Marnell Corrao Associates, known for its award-winning design and construction work in Las Vegas, topped-off the $1 billion M Resort, Spa and Casino on Friday, August 8 at the resort site located on South Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway. The commemoration event signifies a milestone in the construction process as the last piece of the structure was placed to form the resort's highest elevation.


Marnell Corrao Associates (www.marnellcorrao.com) headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the world's leading hotel/casino/resort design and construction firm, having built many of the most exciting destination hotel/casino resorts including the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Bellagio and Wynn Resorts. Through a diversified family of companies, Marnell has the ability, expertise and proven track record to provide a full range of project development services from initial conceptualization through final build-out and property management. With over 30 years of experience as Executive Architect, Architect of Record, Interior Designer, Construction Manager, General Contractor and Property Developer and Manager, Marnell has been a major contributor in the transforming of the Las Vegas skyline.


"The M Resort represents the Marnell's Family of Companies' best efforts to date. From the owner's partnership to our company's efforts, our banking partners and the governmental agencies' responsiveness have all played a key role in the success of this new resort," said Tony Marnell, Chairman and CEO of Marnell Corrao Associates.


The topping off event commenced with an evergreen tree hoisted to the top of the building and concluded with a hard-hat tour of the property led by M Resort Chairman and CEO Anthony A. Marnell, III.


"This is a major milestone in our construction process," said Anthony A. Marnell, III. "We anticipate completing the M Resort on time and on budget and are excited to debut the new property in March 2009."


Blending into the natural beauty of the desert Southwest, the M Resort, Spa and Casino will have 390 guest rooms, nine restaurants, a destination wine cellar and tasting room, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a 23,000 square foot spa and fitness center and over 100,000 square foot pool and events piazza named Villaggio del Sole.


The boutique resort will feature over 92,000 square feet of casino space that will house 1,846 slot machines, 64 table games and a state-of-the-art race and sports book. Property executives recently announced a partnership with Cantor Gaming to provide cutting-edge mobile gaming technology to the casino floor and race and sports book.


In addition to the casino, M Resort will offer an inviting blend of warm, yet modern design and deliver amenities ideal for locals and visitors seeking an upscale niche property away from the Strip. Plans are already underway for first class retail and entertainment amenities including a partnership with Taubman Center Inc.


Partnering with Taubman, M Resort will have the first full-scale, department store anchored regional mall to be directly integrated into a casino resort. The retail addition will add one million square feet of in-line shopping to the resort and is expected to open in late 2011 or early 2012.


M Resort master-plan also includes a 63,000 square foot movie entertainment theatre to the resort. The movie entertainment theatre will feature 14 screens and 3,100 seats. Digital and 3-D movie projection, spacious auditoriums, oversized movie screens, all-stadium luxury seating, digital sound and premium concession selections, will be offered at the movie entertainment theatre.


"We are happy to have partnered with outstanding brands like Taubman which will evolve the property and provide valuable amenities to our guests," said Marnell. We look forward to offering an exceptional new experience."


ABOUT M RESORT, SPA AND CASINO - M Resort, Spa and Casino is located on over 90 acres at the southeast corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard. Situated higher in elevation than other resort-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, the M Resort will provide optimal views of the world-famous Las Vegas skyline from its guest rooms, suites, conference center and restaurants. The resort features 390 exceptionally appointed guest rooms and suites, over 92,000 square feet of gaming and more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space in addition to a variety of luxury amenities including a partnership with Taubman Centers, Inc. to bring up to one million square feet of in-line retail shopping to the M Resort. The resort will also feature a 14-screen digital movie entertainment complex. Entertainment options coupled with unique dining offerings and a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center provide local and out of town guests with an unrivaled South Strip experience. For more information, visit www.theMresort.com.