How a New Shopping Center Is Shaping the Future of a Former Hotel-Casino Site in North Las Vegas

Construction has begun in North Las Vegas on a large shopping center at the site where the well-known Texas Station and Fiesta hotel-casinos once stood. For the city, this event could mark the start of significant economic and social changes. What changes will the departure of old symbols and the arrival of modern developments bring, and how will this affect the lives of local residents?

How the Fate of the Site Changed and the Reasons for the Changes

The area at the intersection of Rancho Drive and Lake Mead Boulevard was known for many years for two major hotel-casinos—Texas Station and Fiesta. These venues served not only as entertainment centers but also as important employers, attracting many visitors and providing income for the neighborhood.

However, in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced casinos across the country to temporarily close their doors, both complexes ceased operations. In the following years, the owners—Station Casinos—decided to demolish the buildings, as economic conditions did not allow them to resume operations as before.

At the end of 2023, the sites were acquired by Agora Realty & Management for $58 million, according to city and property records. After the demolition of the historic casinos, the area remained vacant for over a year, raising questions among residents about the future of this iconic site. A new stage of development began with preparations for the construction of a multi-purpose complex aimed at revitalizing the neighborhood.

This project is part of a broader trend of adaptive reuse of old buildings to boost the local community’s economy. There are already several examples in the US where shopping centers have opened on the sites of former casinos. Newport Casino, built in 1880 as an elite casino for wealthy guests, closed in the early 20th century due to a ban on gambling. In 1954, it was repurposed. This is one of the oldest examples in the US of converting a casino into a “cultural and commercial” center.

Accumulating such experience is important for communities, since the closure of casinos after the pandemic or for other reasons is not uncommon. Given that the online casino market is developing very rapidly, this trend is likely to continue. Players today are increasingly turning to specialized services with ratings of gambling establishments. Information on official page here and other sites allows one to see the general direction of online gambling development. And this information shows that the number of online platforms is constantly growing.

According to forecasts, online casinos may become one of the reasons for a significant reduction in the number of land-based gambling establishments. Modern projects in the future may become the basis for using old buildings for new purposes.

The New Shopping Center and Its Scale

The central element of the Hylo Park project is a large shopping center with an area of about 90,000 square feet. For clarity, it is worth noting that this size is comparable to a standard supermarket or a small shopping mall. According to Aaron Leff, President of Acquisitions and Leasing at Agora Realty & Management, the main tenant—Cardenas Markets, a grocery store chain known for its range of products for the Latino audience—will appear in North Las Vegas for the first time.

Cardenas Markets already operates six stores in the Las Vegas area; however, according to the company’s official website, there were no such locations in the northern part of the city. Marisa Kutansky, a representative of Heritage Grocers Group (the parent company of Cardenas), confirmed the signing of a lease agreement for the new center.

The Cardenas store will occupy about 40,000 square feet, while the remaining spaces are intended for other retail and service operators. Completion of construction and the opening of tenants are scheduled for late 2024 to 2026.

Among the tenants, both grocery retailers and service companies are expected, which should expand the range of available services for residents. The concept development includes the creation of comfortable pedestrian zones, parking lots, and improvements to the surrounding area.

Further Development Plans for the Area

The development of the area is not limited to the construction of the shopping center. At the end of 2024, part of the site—36.5 acres of the former Texas Station—was sold to the construction company Lennar Corp. for $26 million. According to city records, Lennar plans to build a residential neighborhood on 373 lots, which means the emergence of a new residential area with all necessary utilities and infrastructure.

The Hylo Park project as a whole will cover 73 acres and combine retail space, sports facilities, housing, and recreational areas. The new development is expected to become attractive to young families, athletes, and entrepreneurs. For the site of the former Fiesta hotel, the plan includes the development of a separate sports and entertainment complex, which will organically complement the retail and residential parts of Hylo Park.

Sports Initiatives and Infrastructure on the Site of the Former Casino

A key part of the renewed space will be the sports cluster. On the site of the former Fiesta, the ice arena has been preserved and renamed Hylo Park Arena, which is now managed by the Golden Knights hockey club. Representatives of Agora emphasize that the arena will remain available for training and public skating.

In addition, the company plans to build an indoor sports complex (fieldhouse) with an area of almost 200,000 square feet. Such a facility is typically a multi-purpose building that includes courts for basketball, soccer, volleyball, and other sports. According to Aaron Leff, the possibility of adding another ice rink is being discussed, but the final parameters of the project have not yet been determined.

Organizers note that the sports infrastructure can become not only a hub for residents but also a venue for city and regional events. This is especially relevant for young people, who will gain new opportunities for development and leisure.

Economic and Social Prospects of the Project

The emergence of the new complex has the potential to significantly change the economic situation in the area. Large-scale construction and subsequent operation will create hundreds of jobs in retail, as well as in the service and sports sectors. Urban economy analysts emphasize that the development of multi-purpose areas often leads to an influx of new residents and investments, as well as an increase in property values.

Social effects may be expressed in the expansion of available services and the improvement of the urban environment. The new neighborhood will receive modern stores, sports, and cultural spaces, which will increase the appeal of North Las Vegas for both young people and families with children. Similar projects in other US cities, such as the conversion of former casinos into shopping and entertainment centers in Reno, have shown positive results in revitalizing neighborhoods and creating new gathering places.

Urban planning expert Jonathan Chang (according to an interview for the Las Vegas Journal) notes: “The integration of retail, sports, and housing creates a new social fabric for the city and gives a boost to development in many directions.” However, he clarifies that the success of the project largely depends on the quality of implementation and community engagement.

Who Is Behind the Transformation

Agora Realty & Management has already established a reputation as an experienced developer in the California and Nevada markets. The organization’s portfolio includes projects for the revitalization of urban areas and the reconstruction of commercial and residential neighborhoods. In working on Hylo Park, the company relies on a wide range of partners, including tenants, construction firms, and sports organizations.

Agora actively interacts with city authorities and local community representatives to ensure consideration of all stakeholders. According to Aaron Leff, “We strive to create a space where residents can not only shop, but also develop, relax, and play sports.” This approach involves phased development of the complex, openness to community input, and adaptability to changing market demands.

Today, as construction work on the site of the former casinos has already begun, it is clear that the future of this site opens new horizons for North Las Vegas. What opportunities will the renewed district bring? Time will tell, and the city itself responds to change with interest and hope.