Visitors on the Las Vegas Strip now get to see a new name in the Vegas skyline. Much like casino developer Steve Wynn's signature "W" cresting his famous casino resort, Donald Trump's signature (I think) "Trump" will sit atop his $1.2 billion Hotel and Tower, which incidentally, sits across the street from Wynn Resort. More accessible to the Fashion Square Mall than anything else, the Trump International Hotel and Tower will be more of a residence, rather than a casino gambling amenity. In fact, Trump's tower is the tallest residential edifice in all of Las Vegas.

Nonetheless, Wynn's casino will no doubt get some business from the 2,562 condo occupants - all of which have already sold out. The second identical tower, which Trump first announced back in April, will begin construction when the doors open in the first tower. That is expected to take place in early 2008. Considering the building is now ready for its Trump-knighting so to speak, it is surmised the project is on schedule. Also on schedule is the Elad Group's plans to put up a $5 billion Plaza Hotel where the adjacent New Frontier Casino now stands (Demolition on the Frontier is planned for this Fall).

Earlier in the week, spectators bore witness to a giant crane lifting a 20-foot letter "T" 640 feet in the air to sit atop the first tower. One by one, the remaining letters have been added to take up 140 feet of rooftop space on the south facing side of the building. The north side of the tower will get the same treatment next week. That's right, Trump times four. No matter where you are on the Strip, you will have a good chance of seeing Trump's name in lights above the Strip.

To say that Donald Trump will be like a kid just having won the state championship spelling bee is an understatement. The Don has openly expressed that having his fingers in Las Vegas has always been a dream of his. And for twenty years, he has been working to make that a reality. Trump's prior success is primarily in the real estate market of New York City, although the development magnate now has 73 projects all over the world. Las Vegas, however, was the one place that Trump always had a soft spot for.