{"id":20959,"date":"2018-11-27T23:23:25","date_gmt":"2018-11-28T07:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/?p=20959"},"modified":"2018-12-01T02:47:45","modified_gmt":"2018-12-01T10:47:45","slug":"wynn-plaza-shopping-complex-opens-sans-hoopla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wynn-plaza-shopping-complex-opens-sans-hoopla\/","title":{"rendered":"Wynn Plaza Shopping Complex Opens Sans Hoopla"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After months of keeping us in suspense, Wynn Las Vegas has opened its Wynn Plaza shopping promenade with virtually no fanfare.<\/p>\n

The 70,000-square-foot Wynn Plaza made its under-the-radar debut on Oct. 11, 2018.<\/p>\n

It’s a beauty.<\/p>\n

\"Wynn
Wynn Plaza has been teasing us for months, now we finally get to be all up inside it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wynn Plaza boasts a new must-see piece of artwork, Smiling King Bear by Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel.<\/p>\n

Smiling King Bear is 16 feet tall and is done in the artist’s signature prismatic style, which is definitely something we didn’t just copy and paste from a news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Wynn
Do not try this at home. We just told you the thing is 16 feet tall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Wynn Plaza is slated to have about 25 tenants<\/a>, it’s worth noting the shopping center opened with about half that number. We trust that’s the reason for months of delays, and the aforementioned lack of flair around the mall launch.<\/p>\n

Remember, Wynn Plaza is part of Wynn Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Back in the day, the former CEO would’ve not only insisted all the stores be in place when the mall opened, he’d have arranged for fireworks or a parade or something over-the top to mark the occasion.<\/p>\n

Back when Steve Wynn opened Mirage, there was an erupting volcano.<\/p>\n

When he opened Bellagio, there were dancing fountains.<\/p>\n

When he opened Wynn Las Vegas, the whole world was watching.<\/p>\n

But times have changed. Steve Wynn is no longer at the helm of Wynn Las Vegas due to a cavalcade of sexual misconduct allegations, and not only that, Wynn Plaza isn’t even the sole owner of Wynn Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Wynn Resorts sold half (49.9%) the ownership of Wynn Plaza (and other retail space at Wynn and Encore) to Crown Acquisitions in late 2016.<\/p>\n

\"Wynn
Vegas is so cool, even our shopping malls are a feast for the eyes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Does the co-ownership or half occupancy explain why there was no celebration around the opening of Wynn Plaza? Who knows. We’re not even entirely sure we care. It’s shopping.<\/p>\n

Still, we love shiny new things in Las Vegas, and Wynn Plaza is certainly that.<\/p>\n

\"Wynn
There’s even a nod to the Parasol Up and Parasol Down bars inside Wynn. We have no idea if it’s a nod, but using the word “nod” serves to make us sound smarter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the multi-colored bear, there’s another piece of high-profile art at the other end of the mall, Arrows and Flower Neon Sign by Takashi Murakami and Virgil Abloh.<\/p>\n

Takashi Murakami is known, of course, for revitalizing traditional narratives of transcendence and enlightenment. The Internet, it seems, has a lifesaving news release<\/a> for every occasion.<\/p>\n

\"Wynn
Three million bucks! With that, you could get upwards of six handbags at Wynn Plaza.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The security guard said the artwork is valued at $3 million. We are clearly in the wrong line of work.<\/p>\n

Did we mention it moves?<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n<\/span>