MGM CITY CENTER DRAWS LINE IN THE SAND

CITY CENTER FACADE - CRYSTALS SHOPPING COMPLEXWOW!…  What else can you say when you look at the future.. or experience it?   That is exactly what City Center, the largest and most dramatic urban complex ever to bow in Las Vegas feels like.   The latest project from the MGM Mirage Group, City Center is a work of art on a scale that mere mortals rarely accomplish.    Already dubbed “Dubai West” due to its size and opulence,  City Center sparkles, dazzles, and redraws a line in the sand – separating it from any other property in this already glamorous city.    I was thrilled to get an advanced looked at the complex early this week. JASON IN THE MIDDLE OF RETAIL HEAVEN It didn’t take much to get me on the plane to Vegas to be one of the first people to experience City Center!  Also, how often do you get to look at 8.5 Billion dollars?  That staggering budget won't be topped anytime soon.CRYSTALS INTERIOR - 500,000 SQUARE FEET

Despite the worst economic environment in 75 years, MGM pushed ahead with the uber project that broke ground back in 2007.   Bravo!   The company should be applauded for recognizing that when the economy recovers during 2010 and 2011, this property will be the luxury destination in Sin City, if not the world.     It will take years or at least a decade for any other future project to outdo this work of art.    Not to mention that since the credit crackdown of 2009 – who will ever be able to line up funding like this anytime soon?    

Crystals is the luxury retail complex that features astonishing boutiques from the biggest names in fashion.   Of course Louis Vuitton took the center by storm by opening  their largest boutique in the U.S.-  3 levels of open air design displaying the latest LV collection, as well as custom made products for Vegas like a traveling  roulette wheel in your own LV trunk!  Don't ask the price!     Tom Ford opens his second boutique in the US that will no doubt host the unveiling of the designers women's collection in 2011.    French “it” collection Lanvin also chose City Center to unveil it’s second state side boutique after Bal Harbour– opening early 2010.   Fellow French fashion house and luxury benchmark –Hermes- will also be a part of the massive atrium.

The real star of the Crystals shopping complex is the building itself.  There is over 500,000 square feet of luxury retail shopping destinations!   At the center of the building sits a three story wooden tree house designed by NYC based architect David Rockwell.  DAVID ROCKWELL'S TREEHOUSE The curved lines of this wooden Café / lounge in the sky makes me think of Star Wars – a futuristic image of a minimalist cantina.   At the same time, the shape and position of the tree house looks like an abstract heart, pulsating life to all corners of the Crystals.   Rockwell is known for breaking boundaries and taking projects to the next level.   He is a prolific talent - in the past year alone working on such diverse projects as the state of the art Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, the set of the 81st Annual Academy Awards, and this out of this world retail environment in Las Vegas. (And this is just his projects happening in North America).   Rockwell gave the building smooth lines that soften and calm the feeling created by Fellow Architect and dreamer, Daniel Libeskind, who designed the facade and outer building of Crystals.   Jagged edges of steel and glass envelop Rockwell's world of smooth wood and filtered light.  SMOOTH LINES AND CALM LIGHTING IN THE CRYSTALSThe overall effect is like some futuristic bio-dome where only luxury goods and those who can afford them have survived.   The Crystals and City Center are about as unlike any other structure in Las Vegas you can imagine.    City Center and Wynn are not only at opposite ends of the strip in Vegas, they are polar opposites when it comes to aesthetics.   

Amazingly, the 8 billion dollar City Center has only one gaming property – Aria.  The stunning hotel and casino has 4,000 guestrooms!  The lobby is unlike any casino - hotel you have ever seen.   Calm and serene with live trees everywhere you look.   To help Aria take shape, the powers that be enlisted another rock star of design, NYC architect Peter Marino to contribute to the casino itself.   Marino is the darling of the fashion world,  creating some of the biggest and most luxurious Fashion boutiques in the world for global brands like Chanel and  Christian Dior. CITY CENTER DRIVEWAY -VERY BLADE RUNNER   For City Center Marino created the VIP gaming area of Aria.   The inspiration was the curves and natural flow of the Grand Canyon.  HIGH ROLLER GAMING ROOMS BY PETER MARINO AT ARIA Marino outdid himself with this visually  stunning  space.   He was able to create a sense of calm for those who will be risking large sums of money on every hand!   Not only visually stunning, Aria is proud to have received LEED GOLD certification for the property – another first for a project this size.

The talent of the MGM management is that they are able to present this ultra luxurious property- while at the same time offering enough options for those on a more limited budget.   Case in point,TERRENE BOUTIQUE two of the retails stores owned and operated by the MGM management offers a range of price points that give the same look as the luxury designs for sale in the Crystals complex.    Terrene for Women and Viceroy  for  Men,  both stores off the lobby in Aria. 

I can’t even go into the restaurants here and do them justice.   There are 16 in Aria alone!   More to come on the eating options, but just be warned – don’t eat for a week before you go.  I'll be writing about this for days, as there are so many details to cover!   Oh, did I forget to mention, Elvis is in the building?   That's right, Cirque du Soleil has created another show for Las Vegas.   This time, honoring the King of Rock & Roll himself.   The theater at Aria houses the show and also has the only official Elvis store in Las Vegas.  

After you rock City Center, pop across the strip one night to Planet Hollywood to take in the former “Girls Next Door” star Holly Madison  in her new burlesque production - PEEPSHOW.  Holly went from being one of Hef's harem to being the hottest tease on the strip.. or something like that.  Hef who?   HOLLY MADISON OF PEEP SHOW

Bottom line, Get yourself to Las Vegas  in 2010!   With all the incentives being offered, there has never been a better time to go.   You are guaranteed have a great time.   There are so many great deals on airfare and many of the major hotels are offering packages with steep discounts.   Some are even giving casino dollars to spend on the property.   Jet Blue also has direct flights from the new terminal at JFK.  Good Luck!



SWAROVSKI SPARKLES IN SOHO

SWAROVSKI & PHILIPPS USB DRIVEThe spring season has been gloomy and gray in NYC this year.   The drizzly, cool days of spring have lingered on and on.   Swarovski changed all that last week when they unveiled the biggest sparkle to hit retail in 2009.   The Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Boutique opened at 499 Broadway in Soho, NYC with a bang and crowd that lined up down the block to get in on the bling!SWAROVSKI TINKER-BELL

When you think Swarovski, you might think figurines.   You would be right.  The company has been the master of fine crafted figurines and sculpted crystals for over 100 years.   In 1895 Daniel Swarovski revolutionized the world of cut glass with his innovation that would change his destiny.   He had created a new technique in cutting  crystal and was wise to quickly patent his invention.   From the very beginning, the company has been innovative and forward thinking as to what they can bedazzle next!  Now with the help of the 4th and 5th generation, the company is still family owned.

Every major fashion house has at one time or another worked with Swarovski to work their magic on the latest dress, bag, shoe, or of course jewelry piece.SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS BY THE MILE!WALL OF LIGHT CRYSTALS -BLUE & GREEN

The latest concept in the Swarovski retail world is CRYSTALLIZED.   The idea is to personalize your jewelry by choosing each element and build your own look.   The store is line with the WALL OF LIGHT that has thousands and thousands of choices - ranging in color and shape.   With prices starting at $4 or $5 dollars a bead - the concept appeals to a wide range of audience.   The marketing is wise for Swarovski as the appeal of crystal is staggering.   There are over 400,000 members of the Swarovski Crystal Society .

The idea of customized jewelry continues to grow.  As I mentioned in the article on Whimsy Worldwide rings - women the world over are taking more control over the design of the jewelry they choose to wear.

The opening party was packed beyond believe.   My friend and I got claustrophobic just trying to get to the bar.   There were a handful of celebs there - but honestly .. it wasn't their night.   It was all about the stars on the walls -and in the cases!SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL COLUMN OF LIGHT

The centerpiece of the store is an amazing column of light chandelier that has hundreds of thousands of crystals and is two stories tall as it lights up the staircase.   The column of light evokes a sense of glamour similar ot the 81st Academy Awards Ceremony.   DAVID ROCKWELL OSCARSYou might remember - the academy tapped design master David Rockwell to design the set.   Mr. Rockwell commissioned Swarovski to sparkle the stage and curtain with over 1 million crystals!

You can add some sparkle to just about anything you like.  I do mean anything- From a USB drive to your Wii, to your Nespresso Coffee Maker.   Oh yeah, there is the jewelry too!SWAROVSKI'D NESPRESSO

If you are in NYC this summer, hit the boutique on Broadway - just around the corner is the pop up shop for Nespresso.  I'll have more on that soon, but grab an iced coffee and all of your $2 charge will go to charity.   The concept of the pop up shop will not disappoint.   a caffeine fix rarely comes in the form of charitable donation - so take advantage of it while you can!

www.Swarovski.com