Showcase Mall
Showcase Mall is a Las Vegas Strip shopping center in Paradise, Nevada, recognized for its giant Coca-Cola bottle and M&M's-themed facade.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Showcase Mall is a retail and entertainment complex on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Its location near MGM Grand and other major resort properties has made it a prominent visitor-oriented shopping destination rather than a conventional suburban enclosed mall. The center is particularly recognizable for its exterior imagery: a roughly 100-foot Coca-Cola bottle and a large M&M's package form part of the landmark facade visible from Las Vegas Boulevard. The development originated in the early 1990s after attorney Bob Unger identified the investment potential of property next to the planned MGM Grand resort. Unger partnered with banker Barry Fieldman to create Makena Development Corp. Makena acquired Island Plaza, a smaller shopping center occupying part of the future site, and later obtained additional land that had been used by two gas stations. Forest City Enterprises joined the project as a financing and development partner and acquired a minority ownership interest. Showcase Mall began opening in stages. The Official All Star Cafe became the first operating business in December 1996, followed by an eight-screen United Artists theater in March 1997. Island Plaza was demolished in 1999 to permit a second development phase, which added approximately 43,000 square feet of retail space and opened in 2000. The expansion included a gift shop whose interior was designed around a Grand Canyon theme, reinforcing the center's tourist-oriented positioning. A proposed third phase initially involved a much larger timeshare tower. Westgate Resorts announced a plan in 2003 for a tower of more than 50 stories and more than 700 timeshare units on a site occupied by a Denny's restaurant. Opposition from MGM Grand and concerns among Clark County officials led to a scaled-back proposal, but the project was eventually rejected by the Clark County Commission. A different third phase was later completed in 2009, adding approximately 97,400 square feet and bringing tenants such as Hard Rock Cafe and Ross Dress for Less. Ownership of the mall's sections changed repeatedly during the 2000s and 2010s. The original section was sold in 2005 to a partnership involving City Center Retail and Angelo Gordon & Co. The newer northern section was subsequently sold to Unilev Capital Corp. in 2011, while the original center changed hands again in 2014. The Nakash and Gindi families, together with investor and business partners, acquired the northern portion in 2015 and then purchased the southern portion later that year, consolidating control of the complex. The mall pursued another expansion during the late 2010s. After acquiring a neighboring building formerly associated with Smith & Wollensky, the owners received approval in September 2017 for a replacement four-story building of approximately 145,000 square feet. Target and Burlington were selected as anchor tenants, and both stores opened in 2020. Showcase Mall therefore combines visitor-oriented attractions, restaurants, entertainment, apparel, discount retail, and large-format shopping in a high-traffic Las Vegas resort corridor.
History
Showcase Mall developed from a small existing shopping center and adjacent commercial parcels into a prominent Las Vegas Strip retail complex. The project was prompted by the 1989 announcement of plans for the MGM Grand hotel and casino. Attorney Bob Unger, who was handling an eviction case involving nearby property, recognized that the planned resort could increase the value of neighboring land. He approached banker Barry Fieldman, and the two formed Makena Development Corp. in 1992. Makena purchased Island Plaza, a small shopping center that occupied the future southern part of Showcase Mall. The developers also competed successfully with MGM for two nearby gas stations, allowing them to assemble a larger development site. Forest City Enterprises, which had experience in Las Vegas through projects including Galleria at Sunset, joined the venture to provide financing and development expertise and took a 20 percent ownership stake. The first tenant to open was the Official All Star Cafe on December 15, 1996. An eight-screen United Artists theater followed in March 1997, establishing the project as a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment. Island Plaza was demolished in 1999 so that the second phase could be constructed. That phase added about 43,000 square feet of retail space and opened in 2000. Among its attractions was a gift shop with an interior modeled on the Grand Canyon. The developers considered a major third phase on land occupied by a Denny's restaurant. In 2003, Westgate Resorts proposed a 54-story tower containing more than 700 timeshare units. MGM Grand opposed the scale of the proposed project, and Clark County officials also raised concerns. Although the plan was reduced to 42 stories, the Clark County Commission ultimately rejected it. Ownership changes became a defining feature of the mall's later history. In 2005, the first phase was sold for $142 million to City Center Retail and Angelo Gordon & Co., which also spent $30 million to acquire a leasehold interest in the Denny's site. A redesigned third phase was eventually built in 2009, adding approximately 97,400 square feet and introducing Hard Rock Cafe and Ross Dress for Less. City Center and Angelo Gordon sold this portion to Unilev Capital Corp. in 2011. The original center section changed hands again in July 2014, when it was acquired by a partnership involving the Nakash family, known for founding Jordache, and investor Eli Gindi. In January 2015, the same ownership group and partners purchased the northern section from Unilev Capital. In December 2015, they bought the southern section from Barry Fieldman, consolidating the mall under related ownership interests. The next major development involved a building north of the mall that had previously housed Smith & Wollensky. The Nakash and Gindi interests acquired the property in 2017 and obtained approval in September of that year to demolish it and construct a four-story, approximately 145,000-square-foot building. The expansion was designed for Target and Burlington, both of which opened in 2020. Showcase Mall consequently evolved from a themed tourist shopping project into a broader retail complex serving both Las Vegas visitors and local consumers.
- 2020
Target and Burlington open
[1]The two planned anchor tenants opened in the new expansion building.
- 2017
Major expansion receives approval
[1]A four-story replacement building of approximately 145,000 square feet was approved for the northern side of the mall.
- 2015
Ownership is consolidated
[1]Related Nakash and Gindi interests acquired the remaining mall sections during the year.
- 2009
Third phase is completed
[1]A third phase added approximately 97,400 square feet and included Hard Rock Cafe and Ross Dress for Less.
- 2005
First phase changes ownership
[1]City Center Retail and Angelo Gordon & Co. acquired the first phase and related leasehold interests.
- 2003
Timeshare tower proposal is rejected
[1]The Clark County Commission rejected Westgate Resorts' proposed timeshare tower after opposition and concerns about its scale.
- 2000
Second phase opens
[1]A second phase opened with approximately 43,000 square feet of additional retail space.
- 1999
Island Plaza is demolished
[1]The earlier shopping center was removed to enable construction of Showcase Mall's second phase.
- 1997
United Artists theater opens
[1]An eight-screen United Artists theater opened in March.
- 1996
First business opens
[1]The Official All Star Cafe became the first operating business at Showcase Mall on December 15.
Products and positioning
A highly visible, visitor-oriented Las Vegas Strip shopping and entertainment center combining recognizable themed architecture, restaurants, specialty retail, discount apparel, and large-format anchor stores.
Shopping center · 1996
Showcase Mall retail complex
The core offering is a multi-phase shopping and entertainment complex on the Las Vegas Strip. It combines visitor-focused retail, restaurants, entertainment venues, specialty stores, apparel, discount merchandise, and large-format anchor stores. Its themed facade and proximity to major resorts give it a distinctive destination-shopping role.
Anchor retail development · 2020
Target and Burlington expansion building
The northern expansion is a four-story retail building of approximately 145,000 square feet. It broadened the mall's tenant mix beyond tourist attractions by adding Target and Burlington, serving both visitors and the wider Las Vegas market.
Specialty retail and attractions · 1996
Themed tourist retail
Showcase Mall has used highly recognizable visual themes to attract Las Vegas pedestrians and tourists. Notable elements include the giant Coca-Cola bottle, the M&M's-themed facade, and a former gift shop designed with a Grand Canyon interior. These features support souvenir, novelty, dining, and family-oriented shopping.
Brand decisions
2017
Approval of a large-format retail expansionStrategyBackground
The owners acquired a building north of Showcase Mall that had previously housed Smith & Wollensky and sought to expand the complex's retail capacity.
Action taken
The owners obtained approval to demolish the existing building and replace it with a four-story, approximately 145,000-square-foot structure planned for Target and Burlington.
Aftermath
Target and Burlington opened in the new building in 2020, adding broad merchandise categories and strengthening the mall's appeal to local shoppers.
2003
Pursuit of a timeshare tower developmentStrategyBackground
Westgate Resorts proposed using the Denny's parcel north of the mall for a high-rise timeshare project with more than 700 units. The proposal was considered in the context of expanding the mixed-use development around Showcase Mall.
Action taken
The proposal was reduced from 54 stories to 42 stories after opposition and planning concerns, but the Clark County Commission ultimately rejected it.
Aftermath
The parcel was later incorporated into a different development strategy rather than being used for the proposed timeshare tower.
- MGM Grand — MGM Grand opposed the proposed tower's scale.
Recent events
- 2020
Target and Burlington open in Showcase Mall expansion[1]
Product launch
Target and Burlington opened in the new expansion building, adding large-format general merchandise and off-price department-store retail.
- 2017
Expansion plan approved for new four-story retail building[1]
Regulation · Product launch
Clark County approved a plan to replace a neighboring building formerly associated with Smith & Wollensky with a new four-story, approximately 145,000-square-foot structure.
- 2015
Ownership group acquires northern and southern mall sections[1]
M&A
The Nakash and Gindi interests and their partners acquired the northern section in January and the southern section in December, consolidating control of Showcase Mall.
- 2014
Nakash and Gindi interests acquire the original center section[1]
M&A
The original center section was sold to a partnership involving the Nakash family and investor Eli Gindi.
- 2011
Northern section sold to Unilev Capital[1]
M&A
Unilev Capital Corp. acquired the northern section of the mall from the City Center and Angelo Gordon partnership.
- 2009
Third phase opens with Hard Rock Cafe and Ross Dress for Less[1]
Product launch
A third phase added approximately 97,400 square feet and was anchored by Hard Rock Cafe and Ross Dress for Less.
- 2005
Original mall section sold to City Center Retail and Angelo Gordon[1]
M&A
The first phase of the mall was sold to a partnership of City Center Retail and Angelo Gordon & Co.; the buyers also acquired a leasehold interest in the neighboring Denny's site.
- 2003
Westgate timeshare tower proposal is rejected[1]
Regulation · Other
A proposed high-rise timeshare development on the Denny's site was reduced in scale after opposition and planning concerns, then rejected by the Clark County Commission.
- 2000
Second phase of Showcase Mall opens[1]
Product generation
Following the demolition of Island Plaza, a second phase opened with approximately 43,000 square feet of additional retail space.
- 1997
United Artists opens an eight-screen theater at Showcase Mall[1]
Product launch
An eight-screen United Artists theater opened in March as the mall expanded its entertainment offering.
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