Caesars announces first tenants for Linq project

A high-end cupcake bakery from Los Angeles and restaurant from Brooklyn, N.Y. that doubles as a bowling and entertainment center are among the first 11 tenants Caesars Entertainment Corp. announced Monday for the $550 million Linq project on the Strip.

The announcement included some restaurants, such as Yard House and Tilted Kilt which are already in the market. It also covered several names making their initial entry into Las Vegas.

The nongaming Linq development includes 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment offerings and is anchored by the High Roller, a 550-foot-tall observation wheel. The project, being constructed between the Flamingo and Imperial Palace (soon to be renamed The Quad), is scheduled to open in 2013.

The company is hoping Linq will take advantage of the estimated 20 million Strip visitors are year that pass by the location, which is across Las Vegas Boulevard from Caesars Palace.

"Rather than adding additional gaming space or more rooms into an already room-rich market, we've designed The Linq and its distinctive set of tenants to create an entertainment experience unlike any other currently available in Las Vegas," Caesars Entertainment Chairman Gary Loveman said in a statement.

Caesars said Monday more than 70 percent of the development space is committed under signed leases or letters of intent. Another 15 percent of the space is under negotiation.

"We are creating an experience that currently does not exist within the market," Linq general manager Jon Gray said. "The Linq will cater to a wide variety of audiences and will serve as a location for a wide range of functions."

Among the tenants announced Monday includes Brooklyn Bowl, a restaurant that includes a performance area that can accommodate audiences of more than 2,000 and 32 lanes of bowling. The restaurant has been featured in Rolling Stone magazine as a New York City music venue. The location at the Linq is the first outside of New York.

Sprinkles Cupcakes and Sprinkles Ice Cream will also make its Las Vegas debut. The flagship location is in Beverly Hills, Calif., and has nine additional stores in such cities as Dallas, Houston, New York and Scottsdale, Ariz.

Linq will also include a branch of Yard House, a restaurant chain known for is large selection of beers from around the world that now has locations in Town Square and Red Rock Resort, and The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, which has a location inside the Rio.

Other restaurants include Flour & Barley, a pizzeria, Asian themed F.A.M.E., which stands for food, art, music and entertainment, Off the Strip bistro, and Chayo Mexicano.

Retail outlets announced include Bella Scarpa, a women's footwear store; Koto, which is described as "a unique gift shop" with locations in Aspen, Colo., and Miami; and Ruby Blue, a women's accessories store.

The Linq is expected to employ about 3,000 construction workers and create approximately 1,500 permanent jobs upon opening. The observation wheel, which is planned to surpass the height of the London Eye, is the centerpiece of the three-story complex, which will feature outdoor seating and patios at many of the restaurants.

The Linq project is so named for its location linking three Caesars Entertainment properties - Harrah's, the Flamingo and The Quad.