LINQ filling up fast

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -

It's not opening for another 14 months, but its retail and restaurant space is filling up fast. LINQ, anopen-air entertainment district being built between The Imperial Palace and The Flamingo, is already at 70 percent capacity.

"The economy is coming back, people are coming back to Las Vegas, visitorship is up and we have a prime location," said LINQ Vice President and General Manager Jon Gray.

Among the companies already committing to space at the LINQare: Yard House, Tilted Kilt, a pub and eatery, and Off the Strip, a Bistro. Gray said 20 million people walk past the area every year and when the LINQ opens it will generate more foot traffic.

UNLV gaming expert David Schwartz is not surprised by the interest in LINQ.

"I think it shows the retail community is responding to what LINQ is, which is differentthan what we've seen in Vegas," he said.

LINQ will be catering to the Gen X and Gen Y clientele, Gray said. Fifty percent of visitors to Las Vegas by 2015 will be between the ages of 21 and 46.

In addition to retail and restaurant space, LINQ will be home to the High Roller Observation wheel. The $550 million construction project is employing 3,000 construction workers, and when completed will employ 1,500 full-time retail and food service workers. It's set to open in December 2013

Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.

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LINQ filling up fast