Clooney’s place: Las Ramblas in Las
Vegas
From fragrances to furniture, celebrities have
been dabbling in business, often to little result (anyone remember
Britney Spears’ Nyla restaurant?). Now they’re getting into the
hotel business. Silver screen idols Robert DeNiro and George
Clooney are the deep pockets behind high-profile projects in New
York City and Las Vegas, while tennis superstars and off-court
match Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf are putting their stamp on a
luxury resort in the Idaho wilderness. Hopes are high for
success.
“Having George Clooney involved not only brings about more
interest, but his charisma is the epitome of what we are going to
create,” says designer Keith Hobbs, who is fashioning the interiors
of Las Ramblas (www.lasramblas.com), backed by both Clooney and Rande
Gerber (of Whiskey bar fame). The sophisticated $3.5 billion,
4,400-room condo hotel is touted as “more Tony Bennett than Britney
Spears.”
Other projects of note:
"The 80-room The Downtown Hotel in New York City’s Tribeca
marks Robert DeNiro’s first foray into hotel ownership. The actor
already counts the Tribeca Grill and Nobu restaurants in his
portfolio.
"Agassi and Graf are the main investors behind Tamarack Resort
(www.tamarackidaho.com), 90 miles north of Boise,
Idaho. The 225-room property, to be managed by Fairmont Hotels
& Resorts, is for those who wish to “spend quality time with
family,” says Agassi.