Las Vegas station (Brightline West)

Las Vegas station is the planned northern terminus of Brightline West, a proposed high-speed rail service. The station will be located on the south Las Vegas Strip in the unincorporated town of Enterprise, Nevada. The 33-acre (13 ha) site will feature retail, restaurants, connections to other transportation (including the Vegas Loop), and a large parking garage.[2] Construction began on April 22, 2024, with rail operations planned to start in 2028.[3]

Las Vegas
Aerial view looking south from Sunset Road, the station site is the open parcel left of center frame, May 2014
General information
LocationLas Vegas Boulevard
Clark County, Nevada
United States
Coordinates36°03′16″N 115°10′40″W / 36.054490°N 115.177793°W / 36.054490; -115.177793
Owned byDesertXpress Enterprises, LLC[1]
Operated byBrightline West
Line(s)Brightline West
Construction
Parking2,400 spaces
AccessibleYes
History
Opening2028 (2028)
Future service
Preceding station Brightline Following station
Terminus Brightline West Victor Valley
Location
Map

Overview

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Location

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The two-story station will be situated on a 33-acre (13 ha) site on the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard, between Blue Diamond Road and Warm Springs Road, across from the Las Vegas Premium Outlets South. The surrounding 110 acres (45 ha) provide space for transit-oriented development.[4][5][6]

Entertainment district

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Oak View Group plans a 20,000-seat arena on a 25-acre (10 ha) site adjacent to the station.[7] This project is part of a larger 66-acre (27 ha) development envisioned as a sports and entertainment district.[8] According to Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, this is a prime location for future growth in Las Vegas's gaming and entertainment corridor.[9]

Wes Edens, cofounder of Fortress Investment Group and Brightline founder, had originally expressed interest in having a Major League Soccer team based in Las Vegas as an expansion along with a soccer-specific stadium adjacent to the station. The stadium could have a capacity of at least 25,000 spectators and have the potential team name of the Las Vegas Villains.[10][11]

Previous site considerations

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The 2011 project outline explored options near the Rio or Downtown.[12] One of these locations was ultimately used for Allegiant Stadium.

References

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  1. ^ "Rail News - Brightline on track to begin Las Vegas high-speed rail project". Progressive Railroading. April 14, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  2. ^ Martin, Bradley (February 11, 2020). "Dine Outdoors at the Virgin Trains Las Vegas Terminal in 2023". Eater Vegas. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  3. ^ "Brightline West to break ground on Las Vegas high-speed rail project". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  4. ^ Akers, Mick (April 21, 2023). "First look: Brightline's Vegas high-speed train station revealed". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  5. ^ Akers, Mick (July 6, 2021). "Brightline buys land for high-speed rail terminal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Emerson, Elaine (July 6, 2021). "Brightline buys land on Las Vegas Boulevard for planned train terminal". FOX5 Las Vegas (KVVU-TV). Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Golden, Jessica; Brewer, Contessa (March 30, 2022). "Stadium developer plans $3 billion sports arena and casino project in Las Vegas". CNBC. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Stutz, Howard (June 15, 2023). "Vegas basketball arena developer says $10B project is growing, won't require public money". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "Oak View Group Acquires 25 Acres in Las Vegas With Vision to Build Retail & Entertainment District Including 20,000 Seat Arena, Casino and Hotel" (Press release). Oak View Group. March 30, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2024 – via PR Newswire.
  10. ^ "MLS expansion look, major matches cement Las Vegas as 'soccer town'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 3, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "Where things stand with potential NBA and MLS expansion into Las Vegas - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. July 27, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  12. ^ "DesertXpress Vol2: Appendix A-3 Station Site Plan.pdf". United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.