Casino operator Boyd Gaming Corp. on Tuesday said it planned to close its Stardust Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 1 to make way for its planned $4 billion Echelon Place project.

Boyd will begin demolition of Stardust, its aging casino on the Las Vegas Strip, in the first quarter of next year, it said in a statement.

Boyd has said that the Echelon project was expected to open in mid-2010.
The company said in January it planned to replace the Stardust with four hotels, with a total of 5,300 guest rooms and suites. Boyd has deals with partners to build some of the hotels and entertainment facilities.

Of the total $4 billion, Boyd has said it will invest $2.9 billion in the wholly owned Echelon Resort, which includes one tower with 2,600 rooms, another with 700 suites, a 140,000-square-foot casino and 25 restaurants and bars.