Aria Resort & Casino
Aria Resort and Casino is a luxury resort and the flagship property of the CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, owned by The Blackstone Group and operated by MGM Resorts International. Opened in December 2009, Aria was conceived as part of a $9 billion mixed-use development that transformed a former golf course into the largest private construction project in United States history. The resort’s 61-story glass tower and emphasis on sustainable technology marked a conscious departure from the themed mega-resorts of the 1990s, positioning Aria as a benchmark for 21st-century luxury hospitality on the Strip.
At a glance
- Type
- Luxury casino hotel resort
- Period
- Opened December 16, 2009
- Style
- Contemporary high-rise; designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners
- Location
- CityCenter, Las Vegas Strip, Paradise, Nevada, United States
- Coordinates
- 36.1078° N, 115.1769° W
- Owner / Operator
- The Blackstone Group / MGM Resorts International
- Casino floor
- 150,000 sq ft (13,935 m²)
- Rooms
- 4,004 hotel rooms and suites in a 61-story tower
Overview
Aria stands as the centrepiece of CityCenter, a vast urban mixed-use complex developed jointly by MGM Resorts International and Infinity World Development Corp between 2006 and 2009. The property’s curved glass tower was designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners and rises 61 stories above the Strip, integrating a casino, multiple Forbes Travel Guide five-star restaurants, a full-service spa, and an art programme featuring large-scale commissions from Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, and other contemporary artists. Aria received LEED Gold certification at opening, making it one of the largest LEED-certified buildings in the world at that time.
History
CityCenter was announced by MGM Mirage in 2004 and broke ground in 2006, replacing the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino on a 76-acre site mid-Strip. The $9 billion development faced financial strain during the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, requiring a $224 million capital injection from Dubai World, which took a 50 percent share. Aria opened on December 16, 2009, alongside the residential Vdara hotel and the Crystals retail and entertainment district. MGM Resorts International later bought out its partner’s stake, and The Blackstone Group subsequently acquired the real-estate assets.
What you see
The exterior presents a sweeping curved glass facade that catches light differently at each hour, distinguishing it from the older neon-and-marquee aesthetic of legacy Strip properties. The lobby is a voluminous atrium of natural light and commissioned artwork, setting a gallery-like tone throughout the resort. The casino floor offers table games and electronic gaming in a polished environment with high ceilings and natural ventilation unusual for a casino space. Multiple celebrity-chef dining venues and a 215,000 sq ft spa and fitness centre complete the offering.
Cultural significance
Aria and the CityCenter complex represent the high-water mark of the urban-resort model that sought to bring dense, walkable mixed-use development to a city long defined by suburban sprawl. Its LEED certification and integrated art programme signalled a broader industry shift toward sustainability and cultural credibility as competitive differentiators. The project’s scale and ambition — completed through the worst financial crisis in decades — made it a defining case study in large-scale hospitality development.
Practical information
- Address
- 3730 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89158, United States
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; restaurant and spa hours vary
- Website
- Check official website for current rates and dining reservations
Getting there
Aria is located mid-Strip at the CityCenter complex, with a dedicated entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard South. The Las Vegas Monorail stops at the adjacent Bally’s/Paris station, a short walk north; the Deuce RTC bus serves the Strip stop directly outside. Free trams connect Aria to the Bellagio and Park MGM. Harry Reid International Airport is approximately 3 miles (5 km) south-east, about 10 minutes by taxi or rideshare.