Beyond the Velvet Rope: Compass' Role in Hospitality and Resort Development

On the Las Vegas Strip, where timelines are tight, spaces are complex, and every square foot has a purpose, development requires precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of how to build within active environments.

That’s where Compass Development steps in.

As a trusted owner’s representative and development management partner, Compass supports hospitality and resort clients through every stage of the project lifecycle - from site assessment and design coordination to construction oversight and delivery. The goal is simple: help our clients expand, remodel, or reimagine their properties without expanding their headcount.

Built for the Strip

Compass is currently supporting a major project at the TI (Treasure Island), one of the most recognizable destinations on the Strip. But the team’s experience doesn’t stop there.

Compass professionals have played key roles in a range of hospitality and resort environments, including work at MGM Grand, Paris Las Vegas, and The Sugar Factory (now Helix) - managing casino floor remodels, high-end restaurant and nightlife buildouts, and complex resort renovations.

These projects share a common challenge: they all take place in occupied, operational spaces. That means every decision must balance guest experience, safety, schedule, and budget - all while the lights stay on.

Inside the Walls: Working Within Existing Spaces

Most of Compass’ resort and hospitality projects are what the industry calls second -or third-generation spaces - areas that have seen multiple uses, remodels, or expansions over time. These environments are full of hidden systems, shared utilities, and unknown conditions that can derail a project if not caught early.

That’s why Compass prioritizes proactive site investigation before any construction begins.

Working side by side with on-site facilities teams, Compass conducts detailed due diligence surveys to uncover potential challenges. These early discoveries can save clients time, money, and disruption.

During a recent assessment at the TI (Treasure Island), for example, a due diligence walk revealed that refrigeration equipment inside the project space actually served an adjacent restaurant. Identifying that conflict early prevented an expensive and disruptive demolition mistake - a perfect example of how foresight protects both budget and relationships.

More than Project Management - Partnership

Compass’ value lies not only in our technical expertise but in how seamlessly we integrate with client teams. Our firm’s scalable model allows us to expand or contract support based on workload, bringing senior-level oversight without permanent overhead.

That flexibility is especially valuable for resort and entertainment operators, who often juggle multiple projects at once - from restaurant conversions and retail refreshes to full-suite remodels and large-scale expansions.

Compass serves as the connective tissue between design, construction, and operations - ensuring all stakeholders are aligned, informed, and moving toward the same goal: exceptional guest experiences delivered efficiently and cost-effectively.

Expertise in Active Resort Environments

Compass specializes in managing development in live, high-traffic resort settings, where construction activity must coexist with daily operations. Our services include:

• Managing the complexities of construction and leasing activities within mixed-use Strip venues

• Assessing existing site conditions and advising design teams on constructable solutions

• Verifying design alignment with real-world conditions in multi-phase renovations

• Collaborating with landlords to ensure lease requirements and system connections are met
  

This combination of technical insight, proactive communication, and on-site coordination is what makes Compass an invaluable partner to some of the Strip’s most dynamic properties.

A Clear Direction for What's Next

As hospitality evolves, the need for agile, experienced development partners will only grow. Whether it’s modernizing a casino floor, transforming a restaurant space, or delivering a ground-up hotel concept, Compass brings the structure, transparency, and trust that resort operators rely on.

Every project is a chance to build something extraordinary - not just for guests, but for the teams that make Las Vegas one of the most exciting development environments in the world.

---

We are excited to create real estate development solutions that become a part of a community. If you would like to explore a commercial real estate, hospitality or multifamily development project or joint venture, contact Michael Shohet at mshohet@compassdevco.com.