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Tuscany Suites and Casino

Coordinates: 36°06′48″N 115°09′36″W / 36.1133°N 115.1600°W / 36.1133; -115.1600
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Tuscany Suites and Casino
Location Paradise, Nevada
Address 255 East Flamingo Road
Opening dateDecember 2001 (hotel)
January 17, 2003 (casino)
ThemeTuscany
No. of rooms716
Total gaming space24,665 sq ft (2,291.5 m2)
Permanent showsJew Man Group
The Rat Pack is Back
Signature attractionsCopa Room
Piazza Lounge
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerBrett Heers
Renovated in2015–2017, 2023
Websitetuscanylv.com

Tuscany Suites and Casino is located east of the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The project was conceived by Las Vegas developer Charles Heers, and is owned by his son Brett Heers. The all-suite hotel opened in December 2001, with 716 rooms. The casino, which includes 24,665 sq ft (2,291.5 m2) of gaming space, opened on January 17, 2003.

History

[edit]

The Tuscany was conceived by Las Vegas developer Charles Heers,[1][2] whose family also owned the Vacation Village hotel and casino.[3] The Tuscany is located on Flamingo Road, east of the Las Vegas Strip. In 1988, Heers purchased 17.5 acres (7.1 ha) of the land from the Howard Hughes estate, and later purchased an additional 10 acres (4.0 ha).[4]

For over a decade,[4] a life-sized ship advertised Heers' plan for the Caribbean resort,[5][6][7] which never materialized because of high interest rates.[4] As early as 1997, Heers had approached Gary Ellis, owner of the adjacent Ellis Island Casino, about the possibility of managing the Caribbean.[8]

Heers eventually scrapped the Caribbean project, and began construction on the Italian-themed Tuscany hotel in January 2001,[9][10] after interest rates fell to an acceptable level.[4] The project would eventually include a casino, which was to be managed by the Ellis Island.[9] The all-suite Tuscany hotel opened in December 2001.[7][6] The casino had a soft opening on January 17, 2003.[4][11][12] An official grand opening was planned within two months, after the completion of convention space.[6]

The Tuscany cost $100 million to build,[13] and was owned by Heers and business partner Gaylord Yost, an Arizona contractor.[5][2]They hoped to attract both tourists and local residents,[13][14] including resort employees from the Las Vegas Strip.[4][7] The casino was expected to boost the hotel's occupancy.[6]

Negotiations with Ellis began in January 2004, to combine the operations of Ellis Island and the Tuscany.[8] Three months later, Ellis agreed to invest in the Tuscany for joint ownership and the management of its casino.[7] At that time, the Tuscany's casino had not been attracting its targeted clientele, partially because of competition from Ellis Island.[7] In June 2004, Heers suddenly abandoned the deal before it was finalized and then ceased contact with Ellis. The following month, Ellis filed a lawsuit against Heers, accusing him of breach of contract, fraud and misappropriation of trade practices secrets. According to Heers' lawyer, Ellis changed the conditions of the deal, leading Heers to back out of it upon learning that Ellis planned to sell Ellis Island without combining the two properties into one company.[8]

Brett Heers, the son of Charles, took over operations in 2009,[15] as his father's health was in decline.[16] Charles Heers held 95-percent ownership, while his son held the remainder.[17] Charles died 12 years later, at the age of 94,[16] leaving his son as the owner of the Tuscany.[15][18]

Tuscany Suites, as seen from Flamingo Road in 2020

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation into claims that the Tuscany had been discriminating against non-citizen job applicants for the past five years.[19][20] In 2012, the DOJ filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Tuscany, which then agreed to pay a $49,000 fine to settle the suit.[21]

A renovation of the hotel rooms took place from 2015 to 2017, costing $5 million.[22] In 2020, the Tuscany entered a deal with Circa Sports, which began operating the casino's sportsbook the following year.[23][24]

The Tuscany is located near the track for the Las Vegas Grand Prix,[15] an annual racing event that began in 2023.[18] The Tuscany signed a five-year deal to serve as the host hotel for catering and media officials affiliated with the race. In conjunction with this, the property launched a renovation that included new paint, carpeting, and elevators.[15]

Features

[edit]

The Tuscany has 716 suites,[22] and a casino with 24,665 sq ft (2,291.5 m2) of gaming space.[25]

The Tuscany is popular among locals and convention-goers, in part for its restaurants.[15] Palazzo Ristorante opened in 2002,[26] followed a year later by Marilyn's, named after Heers' wife. A food court was also added in 2003,[27] along with convention space on the casino building's second floor.[2][27] Pub 365, which serves food and 365 types of beer, was added in 2016.[28][29] The property also featured an Italian steakhouse known as Tuscany Gardens,[15][30] which was renovated and renamed as Bistecca in 2024.[31][32][33]

The Tuscany is also popular for its live entertainment. The Piazza Lounge opened in 2003, featuring free performances nightly.[27][34] The property also includes the Copa Room, which is home to paid entertainment.[15] Originally called the T Spot Lounge, it was renamed in honor of the Copa Room, a Strip venue where the Rat Pack had performed.[35] A tribute show, The Rat Pack Is Back, opened at the Tuscany's Copa Room in 2015, coinciding with the venue's name change.[36][37] Jew Man Group, featuring a trio of comedians, is also performed at the Tuscany.[38][39]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Little guy will battle Strip properties". Las Vegas Business Press. 13 January 2003. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Mikkelsen, Ginger (29 January 2003). "Tuscany represents a dream come true". View News. Archived from the original on 28 May 2006.
  3. ^ Fink, Jerry (2 August 2002). "Tracy success story: From busboy to business owner". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Liz Benston (January 17, 2003). "Tuscany hopes to find right blend of tourists, locals". Las Vegas Sun.
  5. ^ a b Simpson, Jeff (22 November 2002). "Panel approves licenses for Cannery, Tuscany". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 11 December 2002.
  6. ^ a b c d Simpson, Jeff (14 January 2003). "Tuscany casino aims for dual market". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 5 March 2003.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Ellis Island, Tuscany in deal". Las Vegas Sun. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "Ellis Island sues over failed Tuscany Suites merger". Las Vegas Sun. 2 August 2004. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  9. ^ a b "New Flamingo Road hotel-casino under construction". Las Vegas Sun. 30 January 2001. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  10. ^ Illia, Tony (2 February 2001). "Old Caribbean project becomes Tuscany Suites". Las Vegas Business Press. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Tuscany unveils casino". Las Vegas Sun. 20 January 2003. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  12. ^ "Tuscany has much to offer video poker players". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 24 January 2003. Archived from the original on 28 December 2004.
  13. ^ a b Benston, Liz (2 January 2003). "Trio of 2003 casino openings begins tonight". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  14. ^ "New E. Flamingo casino to target locals, tourists". Las Vegas Sun. 26 August 2002. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Katsilometes, John (29 July 2023). "For this Vegas resort, it's time to cash in with F1". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  16. ^ a b Katsilometes, John (7 January 2021). "Las Vegas construction pioneer Charles Heers dies". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Question of the Day". Las Vegas Advisor. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  18. ^ a b Hemmersmeier, Sean (1 December 2023). "Off-Strip casino to bring back live table games". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  19. ^ Green, Steve (4 June 2012). "Justice Department alleges Las Vegas casino discriminated against non-citizens". VegasInc. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Government sues Tuscany hotel-casino over work documentation practices". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Associated Press. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  21. ^ Green, Steve (10 October 2012). "Tuscany to pay nearly $50,000 to settle worker-bias suit". VegasInc. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Tuscany completes propertywide renovation in Las Vegas, officials say". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  23. ^ Stutz, Howard (September 3, 2020). "Las Vegas-based Circa Sports to open a sportsbook at the off-Strip Tuscany next year". CDC Gaming Reports. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  24. ^ Shoro, Mike (March 16, 2021). "Circa Sports opens 1st satellite book at Tuscany". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  25. ^ "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)". Nevada Gaming Control Board. 6 March 2018. p. 10. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018.
  26. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (12 June 2002). "Tuscany hotel opens new eatery". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 21 March 2003.
  27. ^ a b c "Piazza Lounge serves as Tuscany's entertainment cornerstone". Las Vegas Sun. 17 January 2003. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  28. ^ Lilly, Caitlin (31 May 2016). "Tuscany's new Pub 365 will feature craft and specialty beers". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  29. ^ Lewis, Rebecca (28 July 2016). "Pub 365 celebrates grand opening at Tuscany". KTNV. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  30. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (4 September 2009). "Tuscany Gardens". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  31. ^ Wright, Johnathan L. (27 February 2024). "Started from the back of a car, Southern tamale eatery opens takeout shop". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  32. ^ Miller, Ken (15 April 2024). "Just a couple blocks off the Las Vegas Strip, Bistecca Italian Steakhouse combines Italian fare with classic steakhouse favorites". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  33. ^ Miller, Ken (10 June 2024). "Bistecca Italian Steakhouse in Las Vegas serves up your favorite classic". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  34. ^ Katsilometes, John (18 July 2014). "Rockie Brown, Sand Dollar and Tuscany forge an unplanned symmetry". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  35. ^ Katsilometes, John (25 September 2015). "Buddy, 'Baz' and Burton top notes on the scene". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  36. ^ Katsilometes, John (27 April 2015). "'The Rat Pack Is Back' eyeing new spot — T Spot at Tuscany; Penn shops 'The Slammer'". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  37. ^ Katsilometes, John (10 November 2020). "Vegas staple 'Rat Pack Is Back' checks into ballroom at Tuscany". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  38. ^ Miyasato, Kiko (23 September 2022). "'Jew Man Group' is envelope-pushing comedy in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  39. ^ Miyasato, Kiko (30 June 2023). "'Jew Man Group' brings no-holds-barred comedy to Las Vegas". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved 17 November 2024.

36°06′48″N 115°09′36″W / 36.1133°N 115.1600°W / 36.1133; -115.1600

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