While the timeline has changed, the project design and components apparently have not. Thirty months after excavation begins, Naftali says the site will include seven high-rise towers atop a mid-rise podium. The structures will house 4,100 hotel rooms; 2,600 condominium units; 175,900 sf of gaming; 480,000 sf of retail and restaurant space; 539,607 sf of convention space; a 50,000 sf health club; a 1,500-seat theater; and 227,038-sf of recreation space for pools and other amenities.

"The delay is to allow us time plan and ensure the plans are fully complete and that all bids are in before construction can begin," Naftali said. "Unlike other projects that build and plan as they go, The Plaza wants to be as efficient as possible so they are mapping out all the plans and getting all the bids before beginning excavation."

El-Ad is also being sued by the broker who initiated the land acquisition for the project but was never paid a commission. The broker is David Atwell, a well-connected middleman for properties along the Las Vegas Strip who operates as Resort Properties of America. He sued Tel Aviv-based El-Ad in June 2007 for $12.5 million, the 1% brokerage fee he felt he was owed for initiating the transaction between the principal owner of El-Ad Group, Israeli billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva, and Wichita billionaire Phil Ruffin.

There has been no activity in the case since July 10, when US District Judge Larry R. Hicks denied El-Ad's motion for summary judgment against Atwell and also overruled El-Ad's objection to having Tshuva deposed. One local industry source tells GlobeSt.com that the lack of activity since then could be a sign that settlement negotiations may be underway. Neither side returned phone calls seeking comment.