more feedsHuge CityCenter Photo Update (finally...)
Well, I'm back in the saddle again and loaded down with photos.
I just uploaded 72 new CityCenter photos and have lots of other updates on which to work.
Thanks to you all for your continuing support and comments. And thanks for nominating VegasTaT for the Trippies Award for the fourth time. I'll try to live up to the honor. Now that I'm actually living in Vegas, updates will be much easier.
Walking around CityCenter was a rush, after years of watching it grow from afar. Harmon Ave is now open and the Blvd areas of the Strip are being re-landscaped.
I parked at Bellagio and wandered over to Vdara. Well, wandering isn't exactly a good description. Meandering the halls, finding the (tucked away) elevator and then walking outside under the Tram Station (in the frickin' cold or summer hot) doesn't make Vdara as accessible as I thought it would be. Vdara is very nice; a true Boutique hotel. Small and tastefully done.
After exploring Vdara I headed for The Crystals. I know I going to get a lot of guff for saying this but - I was underwhelmed, completely underwhelmed. Stark white walls that read like drywall. The light fixtures surrounding the balconies read like standard fluorescent tubes from a distance.
The water tornadoes are in acrylic tubes that are cloudy and full of condensation; they are on a cheap black rubber base that was already scuffed. The dynamic Ice columns looked like kind of dumb, they were on the same cheap rubber base. Those two installations seem like something that one would see in an older suburban mall, not a ritzy place like this.
I won't comment on the other art installations as art is too subjective, The giant eraser, the canoes, the silver Colorado River, and The Henry Moore are all well done (for what they are)
On the second floor of The Crystals, in the back, is a small outdoor plaza (the one with the Henry Moore sculpture), ARIA's front desk is behind the glass and I got a sneak peek (and a couple of photos) of the interior. ARIA looks wonderful and I can hardly wait to see it on the 16th when it opens.
Well folks, there are many more updates to report. Such as Wynn's ripping up the front of Encore for a new club, Harrah's is trying to buy Planet Ho and much more...stay tuned...
I just uploaded 72 new CityCenter photos and have lots of other updates on which to work.
Thanks to you all for your continuing support and comments. And thanks for nominating VegasTaT for the Trippies Award for the fourth time. I'll try to live up to the honor. Now that I'm actually living in Vegas, updates will be much easier.
Walking around CityCenter was a rush, after years of watching it grow from afar. Harmon Ave is now open and the Blvd areas of the Strip are being re-landscaped.
I parked at Bellagio and wandered over to Vdara. Well, wandering isn't exactly a good description. Meandering the halls, finding the (tucked away) elevator and then walking outside under the Tram Station (in the frickin' cold or summer hot) doesn't make Vdara as accessible as I thought it would be. Vdara is very nice; a true Boutique hotel. Small and tastefully done.
After exploring Vdara I headed for The Crystals. I know I going to get a lot of guff for saying this but - I was underwhelmed, completely underwhelmed. Stark white walls that read like drywall. The light fixtures surrounding the balconies read like standard fluorescent tubes from a distance.
The water tornadoes are in acrylic tubes that are cloudy and full of condensation; they are on a cheap black rubber base that was already scuffed. The dynamic Ice columns looked like kind of dumb, they were on the same cheap rubber base. Those two installations seem like something that one would see in an older suburban mall, not a ritzy place like this.
I won't comment on the other art installations as art is too subjective, The giant eraser, the canoes, the silver Colorado River, and The Henry Moore are all well done (for what they are)
On the second floor of The Crystals, in the back, is a small outdoor plaza (the one with the Henry Moore sculpture), ARIA's front desk is behind the glass and I got a sneak peek (and a couple of photos) of the interior. ARIA looks wonderful and I can hardly wait to see it on the 16th when it opens.
Well folks, there are many more updates to report. Such as Wynn's ripping up the front of Encore for a new club, Harrah's is trying to buy Planet Ho and much more...stay tuned...
Posted by Mark Adams at 12/7/2009 6:01 PM 
Categories: Construction Photo Updates
Tags: construction citycenter photos
Categories: Construction Photo Updates
Tags: construction citycenter photos
I've toured ARIA a few times now and it's definitely growing on me, though I think many people will be underwhelmed if they are expecting the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I stayed at Vdara this weekend - service was uneven at best.
Saw all of Mandarin's internals on Friday night - it's by far the most impressive of the bunch.
Cheers!
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Great update!...I knew you wouldn't let CC slide by without a major photoshoot......Awesome backside views taken from Panorama Towers...the roof? Or one of the "holes" in the side?........Hey--Welcome to Vegas as a resident!.......
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Great to see you posting again! VT&T is one of my favorite sites. Hope all is well and I look forward to more updates.
Joe
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Welcome back, Mark.
You just made my day.
Jim
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Not really surprised by the assessment of crystals. I expected Mandarin to be the best as it's managed by a legit upscale luxury hotel group.
I'm curious if MGM will sink more money into the project after it gets some attention, however you'd think they'd want everything perfect from the get go... it's already cost billions why not put some elbow grease into the little things
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Oh, do we know what the deal is with Harmon? Timing, all hotels, who will manage, future plans?
Thanks
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Welcome back, look forward to all the updates again. Was got an email from ARIA stating that they open their doors on the 12th...has that changed? I will be in Vegas over the new year holiday and will also be staying at ARIA...looking forward to it.
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Everything I've read (including the local news) still says the 16th
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FYI, under your photos of the hotel room door...the white light should be the room number.
RED = Do Not Disturb
Green = Housekeeping Required
White = "Room Number"
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i completely agree with the crystals. very cold and museum-like. it seems like they tried too much to just buy a personality without putting any effort into creating their own.
i sure hope aria makes up for it.
one thing i love is the urban canyon feel, though. walking down the main casino entrance is pretty impressive.
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Christmas came early in the form of Updates from VegasTaT. Thanks Mark! Happy Holidays from Mike in Canada.
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Hey, welcome back and thanks for this amazing news!
i really love this site! i'm waiting for more news
you are the best!
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thanks you very very much!
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Great to have you back. I come from the Uk and love vegas. From 1990 to 2005 we visited every year, we even got married therein 1996. Coming back May 2010 so it will be 5 years since our last visit. there will be so many new thing to see. its great to keep up wit things on your fantastic web site. once again it's good to have you back, keep up the good work.
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The ice sculpture at crystals is currently not working.
It will be changing it's ice design every 40 minutes beginning in mid to late Jan.
Also opening in mid to late Jan, will be a quick sandwich eatery, located under the current empty large baskets, located near the top of the stairs.
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This update on vegas is extremely informative. I was interested a little more in Crystals City Centre and shopfront pictures. When will you be updating the site with those. Particularly versace, Bottega Veneta, Paul Smith, Carolina Harera, Dior.
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As of several days ago, they have added more plants and flowers to the ground floor of Crystals. Also raised them higher off the ground. This was an improvement, as the place needs MORE plants and flowers to add color to the vast open whiteness of the place.
But they still need MORE plants and colorful flowers.
They have also done more work on the pending restaurant under the large baskets, and the so-called "Tree House restaurant.
Next month more stores are slated to open.
The ice sculptures were still not working.
Crystals remains a work in progress, and I expect that work to continue for several months.
I also visited ARIA that day, and the water fountain and water wall outside the front entrance were not working.
I'm sure that was a temporary problem.
It's a beautiful fountain when it's working. Almost difficult to stop staring at it.
It looks good day or night, but night is better.
I strongly recommend folks check out the 3 art galleries on the left side of City Center, as you walk from the strip toward ARIA.
They are located just before you reach the front of ARIA.
It's free and the sculptures and pictures are beautiful and creative.
I may check out the place again next week.
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