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During her inaugural State of the City address, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley unveiled a major addition to the city’s downtown revitalization efforts: Circa 2 Casino & Resort. This new venture, spearheaded by casino developer Derek Stevens, is set to rise on the northeast edge of Symphony Park—a growing 66-acre district positioned as a hub for culture, arts, and commerce.
The proposed location sits just behind the Circa Parking Garage, known locally as Garage Mahal, and is a short walk across a pedestrian bridge linking it directly to the rest of downtown. Although it’s only a two-minute walk from the original Circa Resort, the driving distance is roughly a mile.
“This project, along with the new medical office building, plans for a new art museum envisioned by Elaine Wynn and her team, and a casino developed by Derek Stevens on the northeast corner of Symphony Park, are all in our future,” Berkley said in her address, quoted by KLAS 8 News Now.
Part of a Larger Urban Vision
Circa 2 joins a lineup of current and planned developments in Symphony Park that include major cultural institutions like the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and the Discovery Children’s Museum. A new Las Vegas Museum of Art is also on track for completion by the end of 2028. These initiatives are intended to blend entertainment, residential living, and cultural enrichment into a cohesive urban environment.
The land allocated for Circa 2 spans 6.42 acres and was purchased by PQ Holdings LLC in July 2017, according to Clark County records. The site is zoned for planned development and currently shows signs of early activity, with workers visible near a modular building on the property.
Residents Divided on the Casino’s Impact
Reactions from the local community have been mixed. While some residents voiced enthusiasm about the potential for increased foot traffic and economic stimulation, others expressed concerns that the introduction of a casino could disrupt the neighborhood’s residential and cultural balance.
Kai Brown, a local resident originally from New York, commented, “I think the area is great, I am from New York, and I’m used to the foot traffic. I thought [Circa 2] was a residential property, so I don’t think a casino is great.”
Echoing that sentiment, another resident, Parris Golden, was more direct in her opposition. “It would make me want to move, it would change the whole dynamic of the area,” she said. “Ultimately, that would be a deciding factor.”
On the other hand, some community members see the casino as a welcome addition. Lala Gee, who lives nearby, was thrilled about the news. “Wow, that’s exciting to hear, I think that’s awesome. I think casinos are very good for this community. It brings a lot of people to the neighborhood,” she said.
During her inaugural State of the City address, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley unveiled a major addition to the city’s downtown revitalization efforts: Circa 2 Casino & Resort. This new venture, spearheaded by casino developer Derek Stevens, is set to rise on the northeast edge of Symphony Park—a growing 66-acre district positioned as a hub for culture, arts, and commerce.
The proposed location sits just behind the Circa Parking Garage, known locally as Garage Mahal, and is a short walk across a pedestrian bridge linking it directly to the rest of downtown. Although it’s only a two-minute walk from the original Circa Resort, the driving distance is roughly a mile.
“This project, along with the new medical office building, plans for a new art museum envisioned by Elaine Wynn and her team, and a casino developed by Derek Stevens on the northeast corner of Symphony Park, are all in our future,” Berkley said in her address, quoted by KLAS 8 News Now.
Part of a Larger Urban Vision
Circa 2 joins a lineup of current and planned developments in Symphony Park that include major cultural institutions like the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and the Discovery Children’s Museum. A new Las Vegas Museum of Art is also on track for completion by the end of 2028. These initiatives are intended to blend entertainment, residential living, and cultural enrichment into a cohesive urban environment.
The land allocated for Circa 2 spans 6.42 acres and was purchased by PQ Holdings LLC in July 2017, according to Clark County records. The site is zoned for planned development and currently shows signs of early activity, with workers visible near a modular building on the property.
Residents Divided on the Casino’s Impact
Reactions from the local community have been mixed. While some residents voiced enthusiasm about the potential for increased foot traffic and economic stimulation, others expressed concerns that the introduction of a casino could disrupt the neighborhood’s residential and cultural balance.
Kai Brown, a local resident originally from New York, commented, “I think the area is great, I am from New York, and I’m used to the foot traffic. I thought [Circa 2] was a residential property, so I don’t think a casino is great.”
Echoing that sentiment, another resident, Parris Golden, was more direct in her opposition. “It would make me want to move, it would change the whole dynamic of the area,” she said. “Ultimately, that would be a deciding factor.”
On the other hand, some community members see the casino as a welcome addition. Lala Gee, who lives nearby, was thrilled about the news. “Wow, that’s exciting to hear, I think that’s awesome. I think casinos are very good for this community. It brings a lot of people to the neighborhood,” she said.
