Work to begin in June on Maloof’s Flamingo Road casino

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1999 | 10:23 a.m.

The Maloof family is preparing to move forward with construction of a $250 million off-Strip hotel-casino on Flamingo Road next June -- but isn't disclosing many details yet.

"We have a pretty good idea of what we're going to do," said Fiesta President George Maloof. "That property has to have its own identity and uniqueness. It won't be another cookie cutter Fiesta."

The family purchased the 32-acre plot near the Rio Hotel & Casino in 1997. Over the past five months, it has been lining up financing for the project and finalizing plans for what will be its second property in the Las Vegas Valley. Among the odder concepts pitched at the Maloofs was a casino straight out of Dante, with separate areas for heaven and hell.

Financing is now in place for the project, which Maloof describes as a "boutique-style" resort. The Maloofs hope to open its doors in September 2001.

"It's not going to be another 3,000-room megaresort," he said. "We'll focus more on service and convenience.

"When you're so close to the Strip, you have to appeal to the tourist as well. You have to put the right product out there."

But the family, wary of competitors intercepting its plans, isn't saying what that concept will be yet. An announcement is planned for next spring.