Las Vegas gets more exciting every day. I can barely sleep. Is it turning into NYC? While it’s hard to keep up with all the new casinos in town, I’ve had my eye on CityCenter. This $8.5-billion monolith is one of the largest construction projects in the western hemisphere. It’s so big it has its own fire station and power plant. That MGM-Mirage managed to complete it during the worst recession in decades is a real accomplishment.
While Vegas has been known for its debauchery and trashy good times, the sophisticated and classy CityCenter, with its modern architecture and distinguished art décor, will do a lot to change that perception. The mini city includes the 4,004-room Aria Resort and Casino; several boutique hotels, the Mandarin Oriental, Harmon Hotel and Vdara Hotel and Spa; and Veer Towers, two leaning condos high-rises. These eclectic, futuristic-looking structures seem to defy gravity at some angles, and all received LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
CityCenter’s home to a brand new and highly anticipated Cirque du Soleil show, Viva Elvis. There are also major pieces of art by the likes of Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer and Claes Oldenburg. What I’m most excited about, however, is the fabulous Crystals, a shopping mall with more than 500,000 square feet of retail space.
Aria’s grand opening was phenomenal. I partied at Eva Longoria’s Mexican eatery, Beso, which means kiss in Spanish. I watched the spectacular fireworks display as I enjoyed delicious tortilla soup. All the heavy hitters in Vegas were there, including the Maloof Brothers, owners of the Palms Casino and Resort, cooking wonder Bobby Flay and Steve Wynn.
After dinner I toured Aria. I felt like a tiny ant looking up at an immense space ship about to take off. The building’s entry soars. I was in awe, checking out one seductive bar and lounge after the other, as well as the fabulous décor.
As for Crystals, next door, it’s high-fashion Nirvana. You get an overwhelming feeling of opulence while viewing the white, sleek architecture with wood accents and real flowers amidst the stores. The overall ambiance is nouveau riche. The stores feature luxury brands including, but not limited to, Bvlgari, Bottega Veneta, Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Ermenegildo Zegna, H.Stern, Louis Vuitton, Marni, Nanette Lepore, Roberto Cavalli, Tiffany & Co. and Versace.
For a moment I felt like Carrie in Sex and the City, leaving Fifth Avenue with a huge bag of Manolos. CityCenter is on track to be one of the world’s premiere destinations. Look out, New York and Los Angeles, Vegas is growing up fast!
xoxo
Ayana 
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