The construction on the exterior of the Aladdin is reaching a fever pitch, with the bulk of the ground-level exterior in major renovation mode. But look skyward for the big clue as to what is happening behind all the scaffolding, as a new name in giant letters has been hoisted atop the building: Planet Hollywood.

The former Aladdin will officially become Planet Hollywood in mid-April, with its major shopping destination, Desert Passage, becoming Miracle Mile in May.

Much of the interior work on the hotel is already headed toward completion with a new lobby, a revamped casino and major changes to the rest of the public spaces designed to get rid of all traces of the Arabian Nights theme that dominated the old property. In its place is a sleek, modern and very upscale design that looks absolutely nothing like the over-the-top spectacle that is the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain.

Portions of the Desert Passage mall have already been converted to the more contemporary look that will eventually replace all of the Road to Morocco design. There will be no theme, per se, so don't expect the kind of visual eye candy that is offered at competitors like The Forum Shops or Grand Canal Shoppes, but the new look will offer a more seamless transition between the new Planet Hollywood spaces and the mall.

In addition to the makeover, a lot of new stores, restaurants, and entertainment facilities are going into the mall. The Steve Wyrick theater is already open, as is home decor specialist Urban Outfitters, the chic British men's and women's wear of Ben Sherman, and the world's leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, Quiksilver. Still to come are the Polynesian-fusion, food and fun at Trader Vic's restaurant, the trendy women's fashions of Marciano, authentic Greek cuisine at Taverna Opa, and Hawaiian Tropic Zone, a dining-and- nightlife destination.

The interior makeover will continue throughout 2007 and into 2008.

The outside of the building is, as of this writing, mostly covered in tarps and scaffolding, but the bulk of that work should be complete by June, at least on the street level. Changes will include adding people movers for better access to the shops, a backlit sidewalk water feature, and state-of-the-art LED video offering continuous streaming imagery. Additionally, many of the mall's entrances and existing retail locations on the facade have already been made over with floor-to-ceiling glass vestibule doors and storefronts. A new patio and terrace is also being built to extend out to the sidewalk and invite potential customers inside.

The rest of the exterior of the building will get a freshening later.

The Full Story

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• Aladdin's Themes Set To Disappear
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