CityCenter, MGM MIRAGE’s latest entertainment and hospitality venture, will include a mix of private residences, boutique hotels, a resort casino and 500,000 square feet of world-class shopping and dining options.

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The lights on the Las Vegas Strip are about to become even brighter as Perini Building Co. constructs CityCenter, MGM MIRAGE’s latest entertainment and hospitality venture. This “vertical city” is valued at $7.8 billion, and is slated to include a mix of private residences, boutique hotels, a resort casino and 500,000 square feet of world-class shopping and dining options.

The complex sits on 76 acres, which is also the Strip’s last substantial plot of land available for development, Perini Vice Chairman Dick Rizzo explains.

In addition to becoming one of Las Vegas’ most-anticipated additions, the project will also become the largest LEED-certified development in the United States.

Achieving LEED certification is always a challenge, but with Perini’s experience in the gaming and hospitality sector, the team is well-versed in how to overcome potential obstacles, Rizzo says.

“The casino business in general has trained us to be proactive and flexible in our projects,” Rizzo asserts.

“Many of these casino and hotel projects are fast tracked, where the design evolves as we begin construction. We’re used to a very fast-paced environment, and tend to adapt well to changes.”

Evolving Designs
Despite the changes to the project’s original design and scope, Perini has managed to remain on schedule for CityCenter’s late-2009 grand opening.

The project is broken down into three blocks, each treated as a unique project, according to Rizzo. Additionally, within the three blocks are 51 separate projects.

Although construction is well underway in each portion of the project, the blocks have unique focuses to ensure the overall project is completed on time and within budget constraints. The first block focuses on a 4,000-room hotel, the convention center and West Podium, which includes underground parking, swimming pools and sun decks, the company explains.

It will also include the East Podium, which is home to the casino and restaurants. The second section includes a hotel/condominium tower and low-rise, fire station and the Bellagio employee parking garage. It will also include an elevated entrance to the complex, Perini adds.

The final block includes three towers, a parking garage, and CityCenter’s dining, entertainment and retail space.

Coordinating the construction of a project of this magnitude is not easy, but with Perini’s simple strategy, it has already found success.

“Our strategy for staying within budget and within our time frame is to keep it simple,” Rizzo says. “We’re people of our word, so if we say we will do something within a certain time frame and budget, we will do it. That is why we’re often asked back to complete future projects for our clients.”

One-of-a-Kind
MGM MIRAGE has enlisted eight renowned architects to create structures that stand apart from even the most-luxurious hotels on the Strip.

Each architect was assigned to place a unique spin on one building, according to Rizzo.“Each architect was charged with the responsibility to truly make a statement with their building,” he asserts.

“The designs are one-of-a-kind, but the centerpiece is a mixed-use development, which is a casino and tower with 4,000 rooms,” he adds.

This centerpiece tower, a 4,000-room resort casino designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, will soar 60 stories high, and will showcase a contemporary design, Rizzo says.

The Pelli Clarke Pelli tower will be joined by two 400-room hotels, along with approximately 2,700 luxury condominium units, Rizzo explains.

When completed, the entire complex will use approximately 1 million cubic yards of concrete, with more than 775 cubic yards poured daily, Rizzo adds. Perini will self-perform the structural concrete work for three towers.

However impressive these figures are, the amount of green space included in the complex will be just as substantial. “There will be a tremendous amount of beautiful, open green areas,” Rizzo explains. “There will be a great deal of public space that ties everything together.”

A ‘Precedent-Setting Program’
MGM MIRAGE designed a diversity program to encourage minority and women-owned businesses to become involved with the project, and Perini has had much success working with these subcontractors, Rizzo says.

“There was a huge national outreach program to encourage these companies to come to Vegas and establish themselves here though the CityCenter,” he explains.

“It’s been a rather precedent-setting program, and we’ve seen some astounding results so far.

“We identified a large number of minority-owned suppliers and vendors, so much of the purchasing is being done through them,” Rizzo continues.

“Much of the services that are required for a project of this scope are being provided by these companies, as well. This is something that we take very seriously.”