Where can you find forty million dollars of fine art and sculptures on display? Just walk around CityCenter, the newest addition to Las Vegas.

Internationally renowned architects designed this 16,797,000 square foot hotel-condo-dining-shopping complex on 76 acres, located in what is known as Paradise, Nevada. Paradise contains McCarran International Airport, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and most of the Las Vegas Strip, including Caesars Palace, The Palms, and the MGM Grand.

The project was started by MGM Mirage and then Dubai World became a partner. It ultimately became an $8.5 billion affair, taking five years and 9,000 construction workers to complete. Sadly, six workers lost their lives during construction. ‘Luxury’ and ‘upscale’ are definitely apropos words to describe CityCenter. Six Leeds Gold Certificates have been awarded to the project’s hotels and buildings, meaning that the environment was of utmost importance in every aspect of the building process. Leeds stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. CityCenter generates its own electricity onsite. Energy Star washers, dishwashers and refrigerators are installed in every condominium. Water conservation methods were utilized and will save 30-43 percent water usage within the buildings’ interior with the installation of superior showerheads, faucets and toilets that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also low-flow. Native and drought-tolerant plants were utilized outside in the landscaping to save 60 percent on the exterior. CityCenter offers the first fleet of stretch limousines powered by natural gas. Slot machines have air conditioners serving as their bases to save energy.

The hope is that CityCenter will draw customers who are sophisticated and smart and let them experience a whole new Las Vegas. This is the largest project in the world and part of what makes it unique is that most projects have one design firm. But for CityCenter, eight design firms, plus a hundred boutique designers, all worked together to design an experience filled with fine art and spectacular architecture.

ARIA: The centerpiece of CityCenter. This is the only hotel-casino in the complex and the first casino to have a substantial amount of natural light. 4,004 rooms are priced between $179 to $799 a night. The 568 suites cost from $500 to $7,500 a night. There is an 1,800-seat theater where Cirque Du Soleil’s “Viva Elvis” will originate. There are 16 restaurants, and 10 bars and lounges. For nightlife, Aria has partnered with The Light Group to provide a cutting-edge experience at Haze, that it is said, will challenge your sense of perception and reality. There is also the Gold Lounge, inspired by Elvis Presley’s Graceland. If you should desire to be treated like a star, reserve the Aria Sky Suite. A limousine will pick you up at the airport, whisk you to Aria for an exclusive arrival in a separate lobby for your private check-in, then after enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the lounge, a private elevator takes you to a one-of-a-kind accommodation with custom furnishings and unparalleled amenities.

VDARA: A non-gaming hotel and condominium tower that features 1,495 one and two bedroom suites with fully-equipped kitchens. Room rates are $159 to $2,000. Supposedly the Vdara was built to complement the Aria, but give customers the benefits of a casino (Aria) without the noise, people and energy that can accompany a casino. There is an 18,000 square foot spa that is one of the two spas open to non-resort guests. Waterfalls and a meditation room are part of the spa experience. Silk Road is Vdara’s upscale restaurant, described as “trans-ethnic”, meaning they serve dishes created from around the world.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL LAS VEGAS: A non-gaming world-class luxury hotel and condominium tower. The hotel and residence lobby is on the 23rd floor. The 227 condo residences are above the 23rd floor, and the 392 hotel rooms are on the lower levels. It has a two-level 27,000 square foot spa which is the other spa previously mentioned that is open to non-resort staying guests. It offers a therapeutic spa experience, inspired by oriental wisdom with hints of the exotic luxury of 1930’s Shanghai. Treatments include guided Chakra Meditation and Dream Interpretation with the spa’s trained dream coach.

VEER TOWERS: Two twin towers that are inclined at 5-degree angles will be all residential condominiums. The 335 condos in each tower are studios, one, two and three bedrooms, and penthouses ranging from 500 to 1,500 square feet.

CRYSTALS: This is the shopping, dining and entertainment center of CityCenter. With 500,000 square feet on three different levels, there are windows on the second and third levels and a glass ceiling allowing in lots of natural light. Luxury retailers will make up the 75 tenants. Kiton, a men’s clothing store, sells suits for up to $15,000, and Miu Miu which has sold limited-edition handbags for as much as $15,000, are two of the high-end shops housed there, along with Tiffany, Prada, Cartier, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton. Restaurants include Eva Longoria Parker’s Latin steakhouse Beso, and Wolfgang Puck’s The Pods and Brasserie Puck. SLV

Issue 43 featuring: Tera Patrick, Mia Lina and "STRIPPED, a Confessional"