Las Vegas' big gamble

The CityCenter Resort, Las Vegas

The centrepiece to Las Vegas' CityCenter complex, the Aria, celebrated its grand opening yesterday in, what is hoped, to be the first step in reviving the casino industry.

The 67-acre property is the only gaming resort at CityCenter, which also boosts the most expensive privately funded construction project in US history in the resort's 4,004 room hotel - the MGM Mirageis.

The two, 61-storey, curved glass towers have said to contain "the most technologically advanced guestrooms in the country" as well as several fine restaurants, a luxurious spa, and a Cirque du Soleil production on the life and music of Elvis Presley called "Viva ELVIS."

Co-owned by MGM Mirage and the debt-ridden Dubai World, the CityCentre owes something for everyone according to the management.

"All of us are going to find our own place," said MGM Spokesman Alan Feldman, "We're all going to find things we love the most. For some people, it may even be outside on one of the walkways. For others, it'll be any numbers on the inside, whether it's the lobby at Aria or along the walkway to the convention center, which has a magnificent Julian Schnabel."

While some of the complex's bars and restaurants have been open for a few weeks already, this marks the first time the entire CityCenter site has been completely available to the public.

Big bet

Despite unparalleled luxury, including a 70,000 sq ft spa (featuring 62 individual treatment rooms), a three-storey 300,000 sq ft convention centre, four ballrooms and 42 restaurants and bars, the resort is a large bet for the city of Las Vegas.

While it is now officially the jewel of the Strip, the project has required its own privately-funded stimulus package for Nevada. However, it will be able to help the city that has been hit hard by the recession and will be provide jobs for up to 12,000 people... however, it is rumoured over 177,000 have applied.

The numbers alone are staggering and will require an army of people to maintain. After all, the complex has 4,210 beds with 21,000 pillow cases, 182,000 plants that need watering and $117 million in poker chips to be dealt. Apparently, 50,000 bottles were ordered for the opening ceremony alone.

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