The Downtown Grand has been given approval to build an eight-story hotel tower on the east side of the property where the valet is currently located. The DG’s third tower will add 495 rooms, nearly doubling the resort’s current count for a total of 1,124.

There have also been reports that DG plans to build a dining, entertainment and retail district bordering the resort that will be called The Quad. It would be built in areas surrounding the resort and might include the bottom floor of the current parking garage. No timetable for either project has been released.

New Strat buffet

The Stratosphere has revamped and renamed its buffet. Now called “Crafted,” prices have been increased by $1 to $16.99 for brunch and $20.69 for regular dinner with a club card. The all-day pass has been discontinued.

Wynn sports book

The redesigned sports book at Wynn Las Vegas opened last week. It features a 137-by-11-foot LED video wall with 21 million pixels and another 35 TV monitors. “Betting desks” are equipped with USB ports and power outlets. The former Zoozacrackers deli is now Charlie’s Bar + Grill, named for legendary casino host Charlie Meyerson. The new Encore sports book opens this week.

Forum charging

Chalk up another one: The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is now charging for parking. Only valet parking is offered, but it had been free and now there’s a flat $7 charge.

Question: Is there anything to the rumor about SLS Las Vegas changing back to the Sahara?

Answer: Following the sale of SLS and a renaming of the players club to Club 52, rumors swirled that a return to the casino’s previous name might be in the works (the Sahara opened in 1952). Even though the SLS name has been considered a liability and a change of some kind is expected, a players club name alone seems like light evidence in support of a pending reversion.

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