The casino industry lost a giant, as Sheldon Adelson, founder of Las Vegas Sands Corp., passed away today.
We, at Lifescapes International, were fortunate to be the landscape architect on several of his remarkable projects, such as The Venetian, Tao Beach at The Venetian, Venezia, The Palazzo, The Venetian Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao.
We will remember him for his decisiveness and arduous nature for precision. His resorts were trendsetters, by creating a stacked development model, with pool/amenity decks over retail and casino. Working with him and his team, it helped us become experts in the complicated process of collaboration with the architect, engineer, and interior designer to create a vertically integrated resort and pool area experience that felt like it was on the ground, but neatly tied in to the puzzle of the structure and services below. This allowed for the most efficient and connected experience, both in front of and back of house.
Stunning fountains, luxury-appointed cabanas, deck and spa rec areas, poolside restaurants and lounges were all part of the glamour and allure that made up Las Vegas Sands’ resorts. The Venetian was also instrumental in that it brought the first private pool day/night club to Vegas with Tao Beach. With that success, many other developers in town, and eventually around the world, followed.
In addition, Sheldon’s foresight and vision for the convention business in Las Vegas, weaving it into his hotel/casino properties, led to unprecedented growth.
We learned invaluable lessons working on resorts for him and his team, such as a demand for quality and creating an immersive thematic experience.
His vision drove other developers to step up their game, and helped create the spectacular resorts that guests love, and return to time and time again.