Veteran gaming executive Bobby Baldwin has been named the new CEO of the Drew Las Vegas, a 67-story resort and casino in development on the north end of the Strip. Real estate firm Witkoff, which owns the property, has also named him as its Vice Chairman. Baldwin will assume his new role immediately.
Baldwin has a renowned track record in Las Vegas and is widely known for achieving strong financial outcomes. He most recently served as Chief Customer Development Officer of MGM Resorts International and President and CEO of CityCenter, an approximately $9.2 billion development. He previously held executive positions at the Golden Nugget, The Mirage and Bellagio, where the high-stakes "Bobby's Room" poker parlor is named for him.
Now, in his additional role as Witkoff's Vice Chairman, Baldwin will provide leadership and insight on projects beyond Las Vegas that are critical to the firm's long-term growth strategy.
With nearly 3,800 rooms, the resort will feature a state-of-the-art casino, an innovative collection of restaurants, shops, and pools, vibrant nightlife options, and groundbreaking spa and wellness offerings. Drew Las Vegas is expected to open in 2022, and it will house three different hotel brands.
"As we were making final preparations for construction, we had a unique opportunity to work with a transformational leader who has unrivaled experience," said Steven Witkoff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Witkoff. "Bobby sees how far the project has come and is supportive of our vision and strategy. He has been at the helm of many preeminent resorts in Las Vegas including Mirage, Bellagio, and CityCenter. Given Bobby's industry reputation and experience, we believe he's the ideal individual to successfully launch this project and to help drive strategy within the overall Witkoff enterprise."
Baldwin commented: "I am thrilled to be a part of the Witkoff organization as well as the team at Drew Las Vegas. Witkoff's proven track record in global real estate development, financing, and operations makes this the right opportunity, particularly when combined with the introduction of the Drew."