NEVADA: "CITYCENTRE", LAS VEGAS
The Las Vegas CityCentre Complex is one of the largest privately financed projects in the United States at $8.5 billion, it qualifies as a big risk project. The 67 acre complex is an upscale mega-resort. There are no Venetian canals, pirate shows or roller coasters to attract tourists. Non of the usual motivationa Vegas adjectives: gimmicky, hokey and kitchy.
The heart of Las Vegas Strip is between Bellagio and Monte Carlo. The only theme here is Architecture and Art. The master plan was conceived by Ehrenkrantz, Ekstut, and Kuhn Architects. A team of famous architects also collaborated in the project. Pelli Clarke Pelli, Architects, designed the signature Aria Hotel Towers of curvelinear steel and glass. Each of the completed buildings has LEED Gold Certification by U.S. Green Building Council.
Artistic appreciation extends beyond the buildings themselves. A goal of this project is to integrate major permanent collections of art into public spaces. The only place where smoking is allowed is in the Aria Casino. Similarly art laden is the adjacent Harmon Hotel, designed by Foster and Partners. Unfortunately it is still closed from the public at the time of my visit, so is the Vdara condo-hotel by architect Rafael Vinoly. The legendary Mandarin Oriental Hotel forms one of the gateway to City Center, this was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and Partners. In the residential only category in the CityCenter is the Veer Twin Towers. Two 37-story structures, each inclined 5 degrees from the vertical. It was designed by Architect Helmut Jahn. Gensler Architects, oversees project management.
Elegance flows to Crystals, CityCenter's answer to high-end shopping in Las Vegas. The architect, Daniel Libeskind designed a glass canopy with stainless steel peaks for the exterior of this 3-level retail and entertainment complex.
Photos were taken on January 26-27, 2010. I will be adding more to this as I visit CityCentre again.
Information above and on captions are from Wikipedia, CityCenter Brochures, and Contra Costa Times newspaper.
Where in the world is LAS VEGAS, NEVADA?
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Read MoreThe heart of Las Vegas Strip is between Bellagio and Monte Carlo. The only theme here is Architecture and Art. The master plan was conceived by Ehrenkrantz, Ekstut, and Kuhn Architects. A team of famous architects also collaborated in the project. Pelli Clarke Pelli, Architects, designed the signature Aria Hotel Towers of curvelinear steel and glass. Each of the completed buildings has LEED Gold Certification by U.S. Green Building Council.
Artistic appreciation extends beyond the buildings themselves. A goal of this project is to integrate major permanent collections of art into public spaces. The only place where smoking is allowed is in the Aria Casino. Similarly art laden is the adjacent Harmon Hotel, designed by Foster and Partners. Unfortunately it is still closed from the public at the time of my visit, so is the Vdara condo-hotel by architect Rafael Vinoly. The legendary Mandarin Oriental Hotel forms one of the gateway to City Center, this was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and Partners. In the residential only category in the CityCenter is the Veer Twin Towers. Two 37-story structures, each inclined 5 degrees from the vertical. It was designed by Architect Helmut Jahn. Gensler Architects, oversees project management.
Elegance flows to Crystals, CityCenter's answer to high-end shopping in Las Vegas. The architect, Daniel Libeskind designed a glass canopy with stainless steel peaks for the exterior of this 3-level retail and entertainment complex.
Photos were taken on January 26-27, 2010. I will be adding more to this as I visit CityCentre again.
Information above and on captions are from Wikipedia, CityCenter Brochures, and Contra Costa Times newspaper.
Where in the world is LAS VEGAS, NEVADA?
,br>
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA
The view from Las Vegas Boulevard of the new CityCenter complex. The Veer Twin Towers and Crystals Retail and Entertainment structure are at the center.
