5 construction and opening updates for Las Vegas

There are a lot of developments in Las Vegas lately. Some casinos are going back to full-time operation, attractions are opening for tourists for the first time and the finish line is in sight for long awaited projects.

MGM Resorts International announced Wednesday, Feb. 17, that it would resume 24/7 hotel operations beginning March 3 at its properties. Mandalay Bay, Park MGM and The Mirage had been closing midweek due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will open on March 25. The property will have 1,505 rooms, a five-acre pool area, event lawn and a theater that can fit 4,500 people. It will also have the first tribally operated casino in the city with Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotel Las Las Vegas.

Omega Mart, a supermarket-themed art exhibition, opened on Thursday, Feb. 18. It's the second permanent installation from Meow Wolf, an arts and entertainment company. More than 300 artists helped create the attraction. Tickets cost $45 general admission. Pandemic-related safety precautions were in place at the exhibit.

Brian Christopher has a YouTube channel with more than 330,000 followers and a dedicated fan club. The Plaza Hotel & Casino debuted the new “BrianChristopher Slots at the Plaza’ gaming area late last month.

The Strat Hotel, Casino & SkyPod celebrated the opening of a new high limit lounge and the beginning of Lunar New Year with a traditional lion dance on Feb. 14. The 3,600-square-foot lounge has eight table games, an on-site casino host, tea service and five high-definition TVs around its center columns.