The development site is adjacent to Interstate 15 near the city's southern border. The permit allows Olympia Gaming to increase the hotel tower height to 530 feet from 410 feet and build up to 3,200 hotel rooms and resort condominium residences, up from 610 total rooms as previously permitted.

"This permit provides for the maximum number of rooms and building heights at full build out, which allows us to assess any future growth based on the project's success and market conditions," says Olympia Gaming chief executive Garry Goett.

The phased development plan is slated to get under way later this year and would cover 70 acres, including 20 acres of retail and entertainment uses. The 1,400-unit first phase is tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2008. Future phases may include an additional 1,000 hotel rooms and 800 resort condominiums inside a separate high-rise tower."Once our initial phase is up and operating, we can assess our business model as a mixed use, casino-resort and decide then whether to build residential, retail, or other commercial uses on the remaining 30 acres," said Goett.

The $2-billion development was originally approved in October. It will sit across I-15 from a 2,700-acre residential development that also carries the Southern Highlands name and was developed by Goett.

Goett said in October that the plan is to attract both tourists and locals including residents of surrounding residential communities, which include Southern Highlands, Silverado Ranch, Anthem, Seven Hills and Green Valley.

At that time, the initial phase was pegged at $750-million and was to include a 610-room hotel; a casino; a spa, fitness center and salon facility; a large-scale convention and meeting facility; a dozen restaurants; a multi-level entertainment venue; and a retail center.