The castle-shaped building at Homestead Road and Nevada Highway 160 is edging closer to housing an antique mall with a few extras: an Egyptian-themed facility that can host weddings, a community center and more.
Dr. Peter J. Shield’s Magic Kingdom is set to come alive at 2310 S. Highway 160 in December; replacing the Kingdom Gentlemen’s Club, which was shuttered in late 2014. The “Kingdom,” along with several other land parcels, was acquired by Utah-based GNSL Pahrump LLC in 2015 for $1 million, according to Nye County property records.
“Their original intention was to knock it down but I got in the way and suggested that I do something here,” Shield told the Pahrump Valley Times in a September interview. “They don’t see an immediate market for construction or any additional retail space in town; they agreed to let me take it over and do what I want to do.”
Shield, a retired international archeologist, initially planned for a mid-October opening. But that was pushed forward and is now pegged to get going in time for Christmas.
There are a few things to solidify before Shield opens.
As of mid-afternoon Thursday, the planning department was still awaiting his parking plan submission and the space still needs to go through a fire/safety inspection, according to Arnold Knightly, a Nye County spokesman.
“All this is required before the town will issue a business license,” Knightly said.
Santa’s Christmas Castle is set to arrive at 1 p.m., Dec. 8 with a pre-show at noon, according to a news release from the company.
Update: Santa’s arrival, pegged to occur by helicopter, has been postponed until Sunday Dec. 10, with a planned event for 10 a.m. A soft opening is also planned for Dec. 9. Doors open at 10 a.m.
From that point on, Santa is scheduled to be in attendance Friday through Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., each day until Dec. 17.
Starting Dec. 20, Santa’s Christmas Castle is to operate daily through Dec. 24, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Shield, who previously had a shop named the Hall of Antiques, at the Boulevard Mall in Las Vegas, has moved everything out to the “Kingdom.”
According to a news release, Shield was described by the Smithsonian Institute’s Atomic Testing Museum as “a real Indiana Jones.”
In his new space, he’s also planning a few extra things other than antiques.
“The Temple of Ra,” an Egyptian-themed facility, will be available to house weddings and other events. Dr. Shield will also house his Egyptian collection in the space.
Peter Shield’s son, Robert, will head up the Kingdom’s glass-blowing academy and art center to teach students about glass blowing.
That area will also “have space for three additional artists in residence, and local artists and craftsmen will be featured along with an art gallery,” according to a news release.
The Kingdom will also house Las Vegas-based Amazing Clowns, which will offer “unique” children’s parties with rides and inflatable castles—among other offerings.
For more information, contact Shield at 702-409-2639 or head to the web at magickingdomnv.com
This is a developing story. Check back for updates at pvtimes.com or the Pahrump Valley Times’ Facebook or Twitter page.
Contact reporter Jeffrey Meehan at jmeehan@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes