The Venetian

History and Founding

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas opened on May 4, 1999, on the footprint of the historic Sands Hotel and Casino. It was the brainchild of Sheldon Adelson, who aimed to create a destination tailored to convention-goers, a segment he believed was underserved on the Strip. The original 35-story tower contained 3,036 suites, with a 12-story Venezia tower addition in 2003 bringing the count to 4,049. The adjacent Palazzo tower opened in 2007, forming a combined complex of about 7,100 all-suite rooms, making it the second-largest hotel in the world.

Architecture and Design

The resort's design, led by The Stubbins Associates and Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo, faithfully recreates iconic Venetian landmarks including St. Mark's Campanile, the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace, and St. Mark's Square. Indoor and outdoor canals allow for authentic gondola rides, a signature guest experience. The interior features marble floors, frescoed ceilings, and elaborate murals, immersing visitors in a romanticized vision of Venice.

Gaming and Entertainment

The casino spans 120,000 square feet with table games, slot machines, a high-limit salon, and a newly added sportsbook. Entertainment venues include the 18,600-seat Sphere, which opened in September 2023 and offers immersive audio-visual experiences, the 1,815-seat Venetian Theatre hosting Broadway shows and headliner residencies, and multiple showrooms featuring acts like Dita Von Teese, Shin Lim, and productions such as Mrs. Doubtfire and The Book of Mormon.

Convention and Meetings

The Venetian Expo (formerly Sands Expo) is one of the largest convention facilities on the West Coast, with 2.3 million square feet of meeting and exhibition space. It is a key component of the resort's business model, catering to large trade shows, corporate events, and conventions. The property also offers extensive meeting planning services and accessibility features.

Recent Changes and Future Plans

In February 2022, Las Vegas Sands sold the operations of The Venetian, Palazzo, and Venetian Expo to Apollo Global Management for $2.25 billion, with Vici Properties acquiring the real estate for $4 billion. Apollo launched a $1.5 billion capital improvement plan that includes complete renovation of all 4,000+ Venetian suites (completed in 2025), transformation of 400,000 square feet of unused space, and the introduction of 12 new restaurants such as Cote Korean Steakhouse, Via Via Food Hall, and Mott 32. In December 2024, a licensing agreement with Hyatt Hotels was announced, allowing bookings and loyalty integration. The resort also implemented the Venetian Appreciation Award, a profit-sharing program that has distributed over $32 million to team members since 2022, and in 2024 it became the last Strip resort to unionize with the Culinary Workers Union.

Leadership and Ownership

The property is owned by Vici Properties (real estate) and operated by Apollo Global Management. Patrick Nichols serves as President & CEO, succeeding George Markantonis in August 2022. Marcy Miles is Chief Marketing Officer, and Tony Yousfi is Chief Sales Officer for the convention and expo center. The late Sheldon Adelson is recognized as the founder and developer through Las Vegas Sands Corporation.