Defying both current economic trends and laughing in the face of recent construction delays at other certain Las Vegas resorts, Marnell Corrao Associates topped off the $1 billion M Resort, Spa and Casino on Friday.

“This is a major milestone in our construction process,” said Chairman and CEO Anthony A. Marnell, III. “We anticipate completing the M Resort on time and on budget and are excited to debut the new property in March 2009.”

If Marnell’s boasts prove true, next spring we’ll see the boutique resort open at the corner of South Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway with 390 guest rooms, nine restaurants, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting space, a 23,000-square-foot spa and — get this — more than 100,000 square feet of outdoor accomodations including pool and an events piazza. Boutique, my ass.