LAS VEGAS—A new look in Las Vegas is coming from MGM Resorts International, with the company unveiling details about the experience it is creating here surrounding a 20,000-seat arena under development in partnership with sports, entertainment and facilities organization AEG.
Plans include new Stripside experiences at New York-New York and Monte Carlo resorts and a public park leading to the new arena.
MGM Resorts will create an experience that encourages social interaction via a plaza that will connect New York-New York and Monte Carlo as well as the arena on land behind the resorts. Construction will begin shortly with anticipated completion in early 2014, according to the company.
Commenting on the devlopment, Jim Murren, Chairman/CEO of MGM Resorts International, said, “All great cities offer vibrant pedestrian experiences, and Las Vegas is certainly no exception, as The Strip is one of the world’s greatest boulevards. Our vision is to extend the excitement we traditionally create within our world-class resorts outside onto The Strip, and ultimately, in an entertainment district leading to our new arena.”
The façades of New York-New York and Monte Carlo will be transformed into an outdoor plaza experience featuring a series of casual bars, eateries and retail destinations. New York-New York will modify its skyline and Brooklyn Bridge to create a patio and add retailers new to the market. Anchoring the new experience will be Hershey’s Chocolate World flagship store, a two-story interactive, experiential destination. Additionally, the hotel’s Irish pub, Nine Fine Irishmen, will be enhanced, including an expansion of its patio both on the casino floor and the Brooklyn Bridge.
At Monte Carlo, the current formal European-style exterior features will be removed to make way for new partners, including Double Barrel, a restaurant and bar concept by sbe; Sambalatte, a coffee retailer; and 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria, serving build-your-own personal pizzas.
Between the two properties and leading back to the company’s new arena will be a park environment featuring dining pavilions and performance spaces. At the gateway to the park will be a Shake Shack burger stand by restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.
Master planner for the development is Cooper, Robertson & Partners, which has put together the Battery Park City Esplanade and Zuccotti Park in New York, Fountain Square in Cincinnati and Cityfront Center in Chicago. Also involved is landscape architecture and urban design firm, !melk.
MGM Resorts and AEG recently announced plans to build the indoor arena on land west of The Strip between New York-New York and Monte Carlo. The arena will be capable of hosting boxing and other sporting events, major headline entertainment and special events. Design and planning for the arena is under way and the partners are working toward appropriate approvals.
MGM Resorts International’s portfolio of destination resort brands includes Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage, among others.