DEREK STEVENS

THE FACE OF FREMONT STREET

By Stacey Gualandi

In October, Las Vegas casino owner Derek Stevens unveiled Circa, the first ground-up gambling resort on downtown’s Fremont Street in 40 years. While the historic 1.25 million-square-foot showpiece boasts (1) the world’s largest 3-level sportsbook; (2) the 4,000-person capacity outdoor pool attraction Stadium Swim; (3) Nevada’s longest MEGA BAR; and (4) an 8-story parking structure called “Garage Mahal,” many of its bars and restaurants pay particular homage to Stevens’ Michigan roots.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the Detroit native is slowly turning downtown Las Vegas into Motown Las Vegas. As a fellow Detroiter, I’m all for it.

“I’ve always been somebody who wanted to bring back some of the past and celebrate some of the things I’ve been a part of,” the CEO said during our interview on opening day.

This adults-only resort isn’t the first of his downtown properties to give a wink to the Wolverine state. Stevens, 53, and his brother Greg opened The D—a nickname for Detroit—in 2012 and brought in Detroit’s 103-year-old institution American Coney Island, along with its specially-seasoned Dearborn sausage hotdogs.

Now the Coney Island founding family is spreading their love—and their secret recipe chili sauce—to Circa with Victory Burger & Wings Co., thanks to owner/operators Chris Sotiropoulos and Grace Keros.

“I’m pretty proud of working with Chris and Grace,” Stevens said. “When we said we’re going to have a sports bar and grill (next to the sportsbook), they got the concept of Victory Burger & Wings Co. right away.”

The menu features massive burgers and wings (of course!) along with cereal milkshakes. And a nice bonus as you binge: there’s an in-house podcast studio with a designated radio booth where you can listen to all the latest sports talk.

Photo of burgers at Victory Burger & Wings Co. by Mark Mediana

Another gastronomic Great Lakes State success, Paul Saginaw, has opened 24-hour Saginaw’s Delicatessen. Saginaw, of Zingerman’s Deli fame, opened his Ann Arbor institution in 1982 with Ari Weinzweig, and now promises sandwiches (particularly Reubens) in Las Vegas “so big, you’ll need two hands to eat them.”

“Paul promised he’s going to bring the best sandwich to Las Vegas; he did it with Zingerman’s, so I know he’s going to do that here,” Stevens assured.

Having once lived in nearby Brighton, Michigan, I can’t wait to get my sandwich fix. No deli nosh is complete, however, without Zingerman’s famous coffee. Together with managing partner Steve Mangigian, Saginaw also created Jack Pots, a casino corner cafe that features their signature coffee and a custom blend exclusive to Circa.

Photos of Saginaw’s Delicatessen at Circa by Tom Donoghue

But the most exciting nod to nostalgia at Circa (for me!) is the Overhang Bar, located on the second level of the sportsbook.

“As a kid growing up in Detroit, I always loved the overhang at the old Tiger stadium,” Stevens said. “I was able to scrape enough money together to go sit in the bleachers or maybe in the right-field overhang. So it’s kind of a little touch to Tiger stadium’s past.”

It is also a blast to our shared Detroit past. Like Stevens, I too saw Mark “The Bird” Fidrych pitch for the Tigers in 1976. (Cue the song “The Bird is the Word.”  It’s a Detroit thing. Look it up.)

Photo of the Overhang Bar at Circa by Gensler

With Circa, Stevens has officially made his mark, without forgetting where he came from. Now the official Face of Fremont Street hopes to make history and leave a legacy, just like the selfie wall tribute says. Complete with ceramic embossed Pewabic Pottery tiles from, where else?  Detroit.