Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

June 17, 2006

Encore at Wynn Las Vegas Revealed

Posted by Hunter

"As I walked past the Aqua Theater, home of 'Le Rêve', I could smell flowers. As I passed into the hotel known as 'Encore', I was greeted by warming sheets of natural light, streaming into the vast gardens from the many skylights above. I had thought that Wynn Las Vegas was the pinnacle of comfortable, elegant resort design but once again, the bar has been raised."

We have a full feature on Encore details after the jump... (Warning: Spoilers - if you want to be surprised, stop reading now.)

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Ok, I plan to just go down the list of items I want to talk about and if you have questions, please leave a comment... If you ask how I know, I won't answer - so don't ask. If you don't believe me, that's fine. I don't care. It seems appropriate that I am writing this from a room at Wynn Las Vegas, overlooking the Strip (and listening to The Beatles incidentally - just saw LOVE).

Hotel Tower

The hotel tower will be located on the northern edge of the property, just inside 'Wynn Blvd.' (see below). There's almost no room. Your views will either be a pool/WLV view or a nasty Circus Circus view.

The tower will have a single word at the top: 'Encore', in the same script that was used at the unveiling. I can't remember who but someone here said they thought it was way too generic and bad branding... Well, it seems that they've settled on it - we'll see if it causes them problems. Also, I guess the idea of this being a code-word is out the window. Of course, this could change at the last minute. "Today we announce that the resort formerly known as 'Encore at Wynn Las Vegas' will be known as the 'Ishkabibel'". Okay, probably not.

Entrances / Parking / Street Setup

Encore will have two main entrances for the public to use for arrival by car. One will be located off of Las Vegas Boulevard - this is the main entrance and dumps you in the casino, not unlike at Wynn Las Vegas.

The other entrance is off of a new street they are building that will be called 'Wynn Boulevard' (I can see this name changing possibly). This new street will run parallel to Desert Inn Road on the far north side of the Wynn property. It enters from Las Vegas Blvd. and while current plans have it dead end at Encore's valet garage, Steve Wynn has talked about extending it all the way across whatever the future development of the golf course entails.

Casino and Gardens

I found this to be the most interesting part of what I learned today. The gaming area is roughly half the size of Wynn Las Vegas at around 47,000 square feet. When you arrive from Wynn Las Vegas, before you hit the casino you will walk through or past a large garden area which looks to be equal in size to the casino itself. The ceiling area is filled with individual skylights which appear to illuminate the entire area including large portions of the casino. If so, it would be another 'Wynn-first' to have so much natural light on the casino floor.

One interesting note: on the main walkway from WLV and between the casino and gardens, there is a circular element labeled 'Feature'. Not sure what the hell that is but it sounds interesting... Maybe it is nothing, who knows. By the way, there is no sign of any kind of water feature, a la Wet Design-esque, outside the building - unless it is part of the pool deck.

Beyond the casino space you end up in the footprint of the hotel tower and you find your casino cage, VIP check-in, etc...

Restaurants

This is an area that I still don't know a whole lot about. Contrary to rumor, nothing i have seen indicates that there are any plans for a roof-top restaurant. It seems like the only thing up there is rooms.

There will be a restaurant immediately when you enter from WLV on the left hand side. It has been referred to as 'cafe' up to this point. Whether that means it is a 24x7 coffee shop type, no idea. Someone told me that casinos are required to have a 24x7 cafe if they want to have 24x7 gaming in Nevada. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

Also, there will be a restaurant on the pool deck. No real details here.

Sorry, I will watch this area for changes as construction progresses.

Pool and Clubs

Compared to the size of the resort, the pool deck takes up quite a bit of space, perhaps as much as the casino and garden area together, though that is another very rough guess. Anyway, there will be a main pool, surrounded by cabanas. I did not see VIP villas but further research confirms they will exist on the second level around the pool deck.

In addition to the main pool, which is located in the center of the main pool deck, Encore will include another 'European' pool, located on the Wynn Las Vegas side. Based on the site configuration, I am guessing that this will be the pool with a retractable roof. The pool is smaller and located in a corner, much more practical to cover than the main pool. Also, this is based on the presence of a new nightclub on the southwest corner of the pool deck, next to the European pool.

Spa

No major details here but there will be a new spa, located on the second floor. Configuration seems similar to the spa at Wynn Las Vegas.

Rooms and Suites

Based on the documents I have seen, room details beyond what is known are hard to confirm. I can say that the bathrooms will include two sinks, a bathtub, shower and water closet.

One interesting detail is regarding the suite inventory. Encore will include two suite types we are familiar with: the Parlor Suite and the Salon Suite. Other than larger spaces, we expect amenities to be similar to Wynn Las Vegas. What is interesting is the introduction of two new types of suites.

At Wynn Las Vegas, the bulge on the side of the hotel tower is the fire escape stairwells. At Encore, that's true on the west side but not on the east side (Las Vegas Blvd. side), at least not on floors 51 and above. On these floors we have a combination of 2 and 4 bedroom suites that are multi-level - they use the bulge area for panoramic views and spiral staircases. This is a new type of room product for Steve Wynn and it sounds exciting (and expensive).

Meeting Space

Encore's meeting space extends what is available at Wynn Las vegas. No details about what is included but it seems as if they are simply adding space.

Conclusion

I will continue to watch this development as it progresses. Tomorrow I will work on a sketch of what I described and also take some pictures for y'all. I hope you enjoyed this and found it interesting. If you have questions, go ahead.


Comments

Read archived comments (53 so far)
June 17, 2006 1:13 AM Posted by Mike E

Unfreakin' believable that you got this out so soon! A job well done! Duplex suites, poolside villas... *drool*

Thanks again, Hunter!

June 17, 2006 1:45 AM Posted by Hunter

Here's the thing... I love you guys... Yeah, it took me 90 minutes to write this up and I am in Las Vegas so that precious time is worth even more... But, I love this blog and am so happy with all the people that frequent it that I had to deliver something good... Anyway, just got spanked at the craps table. Time to go back down.

June 17, 2006 1:49 AM Posted by Hunter

I will also say - the Encore plans are pretty. I wish I knew how to use a CAD program... I am going to try to use Google SketchUp to create a diagram for you guys.

June 17, 2006 2:01 AM Posted by mike_ch

Someone told me that casinos are required to have a 24x7 cafe if they want to have 24x7 gaming in Nevada. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

Absolute rubbish. Not only would it mean a few places in Reno wouldn't exist, but the Stratosphere most notably doesn't have always-open dining. Lucky's Cafe closes at 1PM every Monday and Tuesday and opens sometime early the next morning, the rest of the day it's a 24-hour joint. It's written into the hours and everything.

June 17, 2006 2:22 AM Posted by Hunter

Well, I am glad you cleared that up. I am not at home so I don't have my NRS book with me to check but I assume you are correct.

June 17, 2006 3:56 AM Posted by John (Dino from T2V)

Hunter...your real time reporting is awesome dude..we luv ya!:) Can you tell me if the bar is re-opened by the host are yet? Also...I heard there was a VP bar somewhere towards the front of the casino area through a restaurant or something? Can you shed any light on that?

Thanks....Dino

June 17, 2006 8:48 AM Posted by psg

Someone told me that casinos are required to have a 24x7 cafe if they want to have 24x7 gaming in Nevada. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

Casinos are required by Nevada law to have at least one restaurant open at all operating hours. Whether that's a buffet, cafe, snack bar or McDonald's doesn't matter, as long as something's open for the late-night gamblers. A casino doesn't have to have a 24x7 cafe, they just need to have anything open for any combination of 24x7.

June 17, 2006 9:13 AM Posted by John

Well, this should be amazing. I can't wait.

About the multi-level suites, though, isn't this a room product we have seen at another Steve Wynn hotel. I seem to remember seeing multi-level suites at the Golden Nugget. However, I can already guess that the Encore multi-levels will be the pinnacle of luxury for hotel tower suites. Also, those VIP villas around the pool deck sound intesting too.

Thanks for all of that info hunter.

June 17, 2006 11:06 AM Posted by devon

if you've seen some images, how many floors are the lower buildings? how does it compare to palazzo?

June 17, 2006 11:18 AM Posted by Brian

Thanks for sharing Hunter.....I'm jealous of whatever Encore stuff you got to see.

Nice to hear that the property's pool area will apparently be a decent size, and not an afterthought like the area at TI. Also, I hope the casino at Encore is dominated by table games. Sounds like the size of the casino will be similar to the one at the Desert Inn before Wynn imploded it.

June 17, 2006 11:29 AM Posted by Hunter

Not as many as reported in some filings (up to 10), unless you're counting underground floors. The low-rise buildings closely resemble those at WLV in architectural style.

June 17, 2006 12:51 PM Posted by josh

Thanks for all the info and I enjoyed the audio!!
Did you see any retail shops in the renderings of Encore and are all the public areas on one level?
DO you happen to know if the pool areas of WYnn and Encore will be connected?
Is there still a "hook" or was that just the retractable roof?
Were you able to see renderings of the Encore rooms?
THanks again

June 17, 2006 1:08 PM Posted by Hunter

Retail seems to be playing a relatively small role - nothing like the Esplanade. A few spots are designated for retail though.

The pool areas will not be connected - each is fully enclosed.

As far as a 'hook' - hard to say. Doesn't look like anything as elaborate as a fountain show... They may be going 'understated' again.

I saw room floorplans but no renderings.

June 17, 2006 1:13 PM Posted by Brian Fey

Amazing, you lucky guy you! Then again, I am lucky, cause I got info from you! If you are able, I would be curious as to the number or places to eat.

So this "Wynn" road, will go where that norht parking garage us now, would that be right?

June 17, 2006 1:17 PM Posted by mike_ch

how does it compare to palazzo?

Now that's not really fair, is it? I don't think Hun ter has this kind of detail or information for that project. Considering all the flowery, superlative compliments that he's been lavishing on the Wynn group for a while now, I doubt they're interested in showing him what they're doing anyway. :)

I hope the casino at Encore is dominated by table games.

Only if you guys promise to keep quiet. The nice thing about the Wynn casino layout is I don't have to listen to the tables going "YEAHHHHHH" "OOOOH" "YEEEHAW" every five minutes. ;D


Overall, the hotel sounds very nice, although I feel it's kind of a shame that he didn't try anything daring here since he already has a place that fits the template for a high-end casino just next door. I guess that's why it's called Encore, though, because I just don't see anything that doesn't sound like an expansion of Wynn.

June 17, 2006 1:25 PM Posted by Hunter

Brian-

Determining what on these plans were restaurants was actually a little tough. The couple I mentioned were obvious. There might be a few more - some spaces had no indication as to what they were.

'Wynn Blvd.' (that's the real name), would run right where that employee garage is, yeah. Somebody told me that the garage comes down in late July.

Mike-

You're right, the level of info that I saw was somewhat high level and without any explanation. I had to make determinations based on my past reading of WLV blueprints.

Encore seems nice but safe. Unless you count an expansion of the use of outdoor elements as something radically different (I don't), then it is in many ways more of the same (nicer and more expensive though).

June 17, 2006 1:41 PM Posted by Hunter

I'm still trying to determine how I am going to get a sketch up for you guys to see.

I've been playing with Google's SketchUp architectural program but I still pretty much suck at using it. Let me see what I can come up with.

June 17, 2006 1:53 PM Posted by josh

Will there still be suites wrapping around the pool(besides the villas)as planned earlier? Have you seen renderings of the gardens and casinos? If you have, will they be very similar to the ones at the WYnn.
I agree, he seems to not have added original exciting ideas. I had hoped that he would have 2 or 3 levels of shops and restaurants.
Also, are you allowed to descibe the room floorplans to us?

June 17, 2006 1:59 PM Posted by Hunter

I've already explained the room floorplans as I saw them - architectural drawings don't have things like furniture in them.

Not sure where you heard about 'suites' in the pool area. As far as I know, the only thing ever planned for that area was VIP villas. No way is Wynn going to allow mere mortals to get such a great room.

I've shared everything I know so far. If I get any more hot tips, I'll pass those along as well.

June 17, 2006 2:55 PM Posted by charlie

The Desert Inn?

The way this baby is laid out reminds me alot of the Desert Inn, but on a more modern scale, albeit it appears uniquely intimate. There still seems to be value in "The Desert Inn" brand, and Steve owns it. I'm not set on the brand "Encore"; I'm not convinced of the brand "Encore" either.

Maybe, just maybe, this represents an 'encore' of The Desert Inn, not Wynn Las Vegas. By design/principle, there can never be a second Wynn Las Vegas (and certainly not an 'encore' of it). Steve has always had special reverence to DI, unlike most of the old joints on the strip.

June 17, 2006 3:42 PM Posted by Hunter

Excuse my horrible drawing skills:

http://www.ratevegas.com/extras/encore_drawing.jpg

June 17, 2006 5:07 PM Posted by H G Locklear

Thanks for the info Hunter....this place sounds fantastic...as I read your report, I was just wondering, what will the competition do next to try and top this. I do consider Steve Wynn to be a marvel and definitely one of a kind. Thanks a lot for the info.....H G

June 17, 2006 5:42 PM Posted by John

Hunter, will Encore share the Wynn Self-Park or will it have its own structure?

Also, by your drawings, it looks as if dining at Encore will rely heavily on its sister poperty, it should be interesting to see how that affects the crowd patterns at the Wynn restaurants.

However, by the looks of it, Wynn is trying even harder to challenge the Vegas casino design rules by making the casino, almost, an afterthought. This should be one beautiful resort.

June 17, 2006 5:50 PM Posted by Hunter

It will not have its own self-park.

Yes, it relies on WLV for many things, front and back office stuff.

June 17, 2006 6:07 PM Posted by Brian

Hunter, the drawing isn't bad at all.....you should send it to Steve and maybe he'll use it as the property map on his website :)

Seriously, thanks again for your efforts. Your reporting in conjunction with the pictures Detroit, Brian Fey, and others have taken of the construction puts a nice perspective on what this resort will look like.

You mentioned the relative lack of prime views from the Encore tower in your report.....seems like when the place first opens, the south view will likely be the better play from a noise factor, due to what will certainly be ongoing construction at the Stardust (Echelon) and perhaps Frontier (Montreux and if Trump builds a second tower).

June 17, 2006 6:24 PM Posted by Mike E

Thanks for the drawing!

Encore does look more like an extension of WLV than anything else and I'm fine with that so long as it's completely self-sufficient. Unlike THEhotel or Venezia that might make you have to use the mother resort's facilities, I don't think you'd have to leave Encore if you wanted to.

Those gardens better be loaded with features to justify taking up that much space--maybe small restaurant here and there or retail tucked in nooks among trees. I'm all about a small casino, but on a purely financial sense, giving up that much space to nothing more than a garden isn't a smart move. If Wynn's just going for another Bellagio Conservatory, he better get ready for a blaze of criticizm.

I'm going to assume that that back entrance is another form of Tower Suites. It doesn't look like it'll have the same proximity to the pool that WLV has for those patrons, but we'll see. It would be remarkable if Wynn could pull off that same convenient design in Encore.

Who knows, though. I studied WLV's map almost daily over a month before it opened, but I never suspected it to be such a masterpiece in guest convenience until I finally stayed there. If Encore can do it better, I'll be blown away.

June 17, 2006 7:24 PM Posted by mike_ch

Any plans to go vertically higher on the garage, then? I have no idea how many parking spaces Wynn has, but it seems like a lot less than Aladdin/PH and certainly smaller than Caesars (which is huge but Wynn + Encore should be nearly as big and only getting bigger if they build on the course.)

And they're displacing the employee parking garage, too, so... I guess we'll have to wait for more details, because I still can't see how the pieces can fit together.

June 17, 2006 7:32 PM Posted by charlie

Question relating to the overhangs/easements on LV Blvd. In county filings, etc., these were mentioned as only being relevant to the top floors. Given your description of the 'end-cap' suites (west side), I have a picture in my mind of the new Palms tower, with their overhanging patios/infinity edge pools. Is this idea accurate? It certainly explains the required easements.

June 17, 2006 8:01 PM Posted by socalduck

Pretty amazing info. I just checked out of the hotel yesterday, and could see part of the construction area from my room. It looks like the employee lot is already (mostly) vacated. I saw a couple "Wynn Employee Shuttles" on Koval, so it appears they already have made alternative arrangements.

Since my last visit, it seems that Wynn has really hit its stride in terms of service. With the exception of a somewhat scatter-brained waitress at Parasol Up, every employee was professional, efficient, and pleasant. Maid service and evening turn down were perfect. Restaurant wait staff were on top of their game. Cabana attendants were never far away. I even had a situation with an overflowing shower drain that was resolved in less than 20 minutes of me making the call. It is clear that Wynn is striving for a five star/five diamond rating. Based on my last experience, they deserve it.

June 17, 2006 8:55 PM Posted by John

I could be wrong, but I tought I had seen on, I think it was Vegas Today and Tomorrow, that Wynn and LVS had purchased some land behind Sands Expo/Palazzo, that was then divided, so that Wynn could build employee parking, and Adelson, could do whatever he wanted to do with it.

Hunter, do you have any insight into this?

June 17, 2006 9:40 PM Posted by devon

wynn also owns 17? acres of land behind the venetian and is building a new garage to solve the employee parking problem.

June 18, 2006 12:54 AM Posted by Hunter

Yeah, the employee parking is being moved to the Koval parcel.

The Wynn self-park garage will remain as-is. No overhangs, additions, etc... WLV with Encore will still be within county limits for parking. One funny bit in the permit filing was the justification for not adding any more self-parking (just new valet)... The document straight up says that people that stay in hotels like Encore don't park their own cars. Funny.

Charlie - Hard to say exactly. Based on the elevations, it appears that from the outside you won't be able to tell that there are suites in that part of the building.

I have pictures of the Encore site where basement excavation is underway... I'll post those in the AM.

June 18, 2006 5:06 AM Posted by Brian Fey

Mike,the new Wynn employee garage is well under way. Its right behind the LVS convention center on his new land. Here is a picture...

http://dangie.com/fey/Veg51306/slides/Wynn's%20New%20Employee%20Parking%20Garage%20on%20Koval.html

Hunter - Thanks man, you made my day! You gonna meet me out here for the Encore Grand Opening?


June 18, 2006 6:08 AM Posted by Rob

Hunter

Great scoop - I'll watch with interest to see what further details you can find out as the resort progresses.

Was there any information about entertainment at the resort? I remember reading that there plans to add another showroom (possibly for a big name headliner) but it looks from the plans like they'll be relying on the exisitng Wynn LV showrooms at the Encore

June 18, 2006 7:30 AM Posted by cgriff

Thanks for the info, Hunter.

So, the Encore pool deck is on the ground floor then?

June 18, 2006 8:53 AM Posted by Brian Fey

So based on your drawling, you show the pool backs up to the golf course, but I am assuming the meeting space is actually on the backside of the pool, then the golf course? And I guess no Villa's on the back side of Encore facing the golf course either? Makes sense, since these would only have a view of Wynn Road once it goes through.

June 18, 2006 10:48 AM Posted by Hunter

Brian-

You're totally correct, that is a mistake in the drawing. Meeting space encloses the pool just like at WLV.

No villas on Encore's back side that were in the plans.

June 18, 2006 11:05 AM Posted by Hunter

I'd love to be there for the opening. We'll see... If anyone at Wynn reads this little gem then I might have to come in disguise.

The Encore pool deck is on the ground floor, yes. It looks like the low-rise building really only has one level, except for some of the spa on level 2. Very similar to WLV.

I overwhelming feeling is that it is a lot like WLV but smaller, more intimate and with more natural lighting.

June 18, 2006 2:31 PM Posted by Mike E

It seems perfectly logical for Encore to annex the North Fairway Villas as their own so they too can have a set of "affordable" villas. That way, just as when staying in the South Fairways at WLV, you'd have somewhat of a shortcut and a scenic walk through the pool area.

*Wynn should hire me*

June 19, 2006 7:15 PM Posted by Mark

Great info Hunter!
Besides all the gardens, do you know what we should all expect to see in terms of interior design? For example, a continuation of WLV or something more modern like THE hotel and Red Rock?

June 19, 2006 7:21 PM Posted by Hunter

I don't have any more specific info other than what I posted but I would expect similar stuff, along the lines of WLV but upgraded.

June 21, 2006 11:49 PM Posted by a

Is there anyway, or anyone that could let anyone see the mock-rooms of encore inside wynn las vegas?

June 22, 2006 8:44 AM Posted by Hunter

Unless your last name is 'Wynn', probably not. :-)

June 27, 2006 9:14 AM Posted by motoman

On June 17, 2006 Hunter wrote:
"As far as a 'hook' - hard to say. Doesn't look like anything as elaborate as a fountain show... They may be going 'understated' again." ...and...
"Encore seems nice but safe. ...it is in many ways more of the same (nicer and more expensive though)."

Well that fits w/ Steve's saying that he wasn't nervous anymore about the concept of a boutique hotel on a large scale, and devoting the design features to hotel guests instead of passers-by (or thru). I inferred he was talking about the great success of WLV and implying it would be more of the same, but even more intimate, at Encore.

June 27, 2006 1:57 PM Posted by devon

I was on Wynn Macau's website today just checking it out and found that they are now taking reservations and have a list of the room types including some huge suites. The standard rooms are 1600 HKD or $203 USD.

June 27, 2006 2:45 PM Posted by Mike E

Devon, great find! I think this also helps us in what to expect with Encore.

Maybe the Sky/Lake Suites are the predecessors to the suites at the end of the hallways we can expect at Encore. I can also see how rumors of that top floor restaurant could have easily been lost in translation as they in fact meant a "club level".

June 29, 2006 10:32 AM Posted by GB

Mr. Wynn must be doing something right because it looks like he upgraded his mode of transportation:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1051785&size=L&width=1025&height=695&sok=JURER%20%20%28ert%20%3D%20%27A88JE%27%29%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=1

June 29, 2006 9:42 PM Posted by a

speaking of wynn macau here is a picture of it.

June 29, 2006 10:58 PM Posted by Hunter

Here's the photo:

http://static.flickr.com/49/176895583_89ec1ccfe9.jpg?v=0

Is that your photo? Are there others?

June 30, 2006 2:14 AM Posted by a

no its not my pic. i just found it.. anyway the link was not working when i tried clicking on it so here it is again
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32189044@N00/176895583/

July 15, 2006 1:23 PM Posted by josh

Since the pool area is on the ground floor, will there will additional floors above it or will it be open to the sky?
Do you think Encore would have had more public areas(shops and dining) if the pool was not on ground floor?

February 9, 2009 4:24 PM Posted by Ronald

It's a shame historical landmarks were destroyed by Wynn to build this monstreous and cold megaresort. It's the most disgusting out-of-scale building on the strip I've ever seen. I hate implosions of historical Las Vegas property but sure will enjoy when Wynn and Encore are imploded somewhere in future ;-)

February 9, 2009 4:28 PM Posted by Hunter

Leonard? Is that you?