W Las Vegas
Sub-brand
UnclaimedW Las Vegas was a proposed W Hotels-branded condo-hotel and casino resort near the Las Vegas Strip that was canceled in 2007.
Last updated August 24, 2026
Overview
W Las Vegas was a planned large-scale hospitality and residential development in Paradise, Nevada, near the eastern side of the Las Vegas Strip. The project was conceived as an attempt to bring Starwood Hotels & Resorts' W Hotels lifestyle brand into the Las Vegas resort market while combining hotel accommodation, condominium and condo-hotel residences, gaming, entertainment, retail, dining, and meeting facilities in one destination. It never opened and should not be confused with later properties that used the W Las Vegas name, including the short-lived W tower at SLS Las Vegas and the W Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay that debuted in 2024. The concept developed from discussions between private investment group Edge Resorts and Starwood. Ross Klein, then a senior vice president and chief marketing officer associated with W Hotels, had sought for several years to establish a W hotel in Las Vegas. Earlier possibilities were considered unsuitable because the proposed location or existing building did not meet Starwood's requirements. Edge Resorts ultimately assembled a 21-acre site at the northeast corner of Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane, including land occupied by the Ice nightclub and an adjacent parcel purchased from D. R. Horton. The assembled land reportedly cost $108.1 million. Starwood and Edge Resorts publicly announced the project in August 2005. The initial proposal was valued at approximately $1.7 billion and called for about 3,000 hotel, condo-hotel, and residential units, a 75,000-square-foot casino, approximately 300,000 square feet of meeting space, restaurants, nightclubs, shops, a spa, and a gym. It was intended to be Starwood's first W-branded hotel incorporating a casino. Edge Resorts was expected to retain 75 percent control, while Starwood would hold the minority position and manage the hotel component. A 2008 opening was contemplated, with residential sales expected to begin in late 2005. The plan expanded and became more expensive during 2006. In January, the developers announced $232.5 million in pre-development financing from Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking. Later details described two 50-story glass towers containing approximately 4,000 hotel and condo-hotel units, ranging from roughly 500 to 3,000 square feet. The projected cost rose to $2.5 billion. M.J. Dean Construction was selected as general contractor, while Klai Juba Architects, Lacina Heitler Architects, and Charles Allem Designs were associated with the design work. Utility work began, and a $5 million residential sales center was under construction. Edge Resorts also acquired a neighboring 25-acre parcel in June 2006 for $202 million. The additional land had previously been associated with the proposed Las Ramblas Resort and was intended for Edge East, a boutique hotel district that would complement W Las Vegas with nightclubs and 10 restaurants. The expanded development ambitions increased the project's capital requirements. By December 2006, Credit Suisse had been engaged to assess potential additional partners because rising construction costs and the enlarged land holdings created a need for more financing. Starwood withdrew from the partnership in May 2007, and the W Las Vegas project was canceled. Edge Resorts cited numerous significant challenges. Approximately 750 residential units had reportedly been reserved by that point, and the reservations were refunded. The site was sold later in 2007 to a group led by Africa Israel Group that also included Edge Resorts. Subsequent redevelopment proposals failed, the ownership group defaulted on loans, and lenders ultimately foreclosed on the land in 2014. The property was later acquired by Liberty Media, Formula One's parent company, and was used for the paddock complex associated with the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The canceled project therefore survives primarily as a case study in the risks of large, highly leveraged Las Vegas condo-resort developments during the mid-2000s.
History
W Las Vegas originated from Starwood's long-standing interest in bringing the W Hotels brand to Las Vegas. Ross Klein, a senior W Hotels executive, had reportedly pursued the idea since the launch of the first W hotel in 1998, but the company struggled to identify an appropriate site and development partner. In 2004, Starwood began discussions with Edge Resorts, a private investment group that owned the Bourbon Street Hotel and Casino. Starwood considered that existing property too small and poorly located, preferring a site near Harmon Avenue. Edge Resorts assembled the intended site in stages. It first acquired approximately two acres at Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane, including the Ice nightclub, and then purchased another 19 acres from D. R. Horton. The resulting 21-acre parcel cost approximately $108.1 million. In August 2005, Starwood and Edge Resorts announced a joint project estimated at $1.7 billion. The scheme included a W hotel, a casino, around 3,000 combined hotel, condo-hotel, and residential units, meeting facilities, restaurants, nightclubs, stores, a spa, and a gym. The casino component was notable because it would have made the development the first W hotel with integrated gaming. Edge Resorts was to control 75 percent of the resort, while Starwood would retain a minority interest and manage the hotel. The project was designed to compete with prominent Strip-area resorts such as Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay, the Palms, and Wynn Las Vegas. Developers expected to start residential sales in the fourth quarter of 2005 and targeted a 2008 opening. In January 2006, the project obtained $232.5 million in reported pre-development financing from Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking. More detailed plans released in May called for two 50-story glass towers and approximately 4,000 hotel and condo-hotel units. The units were described as ranging from about 500 to 3,000 square feet, with prices beginning at $650,000. The estimated total cost had risen to $2.5 billion. The development team expanded during this period. M.J. Dean Construction was selected as general contractor. Klai Juba Architects was to work with Lacina Heitler Architects, with Charles Allem Designs also involved in the design. Utility installation had begun, and M.J. Dean started work on a $5 million sales center for the residential component. In June 2006, Edge Resorts acquired a neighboring 25-acre site for $202 million. That parcel had been associated with the planned Las Ramblas Resort. Edge proposed using it for Edge East, a boutique hotel district with nightclubs and 10 restaurants that would operate alongside W Las Vegas. Edge also attempted to sell 63 acres of recently acquired land to help fund the broader undertaking. By December, Credit Suisse was evaluating potential partners because construction inflation and the enlarged land position made the capital structure more difficult. Starwood denied or disputed contemporary rumors of an imminent withdrawal at that time. The partnership nevertheless unraveled. Starwood pulled out in May 2007, and Edge Resorts canceled W Las Vegas, saying that the project could not overcome numerous significant challenges. Roughly 750 residential units had been reserved, and those reservation holders received refunds. In August 2007, the site was sold to a joint venture led by Africa Israel Group that included Edge Resorts. A later proposal, announced in 2009, envisioned a 6,745-room hotel, casino, and retail complex called Edge Las Vegas. That venture defaulted on its loans eight months later, leaving the land vacant. Lenders foreclosed in 2014. The site eventually changed hands again and was sold to Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula One. A four-story, 300,000-square-foot paddock structure was built there for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The history of W Las Vegas illustrates the vulnerability of ambitious resort-condominium schemes to escalating construction costs, dependence on financing partners, and changing market conditions. It also demonstrates the importance of distinguishing the canceled project from later W-branded hotel operations in Las Vegas: Starwood operated a separate W-branded tower at SLS Las Vegas from 2016 to 2018, and W Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay opened in 2024.
- 2023
Former site used for Las Vegas Grand Prix paddock
[1]A large paddock structure was completed on the former development site for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
- 2014
Lenders foreclose on the development land
[1]After a successor development venture defaulted on its loans, lenders foreclosed on the former W Las Vegas site.
- 2007
W Las Vegas canceled
[1]Starwood withdrew from the partnership, ending the planned resort and prompting refunds for reserved residential units.
- 2006
Pre-development financing announced
[1]The project reported $232.5 million in pre-development financing from Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking.
- 2006
Expanded two-tower design revealed
[1]Plans described two 50-story glass towers with approximately 4,000 hotel and condo-hotel units, and the estimated cost rose to $2.5 billion.
- 2006
Edge Resorts proposes Edge East
[1]Following its acquisition of the neighboring Las Ramblas site, Edge Resorts proposed a boutique hotel and entertainment district to accompany W Las Vegas.
- 2005
Initial W Las Vegas announcement
[1]Starwood and Edge Resorts announced a proposed $1.7 billion joint development with a casino, approximately 3,000 units, meeting facilities, restaurants, nightlife, retail, and resort amenities.
- 2004
Edge Resorts begins discussions with Starwood
[1]Edge Resorts and Starwood explored a Las Vegas W hotel concept after Starwood rejected the suitability of Edge's existing Bourbon Street property.
- 1998
W Hotels launches its first hotel
[1]The beginning of the W Hotels brand's development preceded Starwood's repeated efforts to establish a W property in Las Vegas.
Products and positioning
A proposed luxury lifestyle resort combining the design-led W Hotels identity with Las Vegas gaming, condominium residences, nightlife, dining, retail, and large-scale events. The project was positioned against major Strip resorts including Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay, the Palms, and Wynn Las Vegas, but was canceled before opening.
Planned integrated resort
W Las Vegas resort
The proposed flagship development was planned as a W Hotels-branded integrated resort near the Las Vegas Strip. It was to combine hotel rooms, condo-hotel and residential units, a casino, meeting space, restaurants, nightclubs, retail, a spa, and a gym. The later design called for two 50-story glass towers and approximately 4,000 hotel and condo-hotel units. The project was canceled before construction was completed and never operated as a W hotel.
Planned boutique hotel district
Edge East
Edge East was a proposed companion district on a neighboring 25-acre parcel acquired by Edge Resorts in 2006. The concept called for boutique lodging, nightclubs, and 10 restaurants, intended to broaden the entertainment and hospitality offer around W Las Vegas. It remained part of the unrealized development program after the W project was canceled.
Brand decisions
2007
Withdraw from and cancel W Las VegasOtherBackground
Rising construction costs, the enlarged development footprint, and financing challenges made the joint venture increasingly difficult to fund.
Action taken
Starwood withdrew from the partnership in May 2007, after which Edge Resorts canceled the project and refunded residential reservations.
Aftermath
The land was sold to a new joint venture later in 2007. Subsequent redevelopment plans also failed, and the site was eventually foreclosed and repurposed for Formula One infrastructure.
2006
Expand the development with Edge EastStrategyBackground
Edge Resorts acquired the neighboring parcel associated with the proposed Las Ramblas Resort and sought to create a larger hospitality and entertainment district.
Action taken
The company proposed Edge East, a boutique hotel district with nightclubs and 10 restaurants, as a companion to W Las Vegas.
Aftermath
The expansion increased the project's capital demands, and a third financing partner was later considered. The overall program was not completed.
Purchase price for neighboring site. $202 million (June 2006)
2005
Enter Las Vegas with a mixed-use W resortStrategyBackground
Starwood wanted to extend the W Hotels lifestyle brand into Las Vegas, while Edge Resorts sought to develop a large resort and residential project on land near Harmon Avenue.
Action taken
The companies formed a joint venture for a W-branded hotel, casino, residential complex, and entertainment destination, with Edge Resorts holding the controlling interest and Starwood managing the hotel.
Aftermath
The project expanded in scope and cost but was ultimately canceled after Starwood withdrew in 2007.
Initial estimated development cost. $1.7 billion (2005 announcement)
- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino — Identified in contemporary project descriptions as an expected competing resort.
- Mandalay Bay — Identified in contemporary project descriptions as an expected competing resort.
- The Palms — Identified in contemporary project descriptions as an expected competing resort.
- Wynn Las Vegas — Identified in contemporary project descriptions as an expected competing resort.
Recent events
- 2023
Former W Las Vegas site becomes part of Las Vegas Grand Prix infrastructure[1]
Other
After foreclosure and later acquisition by Liberty Media, the former development site was used for a large paddock structure associated with the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
- 2007
W Las Vegas canceled after Starwood withdrawal[1]
Other · Leadership change
Starwood exited the partnership in May 2007, ending the W Las Vegas development. Reserved residential units were refunded.
- 2006
W Las Vegas receives pre-development financing[1]
Other
The project announced $232.5 million in pre-development financing from Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking.
- 2006
Project scope and cost increase[1]
Other · Product generation
Plans expanded to two 50-story towers and approximately 4,000 hotel and condo-hotel units, while the projected development cost increased to $2.5 billion.
- 2006
Edge Resorts acquires neighboring Las Ramblas site[1]
M&A
Edge Resorts purchased an adjacent 25-acre parcel and proposed Edge East, a boutique hotel and entertainment district intended to complement W Las Vegas.
- 2005
Starwood and Edge Resorts announce W Las Vegas project[1]
Other · Product launch
The partners announced a proposed $1.7 billion W-branded hotel, casino, residential, retail, and entertainment complex near Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane.
Sources1 sources
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