Sean Christie

Sean Christie (born April 21, 1974) is the Chief Executive Officer of Carver Road Capital.[1] Previously, Christie served as the President of Events and Nightlife for MGM Resorts International, [2] as well as the Executive Vice President of Business Development for Wynn Resorts and the Chief Operating Officer and the Vice President of Operations at Wynn Las Vegas. [3] Before that he served as the founder and owner of Las Vegas Nightlife Group and managing partner of Encore Las Vegas Beach Club, Surrender Night Club, and Andrea’s Restaurant at the Wynn Las Vegas.[4]

Personal life

Christie was born in Boston, MA, and began helping at the family restaurant in Boston at age seven.[5] He attended Northeastern University and currently resides in Las Vegas, NV with his daughter.[6] He regularly donates time and capital to Keep Memory Alive, supporting the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center.[6]

Christie cites his parents as his greatest influence.[7]

Career

Boston years

Sean Christie began his career in nightlife and hospitality in 1993 working for the Lyons Group in Boston. There he managed and promoted Karma Club, Bill’s Bar and Lounge, and Avalon.[5]

Las Vegas entrepreneur

In 2000, Christie relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, to assist in the opening and management of The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.[8] From 2001 to 2006, he also worked as managing partner of The Light Group, a hospitality development and management company with Las Vegas entertainment venues Jet and Light, lounges Mist and Caramel, and restaurants Stack and Fix.[9]

In 2006, Sean Christie launched Las Vegas Nightlife Group, a Las Vegas entertainment consulting firm. One of the firm's key clients has been CityCenter Las Vegas, for which the company promoted Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, Vdara Hotel and Spa, and Veer Towers.[4] The firm has also assisted in the opening of Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage Hotel and Casino and the DayDream Las Vegas Pool Club, serving as Christie’s first day-club concept for the M Resort.[4]

Sean Christie was hired by Wynn Las Vegas in 2007 as a managing partner to create the first “boutique” nightclub in Las Vegas, Blush Boutique Nightclub, focusing on “service, ambiance and upscale cool oversize and flash."[8] For the venue, Christie brought in popular DJs including DJ Kaskade, and Blush was noted[by whom?] as successful until its close in 2011. Wynn then commissioned Christie in 2008 to partner with Chef Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau to create Society Café at Encore Las Vegas.[4][10]

His next project at Wynn Las Vegas was collaborating on the concept and opening of Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub in the five-diamond resort Encore at Wynn Las Vegas in 2010.[4] Christie brought in popular DJs such as Tiësto, Skrillex, Deadmau5, and Avicii to both venues. Also, as a result, the Encore Beach Club has been voted "Dayclub of the Year" and "Best Las Vegas Adult Pool Party".[4]

Christie debuted Andrea’s in December 2012 with executive chef Joseph Elevado. Andrea's is an Asian restaurant concept in Encore Las Vegas which is adjacent to the expansive Encore Beach Club complex.[4][5]

Christie was named one of “Dance Music’s Most Influential Executives” in 2012 by ''Billboard'' magazine, which cited that he “commands one of the most powerful and lucrative platforms for DJs in the country."[10]

Christie also spearheaded a Wynn Las Vegas filming initiative, for which he assembled a team in 2013 to source and acquire film, television, and publishing opportunities for the resort. As a result, the Wynn was prominently featured in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Frank and Lola and The House starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler.[4][9][11]

In January 2018, Sean Christie joined MGM Resorts International as President of Events and Nightlife, where he oversaw all owned and leased day and nightlife venues and provided strategic direction around special events programming.[12] During his tenure at MGM, Christie spearheaded Juniper Cocktail Lounge, Roy Choi’s restaurant concept Best Friend, On The Record Speakeasy and Club, and Mama Rabbit Mezcal + Tequila Bar at Park MGM. [13][14][15][16] Christie also led the opening of the Mayfair Supper Club, a 10,000-square-foot old-school supper club-style concept located at the Bellagio in the space formally occupied by the lounge Hyde. The concept of the Mayfair stems from shifting tastes and Las Vegas guests searching for new nightlife experiences, and features exemplary cuisine and live performances including the Mayfair Jazz Trio.[17]

Carver Road Hospitality

Recently, Christie has partnered with real estate and marketing executive Nelson Famadas to launch Carver Road Capital. The venture will invest in, develop, and operate lifestyle hotels, restaurants, lounges, and other hospitality concepts, both domestically and internationally. [18]

In July 2021, Carver Road announced plans to open a multi-concept venue Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club in Salt Lake City, opening in December 2021. The 17,500-square-foot multi-concept complex features a restaurant, three bars, 400 square feet of LED screens, private karaoke and golf simulator rooms, a central sporting club/nightclub, and a cocktail lounge. Located across from Vivant Arena at The Gateway, the venue was designed by award-winning international design studio DesignAgency and a menu by culinary director Jeannine Glass. [19] [20]

On December 30, 2021, Carver Road opens Carversteak, its highly-anticipated luxury steakhouse at Resorts World Las Vegas. The 14,500-square-foot Carversteak is the first Las Vegas dining concept conceived and developed by Carver Road Hospitality, with a menu designed by acclaimed Chef Daniel Ontiveros and a cocktail program created by Carver Road Hospitality's Vice President of Beverage & Hospitality Culture, Francesco Lafranconi. Designed by award-winning international design studio DesignAgency, Carversteak features a mid-century modern aesthetic with a rich palette inspired by the landscape of Las Vegas. [21]

References

  1. ^ "The Team – Carver Road". Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  2. ^ "Sean Christie lands at MGM Resorts - Las Vegas Weekly". 16 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Executive took bull by horns in nightlife industry". 10 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Morris, David (May 2014). "The Wynn Sets Its Sights on Hollywood". Vegas Seven. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Leach, Robin (15 May 2014). "Q+A: Surrender, EBC exec Sean Christie: 'People all over the world know Las Vegas is the best". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  6. ^ a b Kaplan, Michael (7 June 2014). "Sean Christie Puts Hotels in the Movies". Vegas Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  7. ^ DeFrank, Sean (23 December 2010). "Sean Christie". Vegas 7. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Promises in the Dark: Blush nightclub boss offers patrons night of energy, enjoyment". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 27 August 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Sean Christie's Groundbreaking Concept". Vegas Magazine. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  10. ^ a b Mason, Kerri (3 February 2012). "Dance Music's Most Influential Executives". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  11. ^ "Sundance Institute and Skywalker Sound Announce Independent Filmmakers and Film Composers for July Music and Sound Design Labs". Sundance.org.
  12. ^ Resorts, MGM. "Sean Christie, Seasoned Hospitality And Nightlife Executive Joins MGM Resorts International". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  13. ^ Stapleton, Susan (9 May 2018). "A Gin-Inspired Cocktail Lounge Debuts on the Strip". Eater Vegas.
  14. ^ Stapleton, Susan (6 September 2018). "Roy Choi's Best Friend Has a December Opening Date". Eater Vegas.
  15. ^ Stapleton, Susan (19 June 2018). "Park MGM Lands a Nightclub with Los Angeles DNA". Eater Vegas.
  16. ^ Stapleton, Susan (April 2019). "LA's 'Oaxacan Princess' Brings Mezcals, Tequilas to the Strip in July". Eater Vegas.
  17. ^ Sheckells, Melinda (25 September 2019). "Las Vegas' Bellagio Will Bow The Mayfair Supper Club for New Year's Eve". The Hollywood Reporter.
  18. ^ "Sean Christie & Nelson Famadas Launch Carver Road Hospitality - Jason Binn". DuJour. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  19. ^ "Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club unveils menu ahead of October opening". 7 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Carver Road Hospitality to bring multi-concept venue to Salt Lake City". 8 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Carver Road Hospitality Sets December 30 Opening for Carversteak at Resorts World Las Vegas".