After Monte Carlo overhaul, Jim Murren says MGM is ‘taking the show on the road’

By John Katsilometes

Thursday, April 7, 2016 | 2 a.m.

The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is Tom’s Urban at New York-New York, a restaurant that serves as an example of the drawing power of The Park. How? Before Monday, I had not been in this place. Now it’s twice this week, both because of activity at The Park, which was highlighted Wednesday by a news conference formally opening T-Mobile Arena.

You’ve heard of blue-ribbon projects? This has been a two-ribbon project. Twice this week, we’ve seen dignitaries cut ribbons to open first The Park, then the arena itself. Also staged was the Celebratory Pressing of a Giant Button by officials from T-Mobile, AEG, SBE, the Clark County Commission (Steve Sisolak and Mary Beth Scow) and MGM Resorts (Chairman and CEO Jim Murren).

It’s funny to be writing from one of the few remaining themed hotels owned by MGM Resorts. The head of the company is finished with developing themed hotels, which is why Monte Carlo is going to be renamed and extensively renovated.

“We are not going to name it something from somewhere else. Those days are over,” Murren said after Wednesday’s ceremony at the front of T-Mobile. “This is Las Vegas; we are at the top of the list of entertainment cities. We are not second to anybody. We’re not going to have a property themed after a city from a far-away place.”

Murren used MGM Grand as an example of a resort that has shed its original theme (which was MGM films, including “The Wizard of Oz”). “MGM Grand is very much a different property,” Murren sad. “You don’t see Dorothy and Toto in there anymore.”

Well, maybe out front, posing for photos …

“Monte Carlo is the next example of us continuing our tradition of reimagining and reinvesting in our properties,” Murren continued. “And we’re taking the show on the road.”

That stretch is the “Mandalay Mile,” as defined by Murren as the west edge of the Strip from Luxor up to The Park/T-Mobile/Monte Carlo complex.

Expect more investment in, and renovation to, Luxor and Excalibur. But don’t expect a change in names, which was discussed about a decade ago when the name Pyramid was market-tested as the new title of Luxor.

“Excalibur is going to get a tremendous amount of investment, and Luxor itself also will,” Murren said. “My feeling there is that it is a great name — Luxor — and I doubt very much we’d ever change the name. We’ll keep Excalibur, as well. But there are some long-range plans to invest in both of those properties.”

The overarching vision is to make all of the MGM Resorts properties more contemporary.

“The visitor to Las Vegas is younger, more international and is a global customer,” Murren said. “We want to hit that target audience. Here, we will have a new Monte Carlo, with a nod to The Park, the MGM heritage and the arena.”

I asked if “Park” was to be part of the title, which is expected from those who with knowledge of the company’s plans for overhaul.

“The name,” Murren said, grinning, “is not ready for show time.” But the rest of it? Definitely ready.

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