town Las Vegas became far less expensive .”
So Stevens started assembling land across the street from the Golden Gate at the foot of Fremont Street , which is where he envisioned his perfect casino , Circa .
To design the casino , Stevens held a competition between some of the most prestigious architecture firms in gaming . Stevens paid each firm to present a concept and a preliminary design . The winner ? No surprise , Steelman Partners , a firm that has put its stamp on many gaming jurisdictions .
“ We competed against some very reputable architects for this project ,” says Paul Steelman , the president and founder of Steelman Partners . “ I think Derek chose us because we got it . We are firm believers that Las Vegas has a style , and we ’ re the architects who actually get that .
“ We gave him the suggestions for the sportsbook , and gave him a place that looked new and modern , but it looked like it belonged on Fremont Street . And that was really important to Derek . I didn ’ t know how important it was to him in those competition days . But I respect Fremont Street . I started there . I lived on Fremont Street for the entire year of 1986 . It was a slice of life to me . There are unusual people and unusual cars , and all types of things happening that I ’ d never seen in my life , growing up , and being an architect . So I think Derek chose us just because I respect it , and I believe Las Vegas has a style , now influenced by Derek Stevens .”
Sports Haven
Circa inspires the sports fan in Stevens so much that he ’ s built a massive sportsbook — somewhat of an anomaly in this day when most people carry sportsbooks around in their pockets as apps on their phone . But to Stevens , the sportsbook is the heart of the property .
“ I have always thought in years past that a significant brick-and-mortar sportsbook was something that could bring people together ,” says Stevens . “ Obviously , betting on an app is not just the future ; it ’ s the present . It ’ s easy , convenient and quick . It ’ s more efficient . But there ’ s still an element of going to a sportsbook , and the camaraderie with all the people , that it creates a unique excitement that you can ’ t get elsewhere .”
Stevens says the experience at the sportsbook at Circa will be more like a watch party rather than a pure betting play .
“ I would say there ’ s still something inside of a Las Vegas brick-and-mortar sportsbook that ’ s different ,” he says . “ It ’ s not an experience they can get at Hometown USA . We ’ ve created a stadium effect . And for us , this isn ’ t really all that new . I own the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center , where we ’ ve been throwing concerts , EDM events , food festivals , boxing matches , UFC matches , and watch parties .
“ We learned a lot in doing watch parties at our events center . The psychology of someone that goes to a watch party , it ’ s much different than someone that ’ s going to a live sporting event . It ’ s a different angle , a different perspective . People feel differently when they go to a watch party . There is more social demeanor as they come into the game — a little bit more upbeat and willing to
Circa ’ s transportation center , the Garage Mahal
30 CASINO STYLE 2020