On the Las Vegas Strip, !melk, a landscape architecture firm based in New York City, designed the hardscapes for a $500 million renovation near the New York-New York and Monte Carlo resorts, and extending down Las Vegas Blvd. The new pedestrian realm adds plazas and walkways with eateries and retail outlets, a new public park, a 20,000 seat arena, LED lighted shade structures, native and adaptive desert plants, and 500,000 square feet of paving.

In 2012, MGM Resorts International launched a $500 million renovation project on Las Vegas Boulevard that is completely changing the pedestrian realm for the City. Plans include new Strip side experiences at the New York-New York & Monte Carlo resorts along with a public park leading to a new 20,000-seat arena. Exterior renovations in front of the two resorts, along with plazas and walkways, have recently been completed. The plazas feature casual bars, eateries and retail outlets. The park is currently under construction and will be the first public park in history along the Las Vegas Strip. It will feature open green space along with dining pavilions and performance venues.

The hardscape elements were designed by !melk, a landscape architecture firm based in New York City. The total paving area is estimated at 500,000 square feet with an intricate design of marble and granite pavers supplied by Classic Stone and installed by Superior Tile & Stone. Richly textured marble cobbles were used for the hotel entrances and exterior surroundings and exhibit unique mosaic patterns in a spectrum of earth-tone desert colors. The pedestrian walkways were designed using marble bricks and are distinguished by a running bond pattern. The stair treads, risers and wall caps were finished with granite in a flamed finish to make them slip-resistant. The light colored stones complement the desert surroundings and maintain a high solar reflectance index to help retain less heat. Custom benches cut from large blocks of metaquartzite stone double as planters. The array of stones and patterns add visual interest and topographical variety to small spaces throughout the streetscape.

Planters made of stacked stone cut from blocks of metaquartzite double as benches. Native and desert adaptive species of plants, including drought-resistant mesquite trees, agaves, and Mexican bush sage, were selected for the plantings. The granite stair treads have a flamed finish, helping make them slip-resistant. The variety of stones and patterns throughout the design were chosen to add visual interest and topography to the pedestrian area.

The sand-set paver installation proved complex due to the detailed patterns and quantity of stone that needed to be installed each week in order to maintain schedule. With exceptional project management, timely material supply and highly experienced and efficient masons, the team was able to install nearly 2,000 square feet of pavers each day, meeting project production and installation deadlines.

Native and desert adaptive species of plants and trees were specified throughout the project. Mesquite trees, agaves and Mexican bush sage are drought-resistant and will thrive in the dry, hot Vegas climate. A series of tulip-like shade structures are scattered throughout the development. The 60' tall structures will provide ample shade during the day and will emit LED sequences at night. Integrated low lighting was designed to allow the streetscape to function at night without competing with the signage and attractions of the casinos and hotels. The soft lighting creates a magical ambiance at night for strolling pedestrians and outdoor dining venues.

The pedestrian walkways were designed with marble bricks, and are distinguished by a running bond pattern. The light color of pavers throughout the project was selected because of their high SRI, or solar reflectance index. With a lighter color, less heat is retained and the streetscape is kept cool. The pavers were installed with a sand-set installation: job-built edge restraints were placed first, followed by a base aggregate course with a minimum thickness of 9", then setting bed of sand and cement, followed by the pavers with a minimum of 5mm spacing. Sand was used to fill in the joints.

The arena and the park are scheduled to open in 2016. The project is aspiring to achieve LEED Gold certification from the USGBC. MGM Resorts Park & Arena project is one of the largest privately funded public space construction projects in the United States.

 



Project Team
Developer: MGM Resorts International
Master Planner: !melk and Cooper, Robertson & Partners
Landscape Architect: !melk
Architect of Record: Marnell Architecture
General Contractor: Shaw Lindquist and Penta Construction
Stone Installer: Superior Tile & Stone
Stone Supplier: Classic Stone
Project: The Park
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Total Project Area: 32 acres (completed in phases)
Total Paving Area: 500,000 sqft (Phase 1: 125,000 sq. ft.)