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Tiffany Brown
Kirk Kerkorian at the annual old timers gathering at the Stardust Sept. 24, 2006.
Published Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 | 5:03 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009 | 10:43 a.m.
President and CEO of City Center Bobby Baldwin gives an interview at the grand opening of the Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.
General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Rajesh Jhingon speaks during the grand opening of the Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.
MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren speaks at the grand opening of the Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.
Violinist Vanessa Mae, in triumph, at Mandarin Oriental.
As the Taiko drummers thundered away and the costumed dragons meandered across the staging area, I had to wonder what a 92-year-old billionaire was up to.
Kirk Kerkorian was an omnipresent yet entirely unseen figure during Wow Week at CityCenter, where Vdara, Crystals and Mandarin Oriental were all opened in a dizzying three-day span. Yesterday, it was Mandarin Oriental’s turn to blow minds. The celebration featured a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony in which those Taiko drummers and dolled-up dancers shared the stage with feng shui master David Cho, the requisite assemblage of resort executives (I’m expecting Jim Murren is about tired of posing while smiling in a suit) and even Rep. Dean Heller.
Last night, it was the grand gala celebration, a fancy fete for 500 VIPs, many of whom said they’d not seen quite such a distinctive opening party ever in the city. The official report is that 400 bottles of Dom Perignon and 4,000 handmade chocolate truffles were served (and no one knows the truffles I’ve seen). The night was capped by wispy violinist Vanessa Mae and her four-piece backing band, which fired through a 30-minute symphonic/rock set capped by “The Storm” as the Strip glowed through the ballroom’s vast windows.
It was a great place to hide from the recession, even for one evening.
But how grand is CityCenter, exactly, in history-of-Las Vegas terms? It was time to ask the man who built the 4,000-room MGM Grand and helped usher in the era of mega-resort with the opening of the International in 1969. Since arriving in Las Vegas in 1962, Kerkorian has witnessed or executed the opening of every landmark resort that has shaped the city.
Famously reluctant to be interviewed, he did send a comment through a hotel spokeswoman when asked if CityCenter was the most significant project in the history of the city. His answer: ““Of all of the wonderful Las Vegas properties with which I’ve been associated, CityCenter is simply the most amazing. I’m extremely excited to see the public’s reaction and look forward to seeing how it changes Las Vegas.”
That last thought -- how it changes Las Vegas -- is what we’re all wondering, frankly. Having attended or covered all variety of “game-changing” resort openings dating to when the Stratosphere was unveiled, I believe this one is so different. Far more on the line in terms of ripple effect than when The Venetian and Bellagio swung open the doors, for example. The city is all-in now, and during conversations with several of those VIPs, the sense was to enjoy CityCenter’s parties while we can. There won’t be many like this again for a very long time.
Pass the truffles. …
About that Baldwin/Wynn tour
Crystals was a-murmur Thursday as word seeped around the retail center that CityCenter President Bobby Baldwin was leading his one-time boss Steve Wynn and Wynn’s girlfriend, Andrea Hissom, around the project.
“Steve came over to be part of the Crystals opening, and I happened to stumble into him and show him around a little bit,” Baldwin said during the daytime unveiling of the Mandarin Oriental Sky Lobby, the 23rd-floor registration area and home to the elegant Twist restaurant operated by hotshot Parisian chef Pierre Gagnaire and the chic Mandarin Bar. “It was a lot of fun, actually, a lot of fun. I hadn’t seen Steven in a long time. There’s a lot of work to be done, still, at Aria, but I think he enjoyed it. We had a good afternoon, taking about design and development, which is what he loves more than anything.”
But Wynn was not too forthcoming in his specific thoughts about that design and development.
“Steve likes to keep his powder dry,” Baldwin said. “He’s the only one who can describe what it is that he thinks. But I think overall he had a favorable impression. I think he enjoyed it. It was a real treat for both of us.”
Baldwin said Wynn is looking forward to coming to the opening of Aria on Dec. 16. “He’ll be here,” Baldwin said. “He’s even delaying his annual ski trip to Sun Valley to be part of it.” That decision should have a significant impact on the Sun Valley/Ketchum economy.
And yet more from Mandarin
Mandarin Oriental GM Rajesh Jhingon, had visited Las Vegas one time before moving his family to Las Vegas. He was in town for a quick visit to overlook the project on Dec. 5, 2007 -- two years ago to the day, by my calendar -- before moving here from Singapore for the resort opening. He and his wife, Monique, have two sons; Aryaan, 10, and Rahul, 7. … From Heller, taking the stage at the ribbon-cutting ceremony: “This is a stimulus package I can support!” Give that man a couple of showgirls, eh? … Perks from valet: Why leave one cold bottle of water in your car when you can provide two? And when it is cold, have a cup of thick, rich hot chocolate. … The coasters at Mandarin Bar come in four designs. Put them together, and they form the image of a dragon. … Something about hotel presidents visiting new resorts: They always look at stuff I’m not looking at. I’m checking out that big ovular bathtub, he’s got his face two inches from the door trimming. I should've asked our tour guide, "What sort of caulk is used in here?" … Smith Center for the Performing Arts exec Myron Martin said the concept of PAC serving as the permanent home to Las Vegas Art Museum would not be out of the question, when LVAM is again financially viable. … The entrance to Mandarin Oriental has confused some guests, or at least two, including this one: It’s on CityCenter Drive, just south of the entrance to Vdara and Aria. Don’t drive into Aria and expect to be entering directly to Mandarin Oriental. … Parting shot from Larry Ruvo, giving a sort of Knute Rockne pep talk to a few friends at Mandarin Bar: “You won’t find anything like this anywhere in the world but Las Vegas” is how I heard it. We’ll tip a soda to that.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.
From what I've read about Kerkorian he's notoriously publicity & camera shy, and allegedly very humble and private as well. The first thing I thought when I saw that pic was "Wow, he's a spry devil for 92, good for him"....but it's a pic that's more than 3 years old, no?
The man is an enigma. "he did send a comment through a hotel spokeswoman"....See? He's always a mystery!
Poor Kirk, got conned by Murren, and has to put on a positive front. Behind the scenes, i'm sure he ain't happy..
Kirk has always been 'da man' ...... still living and now has seen the day upon this unheard of mega project that is mainly completed and open for business.
'Kirk's Town' has a better ring to it versus CityCenter.
I would rather go stay at the new Ritz Carlton in Tahoe, simply gorgeous, and amazing views. Plus sking in the winter. You can't go wrong.
All the Ritz hotels are amazing and they fit the area they are built in. Unlike this huge silver elephant.........
The photo was among many portraits taken at the annual Old-Timers Dinner in 2006. It's rare in that Kerkorian stood and posed for the shot.
Kirk is probably fit to be tied that he was talked into this monstrocity.He wants out of this deal.Selling his stock if it ever goes up.As for Steve Wynn,he'll benefit because whatever high players that he doesn't already have,(he has most of them anyway)he'll end up with.Bigger is not necessarily better.When the dust clears,Wynn wins!
At 92 Kirk is proably not that worried about his investment. He must be thrilled to see it open, and with good health will see it make the nay sayers shut up. City center will prevail as the greatest development ever to be built in Nevada. It will attract big money, weathy customers who want to shop, eat, relax, not gamble gamble gamble. So there is no $8.99 buffet for the masses. Was not built for the masses. Enjoy the vist, have a tea, relax and feel like a millionaire.
Petef is absolutely correct. It will be and is very pretty, but the average tourist will walk around, ooooooo and ahhhhhhhhhh, take pictures and maybe, buy a little souvenir BUT then they will go elsewhere to eat, sleep and enjoy less expensive entertainment.
The residents will do the same except they will go HOME, cook something to eat and watch TV or go to the movies. For those of us that live here, we don't normally frequent the strip. I'll visit CC when all the tourists return to their homes. I'm not being negative, just the way I'm living these days...
This already is the biggest disaster in las vegas history--spending 8.5 billion in a near depression and nearly bankrupting a solid company. Im glad I didn't own the stock before this year---90 down to 1.81. There are not enough players to go around now, this just slices the pie that much thinner. Should be busy for a few months, and then like the encore and palazzo--the sound of silene. boyd did the right thing stopping construction and mgm should have never build this thing---they will spin it like crazy now like it's great but all the lipstick in the wolrd ain't gonna make this pig look good.
One thing they could do is to put in a monorail or subway that connects City Center to the rest of Las Vegas. With this you turn some of the failed ideas for resorts into a business center, where companies can rent large spaces. Then you truly have a "City Center".
I thought the Klondike casino was the most amazing project ever built. I was amazed they even built it and opened it.
enviormprotector,
A subway would be impossible with the very hard stone layer directly under the city. The monorail was basically shot down by the cab companies and was cut off at the knee when it wasn't connected to the airport immediately.
That Klondike Casino on Las Vegas Blvd. South was a lot of fun wasn't it?
Klondike on Las Vegas Boulevard South was a good place to find Bob Stupak.
petef,
after reading your other posts,I find you to sound quite jealous with your drivel.Construction workers having no savings,bragging about their income,state better off without them,and now your comment above about just hanging out,and enjoying the view
you sound like a poser,but then again,most are in this town
peace out
enviro, yes it was and so was Vacation Village.
I wonder how the cab companies can tell MGM that they can't put in a monorail?
Its so amazing that we should use public funds to bus in all of the saggers, taggers, and welfare moms from California to enjoy it in person. Afterall, this project was really funded with money that should have been redistributed to them.
Mr. Kirk Kerkorian, , , we take our hats off to you Sir.
Now... to all the the jealous, negative and ignorant comments....
You just can't recognize class until it bites you in the ass.
HA..
Now that's entertainment!
Is the Klondike still in business?
True,Mr Kerkorian is a class act. Looks good for 89 years old,too.
Will Kirk be at the opening of Aria? I will be, but staying at Monte Carlo next door. Round Trip airfare from NYC and three nights at Monte Carlo all for the bargain basement price of $332.92 (all taxes and fees included)! I can experience City Center, but sleep at an adjacent reputable hotel. Not bad...right?
My Heavens! Only 500 VIPS that was the number that attended the grand opening of FLOWER DRUM SONG at the Thunderbird Hotel-Casino.
Shall we dance, shall we dance and will you be my partner or must we say good-night to David Rockefeller. Yes, you must say good-night to David because he is a very sweet person and doesn't give a good cigar about his wealth.
flapsychdoc, no the Klondike is not in business no more. It was torn down a couple of years ago.
400 bottles of DP for 500 people? Sounds like a hell of a party. 4000 truffles for 500 people?
The Klondike is still open on Sunset Blvd, close to Boulder Highway.
"behind the scenes" Kirk Kerkorian is likely thanking Jim Murren and the other people at MGM Mirage for keeping the company from going bankrupt - and in the process keeping Kirk's investment in the shares from going to zero.
Duh ! What would you expect him to say?
Las Vegas " Titanic "
i heard the cabinet in the room are made from china and they are piece of s***
"The most amazing vegas project ever." This from a man that is old enough to remeber the opening of the Hoover Dam. A 50 million dollar project (under 1 Billion adjusted for inflation) completed during a peiod of tough economic times. There would be no Vegas without the Dam, but the city wouldn't have missed a beat if City Center was never built.
Has anyone ever considered that Kerkorian is just playing a Howard Hughes-esque prank on all of us? Sending statements 'through his people' and the such. When was he last seen in public, really? Of is Murren really the one doing all the talking?
I think (from what I've read on Vegas history, him and the likes of Binion & Wynn) that Mr. Kerkorian is the most humble and classy of the bunch. Very low key and humble too. As much as I dig Steve Wynn's business prowess that can't always be said about him. Long live the King!