Gold Spike Sold... Again

Matt@bigempire wrote:

> Our boutique dreamin' man has sold the Gold Spike. Alas, before he had
> a chance to realize his dream of bungalows and swimming pools, and
> spas and gourmet restaurants. What kills me is that he sold for a
> hefty profit. Not sure the number, but it's well above the $16 mill
> he bought it for. And I said it wasn't worth $5 mill. That's because
> I'm an idiot.
>
> So, I don't know the new owners' names, but one is from Las Vegas and
> one from Los Angeles (where I am currently). Nobody from North Dakota
> was mentioned.
>
> They are going to renovate rooms, renovate the casino, bring back
> table games and "make the place fun again." They may have overpaid,
> but at least their vision is modest. I want to be excited, so we'll
> see. When I find out the names, I may try to contact them and pitch a
> few ideas since I've probably spent more time in (and thinking about)
> the Gold Spike than most people. And God knows I had fun there.
>
> There will be an article in the Monday LVRJ in which I may or may not
> be quoted. It depends on how sober and clever I am when I the
> Journal's Ben Spillman calls me tomorrow.
>
> Matt

Thanks, Matt. By the way, who won the "It will NEVER happen" and "When
will the new owner will sell" pools & how close was I?

Cameron
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

CLM in ND wrote:

>
>
> Matt@bigempire wrote:
>
>> Our boutique dreamin' man has sold the Gold Spike. Alas, before he had
>> a chance to realize his dream of bungalows and swimming pools, and
>> spas and gourmet restaurants. What kills me is that he sold for a
>> hefty profit. Not sure the number, but it's well above the $16 mill
>> he bought it for. And I said it wasn't worth $5 mill. That's because
>> I'm an idiot.
>>
>> So, I don't know the new owners' names, but one is from Las Vegas and
>> one from Los Angeles (where I am currently). Nobody from North Dakota
>> was mentioned.
>>
>> They are going to renovate rooms, renovate the casino, bring back
>> table games and "make the place fun again." They may have overpaid,
>> but at least their vision is modest. I want to be excited, so we'll
>> see. When I find out the names, I may try to contact them and pitch a
>> few ideas since I've probably spent more time in (and thinking about)
>> the Gold Spike than most people. And God knows I had fun there.
>>
>> There will be an article in the Monday LVRJ in which I may or may not
>> be quoted. It depends on how sober and clever I am when I the
>> Journal's Ben Spillman calls me tomorrow.
>>
>> Matt
>
>
> Thanks, Matt. By the way, who won the "It will NEVER happen" and "When
> will the new owner will sell" pools & how close was I?
>
> Cameron
>
Correcton: That second pool was the "When will the new owner sell?" pool
& I believe I was down for Feb. 27.

Cameron
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

Matt@bigempire wrote:

> On Jan 31, 10:18 pm, CLM in ND <camarv....RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Thanks, Matt. By the way, who won the "It will NEVER happen" and "When
>>will the new owner will sell" pools & how close was I?
>
>
> Yes, it is quite a shock that the boutique vision was never
> completed. Oh well, we still have the 10,000 suite Moon Resort to
> dream of. It's still being built, right?
>
> Matt

Sure, The Moon Resort is being built. It's being built right between
Xanadu & the Ogden Inn (LV Blvd. location), just across the street from
the windmills of my mind.

Cameron
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

In article
<c34c0c37-a7ec-446c-8280-9b2d9354154e.TakeThisOut@s37g2000prg.googlegroups.com>,
<"Matt@bigempire"> wrote:
>
> So, I don't know the new owners' names, but one is from Las Vegas and
> one from Los Angeles (where I am currently). Nobody from North Dakota
> was mentioned.
>
> They are going to renovate rooms, renovate the casino, bring back
> table games and "make the place fun again." They may have overpaid,
> but at least their vision is modest. I want to be excited, so we'll
> see. When I find out the names, I may try to contact them and pitch a
> few ideas since I've probably spent more time in (and thinking about)
> the Gold Spike than most people. And God knows I had fun there.

First thing they should do is lift the ban on wave rags, so I can set
foot in the place again.

--- Walt
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

Seems you have a Midas touch---for everyone else but yourself, Matt.

Ann Meyer bought the Hotel Nevada for under $1 million in 1990. She sold it
along with Queen of Harts in 2006 for a cool $16 Million to Barrack.

Never saw a swimming pool at Hotel Nevada either.

Was it CTFF who once argued with POPS Berman that buying property downtown
was a bust?

I wouldn't call you an idiot, Matt. But you do need some experience in
being a good entrepreneur.

--
Big Mikey/The Masarsky Group


"Matt@bigempire" <matt RemoveThis @bigempire.com> wrote in message
news:c34c0c37-a7ec-446c-8280-9b2d9354154e@s37g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> Our boutique dreamin' man has sold the Gold Spike. Alas, before he had
> a chance to realize his dream of bungalows and swimming pools, and
> spas and gourmet restaurants. What kills me is that he sold for a
> hefty profit. Not sure the number, but it's well above the $16 mill
> he bought it for. And I said it wasn't worth $5 mill. That's because
> I'm an idiot.
>
> So, I don't know the new owners' names, but one is from Las Vegas and
> one from Los Angeles (where I am currently). Nobody from North Dakota
> was mentioned.
>
> They are going to renovate rooms, renovate the casino, bring back
> table games and "make the place fun again." They may have overpaid,
> but at least their vision is modest. I want to be excited, so we'll
> see. When I find out the names, I may try to contact them and pitch a
> few ideas since I've probably spent more time in (and thinking about)
> the Gold Spike than most people. And God knows I had fun there.
>
> There will be an article in the Monday LVRJ in which I may or may not
> be quoted. It depends on how sober and clever I am when I the
> Journal's Ben Spillman calls me tomorrow.
>
> Matt
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

On Feb 1, 1:10 am, "Matt@bigempire" <m....RemoveThis@bigempire.com> wrote:

> They are going to renovate rooms, renovate the casino, bring back
> table games and "make the place fun again."

Fun is always a good idea. I was really looking forward to a bungalow
foot massage while relaxing by the pool with a blue tropical drink.
Too bad.
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

"Matt@bigempire" <matt DeleteThis @bigempire.com> wrote in message
news:ee749005-c661-4bd2-b8e1-b270bbffa2e1@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
On Jan 31, 10:18 pm, CLM in ND <camarv... DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks, Matt. By the way, who won the "It will NEVER happen" and "When
> will the new owner will sell" pools & how close was I?

>Yes, it is quite a shock that the boutique vision was never
completed. Oh well, we still have the 10,000 suite Moon Resort to
dream of. It's still being built, right?

But, why does a joke like that get to fail upward? He screws up and
makes a profit. Yet, when I buy 423 cases of waterlogged ramen from a
Louisiana warehouse and ship it to Colorado to sell on eBay, I lose my
shirt? Why don't I get to make a fortune making dumb bets?<

Matt... your problem is marketing.

Package the Ramens with a bottle of Hot Sauce, re-label it "Matt's Cajun
Crazy Bayou Bowl 'O Noodles" and resell it back to the people in Louisiana.

People here in the Bayou state eat EVERYTHING with hot sauce... including
oatmeal.

George in LA (Louisiana, not Los Angeles)
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

On Feb 1, 8:29 am, Burt Cohen <burtcoh... DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote:

> My guess is that the owner of the Spike never really had any intention
> of turning the place into a boutique hotel, considering that work never
> actually began on the place.  Probably was just looking to flip it from
> the get go.

That's pretty much what I think too. That he paid over the asking
price indicates there was plenty of interest in the property, too.

I wonder if the new guys are sincere. Hopefully they will be
interviewed in the near-term and we can get a sense of them. I think
there is a huge potential for a casino that caters to a younger crowd
that can't afford the Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay, Luxor type places. I
almost see the potential for a hotel-casino modeled on the Double
Down. Have a lounge with Salvation Army furniture, a DJ who will play
vinyl that you bring in, and no drinks costing more than $4. Have a
casino with fair (not great) rules with $3-$5 minimums, and a steak
house that just serves steak. Make it all simple, don't try too hard,
and watch the money roll in.

> Looking forward to your drunken quotes in the LVRJ on Monday.

So do I. I never remember what I say, so it's fun to reread it.

Also, I am having a sale on ramen this week. With hot and sweat
sauce. E-mail me.

Matt
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

Matt@bigempire wrote:
> Our boutique dreamin' man has sold the Gold Spike. Alas, before he had
> a chance to realize his dream of bungalows and swimming pools, and
> spas and gourmet restaurants. What kills me is that he sold for a
> hefty profit. Not sure the number, but it's well above the $16 mill
> he bought it for. And I said it wasn't worth $5 mill. That's because
> I'm an idiot.
>
> So, I don't know the new owners' names, but one is from Las Vegas and
> one from Los Angeles (where I am currently). Nobody from North Dakota
> was mentioned.
>
> They are going to renovate rooms, renovate the casino, bring back
> table games and "make the place fun again." They may have overpaid,
> but at least their vision is modest. I want to be excited, so we'll
> see. When I find out the names, I may try to contact them and pitch a
> few ideas since I've probably spent more time in (and thinking about)
> the Gold Spike than most people. And God knows I had fun there.
>
> There will be an article in the Monday LVRJ in which I may or may not
> be quoted. It depends on how sober and clever I am when I the
> Journal's Ben Spillman calls me tomorrow.
>
> Matt

Nice job on the scoop, Matt.

My guess is that the owner of the Spike never really had any intention
of turning the place into a boutique hotel, considering that work never
actually began on the place. Probably was just looking to flip it from
the get go.

Looking forward to your drunken quotes in the LVRJ on Monday.

-Burt

--
"I don't want to be your clown anymore. I don't want to do your donkey
work."

Binzer to Dan Tanna in Vega$ episode 19 "Doubtful Target"
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

Flip it, flip it, flip it good.

Who says you can't make money on commercial property?

--
Big Mikey/The Masarsky Group
"Ask us---we know how"


"Matt@bigempire" <matt RemoveThis @bigempire.com> wrote in message
news:70019565-9a42-49e4-92e3-49bce0237864@v4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On Feb 1, 8:29 am, Burt Cohen <burtcoh... RemoveThis @aol.com> wrote:

> My guess is that the owner of the Spike never really had any intention
> of turning the place into a boutique hotel, considering that work never
> actually began on the place. Probably was just looking to flip it from
> the get go.

That's pretty much what I think too. That he paid over the asking
price indicates there was plenty of interest in the property, too.

I wonder if the new guys are sincere. Hopefully they will be
interviewed in the near-term and we can get a sense of them. I think
there is a huge potential for a casino that caters to a younger crowd
that can't afford the Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay, Luxor type places. I
almost see the potential for a hotel-casino modeled on the Double
Down. Have a lounge with Salvation Army furniture, a DJ who will play
vinyl that you bring in, and no drinks costing more than $4. Have a
casino with fair (not great) rules with $3-$5 minimums, and a steak
house that just serves steak. Make it all simple, don't try too hard,
and watch the money roll in.

> Looking forward to your drunken quotes in the LVRJ on Monday.

So do I. I never remember what I say, so it's fun to reread it.

Also, I am having a sale on ramen this week. With hot and sweat
sauce. E-mail me.

Matt
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

On Jan 31, 10:24 pm, "Matt@bigempire" <m....TakeThisOut@bigempire.com> wrote:
> On Jan 31, 10:18 pm, CLM in ND <camarv....TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Thanks, Matt.  By the way, who won the "It will NEVER happen" and "When
> > will the new owner will sell" pools & how close was I?
>
> Yes, it is quite a shock that the boutique vision was never
> completed.  Oh well, we still have the 10,000 suite Moon Resort to
> dream of.  It's still being built, right?
>
> But, why does a joke like that get to fail upward? He screws up and
> makes a profit.  Yet, when I buy 423 cases of waterlogged ramen from a
> Louisiana warehouse and ship it to Colorado to sell on eBay, I lose my
> shirt?  Why don't I get to make a fortune making dumb bets?
>
> Matt

Many people who bought rental homes the past few years are asking the
same question
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again 

On Jan 31, 10:10 pm, "Matt@bigempire" <m....TakeThisOut@bigempire.com> wrote:
> Our boutique dreamin' man has sold the Gold Spike. Alas, before he had
> a chance to realize his dream of bungalows and swimming pools, and
> spas and gourmet restaurants.  What kills me is that he sold for a
> hefty profit.  Not sure the number, but it's well above the $16 mill
> he bought it for.  And I said it wasn't worth $5 mill.  That's because
> I'm an idiot.
>
> So, I don't know the new owners' names, but one is from Las Vegas and
> one from Los Angeles (where I am currently).  Nobody from North Dakota
> was mentioned.
>
> They are going to renovate rooms, renovate the casino, bring back
> table games and "make the place fun again."  They may have overpaid,
> but at least their vision is modest. I want to be excited, so we'll
> see.  When I find out the names, I may try to contact them and pitch a
> few ideas since I've probably spent more time in (and thinking about)
> the Gold Spike than most people.  And God knows I had fun there.
>
> There will be an article in the Monday LVRJ in which I may or may not
> be quoted. It depends on how sober and clever I am when I the
> Journal's Ben Spillman calls me tomorrow.
>
> Matt

I guess the guy who said he was going to turn a crackhouse into a
boutique hotel couldn't buy that story.
 >> Stay informed about: Gold Spike Sold... Again