<P> The resort is located on the northwest corner of the Tropicana--Las Vegas Boulevard intersection . At street level, pedestrians are blocked from crossing by concrete barriers . Instead, it is linked by overhead pedestrian bridges to its neighboring casinos to the south (the Excalibur, across Tropicana Avenue) and to the east (the MGM Grand). </P> <P> The 18 - acre site at the northwest corner of the Tropicana--Las Vegas Boulevard intersection had been considered a prime spot for development due to its proximity to the MGM Grand, Excalibur, and Tropicana . Japanese firm Universal Distributing owned the property, and had discussed a joint venture with the Promus Companies to build a hotel - casino, but could not reach an agreement . In 1992, Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corporation bought the site for $31.5 million and offered MGM Grand Inc., of which Kerkorian owned 76%, a free two - year option to buy it . </P> <P> The idea of a casino modeled after the New York skyline was conceived by Sig Rogich (a former White House staffer and United States Ambassador to Iceland) and Mark Advent . Rogich brought the idea to his friend, Gary Primm, head of Primadonna Resorts . Primm approached MGM president Bob Maxey in 1994 with the idea for MGM's prime Strip location, and a joint venture was formed between the two companies . Construction began in March 1995 . </P> <P> Completed at a cost of $460 million, New York - New York opened on January 3, 1997 . </P>

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