Big Wheel: Caesars Entertainment Plans to Open The Linq, a Retail Destination, in 2013

The Strip is about to land its second observation wheel in 2013 when The Linq opens. The $550 million retail, dining, entertainment and hospitality district is slated to be owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp. across from Caesars Palace.

The Linq will span more than 200,000 square feet of gross leasable area. According to Caesars Entertainment, the tenant mix is planned to appeal to the region’s growing Gen X and Gen Y clientele — ages 21 to 46 — whose market share is estimated to grow to 52 percent of Las Vegas visitor spending by 2015.

And in the middle of it all, a giant observation wheel dubbed The Las Vegas High Roller. The wheel will be the tallest in the world, at 550 feet, with 28 cabins designed as transparent spheres, each of which will accommodate up to 40 people. Each cabin will be available for individual or group experiences.

The new entertainment district also brings upgrades to three, large mid-Strip Caesars Entertainment resorts and O’Sheas casino. On The Linq’s north side, a guest walk path will lead from the Carnaval Court outdoor plaza at Harrah’s Las Vegas resort through Imperial Palace and to The Linq. A pedestrian connection also will be built from The Linq into Flamingo Las Vegas on the south. The Linq enhancements will completely transform the facade, porte cochere, casino and hotel reception areas of the Imperial Palace.

In good news for the Vegas economy, Caesars estimates that The Linq will employ about 3,000 construction workers and create 1,500 permanent jobs once it opens.

Caesars has retained Caruso Affiliated, nationally renowned for creating award-winning open-air retail destinations, as the leasing agent and to provide advisory services on all development related issues for The Linq. The company is responsible for outdoor retail destinations such as The Grove in Los Angeles.

Groundbreaking will take place in the fourth quarter this year. The Linq retail, dining and entertainment experience is scheduled to open in 2013.

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