Las Vegas’ new retail center strikes LEED Gold

Las Vegas Crystals, an upscale retail and entertainment venue at City Center, has achieved LEED+ Gold Core & Shell certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the world's largest retail district to receive this level of recognition.

City Center is the mixed-use center opening in December on 67 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Crystals’ LEED achievement is the fourth LEED Gold certification for CityCenter -- previous recipients included the ARIA Resort’s hotel tower, convention center and theater, and the Vdara Hotel & Spa.

Under the LEED for Core & Shell rating system, USGBC evaluated the entire district with the exception of the tenants' interior spaces. This enables tenants to capitalize on green strategies implemented throughout Crystals, including energy and water efficiencies, enhanced indoor air quality, sustainable building materials and an abundance of natural light.

"From CityCenter's inception, we aimed to create a vibrant destination to demonstrate that a community can be both beautiful and sustainable for today and for future generations," said Cindy Ortega, MGM MIRAGE's senior VP energy and environmental services.

Crystals' sustainable highlights include:

• Radiant floor cooling, which will use less energy for air conditioning by chilling the air specifically in occupied areas rather than cooling the entire space;
• The majority of all wood products are Forest Stewardship Council certified;
• Efficient water fixtures, estimated to save 1.8 million gallons of water annually within the building (equates to a savings of nearly 38% over existing building codes);
• Skylights will allow for abundant natural light to illuminate the space;
• Crystals' multi-faceted exterior, designed by Studio Daniel Libeskind, features a brilliant glass canopy that depicts the detailed beauty of a quartz crystal; and
• Crystals' multi-faceted exterior, designed by Studio Daniel Libeskind, features a brilliant glass canopy that depicts the detailed beauty of a quartz crystal.

Among the retailers scheduled to open in Crystals are Louis Vuitton, Prada, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Hermes and Emilio Pucci.

CityCenter's LEED certification effort was lead by MGM MIRAGE's Energy and Environmental Services division along with a recognized group of sustainability consultants including CTG Energetics, Green Building Services, Viridian Energy & Environmental, Fore Solutions and Simon & Associates.

CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World.