Taylor to Expand Venetian

Taylor International was recently awarded the contract for the construction management of the Venetian's Phase 1A hotel tower and Phase 2A meeting rooms. Following the expansion completion, The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino will be listed as the third largest hotel in the world.

Phase 1A consists of a major room expansion. When complete, the new 286-ft. tower will add 1,013 new suites to The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, bringing total guest rooms to 4,049. The suites are broken down as follows: 795 double queen bed suites, 218 king bed suites and 14 lanai suites with patios overlooking the pool deck. The tower will bring an additional 1 million sq. ft. to the resort property.

The expansion will also include 4,500 sq. ft. of retail space and 10,928 sq. ft. of restaurant space.
A 26,485-sq.-ft. garden area will include a swimming pool, three spas, and five fountains. A bridge will also be constructed to connect the new tower's first floor with the existing tower's 10th floor.

Taylor International will also oversee the construction of the Phase 2A meeting room additions.
Forty-two new meeting rooms will be built at the hotel's existing ballroom level as well as 22 new boardrooms. These additions will bring the meeting space to approximately 95,000 sq. ft. As a result of these plans, the catering and conference management staff will receive 13,300 sq. ft. of office space.

Contractor Starts City Job

The city of Las Vegas and contractor Meadow Valley recently commenced work on the $3.7 million Durango Drive Improvement Project.

The Durango Drive Improvement Project includes construction of approximately one mile of new roadway on Durango Drive, between Interstate-215 and Oso Blanca Road.

The project also includes improvements on Elkhorn Road, from Durango Drive to the intersection of Elkhorn Road, and the future Elkhorn Overpass Road. Median islands, curb, gutter and streetlights will be constructed along with storm drain and sanitary sewer improvements. A new waterline will also be installed at the Durango Drive and Deer Springs Way intersection.

Plans for the next project on Durango Drive that would complete the north-south access, are currently on the drawing board. Construction of the next phase, from Tropical Parkway to the beltway, is tentatively scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2003.

Firm Completes Job

Las Vegas-based Colours, Inc. recently announced the design firm's completion of the interior design work at The Tilted Kilt, a modern Irish pub in the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The upscale tavern, owned by Mark D'Martino, officially opened for business for St. Patrick's Day festivities.