Paris resort gets final approval from state

Friday, Aug. 20, 1999 | 4:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The $785 million Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino, which received final approval from the state Gaming Commission Thursday, 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, told the commission the "phone is ringing" for reservations and 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 some French official will say he is passing 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 will be 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 will be 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 aftwards, 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.

In other action, the commission approved Carl Giudici, owner of four casinos in the Reno-Sparks area, to open the Club Fortune Casinos, formerly a bingo parlor in Henderson.

Commissioner Augie Gurrola of Las Vegas wanted to know how this casino would make a profit when the former business had financial problems. Thomas Fuetsch, chief executive officer and general manager, said the population has grown in Henderson and the former owners had a high overhead and featured bingo.

Club Fortune will have 287 slot machines and will promote its food in catering to local customers, Fuetsch said.

"We are going in cautiously and we will be lean and efficient," he said. He doesn't intend to add table games and bingo until later.