The Ellis Island Hotel sued the Las Vegas Grand Prix after its inaugural event, but in a stunning reversal, it not only dropped the lawsuit but also became a partner with one of Formula One’s major events.
Bad Blood
Ellis Island Hotel is located two miles off the Las Vegas Strip, in Nevada, but a world away from the glimmering towers that transform the desert into one of the most dazzling 4.2 miles of asphalt in the world. Think Super Eight Motel economy versus the Venetian luxury category.
Nevertheless, it happens to be located next to Grand Prix Plaza on Koval Lane, just north of Harmon Avenue, and because of that, the executives decided to make the most of it when they hosted a spectator zone for the inaugural 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Lawsuit Alleges Major Financial Losses
However, they subsequently sued the race, seeking damages greater than $50,000 because it impeded access to the hotel before, during, and after the event. Lawyers for the hotel contended the property suffered substantial losses because employees and customers were restricted from coming and going due to the race.
“To the extent it matters at this point, Ellis Island’s damages to date are already in the millions of dollars,” said Attorney J. Randall Jones, of the Kemp-Jones law firm representing the hotel. “F1 is planning on holding its race every year for the next 9 years, which will continue to cause Ellis Island significant economic losses in the future.”
Legal Battle Ends, Lessons Learned
The lawsuit was filed in April 2024 but was subsequently dismissed last September by Judge Joanna Kishner. But race officials realized after their first trip around Sin City in 2023 that changes would have to be made to smooth things out, not only with the Ellis Island Hotel but also with the community at large.
The 2024 event was a much more synergistic and less disruptive race than the first attempt, and some of the initial wounds have been healed, including the one with Ellis Island.
Plaintiff Becomes Partner
Less obtrusive repair work to the roads that are turned into a temporary track has helped mend fences with the community, as have the tickets being handed out to local residents and a special day-before presale exclusively for them as well.
The chilly relationship between Ellis Island and the Las Vegas Grand Prix has also turned much more cordial, as the two are now partners in the event. As part of the partnership, Ellis Island will host the annual Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada Halloween Bash, being held at Grand Prix Plaza.
A New Era
“As we enter into this partnership with our neighbors on Koval Lane, we look forward to working with Las Vegas Grand Prix to extend our offerings at Ellis Island during race weekend and beyond,” Gary Ellis, owner of Ellis Island, said.
Ellis Island will also host a spectator zone party and hotel packages for race weekend to be held on November 20th through 22nd.
“We are thrilled to be growing our partnership with Ellis Island,” Emily Prazer, president and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., said in a statement. “Over the last two years, we have committed to working with the community and local businesses to ensure they are part of the race-week excitement. Ellis Island is not only a great partner for us but also offers fans another exciting viewing location along the circuit.”
