Red Rock solid

By Liz Benston (contact)

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 | 7:47 a.m.

The $925 million Red Rock Resort, at the southeast corner of the Las Vegas Beltway and Charleston Boulevard in Summerlin, is Station Casinos' 15th property in the valley. It's also nothing like any other locals casino in town.

Millions of dollars went into touches such as multicolored onyx imported from India and Italy, polished sandstone, pearl wood, blown glass and 3 million pieces of Swarovski crystal that show up in dozens of chandeliers and curtains.

The 850-room property, which will open on April 18 with 415 rooms, is designed for "the experienced Las Vegas visitor" who is looking for an alternative to the Strip, Station Casinos Chief Executive Officer Frank Fertitta III said.

About 80 percent of the property's revenue will come from locals in the surrounding neighborhood - which surpasses the upscale Green Valley region as one of the wealthiest and most populated regions in the valley.

2. Theres a bingo room with its own private restrooms and a glass-walled, nonsmoking bingo area with a self-contained air-conditioning system.

3. Rectangular and tube-shaped crystal chandeliers a modern take on vintage Las Vegas are all over the place, including a 60-foot chandelier that spans the length of a high-limit pit. This comes from our memories as kids growing up in Las Vegas, Fertitta said. We think Vegas kind of lost its way when themes took over, he said.

4. The hotel lobby includes a dramatic three-story rotunda with two curved stairways and a huge chandelier that will hang low and dazzle the eye. VIP hotel guests can take a separate elevator to their suites, bypassing the casino altogether.

5. Water features are prominent part of the resort. In front are giant fountains and reflection pools while in the rear, accessible from the casino and several restaurants, is a three-acre pool area with a fountain that will light up at night. Private plunge pools are available for customers who rent cabanas, hotel guests staying in ground-level suites and customers of the hotels spa.

6. The chosen few retailers at Red Rock include Mordechai jewelers and clothing boutique Talulah G, while the food court will feature local favorites Capriottis and Villa Pizza.

7. The casino is circular, giving restaurant customers outdoor views of water features and pools. Its really a theater in the round, Station President Lorenzo Fertitta said of the central hotel pool. Several restaurants and Cherry, a nightclub, open to the pool and can be seen through clear and red-tinted glass. There are also a poolside cafe, an outdoor stage for concerts and a fire pit.

8. Station will own all of the full-service restaurants inside Red Rock, including Salt Lick BBQ, the franchise of a famed outpost in Driftwood, Texas. The TBones steakhouse has a private room and an outdoor casino pit.

Liz Benston can be reached at 259-4077 or at benston@lasvegassun.com.