Architect to redesign entrances

Thursday, May 17, 2001 | 10:55 a.m.

Las Vegas architect Paul Steelman got his start by helping Steve Wynn design the Mirage. In later years, he worked on such properties as the Stratosphere, the Regent Las Vegas, Treasure Island and the Desert Inn.

Now, the Aladdin has hired Steelman to help overcome its design challenges.

"I feel comfortable if we can fix those design flaws, we will make the project a success," Steelman said. "Most people walking up and down the Strip get a little winded. I don't have anything there (at the Aladdin's entrance) that says, 'Come in,' I have doors that say, 'Stay out."'

The biggest change Steelman is working on is the Aladdin's presence on the Strip. Taking a cue from designs he saw in the movie "Gladiator," Steelman envisions 28-foot wide canopies hanging over the casino's entrances, guarded by huge sculptures of "Arabic centurions." A new finish will make the entrances look as if they're carved out of gold, while new lighting will light up the Aladdin's entire facade.

"When we have 100,000 people walking up the side of the street every day, our job is to pique their curiosity," Steelman said. "We want to give it the quality of the Bellagio at the entrance ... if we make that someplace people want to be in, then I think we'll have something that will pique the curiosity of the patron."

Getting people to the entrance is another story. While the Aladdin does have a people-mover, it isn't easy to find.

"It's totally shrouded right now," Steelman said. "I have to get that so it works."

Meanwhile, the stairs will be replaced by smoothly rising ramps, designed to make the walk up to the Aladdin seem less daunting.

Inside, the lighting and finishes of the Aladdin will be changed to give the casino a "richer" feel. And between the casino and Desert Passage, new "hubs" will be created to make it obvious to mall patrons how to get to the Aladdin.

"We'll really try to make those spectacular ... the casino's not just another store, but the reason for (the property's) being," Steelman said.

Steelman said the renovations could be complete by year's end. The cost hasn't been disclosed.

It isn't clear whether the Aladdin has contracted with other architects to work on this or other potential renovations at the Aladdin, or whether the renovations would be suspended if the Aladdin was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Aladdin officials couldn't be reached for comment on how the project will be financed.