Lucky Dragon is still in its early construction phase, but it’s expected to open in 2016. Photo courtesy of VEGAS Inc.
If you had a chance to drive by the Bonanza Gift Shop toward the north end of the Strip, you might have noticed some construction. Well if you’re into dragons, then you’re in luck.
Slated to open summer 2016, Lucky Dragon will be located on Sahara Avenue, just west of Las Vegas Boulevard. The property stands between Golden Steer restaurant and Allure condos, not too far from neighboring hotels like the Stratosphere and SLS. The cost for the build is $373 million. The Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center, the development firm behind Downtown Grand, is overseeing this project. The Penta Building Group is the general contracting company responsible for the hotel’s construction.
Other than that, we really don’t know too much about the Lucky Dragon. The property sort of remains a mystery. If you thought you missed a grand public announcement or press conference, don’t worry — you didn’t. But perhaps that’s part of the allure, leaving us in suspense about this future Las Vegas hotel.
After only 2 years of business, the Lucky Dragon Casino has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Las Vegas. Their risky strategy of only targeting one demographic of potential customers likely contributed to the financial turbulence. Read more about it here.
Photo of hotel, taken Friday, Oct. 9. Photo courtesy of Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center.
What we can affirm is that construction started last spring.Just last week, the Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website stated that they’re in the process of framing the hotel room walls, putting in fire stairs and building the garage, among other duties.
According to the website, it will be the city’s first casino resort designed from the ground up with “an authentic Asian cultural and gaming experience.” There isn’t an exact opening date, but let’s hope it sticks with its proposed completion by next summer.
In the spirit of the Chinese lucky number eight, here are eight reasons why we’re excited about this new Vegas hotel.
Well don’t you look swanky. Rendering of Lucky Dragon by EV&A Architects / Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website.
1. It’s a boutique-sized hotel.
Listen, we’re all about fun size. From chocolate bars to Smart Cars, we’re hardcore fans. But in all seriousness, we love smaller hotels. They’re easy to navigate and you have time to fully appreciate everything within the property. This boutique Las Vegas hotel will only have 206 rooms in its nine-story hotel tower. It’s small, but just like The Cromwell and Delano, there’s this intimate feel you can only find in a boutique property.
Oh hi, Stratosphere. Looks like you’re getting a new neighbor. Photo courtesy of VEGAS Inc.
The Lucky Dragon Las Vegas Closed
2. Location adds more excitement to the north end of Strip.
It’s no secret – being in the center of the Strip obviously has its advantages. But even though this is at the north end of the Strip, there’s some good that comes out of it. It’s a hop, skip and a jump from the north MGM Resorts Festival Grounds, which had the crazy turnout at this year’s Rock in Rio festival. Lucky Dragon is also close to SLS Las Vegas, Stratosphere and the future home to Resorts World Las Vegas, which will (ta-da!) be another Asian-themed hotel.
Hmm. We may just want to stay in bed all day. Rendering by EV&A Architects / Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website.
3. Unwind in Feng Shui-designed rooms.
We’re totally digging the room. It’s both elegant and relaxing. We’re sure the Feng Shui and the giant cherry blossom mural have plenty to do with it. And if you think that’s relaxing, we’re betting the spa will deliver the same vibe. According to the Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website, the spa will fuse China’s rich ancient culture with modern-day luxuries and amenities. We’re curious if this involves tai chi sessions and green tea facials – we kinda like the sound of those.
Rendering of Lucky Dragon’s fine dining restaurant / Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website.
4. Savor authentic Chinese cuisine.
It’s great to have Chinese food in any hotel, but this is all Lucky Dragon will have. And if you’re excited about noodle bars, tea cafés, a buffet and high-end dim sum (which apparently is a thing), so are we. There’s also going to be a fine dining restaurant, featuring both Northern and Southern Chinese cuisine. From here, you can also enjoy views of the Strip.
Lucky Dragon Las Vegas Nevada
Speaking of food, if you really want a full-on Asian cuisine experience during your vacay, Chinatown is short drive away. Hop on the 1-15 southbound and exit Spring Mountain, heading west. Boom. You’re there.
Unleash the dragon! We predict this will be a prime meeting spot. Rendering by EV&A Architects / Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website.
5. Unleash the dragons.
We can’t stop saying that. It’s too much fun. Plus when we think about dragons, Sisqo’s “Unleash the Dragon” song comes to mind. We can’t help it! And who could forget Bruce Lee’s classic, “Enter the Dragon,” arguably the best martial arts movie of all time? You may also recall the Red Dragon hotel from “Rush Hour 2” and thought it would be cool to have a hotel like this. Lucky for you there’s Lucky Dragon and it will even have the red exterior like the fictional hotel. Cool, right? (Now, if only we can get Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker to reunite…)
Head to Lucky Dragon’s Center Bar and you’ll find a large dragon chandelier right above it. Now that’s what we call a conversation piece.
Rendering by EV&A Architects / Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website.
6. Have fun with Asian-themed games.
The hotel’s 19,000-square-foot casino will focus on popular Asian-themed games like Pai Gow, Fan Tan and Sic Bo. The casino will also house private Feng Shui-designed gaming rooms. You never know – you might prosper from good fortune here. And if you do win, you can splurge at one of the retail shops, which will carry jewelry and apparel sourced from boutiques in Asia.
This has to be the coolest buffet rendering to date. Rendering from Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center website.
7. Convenient if you (or your friends) speak Chinese.
While Lucky Dragon is open to everyone, this hotel is designed for visitors from China in mind. The hotel will even have workers who speak the language. We know this doesn’t apply to everyone. But if you’re trying to impress someone or help someone out during their Vegas trip, they’ll be happy to meet folks who speak their language. It’s a pretty neat and convenient concept. Additionally, the hotel’s outdoor signage will be in both Chinese and English.
Logo courtesy of Las Vegas Economic Impact Regional Center.
8. Sweet summer surprise.
‘Tis the season: We’re always finding a reason to welcome summer back with open arms (even though it still feels like summer now!). But this just gives us one more thing to look forward to. We haven’t heard anything about a pool yet, but it would be nice if it had beautiful oversized lanterns, pagoda-style cabanas and live traditional music. We can dream, right?
In the meantime, you can check out our other Las Vegas hotels.
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UPDATE JAN. 17: In December, The Lucky Dragon held a huge celebration for its one year anniversary. Now things are a little more somber.
Earlier this month they closed the casino, leaving just a sign on the door. Now it faces foreclosure. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal , the hotel got a default notice months ago.
It was built just west of the strip on West Sahara Avenue and some experts think this was an obstacle from the get-go.
As for what's next, the foreclosure auction is set for next month.
If the lucky dragon is sold at auction, it doesn't necessarily mean the hotel will close.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Lucky Dragon hotel-casino, which has only been open for a little over a year, has temporarily closed its gaming and restaurant operations. Multiple workers on the property have been laid off as a result.
According to a statement from the property, the Lucky Dragon is 'beginning the process of reorganization.'
The hotel and gift shop will remain open, along with Cha Garden.
'While this is a difficult decision, this reorganization paves the way for Lucky Dragon to establish new partnerships that will enhance the property's long-term positioning and provide a better guest experience,' Lucky Dragon representatives wrote in a statement to the press. 'We would like to thank our outstanding colleagues for their many contributions, hard work and dedication to the resort.'
Lucky Dragon estimates that they'll be able to resume restaurant and gaming operations within six months. Staff that has been laid off will be eligible to be hired again once the restaurants and casino are back open.
'We had hints and you know we had warnings so it was kinda obvious that was gonna happen,' says Kaleb Edwards. Edwards was a dealer at Lucky Dragon up until Thursday.
For months they've noticed the resort was downsizing.
'Laying off let's say managers. And you got a manager who was let's say was just managing for VIP. He's now a manager for Food & Beverage, VIPS, slots.'
Those that still need to redeem their gaming tickets and chips can do so at the front desk of the hotel. Other gaming, food and beverage promotions or offers are no longer valid.
'I can tell you that every single effort to create something, to be successful was put into place.There was nothing skimped. Nobody saved any dollars. As I said the best professionals possible were hired for their positions there,' says Joe Muscaglione. He was a food and beverage consultant for Lucky Dragon.
'I'm shocked and I'll be disappointed if they don't just regroup and come back stronger than ever,' says Muscaglione.
Watch: Lucky Dragon grand opening from November 2016