Overview
In 2007, SLS Hotels acquired the legendary Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with a vision of transforming the 767,000 square-foot podium and three hotel towers with over 1,600 rooms into a global resort that sets a new standard for service and luxury.
The company had bold plans for retrofitting the property, but wanted to be smart about utilizing elements of the existing mechanical infrastructure that were in good shape. They also had an aggressive timeline and strict budget for the project that allowed little room for error.
SLS Hotels owner SBE engaged Southland as its design-build mechanical firm for the low-rise portion of the project, which houses some of the most important parts of the property, including the casino, the food service and dining areas, two pool areas, the central plant and four mechanical rooms. Work began in March 2013.
Southland designed and installed the HVAC (wet and dry side), plumbing, fire protection, and building controls systems. Southland also designed and installed fire protection on the four existing high-rise towers.
Our Approach
Southland set out to make sure SBE was able to utilize as much existing infrastructure as possible, and to complete the project on a tight timeline while still meeting our high standards for quality.
Our team began by conducting a thorough field investigation of the existing system to determine which parts of it could be integrated with the new system.
Frequent communication and collaboration among members of the field team, engineering team, and the project team were key in this process.
To make sure the design and construction were in alignment, Southland adhered to the company's high construction standards for all trades. Planning tools also were used to coordinate all activities, and were particularly critical in identifying and addressing early on any potential challenges associated with integrating the old and new mechanical systems.
Result
Southland completed the project on time and within budget all while adhering to our rigorous quality and performance standards. And as planned, the SLS Hotel and Casino Las Vegas welcomed its first guests on August 23, 2014, prior to the Labor Day weekend, ushering in a new era of glamour and excitement in Sin City.
Successful Partnerships
Owner: SBE
GC: PENTA
Architect: Gensler
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