Dallas company plans driving range-sports bar near Strip
More sports entertainment is coming to the Strip as Topgolf International Inc. and MGM Resorts International officials struck ceremonial golf balls on Wednesday for a high-tech driving range-sports bar where golf fans can tee off from climate-controlled bays and later quaff beers in a nightclublike setting.
Topgolf Las Vegas will include a four-level, 105,000-square-foot facility overlooking a 215-yard driving range area on 8 acres at Koval Lane and Harmon Avenue just east of the Strip. It plans to open the facility valued at more than $50 million in spring 2016.
Golfers can use 102 hitting bays on the first three levels, while the fourth level will showcase VIP areas.
“Topgolf Las Vegas is unlike anything we have ever endeavored to build,” Topgolf Executive Chairman Erik Anderson said in a statement.
Plans also include a stage for live musical performances and 3,000 square feet of meeting space, catering to events that can accommodate from 10 to 2,000 people.
Dallas-headquartered Topgolf plans on hiring 600 workers and expects 1 million visitors in the first year.
“After three years of planning, Topgolf and MGM Grand are bringing the boldest new concept in sports entertainment to the entertainment capital of the world,” Anderson said. “This gleaming flagship location will host millions of Topgolf fans when they come to Las Vegas, bring our exciting new concept to MGM’s global clientele and introduce the millions of other visitors to Topgolf who are attracted to Las Vegas every year in search of the latest innovations in entertainment and fun.”
There’s a microchip in each golf ball, so a computer tracks each shot that is struck. About 270 million golf balls were hit by golfers at 16 other Topgolf facilities in the past year.
Topgolf has 13 facilities in the United States and three in the United Kingdom. The company has announced plans for new locations in Kansas City, Mo.; Oklahoma City; Atlanta; Chicago; Denver; Washington, D.C.; Houston; and Virginia Beach, Va.
Topgolf plans to build an average of 10 sites a year for the next three years.
The Las Vegas golf entertainment facility was designed by YWS Architects, and the general contractor is McCarthy Construction with ARCO/Murray National Construction serving as consultants. Las Vegas native Bryan O’Reilly, working as Topgolf’s local partner, helped close the deal.
Topgolf said 34th Floor Hospitality is providing consulting services on the facility.
Contact Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273. Find him on Twitter: @bicyclemansnel
