LA Times on Macau and a New Rendering of City Center

October 10, 2006 4:00 PM Posted by mike_ch

Yesterday's LVRJ also has a photo of a woman in front of the Forbidden Model at Bellagio. I guess their picture ban has less to do with trade secrets in the model itself and more to do with the clientele they're selling the condos to (the same reason Bellagio is angry about photos of it's casino, that some of their biggest clientele are people that, uh, shouldn't be seen in a casino.)

BTW, a few days ago I posted in the podcast thread with links to various things I've found on my strip adventures. It said the post needed to approved like it was anonymous or my first post or something. Did it ever get through, or should I try again on the next Slow News Day entry?

October 10, 2006 4:05 PM Posted by Hunter

The post here?

http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/2006/10/trippies_vote_f.html

If so, no need to re-submit, it is on the page.

October 10, 2006 4:32 PM Posted by mike_ch

I don't see it there. It was a link with pictures of some unusual shirts and of the Nugget buffet.

October 10, 2006 6:43 PM Posted by chris

Am I the only person that thinks calling a bunch of buildings in the center of the city "City Center" is about the most unimaginative name possible? Its horrendous. Imagine how far less inspiring the Bellagio would be if it had been named something equally dull like "Las Vegas Strip Hotel and Casino".

October 10, 2006 7:35 PM Posted by detroit1051

Mike_ch, I found your post:
http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/2006/10/worst_las_vegas_2.html

By the way, just checked into Beau Rivage. It is magnificent. MGM didn't skimp on rebuilding after Katrina. More on it after I check it out Wednesday. I overlook the Gulf. It's beautiful, but after seeing some video of Katrina shot from the parking deck, I'd be long gone if a storm were approaching.

October 10, 2006 11:51 PM Posted by Hunter

I can't wait to hear more... Actually, my wife and I might be checking out New Orleans for an anniversary trip in November and and she agreed to spend a night in Biloxi, so that means I'll get to see it for myself... Actually, I'd like info about what part of the hotel to ask to be booked into and what the suites are like if you have one or see one.

October 11, 2006 10:17 AM Posted by David F.

Chris - I agree with you, I hadnt really looked at CityCenters Renderings until today here was my train of thought.

"Wow it looks just like a typical Downtown full of Office Blocks"

"Duh! Well it is called 'CityCenter'!"

"Who would want to go to a Place for Vacation/Getaway/Whatever that might remind them of Work?"

Unless of course they are going for an "Office Space" theme! I can see it now, line up Three Red Staplers for the Jackpot!!

Detroit - Cannot wait for your report, my wife and I talked about going to Beau Rivage a few years ago, esp as she is From Lousianna, we may have to try it next year.

October 13, 2006 3:45 PM Posted by Leonard Stern

Enough already from you guys about Steve Wynn and his overrated projects. Let us all hope that the really true 'visionaries' like [Kerkorian] MGM/MIRAGE by stepping up to the plate and actually building Project CityCenter, who have retained the formost architects in the world like Cesar Pelli, Helmut Jahn, Sir Norman Foster, KPF, etc., etc. will forever change the skyline of the Strip with designs that are truly sophisticated and forever lasting works of art. Anyone who has ever worked for the 'self-proclaimed great designer' Steve Wynn cannot design their way out of a paper bag. Wynn Las Vegas is an absolute abortion in the name of great architecture and Steve will never be able to retain the likes of such formidable architects like those that have been commissioned to design CityCenter because of the fact he is an overrated megalomanic and no so-called "starchitect" would ever dream of working for Wynn at any price or for any fee if they were required to deal with his inflated ego. That is why Wynn has always kept the design of his projects in house, under his personal control, and created nothing but really mediocre design quality by comparisson to what we will see as the future progression of great architecture on the Strip. Steelman, Bergman, and Friedmutter were all former designers for Wynn. Just look at Steelman's hideous deisgn proposal for Montreux. Enough said!

October 13, 2006 4:32 PM Posted by Vegas Matt

Did you post here or Skyscrapers first?
Sophisticated? City Center is looks like bunch of big boxes. I don't get the latest crupled box fad. My guess in twenty years they will looked rather dated like . Have you looked at the designs. Who cares who designed it the buildings are boring. I don't care if Frank Lloyd Wright designed it look at the images, it looks like an oversized office park. Vegas is a place for fun experimental, and innovative designs. Nearly Everything Wynn has produced has used some completely unique elements. Not other cities rehash. Cesar and company is putting together concepts, they've used before in other projects, in other cities. From what's been shown so far, there's nothing new here other than the extrondinary price tag. I hope dearly I'm wrong, and there is something special about this place, but so far I'm not seeing it. So far CityCenter = BoringCenter.

October 13, 2006 5:23 PM Posted by Leonard Stern

Response to Vegas Matt: I know for an absolute fact that all of the schematic renderings in various forms, as well as the conceptual scale models that have, to-date, officially been released and what is on display by MGM/MIRAGE thus far, are only representative of the design development phase. When you see the final designs for each of these buildings you will understand what great talent has been harnessed in creating this project.

October 13, 2006 5:47 PM Posted by Mike P.

Leonard Stern's tone is just slightly over the top, and God forbid anyone should criticize anything about Steve Wynn, but I agree with him about City Center after seeing the model close up.

The main casino hotel is stunning, and totally unique for Vegas or probably anywhere else in the world. I'm really excited about Jahn's leaning towers too -- I wish we could afford a condo in one, but it's probably not going to happen. The only building in the current plan that doesn't engage me too much is the Mandarin Oriental. That will probably be successful though just because the Mandarin Group is an excellent hotel operator.

Mike P.

October 15, 2006 1:15 PM Posted by Vegas Matt

Don't get me wrong, I'm rather excited about the city center project. I also am not infatuated with Wynn. City Center's mear size is amazing and I love seeing any new exciting project on the strip. However all of this doesn't dismiss the fact the complex on a whole looks like a corporate center. I admit the thing looks sleak and professional but when your building a resort don't you want it to look fun? Sure Cesar Pelli has won many awards but have you noticed that that nearly all of them are for office buildings. As a matter of fact, they have only won one award for a hotel, the Marriott in Cleveland. Take a look at the thing, does it make you want to visit it. Does it fascinate your imagination. When I think of resorts I want to visit I think of "The Atlantis" or the "Burj Al Arab". Maybe glass boxes tickle your fancy, however I believe most people would agree with me that an office center is not the most appealing vacation destination. If you look at any list of the world best resorts, you will find that they are devoid of any buildings resembling corporate headquarters. The other architects resumes are quite similar, you will find few awards for anything resort like. So I believe it is merited to be concerned. For being the most expensive resort ever build, it should the the best of it's type, hands down. I'm not so sure it will be. I hope I'm proved wrong.

October 15, 2006 3:34 PM Posted by Mike P.

Hunter -

I uploaded a few construction site photos to my web site - the direct link to the thumbnail page is http://www.wildlife-pix.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2.

I'm not claiming copyright on this, so feel free to grab any pictures you want, resize them if you wish, and post them on your own sites.

It looks like the central elevator core of Palazzo is now close to the height of the Venetian, which means they have another 15 or 20 floors to go on that part. I know nothing about high rise construction, but just from observing progress this year I guess that part might top out by the end of the year. If the contractor who built my house were in charge he'd be promising to have the whole project done by next memorial day.

The skeleton of the low rise portion appears to be done, and they were starting to tack on the walls last week.

I didn't have my camera the day I checked out Encore, but its frame was a few stories high, about the same as the City Center hotel.

Mike P.

October 15, 2006 10:39 PM Posted by motoman

Chris & David, I'm with you guys. Same train of thought as well. Vegas Matt, too. And "Three Red Staplers for the Jackpot!!" That is just too damn funny, man!

October 26, 2006 4:57 AM Posted by detroit1051

CityCenter condos: A few more details emerge.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-26-Thu-2006/business/10440426.html

October 26, 2006 6:15 PM Posted by detroit1051

Real estate brokers are already working to sell CityCenter condos:
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2006/10/emw453852.htm