Las Vegas Office Update 22
It’s the people that make KHS&S projects successful
Las Vegas is working hard to make a full recovery since the pandemic, and visitors have returned with a revived demand for new venues.
“Projects are just projects, but it’s really the people that are most important,” said Brandon Kephart, Area Operations Manager. “Dedication and commitment are what has allowed us to complete multiple projects this year and begin planning the next phase of work.”
There was nothing off the shelf when wrapping up final touches on the Virgin Hotel and Casino. Geometrically unique planters, seating and sculptures in non-traditional shapes were achieved with GRFC and specialty plaster with each element becoming a work of art. Final delivery of any hotel and casino is an adventure, and Kephart credits Brain Harris, Project Superintendent, Adam Bragg, Senior Project Manager, Erick Hernandez, Paint Superintendent, John Stewart, Plaster Foreman, Nicole Spence, Project Engineer, and their crews for rising to the challenge.
Meow Wolf: Omega Mart was completed in April and the KHS&S team was there on opening day to celebrate. The three-year project was headed by Jason Giddy, Senior Project Manager, Sean Martin II, Project Engineer, and supported by the field team headed by Brent Canfield Jr., Special Finish Superintendent. Their exceptional performance is what led to KHS&S being awarded Meow Wolf Denver. This project earned an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Southwest Award of Merit for 2021, Specialty Construction.
After towering over the strip for more than a decade, the unfinished Fontainebleau is back under construction. KHS&S was active at the 60-story hotel and casino when it was shuttered and called back in 2021 to restore the aged exterior finishes left uncompleted. Brian Harris, the Project Superintendent who oversaw the original contract, is back on site with many of the same crew members.
In the spirit of being one KHS&S family, a special shout out is extended to Joe Morgan, Project Superintendent, Jason Giddy, Senior Project Manager, Shawn Martin, Senior Project Engineer, and Will Flannery, General Superintendent, for supporting the Washington Office on the Microsoft project.
Moving forward, the Las Vegas Office is in the planning stage for the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Sphere, a domed entertainment venue with a 160,000 square foot, high-resolution LED display. When completed, it will be one of the largest GFRC jobs for KHS&S and a dramatic addition to the Las Vegas skyline.