LAS VEGAS—Under a canopy of fireworks illuminating the night sky, ARIA Resort & Casino opened its doors last week and welcomed its first guests. Located at the heart of CityCenter, ARIA is the centerpiece of the urban resort destination. Its debut signifies the official grand opening of this city-within-a-city, following two weeks of celebrations for the reveals of Vdara Hotel & Spa, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Crystals retail and entertainment district. Featuring a combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service and amenities, the ARIA has dramatically altered the skyline of the world’s most famous boulevard.
“ARIA and CityCenter reflect a combination of innovation, energy and visionary design that we believe will reshape how the world views the destination resort experience and attract visitors from around the globe as a landmark of taste and style,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE, which developed CityCenter in partnership with Infinity World Development Corp.
Designed by the world-renowned firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, ARIA’s architectural expression reveals itself at every turn, from its two curvilinear steel and glass towers to the clean use of natural elements including lush foliage, wood and stone. At 18 million square feet, CityCenter is the largest private sustainable development in the world, having received six LEED Gold certifications for its buildings.
At a press conference, company executives and national dignitaries including the president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council were on hand to pay tribute to CityCenter’s significant milestone in the arena of sustainable design, construction and operations. Among its sustainable distinctions, ARIA commissioned the first fleet of clean-fueled CNG stretch limousines. It also is the first resort on the Las Vegas Strip to generate its own electricity.
Also part of the opening events, senior executives from both MGM MIRAGE and Infinity World had the rare honor of remotely ringing the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange, marking the project’s major contribution to the financial fortitude of Las Vegas. CityCenter is the single largest hiring effort in the country today, creating new jobs for approximately 12,000 people.
“This is an incredibly proud time in our company’s history,” said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of CityCenter. “We believe this moment marks a turning point in the financial future of our community.”
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