citycenter: game changer or sinking ship?

I don't know of too many casinos that can make up a $4 billion shortfall overnight. From the Las Vegas Review Journal:

THE STRIP: CityCenter valued below cost
MGM Mirage: Half-stake in project worth $2.44 billion

By HOWARD STUTZ
CityCenter is worth about half of what it cost MGM Mirage and Dubai World to build the massive Strip development, according to third-party valuation specialists.

In a statement to investors Tuesday, in which MGM Mirage said it was writing down more than $1 billion related to CityCenter, the company estimated the value of its 50 percent ownership in CityCenter at approximately $2.44 billion. The project's total construction budget is $8.5 billion.

"This decision and related market conditions led to the conclusion that the carrying value of the residential inventory is not recoverable," MGM Mirage said in a statement.

MGM Mirage said CityCenter was required to have unnamed third parties review its residential inventory for impairment because of the company's decision to reduce the cost of project's 2,400 residential condominiums by 30 percent.

Also, MGM Mirage's largest shareholder, billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, hinted he might divest himself from the company. Read more.

MGM Mirage
CityCenter

citycenter in jeopardy?

Is the Las Vegas Review Journal guilty of hyperbole, or are they predicting the death of CityCenter? Decide for yourself:

CityCenter future in doubt after Dubai partner sues MGM Mirage
By HOWARD STUTZ

The survival of the $9.1 billion CityCenter development was called into question Monday when the investment arm of the Persian Gulf state of Dubai sued MGM Mirage over concerns about the project’s viability.

According to the lawsuit filed in Delaware Chancery Court, Dubai World, a 50-50 joint venture partner in CityCenter, is asking for unspecified damages and wants to be relieved of its obligations under the companies’ agreement that was struck in August 2007.

Dubai World, which is financing its portion of CityCenter through its Infinity World subsidiary, contends that recent statements by MGM Mirage constitute a breach of the joint-venture pact and has put the project at risk. A spokesman for MGM Mirage was unavailable for comment this morning. As of noon PDT, MGM Mirage had not issued a statement about the legal action.

The lawsuit seemingly took MGM Mirage by surprise. Last week, during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings conference call, MGM Mirage Chairman and CEO Jim Murren was asked about the relationship with Dubai World. “Our relationship with Dubai World is outstanding and has been since August of ’07 when we consummated the joint venture,” Murren said. “They have been steadfast partners.” Read more.

mgm mirage break-up...start the clock.

Looks like MGM Mirage's day just got worse. From the Las Vegas Review Journal:

Dubai partner sues MGM Mirage over CityCenter

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Dubai state-run developer involved in the $8.6 billion CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip says it is suing partner MGM Mirage amid concerns about the project's viability.

Dubai World says subsidiary Infinity World filed the lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court "to protect its rights and the best interests of the CityCenter project."

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MGM Mirage is struggling under more than $13 billion in debt as it pushes ahead on CityCenter, its largest casino yet.

Infinity says recent statements by MGM Mirage about its future viability constitute a breach of contract and put the CityCenter project at risk.

It says it's asking the court to relieve it of its obligations under the joint venture agreement.

The irony of a casino plowing forward with a semi-risky venture while accruing a mountain of debt is not lost on me. When they started this project, it looked like a license to print money. The economy was soaring. Vegas tourism was at an all-time high and the affluent, young crowd was streaming onto the Strip in droves.

All the major Strip operations could afford to charge high prices for rooms, dinner, entertainment, etc. They were trying to push all the penny slot players and nickel blackjack players downtown with all the other riff-raff.

But now, MGM stock is barely worth the paper it's printed on.

I'm not celebrating MGM's recent misfortune. It disappoints me to no end. But it's worth noting all the corporate monsters of the Strip have only themselves to blame. Goliath smote Goliath.

Start the clock on the breakup of MGM Mirage.

labor dispute?

Another labor dispute in Vegas? Hmm....from the Las Vegas Review Journal:

Walkout possible if MGM Mirage, Perini don't address workers' concerns

Union workers "will take action tonight," including a possible walkout, if MGM Mirage and Perini Building Co. do not take action by midnight tonight to address safety concerns at the $9 billion CityCenter construction site, Steve Ross, secretary-treasurer of the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, said today.

On Saturday, a sixth worker was killed on the CityCenter construction site since work began in early 2007. Read more.

If you haven't seen the CityCenter construction site, it's positively monstrous. It's like they're building a whole new city on The Strip.