Durango will aid Station Casinos in their growing plans

Durango, located just south of the 215 Beltway near Ikea on 50 acres southwest of the Strip, will feature an 83,000-square-foot casino and 200-room hotel. All of the typical resort amenities are included, such as a resort pool with private cabanas and an event lawn, convention and meeting facilities, and four signature restaurants.

Station Casinos also unveiled a full list of food hall dining options that will be available at Durango. The resort will feature an elevated food hall concept called "Eat Your Heart Out" that will feature local favorites and restaurants from other cities.

Restaurants and establishments announced for the food hall: Ai Pono Café, Irv's Burgers, Prince Street Pizza, Uncle Paulie's Deli, Yu Or Mi Sushi, Shang Artisan Noodle, Nielsen's Frozen Custard, Vesta Coffee, Oyster Bar, and DRNK.

Station Casinos and RRR, the latter being the organization’s publicly traded arm, discussed the casino’s construction status during Red Rock’s Q4 and full-year earnings call this week.

“The project is located in the fastest-growing area in the Las Vegas Valley, with a very favorable demographic profile and no unrestricted gaming competitors within a five-mile radius of the site,” Stephen Cootey, executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer of RRR, said.

Cootey added that work continues to progress nicely at the casino, and Durango is on track to open before 2024. Cootey said the company is targeting a fourth-quarter 2023 opening.
 

Land Giant

Station has owned the land where Durango is being built since 2000, when it acquired the acreage for about $37 million.

The locals-focused gaming giant is one of the valley’s largest landowners. But its portfolio recently shrunk by about 21 acres after the company sold excess land surrounding Durango to a housing developer. Cootey said that will only bring in additional visitation to Durango. Station also recently sold its 35-acre site where Fiesta Henderson stood before its demolition last year.

Following the land sales, Cootey says the organization’s strategic landholdings total about 522 acres. Nearly 120 acres, the Station executive explained, are under contract or being actively shopped for divesting.

The remaining acres will “serve as the foundation for the future growth of the company,” Cootey summarized. That growth plan will be highly dependent on Durango’s success.

By Devino O'Connor