The Jerde Partnership | Bellagio

in Architecture by editor — 6:38 pm | September 19, 20120 comments

Overview

Bellagio redefined resort destinations on the Las Vegas Strip. Inspired by the Italian town on Lake Como that bears the hotel’s name, Bellagio is a 1.8 million square meter resort that rises from a lake animated with 1,200 fountains choreographed to music. Bellagio also includes upscale amenities, such as a conservatory, a high-end retail promenade, fine dining and an exclusive show conceived by Cirque du Soleil. The result is a unique experience and a luxury resort that successfully competes with European resorts.

Background

In 1994, Steve Wynn brought together the Bellagio team to create “simply the world’s finest hotel.” Wynn, then chairman of the Mirage Resorts, had already commissioned Jerde to design Las Vegas’s Treasure Island and Fremont Street Experience. To ensure a resort that would attract travelers who often bypass Las Vegas in favor of exclusive European resort, Wynn spared no expense. With its luxurious attention to detail, $300 million art collection and array of high-end boutiques, Bellagio has been extremely successful, generating the highest revenue of any Nevada casino in its first quarter of operation at the time it opened.

Design

In addition to the overall design concept, Jerde designed Bellagio’s conservatory, upscale retail promenade and registration courtyard. Wynn’s in-house firm, Atlandia Design, designed the 36-story tower. Bellagio evokes European elegance with its open-air cafes, art gallery, conservatory, 15-meter-high domed rotundas with carved plaster ceilings and glass skylights.

Location: Las Vegas, USA

Architect: The Jerde Partnership

Opening Date: October 15, 1998

Project Size
Site Area: 126 acres
Project Area: 557,418 square meters

Investment: 1.6 billion $

Features
• 36-story hotel tower with 3,025 rooms
• Nine villas
• 11-acre man-made lake with 1,200 fountains synchronized to music
• 12,077 square meters of casino space
• 6,503 square meters of ballrooms, convention and meeting rooms
• Two elegant wedding chapels
• 204,386 square meters of public and service areas
• Monorail transporting guests to and from Monte Carlo and Mirage
• Conservatory housing 7,500 seasonal plants
• $300 million art collection
• 21 upscale shops
• 14 restaurants and clubs
• 1,800-seat theater for Cirque du Soleil’s “O”
• Parking for 6,000 cars

Results
• $244 million gross revenues in the first 77 days
• $220.7 million net revenues in first quarter of operation
• 15.4 percent operating margin in first quarter
• $9 million in retail sales in the first 20 days