Mandarin Oriental joining Project CityCenter

Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | 10:46 a.m.

Mandarin Oriental will be one of the hotel operators participating in MGM Mirage's Project CityCenter, an MGM Mirage executive told a group of contractors at a meeting in Las Vegas last week.

MGM Mirage Design Group President Bill Smith said the brand will be one of possibly three 400-room hotels at CityCenter. The project, which will also include a major casino resort, retail centers and residential high-rises, will begin construction next year and open by the end of 2009 at the site of the Boardwalk casino on the Strip. Smith addressed members of the National Association of Minority Contractors during the group's annual conference at MGM Grand.

An MGM Mirage spokeswoman declined to confirm the information or comment further on potential hotel operators at CityCenter.

Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group operates more than 20 luxury hotels in 14 countries. Most of those hotels are in Asia.

Mandarin Oriental executives could not be reached for comment.