Aaron Auxier

Crystals at MGM MIRAGE CityCenter awarded Gold LEED Certification.

Celebrity Real Estate Agent Aaron Auxier aka "Hollywood's Connection to Vegas" discusses the importance of MGM MIRAGE CityCenter's Crystals (retail and entertainment district) receiving Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Also touches on "themes" and the future of retail, hotels, and real estate on the Las Vegas Strip.

VIVA AARON! at MGM MIRAGE CityCenter.

As the top selling agent in the world at The Harmon Hotel, Spa, and Residences at MGM MIRAGE CityCenter, I think it is only fair that MGM MIRAGE rethinks naming their new Cirque du Soleil show at CityCenter's ARIA Resort. I mean, Elvis Presley was pretty good and broke records and all, but I set the most legendary price-per-foot record in the history of Nevada. The right thing to do is rename the show VIVA AARON!

CityCenter introduces Vdara Health & Beauty, an intimate spa focused on holistic health and well-being.

PRESS RELEASE

LAS VEGAS – Vdara Hotel & Spa at CityCenter introduces Vdara Health & Beauty, a sensuous spa sanctuary that spotlights holistic health and well-being in an intimate environment. Opening December 1, Vdara Health & Beauty will be an 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness center celebrating the calming power of water. The spa will present a thoughtfully orchestrated journey, personalized to maximize each guest’s experience.

Committed to sustainable luxury, Vdara Health & Beauty will be the first Las Vegas spa in the Green Spa Network and has carefully chosen retail partners that share its concern for the environment. The spa also will be committed to using organic or wild-crafted, paraben-free products; the implementation of a recycling program and use of recycled paper for spa materials; and will provide natural nail services using a vegan treatment line.

All are invited to experience Vdara Health & Beauty’s personalized service. The Spa and Salon now are accepting reservations via (866) 391-7111 or (702) 590-2030.

SPA ELEMENTS

Design

• Spa guests will have easy access to Vdara Health & Beauty; the elevator will open directly into the spa reception area on the second level of the hotel. As guests enter, they will be welcomed by a two-story waterfall comprised of shimmering strings of beads that glisten as water cascades down them into the reflective pool below. Sapele wood floors with mink marble and river-stone floor accents will create a sleek and modern look throughout the space.

• Each level of the spa will express a distinct atmosphere laced with luxury. The first level will be a light, social space where patrons can mingle in the main reception lobby, enter the fitness center and salon, browse the spa boutique or enjoy a glass of bubbly at the Champagne Bar. The wellness spa on the second level will inspire a calm and soothing energy.

Wellness Spa

• Vdara Health & Beauty’s wellness spa will feature 11 private treatment rooms, men's and women's retreats, and serene lounges. As guests relax in their respective retreats, they will unwind with a selection of herbal teas and apothecary-infused water, and enjoy redwood saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms. Intimate lounges will feature inviting soaking tubs and dramatic circular waterfalls that spill over into the pools of water.

• The Relaxation Lounge and Meditation Lounge each will provide quiet getaways where guests can unwind amongst soothing water features and lighting. In the Meditation Lounge, a metallic mosaic sheathed in iridescent blue and gold tones will illuminate a curtain of water that flows behind a candlelit ledge.

Spa Treatments

• Treatments will be both classic and creative with a focus on holistic health and will incorporate high-grade and organic ingredients derived from fruits, herbs, flowers, vegetables and oils. The spa menu will be comprised of a variety of massages, body treatments and skin care services.

• Vdara Health & Beauty is the first resort spa in Las Vegas to launch Dr. Obagi's new line, ZO Skin Health, for facial services and home care. The philosophy of this line is to create change at the cellular level, to re-energize aging skin and constantly stimulate cellular function by saturating skin with stabilized retinol, advanced peptides and powerful antioxidants.

• Also featured at Vdara Health & Beauty, Naturopathica Holistic Health’s signature products will inspire healthy lifestyles through innovative natural products. The products contain no petroleum-based ingredients, artificial dyes or fragrances and are fortified with the highest-quality therapeutic essential oils and herbs.

• Other spa treatment lines will include Akhassa, Chocolate Sun, Red Flower and Peter Thomas Roth.

Salon Services

• The salon at Vdara Health & Beauty will boast a full menu of services for men and women including professional hair design, spa manicures and pedicures, and makeup artistry. Professional hair care products from Morrocanoil and Kerastase will offer a variety of options for conditioning treatments and styling.

• Aveda also will be included as one of the lush options for hair treatment. Aveda was founded with the goal of providing beauty industry professionals with high-performance, botanically based products that are better for guests, and the planet. Aveda is one of the largest purchasers of organic ingredients in the personal care industry.

• SpaRitual, known for creating eco-friendly products, will be Vdara Health & Beauty’s nail care line. SpaRitual has developed a collection of sophisticated nail elixirs to nourish cuticles, build strong nails and establish a flawless environment for color. SpaRitual also is the first to offer DBP, formaldehyde and toluene-free nail elixirs in the professional nail care industry and the first spa treatment line of vegan nail care products.

• Makeup artistry will incorporate BeingTRUE cosmetics, truly modern makeup that features ideal color palettes for every skin tone and promises all-day flawlessness. Surpassing the long-acknowledged benefits of traditional mineral makeup, BeingTRUE offers additional aging defense with super antioxidant Idebenone.

Fitness Center

• A variety of cardio equipment with individual entertainment centers, exercise machines and free weights will be available in the fitness center. Fitness classes will include strength training and yoga, with personal trainers and yoga instructors available for individual or group instruction. A registered dietician also will be available for nutritional consultation.

Champagne Bar

• Located in the lobby of Vdara Health & Beauty, the Champagne Bar will include a thoughtful selection of champagne and wine for guests to enjoy while relaxing in the lobby or experiencing a manicure, pedicure or hair service in the salon.

Spa Boutique

• The spa boutique will carry a discerning selection of products that support the spa lifestyle including wellness books, bath and body products, skin care, cosmetics, hair care, sun care and apparel. To complement the spa treatment menu, products from Akhassa, Aveda, BeingTRUE, Chocolate Sun, Moroccanoil, Naturopathica, SpaRitual, Kerastase, Peter Thomas Roth, Red Flower and ZO Skin Health also will be available for purchase.

Spa Cabanas at Sky Pool & Lounge

• Guests also will be able to enjoy spa and salon treatments poolside at Sky Pool & Lounge, located on Vdara’s third level. Sky Pool & Lounge will boast six spa cabanas with interior seating, outdoor chaise lounges and private plunge pools. Poolside spa treatments will feature Akhassa, a line inspired by spa rituals from Thailand with properties of lemongrass, Kaffir lime, jasmine and hibiscus flower. Spa cabana rentals are available seasonally.

Vdara is an all-suite hotel and spa designed for those who love the excitement of Las Vegas but prefer to enjoy it in an exclusive, non-gaming and smoke-free environment. Solidifying CityCenter’s commitment to sustainability, Vdara has achieved LEED®† Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Designed by RV Architecture, LLC, led by Rafael Viñoly, Vdara’s distinctive crescent shape and unique skin of patterned glass will create one of the most striking design statements in the city. Physically connected to Bellagio and adjacent to ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara will offer access to all of the entertainment, gaming, shopping, dining and nightlife at CityCenter and throughout Las Vegas, while also providing a retreat from it all.

Vdara is located at CityCenter, a dazzling vertical city located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Nightly rates will range from $159 to $2,000. Reservations are available via www.vdara.com or 866-745-7767 for December 1 and beyond.

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† The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. The 'LEED Certification Mark' is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.

For More Information:
Natalie Mounier, Kirvin Doak Communications
702-737-3100; nmounier@kirvindoak.com

Data about new MGM MIRAGE CityCenter pricing and new avg. unit prices.

"Hollywood's Connection to Vegas" hangs out on the balcony of one of his high-floor, strip facing studio listings at Palms Place. Speaks in regards to the roughly $500 million worth of price reductions recently introduced by MGM MIRAGE for its massive CityCenter project.

Discusses the new avg. unit pricing for Mandarin Oriental, Veer Towers, and Vdara Condo Hotel projects. Where else does it cost as low as approx. 350k to live next door to Mandarin Oriental and above Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Tiffany?

Crystals at CityCenter achieves LEED® GOLD Certification.

PRESS RELEASE

Crystals is World’s Largest LEED® Gold Certified Retail District

LAS VEGAS – October 22, 2009 – Crystals, the retail and entertainment district at CityCenter, has achieved LEED®† Gold Core & Shell certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the world’s largest retail district to receive this level of recognition. Opening in December, CityCenter was created with a vision to introduce a new level of environmental consciousness to the world-famous Strip and has emerged as a leader in sustainable urban development. Crystals’ achievement marks the fourth LEED Gold certification for CityCenter; previous recipients included 1. ARIA Resort’s hotel tower, 2. ARIA’s convention center and theater, and 3. Vdara Hotel & Spa. CityCenter is poised to achieve a combination of LEED Gold and Silver ratings throughout its remaining hotels, residences, dining and public spaces.

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 vice president of Energy and Environmental Services. “As we celebrate Crystals’ achievement, along with the recent Gold certification of ARIA and Vdara, we’re a step closer to introducing this transformative development to Las Vegas, and welcoming our guests to an environment designed with their health and well-being in mind.”

Crystals’ sustainable highlights:

• Radiant floor cooling 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 used in Crystals are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, meaning the wood is produced from forests with sustainable management practices in place
• Annually, Crystals will save an estimated 1.8 million gallons of water within the building through efficient water fixtures. This equates to a savings of nearly 38 percent over existing building codes
• Skylights will allow for abundant natural light to illuminate the space
• Guests arriving with alternative fuel vehicles will have access to preferred parking
• More information on CityCenter’s green initiatives can be found at http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/mgm/39529/

S. Richard Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC, said, “From its intense focus on water conservation to the multiple strategies for energy efficiency, the CityCenter team has delivered several exceptional properties that qualify for the LEED Gold rating. Extreme climates challenge the most creative of project teams, and the CityCenter team has risen to the occasion and then some. We congratulate them on their significant achievement.”

Crystals’ multi-faceted exterior was designed by Studio Daniel Libeskind*; the brilliant glass canopy depicts the detailed beauty of a quartz crystal, welcoming an abundance of natural light into the three-level experiential environment. Crystals’ interior was designed by David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, creating a 21st century park that will celebrate nature and the seasons, and feature “changeable artwork” such as abstract hanging gardens, a lush flower carpet and more.

Large-format luxury retailers that will establish Crystals as a preeminent international shopping destination include Louis Vuitton, Prada, TIFFANY & CO., Ermenegildo Zegna, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Dior, Versace, Bulgari, Cartier, Hermes, Bally, Van Cleef & Arpels, Mikimoto, Emilio Pucci and ILORI. Unique-to-the-market retailers opening their first locations in Las Vegas include Tom Ford, Carolina Herrera, Miu Miu, Paul Smith, Kiton, Marni, Assouline, H. Stern, Tourbillon, Porsche Design and de Grisogono.

Visitors to Crystals also will enjoy Eva Longoria Parker’s first Las Vegas restaurant, BESO; two dynamic new dining concepts from internationally renowned master chef Wolfgang Puck; an exciting new pub concept by Todd English; and Mastro’s Ocean Club.

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.

† The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. The 'LEED Certification Mark' is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.

* As a consultant to AAI Architects, Inc.

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For More Information
Natalie Mounier, Kirvin Doak Communications; 702-737-3100; nmounier@kirvindoak.com