Now, the tall, 25-year-old Trump spends his time in Las Vegas with the real thing.

Trump, vice president of development and acquisitions for his dad's company, has been coming to Las Vegas every two to four weeks overseeing the 1,282-room Trump International Hotel.

"That is the thing about Vegas," Trump says. "You can let it all hang out and build your dreams. If you were trying to build a 64-story gold building in New York, they wouldn't be too keen on it. But here, there is the glitz and glamour. It is really a developer's playground."

Trump has been involved in all aspects of the Las Vegas project from the floor layout to choosing pillowcases. He says he and his sister even picked the mattresses for the hotel.

"A lot of times people think we are a face behind a brand and that couldn't be further from the truth," Trump says.

Trump says he draws upon his father's experience in making decisions. When he was younger, he would listen to his father negotiate deals with lawyers and architects and admits he got a vision about business at an early age. Trump graduated with honors from Georgetown University, where he majored in finance and management.

"We are all Type A personalities," Trump says. "We all love what we do, and if we didn't love what we do, we wouldn't be working at the company. He wouldn't tolerate it, and we wouldn't be good at it."

Eric Trump, son of real estate developer and entrepreneur Donald Trump, is shown in his father's penthouse condo in the Trump International Hotel. STEVE MARCUS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Trump says he learns from his dad every day, adding there is no one better at what he does than Donald Trump. He has been an amazing teacher, but that doesn't mean he doesn't learn from his children, Eric Trump says.

"He also listens to us," Trump says. "He has such faith and trust that we will do the right thing and make the right decision. Oftentimes, he hands over the reins, but I love using him as a sounding board, Sometimes, he will steer us away from it if we are wrong. Most of the times he is right. My father is very intelligent and oftentimes, when you are 16 or 17, you think your father is never right. The one thing I learned working with him that a large majority of the time he is."

The Trump tower in Las Vegas has been deemed a success with 98 percent of the 1,282 units sold. The closings have been slowed by the credit market making it tougher on buyers to wrap up loans. It's a matter of paper pushing and will take at least six more months to move closings along, he says.

"It is no secret the market conditions have changed," Trump says. "Eighteen months ago, you could write a FICO score on a cocktail napkin and get what you want. Now with the subprime and overall economy, loans are being more scrutinized."

The slowdown in Las Vegas real estate sometimes is characterized as a local phenomenon, but what's happening here is happening across the country, Trump says.

"People forget that real estate markets are exactly that, they are markets," Trump says.

There are problems in Arizona, Southern California, Florida, Boston and other markets, but Trump says Las Vegas will rebound.

"It has amazing energy and amazing glitz," Trump says. People want to be here. If you think of destinations, is there anywhere else in the world that is the middle of the desert with no water and that attracted as many people as Vegas does? They want to come here for the excitement, and they want to come here because of buildings we are building."

Trumps says it's definite that his dad will continue to build in Las Vegas, starting with the second tower that has been put on hold because of the real estate slowdown. It could take another year or two before that project goes forward, he says.

With all the projects that have been on a drawing board, Trump says that the completion of their tower is a testament to the company's experience.

A view of the pool at the Trump International Hotel. STEVE MARCUS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Trump says there is a market for noncasino hotels such as the Trump International because casinos can't offer the same personalized service.

Many people want to relax by a pool that doesn't have drunken college students or stay in rooms that smell of smoke or weren't properly cleaned from a bachelor party the night before.

"I think we have hit a niche that has never been tapped in Las Vegas, and I think it will go very well for us," Trump says.

Trump says he doesn't think his father will stop at a second tower in Las Vegas. Since his dad has gaming properties in Atlantic City, he envisions it's logical for him to pursue a casino project in Las Vegas down the road. He also wouldn't be surprised if his father pursued a development opportunities in the suburbs as well.

"The future of Las Vegas is filled with opportunities on all levels, and we will take advantage of them," he says.

The younger Trump says he's one to check out the restaurants Las Vegas has to offer but when he comes to town, his fun revolves around work. There's little time for play, he says.

That's part of his family' lifestyle as many times they will travel for work on the weekends. There's no jet set mind-set that is sometimes seen with other young people who grew up in a wealthy family, he says. Trump, who is single, says his father instilled morals, manners and a work ethic.

"There are a lot of misconceptions of who you are," Trump says. "I start work at 8 a.m. and don't leave until 9 at night. I travel a majority of the weekends. We take business seriously. You are not going to see us dancing on tables in nightclubs."

Trump says you won't see him bringing the corporate jet to Las Vegas. He flies coach and when he can use frequent-flier miles, will upgrade his seat. He says his dad didn't spoil him and taught his kids the value of money.

When he was younger and wanted a bike, he had to work to pay for it, he says.

Trump says like his dad, he is a huge sports fan and hopes to own a professional sports franchise. If it was in Las Vegas, that would be great, as well. Anything that creates another attraction is good for the city, he says.

Brian Wargo covers real estate and development for In Business Las Vegas and its sister publication, the Las Vegas Sun. He can be reached at (702) 259-4011 or by e-mail at wargo@lasvegassun.com.