift green 100 yards away, bearing a Hyatt flag. Four made it to the green, one drifted just to the left in a stiff breeze.

"People want to spend a nice day in a pretty spot," he said of the golf courses he designs. "If you can put some good golf shots in there, you have the best of both worlds."

Henry Gluck, co-chairman of Lake Las Vegas developer Transcontinental Properties, Inc., said he had been working for years to interest Hyatt in the Las Vegas market. Gluck served as chairman of Caesars World when it was the parent company for Caesars Palace Hotel-Casino here.

Gluck said Hyatt had been looking for an involvement in Las Vegas and had "talked to many people here."

"Las Vegas is the single largest room request source anywhere in the world," Gluck said. "If you don't have a property here, you're in trouble."

Ron Boeddeker, the other co-chairman of Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Transcontinental, said the Hyatt was the latest move to make Lake Las Vegas "the most unique destination resort in the world."

Plans call for eventually having half a dozen hotels and more than 4,000 upscale homes in the area.

Gluck said the lake project will appeal to the 35 million annual visitors and 2 million local residents expected in Las Vegas soon after the turn of the century, as well as 10 million people who visit nearby Lake Mead National Recreation Area annually.

"The anticipation among our customers for this project is unprecedented," said Douglas Geoga, president of Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. "They're all ready for a destination resort in this location."

He said the Mediterranean-themed resort would include a European-style casino, sandy beaches, lake activities and a Camp Hyatt for children.

"We think it will be ranked with the great resorts of the world," Geoga said.