Las Vegas Planning Commission rejects Historic Westside casino-hotel proposal

A controversial plan to build a resort and apartment complex in Las Vegas’ Historic Westside failed to clear a key hurdle Tuesday night after the city’s Planning Commission voted against recommending the project to the City Council.

The proposed development, dubbed the Jackson Hotel and Harlem Nights Casino and Westside Residence, drew both support and criticism during a lengthy meeting. The commission ultimately voted 5-1 against the project. Commissioner Louis De Salvio was the sole vote in favor.

Initially introduced in 2023 as a 60-story resort-casino under the name Harlem Nights, the project faced public opposition over its scale and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. In response, developers scaled the design down to 22 stories, though that height still exceeds the area’s current zoning limit of seven stories.

“We are hoping for approval with conditions tonight,” project manager Breanna Lucier told the Las Vegas Review-Journal ahead of the vote. Lucier added that “The proposed towers would be no taller than 22 stories.”

City staff recommended denial of the land-use entitlements, citing concerns over height and neighborhood integration. The proposed development includes 207 hotel rooms, 60 condominiums, a 336-unit apartment tower, as well as a theater, spa, nightclub, restaurants, retail stores, and a 7,000-square-foot casino. A parking garage is planned for an adjacent plot owned by the developer.

Developer Shlomo Meiri said he envisions the property as an “anchor” that would spur growth in the area. His team described a recent community engagement meeting in April as “fruitful,” though residents have previously raised concerns over privacy and neighborhood fit.

As Tuesday’s vote neared, Meiri attempted to withdraw the application, but after a heated exchange, agreed to proceed. Commissioners Stephen Munford and De Salvio advised the team to “tighten up” their pitch ahead of the City Council’s final decision, which is scheduled for June 18.

If approved, the project would still need to secure an airspace determination from the FAA and file a high-rise compliance report with the city’s Fire Department.

The Las Vegas City Council will have the final say on whether the project moves forward.