One block east of the Las Vegas Strip stands the legendary Ellis Island Hotel, Casino and Brewery. Opening its doors in 1968, this family-owned business has become a Vegas landmark with a value for money price point. Ellis Island’s property holds a popular karaoke bar lounge, an on-site brewery pouring nearly 2 million glasses of beer a year, and a village pub and café.

After being in business for the last 5 decades, the family decided to not only give Ellis Island a facelift but also expand its footprint. Using the space from the former parking lot in front of the casino the family built its newest addition, The Front Yard.

The long-awaited beer garden was officially opened in December 2019. The Front Yard is a two-story indoor/outdoor venue with a premium bar and full-service restaurant showcasing the Ellis family recipes and dishes incorporating beers from the brewery next door. It has a casual brewpub atmosphere with the best seats in the house being the second-floor atrium with views of the Strip. The entire build features expansive windows, rich wood fixtures, exposed steel and lush garden walls.

The definitive highlight of the space is its impressive barrel-vaulted open ceiling. The management team sought to create an indoor/outdoor feel that remains cozy and comfortable. They desired a versatile retractable shade solution to fit the semi-cylinder form.

“I brought ShadeFX a project called Ellis Island Beer Garden in Las Vegas Nevada with extraordinary technical challenges for a retractable system. From first contact, they displayed expert know-how with an aptitude for presenting solutions that were practical and cost-effective. They even assisted in the design of the structure and provided gauges for the steel erectors to ensure the proper fit of their systems. The results are truly outstanding, and I recommend ShadeFX as a company that’s responsive, easy to deal with, and able to deliver the goods.”

– Darin Pipkins, Senior Project Manager/Estimator, KALB Industries

Working with KALB Industries, ShadeFX manufactured and installed twelve 18’x14’ arched motorized canopies using ArcadeFR Radiant White material for the over 3,000 sq. ft. ceiling. For increased rain management, gutters, painted ‘white aluminum’ to match the structure, were added. Eight extra wings were included in each canopy for an extra sleek look and added strength in the windy location.

The new space, with a capacity of over 300, will be available to rent for private parties, corporate events, weddings and more. Customers can be treated to clear open skies and protected from the occasional showers, with the push of a button.

Looking to enhance even your largest outdoor venue? We can help!