Today, Crystals at CityCenter opened its doors to the world, showcasing an unparalleled array of the world’s most exclusive retailers and forever redefining the Las Vegas retail experience. Opening day activities gave invited guests an early preview of this unique retail and entertainment district at the core of the extraordinary urban resort destination, CityCenter.
Festivities began at noon with an invite-only shopping event for several thousand Las Vegas locals, for which a portion of the proceeds were donated to local charities including Nevada Cancer Institute, Keep Memory Alive, Nevada Ballet Theatre and The Smith Center for The Performing Arts. Crystals opened its doors to the public at 5 p.m.
Continuing the exclusive experience into this evening, one of Hollywood’s favorite celebrities, Eva Longoria Parker, will host a private party at the CityCenter location of her highly anticipated new Latin steakhouse, Beso, one of several innovative dining experiences to open at Crystals.
“I am thrilled to be expanding my restaurant franchise, and cannot think of a more perfect location than Crystals at CityCenter,” said Eva Longoria Parker. “Vegas is full of energy, excitement, and in the city of lights, Beso will be right at home.”
An architectural movement of sheer energy, Crystals’ interactive atmosphere invites guests to be part of the excitement. The exterior architecture, conceived by Studio Daniel Libeskind*, is a multi-faceted, brilliant glass canopy depicting the intricate beauty of a quartz crystal that welcomes an abundance of natural light into the stunning three-level experiential environment. Within, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group have created an abstract 21st century park that celebrates nature and the seasons, featuring “changeable artwork” in the way of hanging gardens and a colorful flower carpet.
“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.”
The Taubman Company, the world's leading developer of upscale shopping centers, who is responsible for the leasing of Crystals, has assembled an unprecedented collection of luxury retailers and dining destinations.
This incredible array of prestigious brands features one of the largest Louis Vuitton stores in the world, as well as flagships for Tiffany & Co., Prada, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, and Ermenegildo Zegna.
Unique- to-the-market retailers include: Tom Ford, Assouline, Carolina Herrera, de Grisogono, Kiki De Montparnasse, Kiton, Lanvin, Marni, Mikimoto, Miu Miu, Paul Smith, Porsche Design, Rodney Lough Gallery, and Tourbillon.
Other luxury retailers opening large format stores: Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Cartier, Christian Dior, Fendi, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Versace. Many of these brands will be opening this month, with the balance opening the 1st half of 2010.
Eva Longoria Parker’s Beso is joined by dining destinations Mastro’s Ocean Club, a new offering by Todd English, Todd English P.U.B., and two new concepts by Wolfgang Puck, The Pods by Wolfgang Puck and Brasserie PUCK. Additional retail, restaurant and entertainment offerings will be announced throughout 2010.
The 500,000 square foot Crystals retail and entertainment district, is the second destination to open at CityCenter. Vdara Hotel & Spa opened Tuesday, December 1, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas opens tomorrow, December 4 and ARIA Resort & Casino opens Wednesday, December 16.
About CityCenter
CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. CityCenter features ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers include approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also features a resident Cirque du Soleil production celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, and Gensler. At the forefront of sustainability, CityCenter is one of the world’s largest green developments. ARIA, Vdara, Crystals, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers all have received LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This marks the highest LEED achievement for any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. The Harmon also is pursuing LEED certification. For more information about CityCenter, please visit www.citycenter.com.
*Consultant to AAI Architects, Inc.
