Photo of Resorts World Las Vegas by Megan Blair

See the World: Resorts World Opens on the Las Vegas Strip

BY BRIAN G. THORNTON, IIDA

Often a great journey begins at the end. After more than 16 years of planning, design delays, developer/operator changes, theme, design, budget changes, and then completing its Big Bang during a global pandemic, Resorts World Las Vegas opened on June 24, 2021. Imagine the cheers and tears for this colossal project to move from its UNDER-CONSTRUCTION phase to OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Applause for the vast teams of professionals and the euphoric feeling it was to witness the Big Bang of ceremonial fireworks and larger-than-life electronic display upon opening. The Big Bang Theory is the prevailing cosmological model explaining the existence of the observable universe from the earliest known periods. Georges Lemaitre (1894-1966), Belgian cosmologist, Catholic priest, is the noted father of the Big Bang theory.

Are we there yet? Yes, we are.

The newest silhouette on the desert city skyline is memorable. These first impressions are seen as early and from as far away as Henderson, even in daylight. On a recent drive, the Resorts World tower’s massive display screen was visible over 17 miles away. I’ve called it the largest flat screen digital display on the planet. Not exactly, but it measures 100,000 square feet [that’s 340 feet wide by 294’ feet high approaching 30 stories], including 3,552 single LED panels. By comparison, it is currently the fourth largest LED display in the world and second only in Vegas to the Freemont Street Experience just a mile north on the Strip. That is only one of the many Big Bang elements that make this property a leader in superlatives.

As a Las Vegas local and a design professional, it’s easy to become lightheaded when a new ground-up mega-resort reaches its designated height…and actually opens. After attending the CityCenter opening in 2009, Cosmopolitan in 2010, and SLS in 2014, this ribbon cutting was celebrated from afar. The project was initially conceived as Echelon Place, the successor to the iconic Stardust Resort and Casino. In concept, it was to be a massive 88-acre mixed-use project of several hotels and an Expo Center combined to become the next new destination on the fabulous Strip.

Lobby of Crockfords Las Vegas at Resorts World Las Vegas, Photo by Megan Blair

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

So as any other new attractions entice you, it’s a big deal how to get there, where to park, and when to arrive. A new player in town demands new street names and access points where they had not existed before. Resorts World fronts a new road to the north by its new connector road West Resorts World Drive. The tree-lined street conveniently connects the Strip to Sammy Davis Jr. Drive. For guests, there is a self-park garage connected directly into the resort. During my visit, self-parking was free, and valet parking was listed as $15.

It is often said you are not a Vegas resident until you’ve learned to navigate the Strip, can name all the resorts by sight, and certainly have attended at least one hotel/casino grand opening. Welcome to the world. Resorts World opened its doors under a lot of fanfare and excitement. Had it not been for the looming COVID-19 pandemic, it could have possibly been much larger than the estimated 20,000 people in attendance as the public was invited inside at 11 PM. Before that, about 5,500 VIPs were treated to a private tour.

The evening for VIPs began at 6 PM with cocktails in the hotel lobbies. As in most contemporary Strip hotels, a hotel within a hotel is not uncommon, and at Resorts World, The Hilton, Conrad, and Crockfords, an LXR luxury brand, are under one roof. Although the original plan was a thoroughly Asian-themed hotel, what has been realized is a very savvy international style that would be welcoming in any global capital around the world. Crockfords is Genting’s luxury brand widely known in Asia. Located between the Hilton brands, it has a calming light stone lobby with a very welcoming living area of light green and cream tones in its various seating groups. This space captures modern Asian motifs with a Zen-like atmosphere, murals, and reflective niches. While seated here, all your senses are invited to take in the understated luxury and Feng Shui. The Hilton and Conrad lobbies are reached by curved corridors along the front of the building – giving each brand its own sense of arrival and identity.

Lobby of Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World Las Vegas, Photo by Megan Blair

After the Cocktail Hour, guests were lured to the vast barrel-vaulted casino floor for a Tasting Tour. All the nearly 40 restaurants, bars, and Famous Foods Street Eats were open, offering food and additional drink for the VIPs. The coffered casino ceiling as an organizing element subtly directs patrons across the 117,000 SF gaming floor. It is large by any standards. The ceiling lighting is reminiscent of an elegant European transportation hall or the classic casinos that appear in parts of Europe along the French Riviera – not unlike our former Monte Carlo resort.

Resorts World Las Vegas Casino, Photo by Megan Blair

Following the Tasting Tour, it was After Party time. The vast 5.5 acre [or 4.5 football fields] rooftop pool deck was the scene for an alfresco experience with global DJ Tiesto spinning tunes around several pools. Since the pools follow the curve of the building towers, depending on where you enter, all of the deck cannot be seen in one glimpse. Many guests commented that they thought the pool deck seemed “small given the size of the resort.” At 11 PM, the main entry doors opened to the public, and the world was opened to Las Vegas.

Cabana Pool at Resorts World Las Vegas, Photo by Megan Blair

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Here’s what’s in the World – explore the world by the numbers:

Casino

The casino floor features over 117,000 square feet of gaming, from slots and table games to a dedicated poker room and high-limit areas.

Hotels

Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World is the largest of the three hotels. Its 1,774 guestrooms and suites designed by Wilson & Associates feature smart, luxurious amenities in a comfortable and refined contemporary yet luxurious sleeping environment.

Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World has 1,496 guestrooms and suites ranging from 550 to 2,800 square feet Designed by KNA Designs. Curated art pieces like the whimsical elephants in the lobby were commissioned especially for Conrad Resorts World Las Vegas.
Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts is 236 ultra-luxe guestrooms and suites featuring upscale luxury amenities and highly personalized service with its guestrooms and suites ranging from 550 to 7,000 square feet. They are a part of one of the first LXR locations in the U.S. designed by Steelman Partners, Las Vegas.

Dining

In Las Vegas, the sky’s the limit to the world of cuisine offered to visitors and locals. The property features an extensive food and beverage collection offering a broad range of cuisine – from authentic street food to Michelin-star dining, including concepts entirely new to the Las Vegas Strip. Signature restaurants from around the globe include Genting Palace – authentic Cantonese cuisine, seafood, and dim sum; Chef Nicole Brisson’s two restaurants Brezza and Bar Zazu– modern coastal Italian fare and tapas; Wally’s Wine & Spirits — wine bar and specialty gourmet market; VIVA— Chef Ray Garcia’s Mexican cuisine; Kusa Nori— Sushi bar and teppanyaki grill; and FUHU — contemporary Asian cuisine from Zouk Group. Casual Eateries are accommodated by Famous Foods Street Eats.

Bars and Lounges

A trip to the gaming capital’s Strip must include a tour of the many lounge and spirit bars located off the Casino floor and throughout the entertainment and retail District. Some notable places include Starlight on 66, a luxury cocktail lounge with views of the Strip, RedTail, a social gaming bar by Zouk Group, and Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge for cocktails and rare champagnes developed by Clique Hospitality.

Entertainment

Las Vegas’ newest concert and entertainment experience will come alive when Resorts World Las Vegas opens later in 2021. A 5,000-capacity concert and entertainment venue, The Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas is poised to host a galaxy of affairs – from star-studded concerts to convention, corporate, and sporting events. The Theatre (a joint development between Resorts World Las Vegas and AEG Presents) will be exclusively programmed and operated by Concerts West, a division of AEG Presents. This new generation venue will introduce the next wave of superstar residencies and engagements, as well as must-see events, to the city’s coveted entertainment landscape.

Retail

What’s a visit to any Las Vegas resort without shopping? Judith Leiber, Hervé Léger, and Sneaker Garden are just a sampling of Resorts World Las Vegas’s collection of exciting retail brands and shopping experiences. The District at Resorts World, approximately 70,000 square feet of dedicated retail venue, is the city’s newest two levels of unique shopping experiences catering to all tastes, ranging from renowned luxury and lifestyle apparel brands to cutting-edge experiential venues.1

Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge inside Resorts World Las Vegas, Photo by Megan Blair

IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD

New also means best. Such is the case in the gaming technology employed by this resort. From arrival, you’ll note that checking in is enhanced because guests can manage hotel details through their smartphones. Traditional long lines at the front desk can be avoided by guests using their mobile phones as their room keys at Resorts World. With a little more navigation, they can employ this virtual concierge to perform tasks to purchase entertainment, dine or order services through the property’s internal GrubHub team. Selected items from many of the resort’s restaurants and bars can be delivered to their rooms or even poolside.

All set and checked in, let’s explore the casino and gaming universe of Resorts World. This $4.3 billion property is the first resort on the Las Vegas Strip to incorporate an entire galaxy of gadgets through Konami gaming’s software license, SNYKROS. Even Konami’s tagline, Born From Fun®, sets the tone throughout the property. The software, the only one of its kind in the U.S., creates a digital gaming experience from slot machines to table games, offering both a cashless and TITO – Ticket In, Ticket Out experience option for casino guests. From their virtual hotel room keys to their speedy Tesla tunnels opening in 2022 to the nearby Las Vegas Convention Center, there are many reasons why the tech-savvy guests will be enthusiastic about this new digital holiday universe.

OUTTA THIS WORLD

Spinning in the center of The District is The Orb. This 50-foot diameter globe is a 20-million-pixel polished chrome perforated sphere. Upon close inspection, it’s never really spinning at all. But its innovative programmable skin can go from a static red branded globe to a mirrored ball with a high-resolution LED display screen. Imagine a 20-foot-long goldfish witnessed as one of the signature displays in rotation.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

What is reaching the top without exploring new frontiers along the way? It’s key to understand that no modern desert resort can be successful without an oasis of a pool deck with multiple guest experiences. I spoke with Andrew Kreft, Director of Design at the award-winning Lifescapes International, who designed the fifth floor Pool Complex. Lifescapes International has developed, created, and invented many of the memorable landscape and garden environments on The Strip for over 40 years. Lifescapes International Co-Founder Don Brinkerhoff, who recently passed on July 16, 2021, was the principal lead for Echelon and under his tutelage, Andrew Kreft worked with him and naturally lead the design of the Resorts World Complex. Brinkerhoff’s influence was certainly present in the final design. Critical in sculpting this elevated playground from the original Echelon to the final design that opened in June. When I spoke with Kreft, I asked what challenges the pandemic-era economy caused from a design standpoint, and was the final design close to what was initially proposed? He noted “the pandemic’s influence was that social distancing and the push that it created for people to be out in the fresh air only accelerated a movement towards a more thoughtful engaging of the outdoor world on all projects.”

VIP Pool at Resorts World Las Vegas, Photo by Megan Blair

As the original more traditional Chinese theme dissipated, Kreft responded “it’s several that coexist. As time went on though, it was determined that a more streamlined, contemporary approach, with some reference to modern Asian design, would better fit a more youthful, domestic, and international traveler.”

There are five different pool experiences spread over nine different bodies of water of varying sizes lined with lush, mature landscape. Because of the curvature of the plan, it unfolds organically as you explore the area from end to end—not unlike sailing the oceans of the world with an ever-changing horizon. In these 5.5 acres, you will enter near the three Main crescent-shaped pools. Then, you’ll pass the tropical Bimini pool, the upscale Cabana pool (a semiprivate VIP pool with even higher levels of service), and at the far east end, the Family Pool with its whimsical and playful experiences.2

That’s part of the unique experience of this design. Brilliantly executed as there are raised planters in the pool area, but we worked to use level changes and built-in uses to help disguise them and lend to the feeling that you are on the ground level. Lifescapes International designed the spaces to wrap around those venting, stair obstacles in a such a way that they are always visually pushed to the sides and clustered into larger restaurant, bar, and cabana buildings. This helped to create a more “meandering village effect which only reinforced the easy, beachy vibe.” Kreft added a goal was to “provide different experiences for the freshest, youthful demographics, and those staying on property at days on end.” One can only imagine this completion with the fifth-level vantage point more satisfying as it overlooks many of the nearby pools and gardens they created for Wynn, Encore, Mirage, and Bellagio in the distance.

WORLD HISTORY

In late 2004, Boyd Gaming purchased a 13-acre Stardust parcel of land for $43 million to become Echelon Place. Ultimately the 88-acre property included a Budget Suites hotel that was contiguous to the Stardust. The sale gave Boyd Gaming the site that has become the $4.3 billion master-planned site.

The Stardust closed in November 2006 and was subsequently demolished. Groundbreaking for the Echelon project occurred on June 19, 2007, with an opening scheduled for the third quarter of 2010. However, construction was suspended on August 1, 2008, as two of the partners could not obtain financing for their portions of the project because of the Great Recession. By March 2013, Boyd Gaming sold the site to Malaysia’s Genting Group, which began developing it as a 3,500-room hotel and casino now known as Resorts World Las Vegas. Notably, some of the unfinished Echelon construction was incorporated into the project.

HELLO WORLD

See the world. It’s a vast place, and there are lots to see beyond what’s written here. Once again, Las Vegas can claim to its residents and those who travel the world to get here, “we have something you don’t have.” Or in many cases, we have a reference or a reminder that the world exists elsewhere and is showcased here. A visit to this part of the world is more than an environment. It is more than a casino resort; it’s an amalgam of thoughts, creativity, innovation, blood, sweat equality, and even tears. Resorts World is perhaps the most technologically advanced attraction to grow out of our desert Strip in several decades. Was it worth the wait? You can bet it is.

Photo of Don Brinkerhoff, FASLA, courtesy of Lifescapes International

This Article is dedicated to Don Brinkerhoff, FASLA, Co-Founder and CEO of Lifescapes International. 1931- 2021.

I had the unique pleasure to collaborate with Don Brinkerhoff in 2014 on the renovation of the Inn at Sonoma, California. He was a mentor’s mentor. In two charrette sessions, we tackled the project at hand. His generous sharing of wisdom, amazing thought process, and whimsical stories made the short, intense design-time less of a chore and more advantageous. He will be missed, but I am thankful I got to know him and learn firsthand the war stories and how iconic designs for such as the Mirage, Venetian, Bellagio, and Wynn Resorts came to be. His firm was also responsible for reshaping the 1996 redesign of the Las Vegas Boulevard beautification program of 4.5 miles of the median landscaping. Brian G. Thornton.

Acknowledgments
1. Resorts World Las Vegas
2. Lifescapes International

Photo of the Orb located within The District at Resorts World Las Vegas by Brian G. Thornton