The Shops at Crystals explained

The Shops at Crystals
Location:Las Vegas Strip, Paradise, Nevada
Coordinates:36.1081°N -115.1744°W
Address:3720 S. Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89109[1]
Owner:Invesco and Simon Property Group (50%)
Architect:Daniel Libeskind
Number Of Stores:57
Floor Area:500000square feet
Floors:3

The Shops at Crystals is an upscale shopping mall in the CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The 500000square feet mall contains high-end retailers, gourmet restaurants, and art galleries. The exterior design was created by Daniel Libeskind, while David Rockwell worked on interiors. For its environmentally friendly design, Crystals received LEED Gold Core & Shell certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the largest retail district in the world to achieve such a feat.

Crystals opened on December 3, 2009, and was originally owned by MGM Resorts International and Dubai World. In 2016, it was sold to Invesco and Simon Property Group for $1.1 billion.

History

The mall is part of the CityCenter project on the Las Vegas Strip, and was originally owned by MGM Resorts International and Dubai World.[2] It opened on December 3, 2009, known then as simply Crystals.[3] [4] Despite opening during the Great Recession, MGM predicted that the mall would be successful.[5] However, as the economic downturn began, the company had briefly reconsidered whether to proceed with construction.[6] The mall struggled in its early years before seeing a turnaround.[7]

By 2013, the mall had been renamed The Shops at Crystals.[8] According to MGM chief Jim Murren, the mall was designed with the intent of eventually being sold.[7] In April 2016,[9] it was sold for $1.1 billion to Invesco and Simon Property Group in a joint partnership.[10] [11]

Design

The exterior of Crystals was designed by Daniel Libeskind, marking his first Las Vegas project,[12] while interior designs were done by David Rockwell.[3] [6] [13] Prospective retailers were attracted to the mall because of its design.[6]

Libeskind's design includes sharp angles and an abundance of glass.[6] [14] The mall structure features complex steel framework which includes 19 separate roofs, uniquely shaped and overlapping in some cases.[15]

Rockwell's design includes a grand staircase, and features an indoor park theme in some areas, including hanging gardens and a 70-foot wooden treehouse structure serving as a concierge desk and restaurant seating area.[3] [4] The interior also has a flower carpet that is changed regularly based on the seasons. It was inspired by the Flower Carpet event in Brussels.[16] Ceilings reach up to 120 feet in some areas of the mall. Because of this, catwalks were built in four locations around the mall to aid in lighting maintenance.[17]

Architecture critic James S. Russell, writing for Bloomberg News, called Crystals "a fun antidote to the smothering fairy-tale pomp that has become the Las Vegas norm".[18] Another architectural critic, Paul Goldberger, wrote in The New Yorker that Libeskind's jagged shapes "inject the normally dreary precinct of a shopping mall with a shot of adrenaline".[19] In 2013, USA Today named it among the most "amazing luxury malls" in the U.S.[20]

Like other buildings at CityCenter, Crystals was designed to be environmentally friendly, with features including skylights, reclaimed wood, and efficient water fixtures. In October 2009, it was awarded LEED Gold Core & Shell certification from the U.S. Green Building Council,[3] [21] making it the largest retail district in the world to achieve such a feat.[22]

Features

Crystals features 500000square feet of space, and has 57 tenants, including retailers and restaurants.[23] It opened with 23 tenants, and more were added throughout 2010.[3] [5] [24] Some retailers had delayed their openings due to poor economic conditions, and others dropped out altogether.[4] The mall targets a wealthy clientele and is known for its luxury stores.[5] [25]

Notable retailers at the time of opening included Dior, Hermès, Prada, Tiffany & Co.,[3] [26] Assouline Publishing, and De Grisogono. Thirteen retailers made their Las Vegas debut with the opening of Crystals, including Miu Miu, Paul Smith, Porsche Design, and Tom Ford.[3] Crystals includes the largest Louis Vuitton store in North America, with a three-story facility measuring 14000square feet.[3] [27] Assouline and De Grisogono closed in 2013, and several new retailers opened later that year, including Loro Piana, Richard Mille, Rimowa, and Valentino.[28]

The mall includes water and ice attractions designed by WET.[4] [29] Halo consists of clear cylinders filled with water, which is manipulated by high-speed motors to produce vortices accompanied by colored lighting. Glacia consists of ice columns rising up to 15 feet. Rods within the columns can heat or cool the ice to create unique carvings. The columns are illuminated by light, and the attraction is accompanied by a tone poem from Mickey Hart.[30] [31] [32]

Crystals opened a Princess Diana exhibit in 2022, marking the 25th anniversary of her death. Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition covers 10000square feet and features numerous personal items that belonged to her.[33] [34] [35]

Restaurants

Crystals opened with several restaurants, including Mastro's Ocean Club,[3] a steak and seafood restaurant which includes dining space in the mall's treehouse.[36] [37] [38] Other restaurants included Brasserie Puck, a French restaurant by chef Wolfgang Puck. The Pods, also by Puck, offered coffee and snacks.[39] Brasserie failed to meet expectations and was replaced by a new Italian restaurant from Puck called Cucina, opened in June 2010.[24] [40] [41] An Asian restaurant, Social House, opened in 2010,[42] [43] [44] and operated for five years.[45]

Chef Todd English and actress Eva Longoria partnered to create a space which operated as a restaurant and nightclub, known respectively as Beso and Eve. The business opened with Crystals,[3] [39] and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011, following financial problems and litigation with investors.[46] [47] Later that year, Landry's agreed to purchase the restaurant and now-closed nightclub. The combined business had owed more than $3 million in back rent to MGM. Despite this, MGM stood by Longoria in her battle with investors, viewing her involvement as an asset to the business.[48] [49] In 2012, Landry's closed Beso for remodeling and reopened it as She, a female-oriented steakhouse with a nightclub. Longoria retained an ownership stake in the new business. The nightclub closed in early 2013, and Landry's closed She in May 2014.[50] [51]

Chef English also opened a bar and restaurant, known as Todd English P.U.B., in 2010.[39] He departed the property in 2017, and his bar was renamed simply The Pub.[52] It was replaced in 2022 by Toca Madera, a Mexican restaurant.[53] [54]

Art

Upon opening, Crystals included art galleries by Dale Chihuly, Richard MacDonald, and Rodney Lough Jr.[29] [55] Several other artists have their work on display throughout Crystals, including Wook Jang Cheung, whose steel sculptures depict animals and reach up to 10 feet in height.[56] In 2010, MGM commissioned graffiti artist DAIM to create Left Attention, a 69-foot-long by 15-foot-high mural on the mall's third floor.[57]

Akhob, an art installation by James Turrell, opened at the mall's Louis Vuitton store in 2013. Later that year, he designed a monorail station for Crystals.[58] [59] [60] In 2015, Tatsuo Miyajima unveiled Hoto, an 18-foot mirror tower featuring more than 3,000 LED-lit numbers.[61] [62] Immersive Van Gogh, an interactive exhibit focused on the work of artist Vincent van Gogh, was showcased on the mall's entire third floor during 2021.[63]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vegas > Shopping > Crystals . vegas.com . 2009-11-28.
  2. News: Stutz . Howard . Crystals mall at CityCenter reportedly sold for $1.13 billion . January 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 2, 2016.
  3. News: CityCenter unveils Crystals retail district . January 22, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . December 3, 2009.
  4. News: Knightly . Arnold M. . Bigger, Bolder Luxury . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 3, 2009.
  5. News: Knightly . Arnold M. . Good luck with all that luxe . January 22, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 10, 2009.
  6. News: Simpson . Jeff . Crystals reveals more of its facets . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . July 10, 2009.
  7. News: Segall . Eli . MGM Resorts hints at eventual sale of Crystals mall at CityCenter . January 26, 2023 . VegasInc . February 21, 2013.
  8. News: Veer Towers on Strip . January 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 2, 2013.
  9. News: Morris . J. D. . $1.1 billion sale of Crystals mall has closed . January 25, 2023 . VegasInc . April 15, 2016.
  10. News: Morris . J. D. . CityCenter's Shops at Crystals selling for $1.1 billion . January 25, 2023 . VegasInc . March 18, 2016.
  11. News: Robison . Jennifer . Investors bet big with $1.1B purchase of CityCenter mall . January 25, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 18, 2016.
  12. News: Crystalize . Las Vegas Business Press . December 7, 2009 . January 26, 2023 . subscription.
  13. News: Q&A with Crystals interior architect David Rockwell . Las Vegas Business Press . January 11, 2010 . January 26, 2023 . subscription.
  14. News: Gregor . Alison . Building It Big in Las Vegas . January 22, 2023 . The New York Times . May 27, 2009.
  15. News: Illia . Tony . Strip Superstar: CityCenter makes its Las Vegas debut . February 21, 2023 . Engineering News-Record . March 3, 2010.
  16. Web site: Seward . Aaron . Bright Crystal . Architect Magazine . February 9, 2023 . May 3, 2010.
  17. Web site: Seward . Aaron . Crystals, Citycenter . Architect Magazine . February 9, 2023 . May 3, 2010.
  18. News: Russell . James S. . Vegas CityCenter Opens At Last . February 3, 2023 . Bloomberg . December 14, 2009.
  19. News: Goldberger . Paul . What Happens in Vegas . February 9, 2023 . The New Yorker . September 27, 2010.
  20. News: Fox . Ruta . America's amazing luxury malls . January 22, 2023 . USA Today . November 15, 2013.
  21. News: CityCenter retail area gets LEED Gold certification . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . October 22, 2009.
  22. News: Crystals at CityCenter Achieves LEED Gold . February 11, 2023 . Engineering News-Record . December 1, 2009.
  23. Web site: Center Directory . Simon Property Group . February 11, 2023.
  24. News: Finnegan . Amanda . CityCenter’s Crystals adjusts, boosts occupancy with new retailers . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . September 20, 2010.
  25. News: The Crystals at CityCenter all about luxury . Las Vegas Business Press . August 4, 2008 . January 26, 2023 . subscription.
  26. News: Green . Steve . Prada, Christian Dior, Bulgari to be among CityCenter's retailers . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . July 6, 2009.
  27. News: Moore . Booth . Vegas' grand designs . January 25, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . January 9, 2011.
  28. News: Segall . Eli . New shops coming to Crystals mall at CityCenter . January 22, 2023 . VegasInc . July 8, 2013.
  29. News: Jones . Jay . Crystals at CityCenter opens doors to Vegas' big spenders . January 22, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . December 27, 2009.
  30. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Water — swirling, spewing, frozen — to entertain visitors at CityCenter . February 2, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . December 16, 2009.
  31. Web site: Hodge . Damon . Firm unveils five new water features at CityCenter . Travel Weekly . February 9, 2023 . December 7, 2009.
  32. News: Gladstone . E.C. . That's aquatainment! . February 9, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . March 17, 2010.
  33. News: Katsilometes . John . Princess Diana exhibit to grace the Strip . February 11, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 15, 2022.
  34. News: Zabat . Gabrielle . Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition debuts for 25th death anniversary . February 11, 2023 . KSNV . August 17, 2022.
  35. Web site: Szydelko . Paul . Princess Diana exhibit is the latest jewel in the crown of Vegas attractions . Travel Weekly . February 10, 2023 . October 3, 2022.
  36. News: Radke . Brock . Seafood worth wading (through tourists) for: Mastro's Ocean Club . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . February 9, 2012.
  37. News: Begley . Jim . Mastro’s Ocean Club hits all the right notes . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Magazine . July 17, 2015.
  38. News: Radke . Brock . Mastro's Ocean Club does destination dining . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . October 12, 2017.
  39. News: Radke . Brock . Eating Crystals . February 11, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . March 31, 2010.
  40. News: Radke . Brock . Strip for Locals: Colorful and authentic Italian at Cucina by Wolfgang Puck . January 28, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . February 3, 2019.
  41. News: Radke . Brock . Discover tableside specials at Wolfgang Puck's rustic Italian gem Cucina . January 28, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . September 11, 2019.
  42. News: Social House restaurant getting a new home at CityCenter . January 22, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . March 24, 2010.
  43. News: Radke . Brock . Social House improves on its quality pan-Asian cuisine in new location . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . September 8, 2010.
  44. News: Levitan . Corey . Social House settles into new digs . February 11, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 21, 2010.
  45. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Social House Turns Dark After Service on Saturday . Eater . February 11, 2023 . March 27, 2015.
  46. News: Green . Steve . CityCenter sides with Longoria, Beso against dismissal of bankruptcy case . January 28, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . February 5, 2011.
  47. News: Green . Steve . CityCenter's Beso restaurant could face eviction over finances, attorney says . January 28, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . February 16, 2011.
  48. News: Green . Steve . Eva Longoria's Beso restaurant deal is challenged . January 28, 2023 . VegasInc . September 14, 2011.
  49. News: Green . Steve . Eva Longoria's Beso restaurant's fate in hands of CityCenter mall . January 28, 2023 . VegasInc . September 27, 2011.
  50. News: Green . Steve . Beso at CityCenter closed; making way for restaurant with feminine appeal . January 28, 2023 . VegasInc . August 30, 2012.
  51. News: Rindels . Michelle . Landry's pulls the plug on Eva Longoria's steakhouse on the Strip . January 28, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . Associated Press . May 28, 2014.
  52. Web site: Martin . Bradley . Todd English P.U.B. Out, Olives at Bellagio Next . Eater Vegas . February 11, 2023 . December 26, 2017.
  53. Web site: Martin . Bradley . West Hollywood's Mexican Restaurant Toca Madera Heads to the Las Vegas Strip . Eater . February 11, 2023 . August 30, 2021.
  54. News: Sheckells . Melinda . Inside the New $10M Toca Madera Restaurant in Las Vegas . February 11, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . July 25, 2022.
  55. News: Toplikar . Dave . Chihuly coming to CityCenter . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Sun . November 17, 2009.
  56. News: Peterson . Kristen . Wook Jang Cheung’s surreal silver sculpture at Crystals . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . September 25, 2013.
  57. News: With graffiti, CityCenter tagged, you're it . Las Vegas Business Press . September 6, 2010 . January 26, 2023 . subscription.
  58. News: Peterson . Kristen . About the James Turrell installation inside the Louis Vuitton store at CityCenter . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . May 15, 2013.
  59. News: Baude . Dawn-Michelle . James Turrell brings a second (less successful) installation to Crystals . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . June 12, 2013.
  60. News: Heyman . Stephen . In-Demand Artist, Now on View in Vegas . January 26, 2023 . The New York Times . August 6, 2013.
  61. News: Peterson . Kristen . CityCenter is again igniting conversation with art . January 26, 2023 . Las Vegas Weekly . September 30, 2015.
  62. News: Stapleton . Susan . Japanese artist Tatsuo Miyaiima lights up the Shops at Crystals . January 26, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . September 28, 2015.
  63. News: Katsilometes . John . 'Immersive Van Gogh' headed for Crystals on the Strip . February 11, 2023 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 17, 2021.

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