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95-473: Vdara's 57-story tower houses 1,495 suites. The non-gaming property also includes a two-floor spa, meeting space, a pool deck, a market cafe, and a bar. A design problem was discovered in 2008, when it was learned that the hotel's reflective surface and concave design can act as a parabolic reflector that creates conditions of extremely high temperature at the pool deck. Vdara was announced in October 2006, as part of

190-504: A 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m ) expansion of the resort's convention center. Vdara and Waldorf Astoria also include meeting space. The complex was technologically advanced upon its opening, featuring 100,000 automated devices throughout the property, some of which would be used to control various room features such as lighting. Various public art installations, valued at approximately $ 40 million, are featured throughout CityCenter, in an effort to attract art tourists. Known as

285-505: A 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) steel wall used as a concrete mold fell from a crane, hitting another wall which struck four workers, killing two. In August 2007, a worker died when the counterweight for a construction elevator came down on him as he oiled the machine. Two months later, a worker fell approximately 50 ft (15 m) while working on the Aria tower. In April 2008, a worker fell approximately 20 ft (6 m). The next month,

380-466: A beautiful casino resort and have signs around the rest of the campus saying, 'Coming Soon'? You just can't do that". In 2016, MGM and Dubai World sold Crystals for $ 1.1 billion to Invesco and Simon Property Group . Two years later, the Mandarin Oriental hotel was sold for $ 214 million to hotel investor Tiffany Lam and Panda Express founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng . It was rebranded under

475-518: A casino and 20-story boutique hotel next to Harry Reid International Airport began construction in 2022 for an opening originally scheduled for 2024. Construction was halted in March 2023 due to stalled funding plans. It could resume construction in January 2024 and the opening has been rescheduled to the end of 2025. Astral Hotels planned to start building Astral, a 34-story, 620-room hotel and casino on

570-544: A casino resort, three boutique hotels , condominiums, retail space, and restaurants. MGM would work with developers and consultants specialized in each of these industries. The company also held discussions with a dozen hotel operators, seeking managers for CityCenter's hotels. CityCenter was built on 67 acres (27 ha) on the Las Vegas Strip , in between MGM's Monte Carlo and Bellagio resorts. The Boardwalk hotel-casino, also owned by MGM, occupied eight acres of

665-428: A city is its diversity. It is vibrant and dynamic and has people of different backgrounds. Real cities have many different environments, like Manhattan. That's what I loved about the idea. We're not creating a fake city but a real one". Baldwin said, "We don't want to build things consumers want now. We want to build what they will want 10, 15, 50 years from now". Gensler served as the executive architect, assembling

760-402: A collecting mirror . The reflected rays of the sun create dangerous conditions of extremely high temperature at the pool deck. Hotel employees and news outlets referred to the phenomenon as the "death ray", while management preferred the term "solar convergence". MGM and contractors became aware of the problem in 2008. Vdara management considered various solutions but the challenge in overcoming

855-456: A counterpoint to recent themed resorts, writing that "the underlying risk of the CityCenter project is that good buildings next to outlandish ones will look quiet and bland. Caesars Palace and its progeny are crass but iconic. The CityCenter buildings are sophisticated, but you wonder, finally, if they are all that memorable". Brock Radke of Las Vegas Weekly called the design "too subtle" for

950-513: A daily cost of $ 3.5 million. More than 50 million hours were spent building CityCenter, which had more workers than the construction of Hoover Dam . CityCenter was initially expected to cost between $ 3 billion and $ 4 billion. Part of the project would be financed through condominium presales. By 2006, the project's budget had increased to $ 7 billion, due to several additions, including a monorail connecting throughout CityCenter. The rising cost of construction materials and labor also contributed to

1045-431: A dedicated broadcast booth, and the ability to watch up to 15 sporting events at once. The sports network ESPN is broadcasting sports betting shows from a dedicated studio at The Linq. Some sportsbooks are now offering self-service betting kiosks. The Las Vegas Strip is known for its lounges, showrooms, theaters and nightclubs, most on the hotel casino properties. Some of the more popular free attractions visible from

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1140-471: A group of prominent designers who would work on individual components of CityCenter. Around 100 prospective architects were considered for the project, and this list was gradually narrowed down. The initial team of designers was announced in 2005, and others followed in 2006. Each of the architects were given a wide range of creative freedom, although their projects had to complement each other rather than outdo one another. A 100-unit residential tower with

1235-552: A high level of interest among buyers. In 2008, amid the Great Recession, MGM opened a sales office in Dubai to attract international buyers. MGM initially declined buyer requests to lower condo prices in 2009, noting unpredictable economic conditions. Later that year, MGM partnered with PennyMac Financial Services to create a financing program for buyers, helping them close escrow on their units. More than 500 buyers signed up for

1330-604: A quarry in nearby Jean, Nevada . CityCenter received mixed reviews when it opened. Architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne opined that CityCenter's designers coated it with "a high-gloss, homogenous and faintly corporate sheen", stating that it is "wrapped in a series of shimmering mirrored-glass packages, making the place from certain angles look like a slightly less buttoned-up version" of Time Warner Center in Manhattan. Paul Goldberger , architecture critic for The New Yorker , questioned MGM's goal in building CityCenter as

1425-411: A residential sales pavilion in January 2007, featuring model units. The temporary structure cost $ 24 million. Preview galleries were also opened at MGM's Bellagio and Mirage resorts. CityCenter would include condo hotel units, giving owners the option to rent them out. Murren believed that the project's residential element would appeal to baby boomers . Gaming analysts expressed skepticism about

1520-471: A result. Architect Alan Hess said, "The entrance has all the pleasantness of an airport terminal. There's a lot of concrete and ramps and other things that turn pedestrians off, and a sense of being channeled into an entryway". Las Vegas architect Joel Bergman called the entrance "cold" and "uninviting". Goldberger wrote that CityCenter "is laid out not for pedestrians but as a machine for moving vast numbers of cars efficiently. There are wide ramps coming off

1615-609: A second nearby hotel, the Hotel Last Frontier in 1942. Organized crime figures such as Bugsy Siegel took an intense interest in the growing Las Vegas gaming center and funded another resort; financing the completion of the Flamingo construction with mob money. The Flamingo casino opened in December 1946, and the hotel opened in March 1947. Wilbur Clark 's Desert Inn resort opened in 1950. The funding for many Las Vegas projects

1710-512: A show with illusionists Siegfried & Roy . In the 1990s, more than 12 new hotels opened, including themed hotels like the Luxor , Excalibur , and Mandalay Bay . At $ 1.7B, the most expensive hotel in the world at the time, The Bellagio , was built in the 1990s. These huge facilities offer entertainment and dining options, as well as gambling and lodging. In 1993, the launch of the Mystère show at

1805-471: A structure that was demolished. CityCenter includes 2,440 condominiums, which were included to take advantage of a condominium boom in Las Vegas . Initial plans called for CityCenter to include 1,650 condo units. By 2006, this had been increased to nearly 2,800 units, following MGM's market research indicating strong demand. MGM formed CityCenter Realty Corporation to oversee condominium sales, and opened

1900-425: A theme, CityCenter was designed as a modern urban district, similar to Greenwich Village or Haight-Ashbury . Speaking about CityCenter in 2004, Murren said, "I think the era of themes have come and gone in Las Vegas. I think the word is 'feel.' It will have an urban feel that is contemporary, modern and forward-looking". The project was described as "a city within a city". According to Murren, "The great thing about

1995-407: A time when Las Vegas tourism had declined. Initial profits were lower than MGM had hoped, and fine-tuning took place over the next year in response to customer feedback. In 2010, Aria and Vdara launched national advertising campaigns. CityCenter saw improvement by the end of 2012, in part because of reduced hotel rates. One hotel and condominium project, The Harmon , was scheduled to open at

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2090-557: A twisting shape, designed by James K. M. Cheng , was removed during the design phase for more open space. An office building was also scrapped. A defining feature of CityCenter is the use of glass paneling on each of its towers. The Cosmopolitan resort, located directly north, is sometimes mistaken as part of CityCenter due to its similar design. Visitors have also had difficulty distinguishing CityCenter's towers due to their shared design of glass paneling. The exterior also includes 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m ) of stone from

2185-417: A worker was crushed and killed when caught between the counter-weight system and the track of a crane. The project was nicknamed CityCemetery in response to the deaths. Other practices by workers caused concern, with some drinking before work in violation of Perini's company rules. The deaths at CityCenter – in addition to those at other upcoming Strip resorts – prompted its construction workers to walk off

2280-402: Is a non-gaming and non-smoking hotel. The crescent-shaped 57-story tower includes 1,495 suites, ranging in size from 582 to 1,447 sq ft (54.1 to 134.4 m). The property originated as a condo hotel , giving owners the option to participate in a rental program to lease their condos as hotel rooms when they are not residing there. However, due to poor economic conditions brought on by

2375-584: Is considered the Strip's northern terminus by Clark County, though travel guides typically extend it to the Strat 0.4 miles (0.64 km) to the north. Mandalay Bay , just north of Russell Road is the southernmost resort considered to be on the Strip (the Klondike was the southernmost until 2006, when it was closed, although it was not included in the Strip on some definitions and travel guides). According to Clark County,

2470-413: Is meant to resemble a blooming flower. A large painting by Frank Stella hangs above the registration desk in the lobby. Vdara includes an 18,000 sq ft (1,700 m) two-story spa and salon, and a 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m) pool area. Abbey Beach, a dayclub pool event targeted at a gay clientele, operated during 2010. The Bellagio resort, located directly north of Vdara, connects to

2565-494: Is the only gaming property on-site. It opened on December 16, 2009. Veer Towers , a condominium property, opened on July 15, 2010. CityCenter opened amid the Great Recession , although Baldwin said the project would succeed despite the economic downturn. Murren expected CityCenter to be profitable within five to ten years, and said the complex would appeal to locals in addition to tourists. Mayor Oscar Goodman believed

2660-507: The Aria Express , also travels around CityCenter with stops at Bellagio and Park MGM (formerly Monte Carlo). Las Vegas Strip The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada , that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos . The Strip , as it is known, is about 4.2 mi (6.8 km) long, and is immediately south of

2755-686: The City of Las Vegas sought to annex the Las Vegas Strip, which ran through unincorporated Clark County territory, in order to expand the city's tax base to fund his ambitious building agenda and pay down the city's rising debt. Instead, Gus Greenbaum of the Flamingo led a group of casino executives to lobby the Clark County commissioners for town status. Two unincorporated towns were eventually created, Paradise and Winchester . More than two decades later,

2850-551: The CityCenter project by MGM. It was designed by Rafael Viñoly . The name "Vdara" is made up. It was coined by Rafael Viñoly Architects, taking its "V" from "Vegas" and "ara" from boutique hotels in California such as Park Hyatt Resort Aviara and Ritz-Carlton Bacara. On May 14, 2008, Vdara became the first of the CityCenter towers to be topped off. Vdara opened to invited guests and media on December 1, 2009. The public opening occurred

2945-489: The Clark County Fire Department . Station 32, a $ 28 million facility, opened next to Vdara on December 10, 2009. As of 2013, it was the busiest fire station in Las Vegas, handling many emergencies along the Strip. Several measures were taken by MGM and the county to reduce traffic, including the construction of roundabouts in front of Aria and Vdara that connect to other CityCenter properties. A monorail,

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3040-595: The Dunes golf course in the mid-90s. Steve Wynn , founder of previously owned Mirage Resorts , purchased the Desert Inn and golf course for his new company Wynn Resorts and redeveloped the course as the Wynn Golf Club. This course closed in 2017, but the development planned for the course was cancelled and the course was renovated and re-opened in late 2019. In 2000, Bali Hai Golf Club opened just south of Mandalay Bay and

3135-531: The Great Recession , MGM converted 1,350 units into regular hotel rooms, leaving approximately 150 as residential units. Condo closings began in March 2010. Artwork is incorporated into Vdara's interior and exterior design. Nancy Rubin 's 57 by 75 ft (17 by 23 m) sculpture Big Edge , made of various boats, is displayed outside the entrance of the hotel. It features approximately 200 canoes, catamarans , kayaks, paddle boats, rowboats, and surfboards held together with stainless steel wire cable. The sculpture

3230-474: The Las Vegas city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester , but is often referred to simply as "Las Vegas". Many of the largest hotel, casino, and resort properties in the world are on the Strip, known for its contemporary architecture, lights, and wide variety of attractions. Its hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, entertainment offerings, and skyline have established

3325-722: The SLS Las Vegas continued to transform the Strip in 2014. The Las Vegas Festival Grounds opened in 2015. In 2016, T-Mobile Arena , The Park, and the Park Theater (now known as Dolby Live) opened. On October 1, 2017, a mass shooting occurred on the Strip at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, adjacent to the Mandalay Bay hotel. 60 people were killed, and approximately 867 were injured. The gunman, Stephen Paddock , opened fire on concertgoers with several rifles from his suites on

3420-647: The Supreme Court of Nevada struck down a 1975 Nevada state law that would have folded the Strip and the rest of the urban areas of Clark County into the City of Las Vegas. Caesars Palace was established in 1966. Opening in 1969, the International Hotel , with 1,512 rooms, began the era of mega-resorts. The International is known as Westgate Las Vegas today. The first MGM Grand Hotel and Casino opened in 1973 with 2,084 rooms. On November 21, 1980, MGM Grand suffered

3515-852: The Vdara condo-hotel, the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas hotel and condominiums, the Veer Towers condominiums, and a mall known as The Shops at Crystals . Another hotel and condo project, The Harmon , never opened due to construction defects; the site was redeveloped as another shopping mall, known as 63 . CityCenter was developed by MGM Mirage and Dubai World . The project was conceived by MGM president and chief financial officer Jim Murren , who envisioned an urban district for Las Vegas, similar to Greenwich Village or Haight-Ashbury . MGM announced CityCenter on November 9, 2004. Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects spent 20 months working with MGM on

3610-491: The Waldorf Astoria name. By 2019, CityCenter had been renamed Aria Campus, after the Aria resort. The "Aria" name has also been applied to the Aria Express monorail, formerly "CityCenter Tram". In 2021, MGM bought out Dubai World's interest for $ 2.1 billion, gaining full ownership of Aria and Vdara, its last remaining properties at CityCenter. MGM then sold the two resorts to The Blackstone Group . The latter leased

3705-466: The "Walkie-Scorchie" and "Fryscraper" due to a similar, sun-reflecting and scorching problem. CityCenter Aria Campus , commonly known by its former name CityCenter , is a mixed-use, urban complex on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada . It is located on 67 acres (27 ha) and contains a total of 18-million sq ft (1,700,000 m ). The complex includes Aria Resort and Casino ,

3800-479: The 1990s, several pedestrian footbridges were erected over Las Vegas Boulevard to increase pedestrian safety and alleviate traffic congestion at popular intersections. The first was the Tropicana – Las Vegas Boulevard footbridge. Some mimic the theme of nearby resorts. . The footbridges include: Pedestrians have complained that they must walk as much as a quarter-mile to reach a footbridge or intersection to cross

3895-901: The 4,500 bollards will be shortened from 54 inches to 36 inches. The shortened bollards line 20 driveways. Studies conducted by Clark County in 2012 and 2015 identified issues with congestion. The studies resulted in $ 5 million of improvements, including LED lights, ADA ramps, containment fencing, widening sidewalks, and removing permanent obstructions, such as signs, signposts, trash cans, and fire hydrants. The studies also identified non-permanent obstructions causing congestion, such as street performers, vendors, handbillers, sign-holders, and illegal street gambling. Modifications to non-obstruction zones and increased enforcement were implemented in order to reduce congestion. Taxis are available at resorts, shopping centers, attractions, and for scheduled pickups. The Nevada Taxicab Authority provides information about taxi fares and fare zones. In 2021, there

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3990-519: The Aria Fine Art Collection, it includes work from more than a dozen artists, including Tony Cragg , Claes Oldenburg , and Richard Long . As part of CityCenter, MGM agreed with the county to finance various infrastructure improvements outside of the project's property line. This would include road improvements to handle an increase in traffic coming to CityCenter once it opens. MGM would also build and finance an on-site fire station for

4085-610: The Harmon. Perini also filed a mechanic's lien against the project. A coalition – including Perini, subcontractors , and several trade unions – was also formed against MGM. MGM, in part, disputed the case because of defective work on the Harmon. The company also questioned the billing amount and sought a detailed accounting from Perini, seeking to eliminate charges that may have already been paid off. In May 2010, Perini requested Nevada governor Jim Gibbons to open an investigation into MGM's lack of payment and its financial situation, as

4180-434: The Las Vegas Strip, auto turnarounds, and porte cochères—all good for traffic flow but hardly what you would call urban open space. [...] there is no pleasant place to walk, except inside the buildings". A year after CityCenter's opening, MGM added landscaping to the entry area and signs to help guide pedestrians onto the property. CityCenter was expected to be the state's top energy user. From its earliest planning stages,

4275-586: The MGM Grand and the Sahara at each end of the route. The stations include: The monorail began operating in 1995 with two trains from Walt Disney World . In 2020, the monorail was acquired by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Tens of thousands of pedestrians are walking along the Strip at any given time. As of 2019, about 50,000 pedestrians walked the Strip on an average day. In

4370-673: The Mandalay Bay's 32nd floor. Paddock's motive was never determined, and he committed suicide after the massacre. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history. In 2018, the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino was renamed the Park MGM and in 2019, the SLS changed its name back to Sahara Las Vegas . In 2021, the Pinball Hall of Fame moved near the "Fabulous Las Vegas" sign at

4465-530: The Strip as one of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations in the world and is one of the driving forces for Las Vegas's economy. Most of the Strip has been designated as an All-American Road , and the North and South Las Vegas Strip routes are classified as Nevada Scenic Byways and National Scenic Byways . Historically, casinos that were not in Downtown Las Vegas along Fremont Street sat outside

4560-938: The Strip include the water fountains at Bellagio , the volcano at The Mirage , and the Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain at Caesars Palace . There are several Cirque du Soleil shows, such as Kà at the MGM Grand, O at Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island, and Michael Jackson: One at Mandalay Bay . Many notable artists have performed in Las Vegas, including Elvis Presley , Frank Sinatra , Wayne Newton , Dean Martin , Sammy Davis Jr. , Rod Stewart and Liberace , and in more recent years Celine Dion , Britney Spears , Barry Manilow , Cher , Elton John , Bette Midler , Diana Ross , Donny and Marie Osmond , Garth Brooks , Jennifer Lopez , Reba McEntire , Mariah Carey , Janet Jackson , Kylie Minogue , Shania Twain , Criss Angel , Olivia Newton-John , Queen + Adam Lambert , Lady Gaga , and Gwen Stefani have had residencies in

4655-420: The Strip trended towards the luxurious high-end segment through most of the 2000s, while some older resorts added major expansions and renovations, including some de-theming of the earlier themed hotels. High end dining, specialty retail, spas and nightclubs increasingly became options for visitors in addition to gambling at most Strip resorts. There was also a trend towards expensive residential condo units on

4750-851: The Strip, including: The Strip also hosts the Las Vegas Grand Prix which has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 2023 . It will also house the New Las Vegas Stadium for the Oakland Athletics in 2028 when the team relocates to the Las Vegas Valley. The Aladdin had a nine-hole golf course in the 1960s. As land values on the Strip have increased over the years, the resort-affiliated golf courses have been removed to make way for building projects. The Tropicana Country Club closed in 1990 and

4845-672: The Strip. In 2004, MGM Mirage announced plans for CityCenter , a 66-acre (27 ha), $ 7 billion multi-use project on the site of the Boardwalk hotel and adjoining land. It consists of hotel, casino, condo, retail, art, business and other uses on the site. Most elements of the project opened in late 2009. In 2012, the High Roller Ferris wheel and a retail district called The Linq Promenade broke ground in an attempt to diversify attractions beyond that of casino resorts. Renovations and rebrandings such as The Cromwell Las Vegas and

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4940-523: The Strip. Most of the resorts have a showroom, nightclub and/or live music venue on the property and a few have large multipurpose arenas. Major venues include: The Strip is populated with many restaurants and fine dining establishments, many of which are inside the casinos and resorts. In recent years, many celebrity chefs have opened restaurants along the Strip, including Wolfgang Puck , Michael Mina , Gordon Ramsay , Guy Savoy , and Joël Robuchon . Professional sports are found at venues on or near

5035-516: The Strip: "Its design demands that you seek it out, where other resorts leap unabashedly into the Vegas spotlight whenever possible". CityCenter's main entrance along the Strip consists of a multi-lane roadway, while pedestrians enter along narrow walkways and overhead bridges. Architects were critical of the entry design, viewing it as bland and unattractive, while many pedestrians chose to pass by CityCenter as

5130-813: The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and South Strip Transfer Terminal to the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) and the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas , with stops near every casino. Several free trams operate between properties on the west side of the Strip: While not on the Strip itself, the Las Vegas Monorail runs a 3.9-mile route on the east side of the Strip corridor from Tropicana Avenue to Sahara Avenue, with stops every 4 to 8 minutes at several on-Strip properties including

5225-507: The average trip gambling budget, $ 591.06, was increased from 2018. About nine in ten (89%) visitors who gambled did so on the Strip Corridor. UNLV reported that in 2019, Big Las Vegas Strip Casinos (defined as Strip casinos with more than $ 72M in annual gaming revenues) had more than $ 6B in annual gaming revenues, corresponding to about 26% of total annual revenues. From the time period spanning 1985 to 2019, there have been some changes in

5320-455: The city limits on Las Vegas Boulevard. In 1959, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was built exactly 4.5 miles (7.2 km) outside the city limits. The sign is currently located in the median just south of Russell Road (which is 4.2 miles (6.8 km) from The Sahara. ), across from the location of the now-demolished Klondike Hotel and Casino and about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) south of

5415-429: The company was struggling amid the recession. By that time, various subcontractors had filed more than 430 liens . MGM began settling with subcontractors later that year. Some analysts believed that construction costs and issues would have been managed better if CityCenter had been built in phases. However, Murren said he was against such an idea: "How do you create an environment in phases? What do you do? Create

5510-420: The complex. Both were sold in 2021, although MGM continues to operate them. CityCenter was conceived by Jim Murren , president and chief financial officer of MGM Mirage , while development was overseen by MGM executive Bobby Baldwin . MGM had considered several different themed hotels for the site in the early 2000s, but none attracted high enthusiasm. The company later sought out a unique project idea for

5605-483: The end of 2009 with the rest of CityCenter. However, structural defects were discovered the year before, leading to litigation with Perini, as well as the project's cancellation and eventual demolition in 2015. Numerous other construction discrepancies were found throughout CityCenter, and MGM said they would be corrected by the time of opening. In March 2010, Perini sued MGM and Dubai World for $ 492 million in unpaid construction costs, relating primarily to its work on

5700-443: The first of its kind for the area. According to Murren, "No one has embarked on a development [of this scale] in this town. It's hard to equate it to anything. We are going to be leaders in the reshaping of the valley into a global market". MGM announced the project, known then as Project CityCenter, on November 9, 2004. The company had spent eight months working on development plans for the site. The mixed-use project would include

5795-580: The following day, making it the first component of CityCenter to open. For its environmentally friendly design, Vdara was designated as a LEED Gold building prior to its opening, and received a five-key rating from Green Key Global in 2010. In 2021, MGM bought out its CityCenter partner, Dubai World , gaining full ownership of the Vdara hotel and Aria. That same year, MGM sold both properties for $ 3.89 billion in cash to The Blackstone Group , which leased them back to MGM for an annual rent of $ 215 million. Vdara

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5890-414: The hotel via a covered walkway. Vdara opened with 10,000 sq ft (930 m) of meeting space, and one full-service restaurant, Silk Road, which served Mediterranean food. It was designed by Karim Rashid . Market Cafe Vdara, a small grocery store also serving sandwiches and pastries, opened in March 2011. Silk Road closed simultaneously, due to lack of demand. In 2013, part of the former restaurant

5985-498: The increased budget. In 2007, Dubai World became a joint partner in the project. Numerous last-minute design changes took place during construction, continually raising the budget. By 2008, the project's cost had increased to more than $ 8 billion. The budget continued to fluctuate, reaching $ 9.2 billion later that year, before settling at $ 8.5 billion. It is the most expensive privately funded construction project in U.S. history. In March 2009, Dubai World sued MGM, accusing

6080-406: The job at midnight on June 3, 2008, protesting safety conditions and shutting down construction. The Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council demanded that Perini take three steps before work could resume: agree to pay for additional safety training for workers, allow national union researchers to examine root causes of safety problems on the site, and allow union leaders full access to

6175-551: The job in June 2008. Construction resumed the next day, after Perini agreed to improved safety demands. Dubai World later threatened to withhold further financing due to cost overruns, before reaching an agreement with MGM. CityCenter was completed at a cost of $ 8.5 billion, making it the most expensive privately funded construction project in U.S. history. Vdara was the first property to open at CityCenter, debuting on December 2, 2009. Other properties opened later that month, while Veer Towers

6270-530: The land, different to anything that had been done before in Las Vegas. Murren began considering the concept of a mixed-use project in 2003 and presented his idea to MGM's board in March 2004. Kirk Kerkorian , majority shareholder in MGM, was convinced of the project's viability early on. Other board members were intrigued by Murren's proposal, but also skeptical. With CityCenter, Murren sought to create an urban gathering place for Las Vegas. The large project would be

6365-469: The latter of mismanaging development at CityCenter, resulting in the cost overruns. The lawsuit placed the project in financial jeopardy, as a $ 220 million construction payment was due later that month and Dubai World declined to fund it. MGM covered Dubai World's portion of the payment, and the two came to an agreement the following month which would ensure the completion of CityCenter. MGM had contacted Nevada U.S. senator Harry Reid for help in saving

6460-461: The master plan. Numerous architects, assembled by Gensler , were hired to work on individual components of CityCenter. The project received LEED Gold certifications for its environmentally friendly designs. Construction of CityCenter began on June 25, 2006, with Perini Building Company as general contractor. A year later, Dubai World joined MGM as a partner on the project. Six workers died during construction, eventually prompting others to walk off

6555-610: The mix of table games in casinos on the Strip: Casino operators have been expanding sports betting facilities and products, as well as renovating and upgrading equipment and facilities. Although sports betting has a relatively low margin, the high-end sportsbooks can generate significant amounts of revenue in other areas, such as food and drink. As a result, sportsbooks have been expanding and upgrading food and drink offerings. High-end sportsbooks include features such as single-seat stadium-style seating, large high-definition screens,

6650-488: The new Treasure Island hotel by Cirque du Soleil marked a key point in transforming Las Vegas Strip entertainment. In an effort to attract families, resorts offered more attractions geared toward youth, but had limited success. The Wet 'n Wild water park opened in 1985 and was located on the south side of the Sahara hotel. It closed at the end of the 2004 season and was later demolished. The current MGM Grand opened in 1993 with MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park , but

6745-500: The park closed in 2000 due to lack of interest. Similarly, in 2003 Treasure Island closed its own video arcade and abandoned the previous pirate theme, adopting the new ti name. In addition to the large hotels, casinos and resorts, the Strip is home to many attractions, such as M&M's World , Adventuredome and the Fashion Show Mall . With the opening of Bellagio , Venetian , Palazzo , Wynn and Encore resorts,

6840-536: The parking garage and CityCenter. The Boardwalk was closed in January 2006, and imploded four months later to make way for CityCenter. Construction of CityCenter began on June 25, 2006, with a concrete pour forming the foundation for the future Aria Resort and Casino . The construction site was divided into three blocks, each with their own team of workers. With no on-site storage, the construction schedule and delivery of materials had to be carefully planned. Six deaths occurred during construction. In February 2007,

6935-427: The poor economic conditions. CityCenter features numerous restaurants, many overseen by celebrity chefs. The complex also features five water attractions, designed by WET and located at Aria and Crystals. CityCenter opened with more than 300,000 sq ft (28,000 m ) of convention and meeting space, much of it located at Aria. CityCenter's only performance theater, located at Aria, closed in 2016 for

7030-434: The program. MGM also agreed to lower condo prices by 30 percent. In addition, buyers at Vdara were offered cheaper units at Veer Towers instead. Condo prices at CityCenter ranged from $ 500,000 to $ 9 million. Sales began closing escrow in January 2010, although initial closings were low. Within three months, only 25 unit sales had been finalized out of 2,400. Sales picked up later in the year, beating expectations despite

7125-423: The project was intended to be environmentally friendly. Much of the debris from the imploded Boardwalk hotel was recycled as building material for CityCenter, including its foundation. All of CityCenter's original buildings, with the exception of the Harmon, received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2009. Forest Stewardship Council also named it the best commercial project of

7220-426: The project would help bring tourism to downtown Las Vegas . Analysts were mixed as to whether CityCenter would help boost the local economy. CityCenter sought to fill 12,000 job positions ahead of its opening, and more than 100,000 people applied as a result of the recession. Approximately half of the work force would consist of transfers from other MGM properties. The project added around 5,900 hotel rooms at

7315-558: The project. Reid, in turn, contacted bank CEOs and urged them to loan MGM money to continue construction. The first of CityCenter's features, the Vdara condo-hotel, opened to the public on December 2, 2009, following a VIP event the night before. A retail mall, Crystals , opened on December 3, and the Mandarin Oriental hotel opened a day later. The openings were part of a three-day celebration marking CityCenter's debut. The project's primary attraction, Aria Resort and Casino ,

7410-405: The resorts back to MGM, which continues managing the resorts. MGM also sold the Harmon site in 2021, to developers Brett Torino and Flag Luxury Group. A four-story shopping mall, 63 , opened on the site in 2023. CityCenter's master plan was designed by Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects , which spent 20 months working on the project. Unlike recent Las Vegas resorts which featured

7505-511: The site of the former El Rancho Hotel and Casino and Algiers Hotel . The Tropicana closed in April 2024 and was demolished in October 2024. It will be replaced with a new Bally's Las Vegas resort and New Las Vegas Stadium which will become the home of the Oakland Athletics after they relocate to Las Vegas. The Mirage also closed in July 2024. BLVD is opening in 2025. Dream Las Vegas ,

7600-553: The site. Much of the land for CityCenter had previously been occupied by the golf course for the Dunes hotel-casino, which closed in 1993. At the time of CityCenter's announcement, most of the site was now being used as employee parking for the Bellagio. Before construction could begin on CityCenter, a new parking garage had to be constructed for Bellagio employees along Frank Sinatra Drive. Early site work had begun by August 2005, with Perini Building Company as general contractor for

7695-527: The south end of the Strip. Later that year, Resorts World Las Vegas , opened on the site of the former Stardust Resort and Casino . Resorts World incorporates portions of a previously planned resort known as Echelon Place , which was canceled in 2008. In 2022, Bally's was renamed the Horseshoe Las Vegas . The Sphere venue opened in 2023. Also, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened on

7790-454: The southern Las Vegas Strip, but the project is delayed. In 2022, businessman Tilman Fertitta received approval to eventually build a 43-story resort at the southeast corner of Harmon Avenue. LVXP Las Vegas , a planned 752-tall resort project and an arena, is opening in 2029. RTC Transit (previously Citizens Area Transit, or CAT) provides bus service on the Strip with double decker buses known as The Deuce . The Deuce runs between

7885-547: The southern end of the Strip is the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign; the county acknowledges that some argue for Russell Road at the southernmost terminus. The first casino to be built on Highway 91 was the Pair-o-Dice Club in 1931, but the first full service casino-resort on what is currently called the Strip was the El Rancho Vegas , which opened with 63 bungalow hotel rooms on April 3, 1941. Its success spawned

7980-434: The southernmost entrance to Mandalay Bay , which is the Strip's southernmost casino. In the strictest sense, the Strip refers only to the stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that is roughly between Sahara Avenue and the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. Clark County uses the phrase Resort Corridor to describe the area including Las Vegas Boulevard between 215 Beltway and Sahara Avenue and surrounding areas. The Sahara

8075-513: The street. After a driver drove into pedestrians on the sidewalk in front of Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood in December 2015, 800 bollards began to be installed on Las Vegas Blvd. starting in 2017. The construction of the bollards resulted in the removal of 49 of the 82 stars of the Las Vegas Walk of Stars . In 2019, the bollards on Las Vegas Blvd. were shortened after drivers complained that they were obstructing street views. 283 of

8170-455: The structural design problem is that the sun and its reflection are targets that constantly move during the day and as every season progresses. Management installed large blue umbrellas over the pool deck to protect bathers, while the hotel's glass exterior has been covered with non-reflective film. Viñoly also designed the " Walkie-Talkie " skyscraper in London, opened in 2014, which has been dubbed

8265-400: The success of CityCenter's condominiums, citing the large number of residential units already planned for the Strip. By 2007, many condo projects in Las Vegas had been canceled as the boom came to an end. As a result, MGM installed a live webcam overlooking the CityCenter construction site, hoping to convince perspective buyers of the project's viability. Initial condo sales at CityCenter showed

8360-605: The various resorts on the Strip. The only movie theatre directly on the Strip was the 10-screen Regal Showcase Theatre in the Showcase Mall. The theater opened in 1997 and was operated by Regal Entertainment Group , until its closure in 2018. During 2019, 51% of visitors attended shows, which was down from 2015, 2017, and 2018. Among visitors who saw shows, relatively more went to Broadway/production shows than in past years, while relatively fewer saw lounge acts, comedy shows, or celebrity DJs. Numerous entertainment venues populate

8455-637: The work site. An agreement was reached within a day, putting an end to the walkout. However, the work stoppage prompted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch an investigation into the project's construction safety on June 9, 2008. As of August 2008, the project had 7,700 construction workers, operating in shifts on a 24-hour basis. As a result of delays, MGM assigned its executive construction manager, Tishman Construction Corporation, to aid Perini starting in late 2008. At that time, CityCenter had up to 9,500 construction workers at

8550-530: The worst resort fire in the history of Las Vegas as a result of electrical problems, killing 87 people. It reopened eight months later. In 1986, Kerkorian sold the MGM Grand to Bally Manufacturing , and it was renamed Bally's . The opening of The Mirage in 1989 set a new level to the Las Vegas experience, as smaller hotels and casinos made way for the larger mega-resorts. Some of the key features of The Mirage included tropical landscapes with waterfalls, an erupting volcano, restaurants with world-class chefs, and

8645-528: The year in its designing and building awards. Among CityCenter's environmental features is an 8.5-megawatt natural gas cogeneration plant. It is located on-site and provides partial electricity to CityCenter. The complex also opened with a 26-limo fleet, serving Aria and Vdara, that ran on compressed natural gas. CityCenter contains approximately 18-million sq ft (1,700,000 m ) of space across 67 acres (27 ha). It includes approximately 6,800 rooms and condominiums.   indicates

8740-414: Was an increase in taxi passengers due to declines in rideshare drivers and rideshare surge pricing. Rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft , are available on the Strip. In 2019, about eight in ten (81%) visitors said they gambled while in Las Vegas, the highest proportion in the past five years. The average time spent gambling, 2.7 hours, represents an increase over the past three years. Also,

8835-490: Was completed in 2010. Aria is considered the central feature of CityCenter, and it includes the only casino at the complex. By 2019, CityCenter had been renamed Aria Campus. MGM has sold off several of its CityCenter properties, including Crystals in 2016, the Mandarin Oriental hotel (now Waldorf Astoria) in 2018, and the former Harmon site in 2021. Later that year, MGM bought out Dubai World's ownership stake, gaining full control of Aria and Vdara, its last remaining properties at

8930-445: Was converted into meeting and event space, with a Starbucks taking up the remainder. Two years later, Vdara opened a bar, Vice Versa, in its lobby. It serves food, and includes indoor and outdoor seating which overlooks CityCenter. In 2017, Vdara debuted autonomous robots capable of delivering certain room-service items. In 2010, it was established that the tower's south side, with its reflective surface and concave design, can act as

9025-609: Was provided through the American National Insurance Company , which was based in the then-notorious gambling empire of Galveston, Texas . Las Vegas Boulevard South was previously called Hwy 91, or the Arrowhead Highway , or Los Angeles Highway. The Strip was named by Los Angeles police officer and businessman Guy McAfee , after his hometown's Sunset Strip in Hollywood. In 1950, Mayor Ernie Cragin of

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