The most expensive hotel renovation ever seen marks the venue’s 25th anniversary
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is celebrating a $1.5 billion reinvestment project, said to be the most expensive redo in hospitality history, including a grand slew of property-wide renovations, new programming and fresh culinary additions. Alongside it all, the resort will celebrate its milestone 25th anniversary with special programming throughout the weekend of May 3-5.
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History of The Venetian
The Venetian opened its doors on May 4, 1999, bringing an unconventional yet faithful tribute to the richly historic city of Venice to the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip. Every detail aims to be an homage to the Italian original—with 25-foot-high columns in the colonnade built from solid Botticino marble, hand-painted ceiling frescoes created by Italian artists and Italian marble flooring that perfectly mimics that of the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario.
An embrace of the unexpected has been at the center of the resort’s mission from its inception, as well as its dedication to catering to both business and leisure travelers. The attached Venetian Convention & Expo Center was the first of its kind attached to a hospitality concept and is now recognized as one of the largest private meeting facilities in the world. The resort has been celebrated for such trademark experiences as its serenading gondoliers, and its investment in creating a pop culture hub through performances by high-profile entertainers like Christina Aguilera.
The 25th Anniversary Celebration
Throughout the celebratory weekend and beyond, The Venetian will recognize its quarter-century milestone in a diverse array of special programming.
The resort will welcome guests checking in on May 3 with a special gift, and Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro will serve sweet treats in the lobby. Australian singer-songwriter and actress Kylie Minogue will perform the farewell show of her tour stop in Las Vegas at The Venetian’s avant-garde entertainment venue, Voltaire.
To offer thanks to the Las Vegas community, through a partnership with TV station Fox 5 Las Vegas, the resort will give away 25 staycation packages that include a night’s stay, a food and beverage credit and a gondola ride. Resort team members will celebrate the Big 25 by committing to 25 acts of service throughout the month of May to benefit several local organizations, including The Just One Project, Three Square, Green Our Planet, U.S. Vets, HERO School and Spread the Word Nevada.
Of course, with the largest restaurant collection in Las Vegas, eateries at The Venetian will be celebrating as well. On May 3, Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse will hold a dinner event featuring Chef Emeril, a founding restaurant partner with The Venetian. Other eateries, from Mott 32 to bars Sala 118 and Bar Luca, will debut exclusive items for guests to enjoy all month long.
The Renovation
“The Venetian Resort’s innovative spirit has had a massive impact on Las Vegas over the past 25 years and paved the way for our visionary $1.5 billion reinvestment today,” says Patrick Nichols, president and CEO of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
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The resort, top to bottom, will be reimagined. In addition to a rebranding of the iconic lion logo, the resort’s suites, still the largest standard room on The Strip, will be completely updated. All 4,000 suites in The Venetian towers will be available for stays beginning September 2024, with a design inspired by traditional costumes of the Venetian Carnival. The renovation will also bring new chef-led culinary concepts which will be announced throughout the year to come.
New gaming offerings include The Palazzo High Limit Lounge, a fully redesigned Yahoo Sportsbook powered by William Hill with a multiyear naming rights partnership and a brand-new poker room to debut in summer 2024.
The resort will also invest $188 million into its convention center, with the renovation project beginning in summer 2024. Key design elements, such as a new color palette and luxury lounge spaces, will be added. The convention center will also see the addition of the latest and greatest in meeting tech.
Finally, The Venetian’s Food Rescue Alliance, a partnership with The Just One Project announced earlier this year, will double the number of fresh meals donated to the community annually. The program takes surplus fresh food from catered events and repackages it to be delivered to individuals living in the Las Vegas Valley suffering from food insecurity. During a press briefing in February at the White House, second gentleman Douglass Emhoff recognized The Just One Project as one of three initiatives battling food insecurity.
“This redevelopment marks more than just a surface-level renovation, it signifies a deep understanding of our guests and a profound reimagining of an iconic resort unlike any other in history,” says Nichols. “The beauty of this project lies within the balance of the beloved familiar and the never-before-seen.”
