Las Vegas » The $8.5 billion City Center in the heart of this desert gambling town is a study in contradictions.
In a place known for its excesses, this complex of hotels, shops, spas, night clubs and restaurants emphasizes sustainability and green building.
During a week when Binnions closed its downtown hotel and the venerable Sahara shut down two of its towers for lack of guests, City Center brought thousands of new rooms as 12,000 new employees settled into their jobs.
Las Vegas' great resort complexes were largely built on the bankrolls of gamblers, yet two of this development's main hotels, the Vdara and Mandarin Oriental, feature no casinos.
City Center boasts of being new, different and innovative, but it looked to a long dead Vegas icon, Elvis Presley, to be featured at its only theater in the seventh Cirque du Soleil production on the Strip.
In a desert environment where water is scarce, fountains, waterfalls and river-themed artwork might be the first thing visitors see on their visit.
Las Vegas built much of its reputation on over-the-top crassness, but developer MGM Mirage spent $40 million on 15 pieces of art to decorate the 67-acre complex, which is quietly elegant.
At a time when the world economy is in its worst shape since the Great Depression, when Nevada has one of the nation's highest home foreclosure rates and when two other Strip developments -- the Fontainebleau and Echelon -- have halted construction due to financial concerns, City Center has opened with expensive restaurants, high-rise condominiums, expensive room rates and exclusive retailers in the 500,000-square-foot Crystals shopping center.
In fact, the massive development almost did not get completed. A March lawsuit by Infinity World Development, a subsidiary of troubled Dubai World and a major City Center investor, nearly scuttled it.
All of these contradictions, though, might be interesting but largely irrelevant to Wasatch Front travelers who enjoy making the six-hour drive to Las Vegas and can't wait to visit City Center.
New and improved
The question is simple. How does City Center differ from the other resort hotels on The Strip?
"This is a more peaceful part of Vegas," said Natalie Jenkins of Salt Lake City. "It's not as loud. But it's still big and grand and Vegas."
Few places in the world offer City Center's modern, almost subdued, elegance. An $8.5 billion investment will do that, providing state of the art everything.
Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Mirage, called it the kind of central gathering place every real city needs. He said he hopes the new complex helps Las Vegas create its own identity and gives travelers a reason to travel again.
"We have spent a lot of time and energy with the best and most creative minds in the world," said ARIA president Bill McBeath whose 61-story César Pelli designed hotel and casino is the development's centerpiece. "This is a must-see attraction if you are a Vegas person or not."
The resort amenities, many unique to Las Vegas and even the world, dazzle even the most jaded visitors. Whether Utah families on budgets can afford them is another question -- though room prices begin at $149 a night which, considering the quality, is a bargain.
The slot machines at the Aria hotel's 150,000-square-foot casino in the heart of the complex are an example of the technology in this place. Vents at their base send air upward, whisking away smoke and saving on heating and air conditioning costs.
Slot vice president Michael Volkert said that because a new large casino has not opened in awhile, visitors to City Center will find the newest and most innovative machines. An interactive " Sex in the City " set of slots seemed particularly popular on opening night. Aria also utilizes a new single server computer networking system that allows managers and even players to change games and even denominations almost automatically.
State of the art
City Center recruited some of world's top chefs, many unique to Las Vegas, for its restaurants, making this a must-stop for food lovers eager to splurge and try something out of the ordinary.
The Aria, for example, features chefs such as Masayoshi Takayama, Shawn McClain, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Sirio Maccioni and Jean-Phillipe Maury. Famed French chef Pierre Gagnaire has opened his first U.S. restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental.
Then there are the artwork and fountains.
"Art was not an afterthought," said Michelle Quinn, who was on the selection committee. "It stood on its own. This is art for everybody."
Nancy Reuben's amazing "The Big Edge 2008" used almost 200 canoes and rowboats to form a stunning sculpture that is the centerpiece for the circle leading to the Vdara Hotel and north entrance of Aria. A huge silver band sits above the Aria registration desk representing the Colorado River which provides the water for Las Vegas. That piece, which is 84 feet long and weighs 3,700 pounds, was done by Maya Lin.
Speaking of water, City Center's five water features, designed by WET -- which also constructed the torch for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics -- are not as impressive as the famous ones next door at the Bellagio. They are unusual, however, and will certainly gain attention. This is especially true of a work called Lumina near the entrance to Aria which is lit by neon, making it possible to see colors in broad daylight.
The 500,000-square-foot Crystals shopping Center, a work of architectural art in its own right, provides high-end shops including Tom Ford, Miu Miu, Kiton, Paul Smith, Porsche Design and H. Stern not seen in the Las Vegas market before. Eva Longoria-Parker's innovative nightclub and restaurant are also found there.
Viva Las Vegas
Those looking for Vegas-style entertainment may enjoy "Viva Elvis," a new Cirque du Soleil production in a state-of-the-art 1,800-seat theater built specifically for the show. Currently in previews, the show differs from The Beatles Love playing at The Mirage in that it uses only some songs voiced by Elvis, who would be 75 on Jan. 8 had he lived. Others are Elvis songs performed by live musicians, some utilize historic footage of Elvis Presley and many feature the famous acrobatics the Cirque troop is known for.
"Elvis has always been in the forefront of new, contemporary entertainment and technology," said the late entertainer's wife Priscilla Presley at a news conference. "I believe 'Viva Elvis' continues this and reaches out and expands his legacy in a new, creative and exciting way."
Garrett Eugene Case, Jr. -- an actor with Utah ties, having worked the past few years for the Odyssey Dance Theater, including its production of Thriller -- has landed the role of his lifetime in "Viva Elvis." He plays Col. Tom Parker, Elvis' longtime manager, who serves as a narrator of sorts for the production. In one scene, he drops eight stories from the ceiling to the stage, rolling out in a giant film canister.
The 38-year-old Case said he visited Graceland and read as much as possible about Col. Parker before tackling the role.
Control4, a Draper-based company specializing in home and hospitality control systems, was another Utah player that had a major role in City Center. It installed its energy-saving systems in more than 4,300 rooms at Aria and the Mandarin Oriental. Using touch screens or a remote control, guests can set lighting levels, room temperatures, television and video systems, music, drapes and guest services. The system also allows everything in a room to be turned off, saving money and fitting with the green-themed promotion of City Center.
In fact, City Center's six main buildings received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification, making them one of the largest developments to ever boast of that fact. And the complex's fleet of twenty-six 24-foot Lincoln Town Car limousines runs on natural gas, a less polluting alternative to traditional gasoline.
Like any new major Las Vegas Strip development, City Center is definitely worth checking out. And, the way the economy has been, it could be one of the last great complexes to come on line in this desert gambling town in a very long time.
City Center at a glance
What is it?
City Center is an $8.5 billion complex of hotels, shops, public art, residences, restaurants, night clubs, spas, pools and casino that sits on 67 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo Resorts on Las Vegas Blvd., the famed Strip.
Hotels
Aria » A 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort that features 568 suites. It offers visitors 16 restaurants, an 80,000-square-foot spa, 10 bars and lounges, the 1,800-seat Viva Elvis Cirque du Soleil theater, 150,000-square-foot casino, 215,000-square-foot pool deck with three primary pools and an adults-only pool, and a 300,000-square-foot convention center. It is the largest Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) green rated building in the world. Room rates range from $149 to $7,500 per night.
Vdara Hotel & Spa » 1,495 hotel suites, non-smoking and non-gaming, one restaurant, 18,000-square-foot spa, one bar, 12,000 square feet of meeting space, main pool with secluded plunge pools and condominiums. Room rates are $149 to $2,000 a night.
Mandarin Oriental » This 47-story non-gaming facility offers 392 hotel rooms, 255 condominiums, one restaurant plus casual dining, one bar, two lap pools and a 27,000-square-foot spa. Room rates begin at $625 a night.
The Harmon Hotel » Scheduled to open in 2010, this boutique hotel will consist of 400 rooms and suites, one restaurant and 17,500 square feet of meeting rooms and space.
Residences
Veer Towers » Two 37-story glass buildings built at 5-degree angles. Each contains approximately 355 condominiums. There is a pool, hot tub, business center and fitness center.
Shopping
Crystals » A 500,000-square-foot upscale entertainment and retail center, including many stores unique to Las Vegas, five restaurants and a night club.
Artwork
City Center
spent $40 million for works by 15 acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Hotzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella and Henry Moore and integrated their designs into the public spaces of the complex. The center also includes several water features and fountains.
