Las Vegas Weekly

December 17, 2009 · 10:02 AM

Photo Galleries: Celebrities, star chefs, architects celebrate Aria debut

By Robin Leach

Fireworks explode over Aria during its official grand opening at CityCenter on Dec. 16, 2009.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

From brilliant sunshine for the official architectural opening ceremonies at noontime yesterday to a massive, pre-midnight fireworks extravaganza, opening day for MGM’s $8.5 billion CityCenter crown jewel, the chic, sleek, sophisticated and elegant Aria resort casino, was the best spectacle ever in Las Vegas.

From Priscilla Presley in the morning to Eva Longoria Parker at night, it was a galaxy of stars and superstar chefs to welcome the Strip’s newest arrival. Eva flew in from Los Angeles for the night and spent time with her Beso executive chef Isaac Carter, who works with Eva’s business partner and chef Todd English, while Priscilla was in town to the previews of Cirque du Soleil’s newest extravaganza: Viva Elvis.

I talked with MGM Mirage Chairman and CEO Jim Murren in a one-on-one interview shortly after he rang the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange by satellite TV hookup from Aria. Jim used the actual bell from many of the famous boxing battles at the MGM Grand Garden Arena!

Jim told me: “After five years, I feel incredibly proud of seeing a dream become a reality. I’m humbled by the courage of the people who live and work here and who have given of themselves to make this work here. I will be forever grateful.”

I asked when he would know the $8.5 billion bet pays off. He answered: “Well, it already paid off because we are still standing. Everything that happens now will be a testament of the resilience of the company, the economy and the people who work here. We will start to make money right away, and it’s just a matter of how much money. How fast we get a return is unclear today, but the fact we are still standing here today shows we were victorious.

“Our opening symbolizes a true recovery here. It symbolizes the reliance of our community here, of our ability to persevere, our ability to never give up and our sense of resolve. Whether you live in Summerlin or Green Valley, wherever you live, this is a symbol of hope and recovery and a better year in 2010.”

The gaming conglomerate chief confirmed that it's highly likely President Obama will tour CityCenter very shortly, either en route to Hawaii for Christmas or on his way back to Washington, D.C., after the holiday. I joked with Jim, saying I hoped the president would give a ringing endorsement that conventions can come back to Las Vegas in a grand way.

Said Jim: “Conventions are already starting to come back. The call volume here at Aria in the past month has been off the charts. I have been involved in a couple. Bobby Baldwin opened up The Mirage, Bellagio and now Aria. We are convinced we are on the right track. We look at the volume for Aria every day. We are exceeding here with that and in converting into room reservations. It’s a tremendous effort by everybody in Las Vegas, and thank you for letting everyone know we are here. The last couple of days, the call volume is through the roof. We have very little doubt that we will fill this building at a high level of occupancy.

“The key will be what kind of room rate we get. Since America is on sale -- and since Las Vegas is a high proposition -- our rates are going to be extraordinarily affordable like they are on the Strip. The trick will be will Aria do what the Wynn resort did. When Wynn opened up, it was a beautiful resort, but they got a good price for the rooms. Then they raised them, and we rose with his prices, and we had a great year and then a better year the following year. Aria helps us and our properties, and it will help Venetian, Caesars and Wynn because it will give people a reason to come here, and they are going to explore. They may not stay here, but they will visit us.”

Jim was most excited about the increase he’s seen in convention business. He told me: “We booked seven conventions in the last three days. When people hear this is the only LEED gold-certified conference center in the country and that we care about the environment, the people care about getting back to work. Our bookings for the second half of 2010 are starting to rise.

“Normally, we wouldn’t book any conventions in December. Well, the good news is we just booked seven in the last three days. Aria and CityCenter reflect a combination of innovation, energy and visionary design that we believe will reshape how the world views the destination resort experience and attract visitors from around the globe as a landmark of taste and style.”

He summed up: “CityCenter will bring people from all over the world to see an incredible place filled with architectural wonders and art and will inspire them. The enthusiasm and energy inside is electrifying today. Vegas has been waiting for this moment forever. CityCenter will become the benchmark by which all new developments will be measured, and it won’t be surpassed in scope and grandeur for decades.”

CityCenter created some 12,000 jobs and, at 18 million square feet on 67 acres, is the largest private sustainable development in the world, having received six LEED Gold certifications for its buildings.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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