WHY IT RATES: The newly opened Circa Resort & Casino brings new construction to oldtown Vegas, marrying sleek, modern design with throwback, retro elements that hearken back to Sin City's heyday, including Las Vegas' iconic kicking cowgirl, Vegas Vickie. — Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse Associate Writer

Located on the iconic Fremont Street Experience , the opening of Circa Resort & Casino is the start of a new era for Downtown Las Vegas. Designed by world-renowned architect Paul Steelman and Steelman Partners, the 35-floor property will stand as the tallest structure north of the Las Vegas Strip . Steelman's design embraces vintage Vegas while making a mark on the future by establishing itself as a distinguished addition to the Vegas skyline.

"Circa is specifically designed to take advantage of the over 20 million visitors Fremont Street sees every year," said Paul Steelman, CEO of Steelman Partners. "Downtown is a unique place, and with its easy access to the strip and Convention Center, Fremont Street boasts plenty of free entertainment that offers a true Las Vegas experience to guests."

Circa's distinctive, tapered, 71-degree tower, hosting 777 rooms, rises from the ground and pushes west. The unique exterior profile provides the opportunity for a variety of room types, including three signature room styles and six suite types, as well as bunk rooms so the whole party can stay together. The room interiors, designed by Steelman's affiliate, DSAA, offer a rich combination of modern style and vintage flair, with deep walnut woods, mid-century style lighting and custom artwork that pays tribute to the dancing dealers of retro Vegas.

The two-story casino introduces rich color tones and metal accents with globe chandeliers suspended from a dropped wooden ceiling. At the heart of the casino, Las Vegas' beloved kicking cowgirl, Vegas Vickie, invites guests to join her for a drink.

"Vegas has its own style and its own feeling, and Circa is the first casino in years to recognize this," says Steelman. "Everyone who visits wants a new, real experience…it's not Rome, Paris or Egypt. It's Vegas."

For more information, visit circalasvegas.com .

SOURCE: Steelman Partners LLP press release.