Las Vegas is known for its bright lights and late nights. Now, it’s also known for CityCenter, the 18-million-square-foot (1,672,000-m2) ‘city within a city’ situated between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo Resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.With six properties designed by world-renown architects and located on 67 acres (27 hectares) CityCenter creates a sparkling new addition to the Las Vegas skyline.
All in all, the $8.5 billion project features77,000 tons (69,300 metric tons) of steel, the equivalent to 10 1/2 Eiffel Towers; 1.2 million cubic yards (912,000 cubic meters) of concrete, equivalent to 120,000 typical concrete-mixing trucks; more than 3.7 million square feet (343,730 m2)of curtainwall façade, the equivalent to 78 football fields; 17,000 miles (27,200 km) of electrical wiring; and 7,000 miles (11,200 km) of telecom, security and A/V cabling, according to Tishman Construction, New York, the executive construction manager. Additionally, the general contractor, Henderson, Nev.-based Perini Building Co. said that there is 4 million square feet (371,600 m2) of glass and metal enclosures, enough to cover 87acres (35 hectares) throughout the complex.
An Unparalleled Skyline
An icon of superb contemporary design, each building in CityCenter helps create an addition to the unparalleled skyline that defines Las Vegas. San Francisco-based Gensler acted as the executive architect of the project, overseeing the group of world-class architects. Tishman Construction and Perini worked together for three-and-a-halfy ears to complete CityCenter. Construction on the major facilities began in April 2006 and CityCenter opened to the public in December 2009. According to Perini, building CityCenter was the equivalent to building more than a dozen properties all opening atone time. Tracking a record 50 million construction hours to complete the project, Perini employed 230subcontracting firms, more than 10,000 craftspeopleand a professional staff of more than 500.
J.F. Finn, Gensler principal and CityCenter project executive, described CityCenter as Las Vegas’ only true mixed-use project, similar to the urban scale that can be found in New York, San Francisco or London. Finn likened the design process as eight painters all working on one canvas. “It was a very interesting process. The workshops brought the designers together so that they could bounce ideas off of one another, and allow them the opportunity to see what the other designers were doing and make sure that there wasn’t one idea that was a variation of somebody else’s idea.”
According to Finn, glass was chosen as an exterior façade of the buildings because it allows for the creation of very striking architectural forms. “I think there was this tendency to gravitate towards panelized curtainwall systems for its efficiencies and build ability in a high-rise condition, but it was also based a lot on its performance, aesthetics and durability.”Likewise, Finn said that metal was chosen because of its aesthetic value and durability.
ARIA Resort & Casino
As the tallest of the structures, ARIA is the heart of CityCenter. New Haven, Conn.-based Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects designed the soaring 61-story gaming resort that features 4,004 guestrooms, including 568 suites. The 3.8 million-square-foot (353,020-m2) complex is made up of a 150,000-square-foot (13,935-m2)casino; 45,000 square feet (4,181 m2) of retail space; 125,000 square feet (11,613 m2) of dining, bar and lounge space; a 300,000-square-foot (27,870-m2), three-level conference center; an 80,000-square-foot(7,432-m2), two-level spa building; a 215,000-square oot (19,974-m2) pool deck; and a 1,800-seat theater for Cirque du Soleil’s Viva ELVIS show.
Construction on ARIA began in April 2006. Setting a new standard for gaming and leisure, the steel and glass complex has a sophisticated, modern design that is clearly different from any building that has preceded it. The shimmering towers transform as they reflect the changing sky.
Comprised of two counterpoising, curvilinear towers that join to form an open center, ARIA’s tower’s curved shape creates gently arched corridors that give the appearance of a shorter distance from the elevators to the guest rooms. Angled building corners allow for panoramic views, while the corridors offer views of the Strip below and the mountains in the distance.
Visitors can enter ARIA at one of two entrances located under a textured and faceted grand canopy. East of the hotel is the casino, retail, dining, bar and lounge spaces, while west of the hotel is the theater with a layered, three-dimensional façade. Located just beyond the theater is the convention center, with its glass façade that fills it with natural lights and allows views of the landscaped pool area. Opposite the convention center is thetwo-level spa building that is clad in Las Vegas Re Metaquartzine stone.
Providing a stylish, flowing façade between the convention center and spa at ARIA, Cambridge,Md.-based Cambridge Architectural supplied its elegantly curved stainless-steel metal fabric panels. Cambridge worked with the architect to create a brand new mesh pattern for the project, named Pellican, in honor of the firm. Installed using Cambridge’s patented Eclipse method on a lateral curve, the façade smoothly undulates along the podium structure, dressing exterior walls and screening the pool deck’s exit stairway, all along Frank Sinatra Boulevard. The visual result is a dramatically draped mesh exterior that shines brilliantly during the day and produces a rich luster from projected light at night.
For the east and west podiums of the ARIA tower, Enclos Corp., Eagan, Minn., provided Dallas based Baker Metal Products Inc.’s glazed curtainwall custom panelized system along with Pelli Clark Pelli’s signature sunshades. Enclos also provided the Baker Metal sunshade systems at the tower tops that are supported by Lubbock, Texas-based Beck Steel Inc.’s support structures. Viracon Inc., Owatonna, Minn., provided all of the glazing for Enclos, including itsVRE1-38; VRE1-38 with custom silk-screen; and VE1- 2M with custom silkscreen glass.
Giroux Glass Inc., Los Angeles, provided the signature custom point-supported system with horizontal mullions at podiums, and a point-loaded porte cochere system from Novum Structures LLC, Menomonee Falls, Wis. Giroux also provided the glass handrail outside of the north tower.
Crown Corr Inc., Gary, Ind., provided commodity Vistawall pressure bar systems at the pool deck exteriors, and casino clerestories to match the tower curtainwall, from Oldcastle Glass, Santa Monica, Calif. Crown Corr also provided an insulated Versawall panel system with color variance from red to orange at the west podium spa, along with Versawall at the tower tops behind the Enclos/Baker sunshade system. Moon Township, Pa.-based CENTRIA supplied a total of 5,500 square feet (511 m2) of Versawall panels for the spa, in addition to 29,400 square feet (2,731 m2) of Formawall Dimension Series panels and 26,000 square feet (2,415 m2) of Profile Series Concept Series CS-260 wall panels.
Super Sky, Mequon, Wis., provided Las Vegasbased Zetian Systems Inc.’s point-supported glass fin skylights in the east and west podiums. KovachInc., Chandler, Ariz., provided the standing-seam, serpentine roofing systems at the skylight locations throughout the podiums. YESCO, Salt Lake City, Utah, provided the ARIA signage atop the towers.
For the theater, Crown Corr provided 150,657 square feet (13,996 m2) of CENTRIA’s Versawall metal panel system with corrugated cladding on the exterior. CENTRIA also provided 146,675 square feet(13,626 m2) of its Profile Series MR3-36.
Enclos provided the custom signature sloped curtainwall by Baker Metals, featuring glass from Viracon for the convention center. Crown Corr also supplied 44,000 square feet (4,088 m2) of CENTRIA’s Versawall panel system in a range of red to orange, in addition to a Vistawall pressure wall system with Viracon glass. CENTRIA also supplied80,100 square feet (7,441 m2) of Formawall Dimension Series panels; 49,300 square feet (4,580 m2) of Profile Series MR3-36 panels; 4,973 square feet (462 m2) of Profile Series Concept Series CS-200, CS-260 and CS-660 panels; in addition to 3,100square feet (288 m2) of Profile Series IW Series IW-10A panels and 1,400 square feet (130 m2) of Profile Series Style-Rib panels.
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, New York, construction on the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas began in November 2006. The approximately 1.2 million-square foot (111,480-m2), 47-story non-gaming resort has 400 rooms and 227 condominiums. A sophisticated sanctuary of modern elegance prominently located at CityCenter’s entrance, the Mandarin Oriental features more than 12,000 square feet (1,115 m2) of meeting and event space, an exclusive outdoor swimming pool with sundeck, six restaurants and bars, and the 23rd floor Sky Lobby.
The hotel’s façade is a layered interlocking motif of vertical aluminum panels and glass with horizontal frit. From the inside, the frit provides various levels of transparency, while allowing for open, naturally illuminated spaces in public areas and shaded, screened areas where there’s a need for more privacy.
The Mandarin Oriental’s podium is home to street level retail spaces and a jewel-like ballroom on the second level. Providing views of the Strip, the ballroom features a large, glazed opening that is clad in preweathered gray zinc and jet-misted granite.
For the Mandarin tower and podium, Far East Aluminum Works U.S. Corp., Las Vegas, provided a custom signature system on the tower with glass from SYP Glass Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China. Giroux provided the podium D&D four-sided structural glazing by Viracon, along with metal panel systems from Pohl USA Inc., West Valley City, Utah, and Holland, Mich.-based Dri-Design at the podium. Giroux also provided the point-loaded system at the pedestrian bridge over the casino circle with glass façade panels from Viracon and glass pavers along the walkway by GlassPro, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Western Tile & Marble, Las Vegas, did the stone cladding at the podium, while Noorda Sheet Metal Co., Las Vegas, installed the Alucobond cladding system from 3AComposites USA Inc., Mooresville, N.C.
Additionally, CENTRIA supplied 27,000 square feet (2,508 m2) of its Formawall Dimension Series wall panels; 8,300 square feet (771 m2) of its Profile Series Concept Series CS-260 wall panels; and 8,000 square feet (743 m2) of its Versawall panels.
Vdara Hotel & Spa
Construction on the Vdara Hotel & Spa also started in November 2006. The approximately 1.5 million square- foot (139,350-m2), 57-story non-gaming hotel tower has 1,495 suites ranging in size from approximately 500 to 1,650 square feet (46 to 153 m2);10,000 square feet (929 m2) of conference space; and a 40,000-square-foot (3,716-m2) landscaped park. Vdara Health & Beauty is an 18,000-square foot(1,672-m2), two-level wellness spa, salon and fitness complex.
Designed by Rafael Vinoly of RV Architecture LLC, New York, the internationally inspired all-suite hotel and spa is physically connected to Bellagio and adjacent to ARIA. Vdara has a distinctive crescent shape and unique skin of patterned glass that creates one of the most striking design statements in Las Vegas.
The hotel is distinguished by its slender profile and curvature that responds to Harmon Circle, and the interlocking arcs of ARIA, located across the shared circular drive. Three parallel, offset arcs rise to varying heights to comprise the crescent shaped skyscraper.
Distinguished by the colors of their striped surfaces, the building volumes are further articulated by the deep recesses between them. Additionally, the horizontally striped curtainwall frames the Las Vegas vistas and expansive desert landscape beyond, while alternating bands of reflective vision glass and light-diffusing, acid etched spandrel glass in black and white are set off on different planes to achieve a unique shimmering texture on the façade.
For the Vdara tower and podium, Benson Industries LLC, Portland, Ore., provided its signature glazing systems with VRE1-38 and VRE1-38 with custom silkscreen glass from Viracon; Azteca Steel Inc., Dallas, provided its louvered porte cochere panels and metal panels systems on the pool decks by Las Vegas-based Sierra Metals Inc. Weiss/Metcoe,Gardena, Calif., provided the skylight systems, and Aderholt Specialty Co., Las Vegas, supplied the EIFS at the podiums.
Veer Towers
CityCenter’s only strictly residential buildings, the approximately 853,000-square-foot (79,244-m2) Veer Towers is made up of two 37-story leaning residential towers that each house 335 residences, ranging from studios to penthouses. Construction on the West tower began in December 2006, while construction on the East tower began in January 2007.
Chicago-based Helmut Jahn-designed the two residential towers with a masterful translation of energy and excitement into physical form. Rising up from Crystals, the shimmering towers, each inclined at a 5-degree angle in opposite directions, seem to dance with each other.
Far East Aluminum Works provided its custom signature system with cantilevered sunshades for both Veer Towers. SYP Glass supplied the glass, and Sierra Metals Inc., Las Vegas, provided the metal wall panels at the podium.
The Harmon Hotel
Slated to open later this year, construction on the400-room, non-gaming luxury boutique Harmon Hotel began in January 2007. Designed by London-based Foster + Partners, the approximately 600,000-square foot (55,740-m2) hotel will be one of the most luxurious and exclusive boutique hotels across the globe. The Harmon has already been accepted as a distinguished member of “The Leading Hotels of the World.” As of December 2009, Perini had completed the core and shell of the hotel.
Defined by a dynamic curving façade, the Harmon Hotel will have a strong visual presence that will provide ample opportunity for sweeping views along the Strip, up Harmon Avenue and back to the Bellagio Fountains. Its shimmering façade will be animated at night with a dazzling lighting scheme.
The Harmon Circle features vehicular barriers at the roadways that were fabricated and supplied by Azteca.F. Rodgers Corp., Livermore, Calif., provided the painted/perforated and patterned/stainless ceilings by Gordon Inc., Bossier City, La. Southwest Metalsmiths Inc., Phoenix, provided the patterned radius stainless column covers by Fry Reglet Corp., Santa Fe Springs.San Diego-based Pacific Coast Steel provided the spiral staircase and the expanded mesh pedestrian bridge near Vdara Park, along with all of the miscellaneous tubular handrails within the park, stairways and back of house rooms. Pacific Coast Steel also provided the cantilevered limo gate with oval patterned/ perforated screens. Giroux supplied the self supported glass handrails located along the walkway from ARIA to Vdara, as provided by GlassPro.
For the Harmon Hotel, Azteca provided the pedestrian bridge, with glass from Oldcastle Glass and stainless railings by Sierra Metals. Walters & Wolf,Fremont, Calif., provided its custom signature curtainwall with VRE5-38; VRE7-38; VRE9-38; VRE11-38; VRE15-38 glass from Viracon. Rogers, Minn.-based Quality Metalcrafts LLC supplied 1/8-inch (3-mm)aluminum wall panels with a PPG Medium Gray XL Kynar paint finish, supplied by Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries, and installed by Walters & Wolf.
Crystals
Crystals is CityCenter’s 500,000-square-foot (46,450-m2) retail and entertainment district, with approximately 85 retail and restaurant venues. Construction on Crystals began in May 2007, and features 13,900 tons (12,510 metric tons) of structural steel, supplied by the structural steel fabricator and erector Phoenix based Schuff Steel Co. Halcrow Yolles, Las Vegas, was the structural engineer on Crystals.
“In Crystals we have coupled stunning architecture and interior design with one-of-a-kind offerings from the fashion industry’s most celebrated brands to create a premier social and cultural environment in the heart of the city,” said Frank Visconti, president of retail for CityCenter. “Here, Las Vegas visitors have a unique place to discover the finer things in life.”
Designed by New York-based Studio Daniel Libeskind, the structure includes a below-grade garage, three levels of retail space and a beautiful roof structure formed by the intermingling of 19 separate planar and arcade roofs, features thousands of immense leaning columns, curving trusses and straight members made up of 16,455 uniquely fabricated pieces of steel that overlay and lie askew to create the striking roof shape, made up of six arcade roofs and 13 planar roofs that connect at different angles to converge at the height of the building. The arcade roofs include skylights that set off the distinct and elegant interior through natural lighting. Halcrow Yolles also designed Crystals’ automatic people mover station, the only one in CityCenter.
“CityCenter is a 21st century experience and a celebration of public urban life with retail, entertainment and the feel of an urban neighborhood,” said Daniel Libeskind, founder of Studio Daniel Libeskind. “Crystals will transform the conventions of shopping and dining with a landscape of sophisticated and contemporary spaces enlivening The Strip and making CityCenter an international destination.”
he interior architect of Crystals, New Yorkbased Rockwell Group created an experiential environment that complements the overall city scene, with an inviting neighborhood of unique retail shops and dining venues that form the core of the urban metropolis.
Crown Corr provided 162,615 square feet (15,107 m2) of CENTRIA’s Versawall metal panel system with stainless-steel interlocking cladding, in addition to Oldcastle Glass Vistawall’s pressure bar curtainwalls with entrances and Naturalite skylight systems, also from Oldcastle Glass. CENTRIA also supplied 47,788 square feet (4,440 m2) of its Formawall Dimension Series panels, while Viracon provided all of the glass for the curtainwalls and skylights at Crystals.
Additionally, Kalzip Inc., Michigan City, Ind., provided 53,000 square feet (4,924 m2) of its Kalzip Standing Seam 50/429 mill finish 0.035-aluminum roof panels. Manufactured on-site, the standingseam roof panels are located under a flat stainless steel roofing system on Crystals.
Additional CityCenter Projects
Perini also built a variety of other major CityCenter components, including the central plant; five parking garages with enough room for 19,000 vehicles; excavation of the 67-acre (27-hectare) site, including demolishing the existing Boardwalk Hotel; Las Vegas Boulevard improvements;pedestrian bridge over Las Vegas Boulevard; new road construction, road overpass, road improvements and service drives; on-site fire station; Nevada power substation; site utilities, including relocating a main Las Vegas sewer line; project hardscape, including sidewalks, water features and public spaces; and the landscaping for the project. The complex also features a nearly 1/2-mile (0.8-km) dual-lane, fully automated peoplemover system that runs between the adjacent Bellagio and Monte Carlo hotels, and through CityCenter with a stop at Crystals.
The 8.5-megawatt co-generation plant will provide efficient electricity on-site, and will serve 12 million square feet (1,114,800 m2) of conditioned space. The central plant includes Vistawall storefronts and Viracon canopy glass, provided by Giroux. Additionally, Aderholt provided the EIFS at the exteriors, while Azteca supplied the louvers, wall cladding and canopy cladding, all by Sierra Metals.
For the Sinatra Garage, Azteca provided the storefront by New World West Inc., Brea, Calif., with glass from Oldcastle Glass. Anning Johnson Co., Las Vegas, did the EIFS on the exterior of the garage, along with the EIFS on the pedestrian bridge that runs from the garage to the Monte Carlo.
Beck Steel provided the expanded metal mesh used on the BEG parking garage façade, while Southwest Steel Inc., Henderson, Nev., provided the lattice truss system that is atop the garage from Dumas Metals, Detroit.
Hendrick Screen Co., Owensboro, Ky., supplied16,000 square feet (1,486 m2) of its Profile Bar Wire in 304L stainless steel for a 145-foot- (44-m-) high by 26-foot- (8-m-) wide stainless-steel CityCenter sign that was designed by Gensler and built by Las Vegas-based Casino Lighting & Sign.
“CityCenter is a truly modern way of life—integrating the finest restaurants, retail and entertainment with urban living. To help bring to life the concept in one of the most exciting cities in the world is a thrill,” said Helmut Jahn, president and CEO of Helmut Jahn. Rafael Viñoly of RV Architecture LLC,agreed, saying: “CityCenter is a completely revolutionary approach to urban environments that will become the model for the future of Las Vegas. We were extremely proud to work with MGM MIRAGE and this world-class design and architecture team to create a sustainable urban center that seamlessly integrates a retail establishment with luxury residential living, hotel and casino.”
According to Andy Cohen, FAIA, managing principal at Gensler Los Angeles: “CityCenter represents a new paradigm of urban planning and design. It reflects MGM MIRAGE’s sophisticated vision, and it has the critical mass to propel Las Vegas to another level.”
