El Cortez Hotel & Casino, one of downtown Las Vegas’ oldest casinos, is set to undergo a significant $20 million renovation.
Scheduled to commence this summer, the renovation project will encompass several enhancements aimed at modernizing the establishment. Among the planned additions are a high-limit slot room, two new bars, a restaurant, and a coffee shop, according to a press release.
This initiative follows a previous investment of $30 million in 2022, which saw renovations to the property’s original 47 rooms, as well as upgrades to its tower premium rooms, high-limit room, and casino floor bathrooms.
The forthcoming expansion will increase the casino’s footprint by 10,000 square feet, with an additional 4,000 square feet of the existing casino floor set to undergo renovation. Furthermore, the existing high-limit room will be repurposed to accommodate table games.
“We are thrilled to unveil our latest expansion project, which represents a significant milestone for El Cortez and the community of downtown Vegas,” CEO and Chairman Kenny Epstein said in the release.
“These enhancements arrive at a pivotal moment of heightened demand from both locals and visitors to Fremont Street. We are excited to continue to elevate the guest experience with these additions, ensuring every visit is filled with comfort, convenience and timeless hospitality.”
Part of the expansion includes the introduction of a Starbucks outlet in June 2024 and a modern Asian food concept named Hot Noods by Chinglish, slated for an early 2025 debut.
The new bars will feature a roulette-themed establishment, replacing the well-known local venue Ike’s, and a show bar complete with a live music stage and a sizable screen for showcasing black-and-white movies and live sports, the report said.
The design of the roulette-themed bar will be circular, with game details incorporated into the ceiling, said General Manager Adam Wiesberg.
“With all the young people coming in, we have to stick to our history – we’ll be 83 this year. The young people want to be a part of that, so we have to continue to stay modern and exciting. These new bars will create a new energy,” Wiesberg was quoted as saying.
The decision to create a new high-limit slot room was influenced, in part, by increased attention on social media. El Cortez management identified the need for a more secluded and manageable filming space to accommodate high-limit slot-playing content creators.
Overseen by McCarthy Building Companies, Ike Gaming, JIVE Architecture, and interior design firm Kenneth Ussenko Design, the expansion project is poised to uphold the historic significance of the gambling hall on Fremont Street. Established in 1941, El Cortez holds a venerable place in the city’s history and was recognized with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
