The Aria Resort & Casino opened its doors on December 16, 2009, as the crown jewel of MGM Resorts International’s $8.5 billion CityCenter project, a 67-acre urban complex that redefined the Las Vegas Strip at 3730 S Las Vegas Boulevard in Paradise, Nevada. Conceived as a futuristic retreat by architects Pelli Clarke Pelli, its twin 51-story towers—curved glass monoliths soaring 600 feet—house 4,004 rooms, making it one of the largest hotels in the world by room count. At its heart lies a 150,000-square-foot casino, a tech-savvy expanse with 1,800 slot machines and 145 table games—blackjack, roulette, baccarat—ushering in a new era of gaming sophistication. Launched amid the Great Recession, Aria defied economic gloom, drawing 4 million visitors in its first year with a $40 million art collection and a lobby crowned by Maya Lin’s Silver River, a 90-foot silver cast of the Colorado River. Today, it generates $1.3 billion annually, its 16 million square feet hosting 8 million guests—25% international—and cementing its status as a legendary casino in the Americas. Backed by Dubai World’s $4 billion co-investment, Aria blends cutting-edge design with Vegas excess, a testament to ambition rising from desert sands.
Aria’s appeal transcends gaming, weaving luxury, innovation, and sustainability into a resort that feels both futuristic and timeless. Its 16 restaurants, from Carbone’s Italian elegance to Javier’s Cantina flair, serve 5 million meals yearly, while 80,000 square feet of retail—Prada to Rolex—net $100 million. The 1,800-seat Aria Theater, home to rotating residencies like Lady Gaga’s Enigma (2018-2022), pulls 600,000 fans annually, and four pools across 11 acres draw 1.5 million swimmers. Employing 8,000, it pumps $450 million in wages into Nevada, its $300 million in taxes bolstering Clark County. The 2015 Sky Suites expansion, a $100 million VIP upgrade, and 2023’s integration with MGM Rewards boosted occupancy to 90%—$250-$500 nightly rates—while 2024’s F1 Grand Prix tie-in added $25 million in event revenue. Once dubbed “Vegas’s tech experiment” for its smart-room controls and LEED Gold certification, Aria thrives under CEO Bill Hornbuckle’s vision, its $1.3 billion haul a beacon of the Americas’ casino evolution. For a global audience, it’s a sleek symphony of steel, glass, and stakes, redefining what a casino can be.
The Pillars of Aria’s Legendary Status
Aria’s prominence as a legendary casino rests on a foundation of architectural brilliance, technological innovation, and diverse offerings. Here are the key elements that define its stature:
- Architectural Mastery: Twin 51-story towers with 4,004 rooms, designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli, feature curved glass and steel, a $8.5 billion centerpiece of CityCenter’s 67 acres.
- Gaming Innovation: A 150,000-square-foot casino with 1,800 slots—some with $1 million jackpots—and 145 tables, plus a Race & Sports Book betting $60 million yearly.
- Culinary Excellence: Sixteen eateries, including Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon (closed 2020) and Carbone, serve 5 million meals, netting $180 million annually.
- Entertainment Prowess: The Aria Theater’s 1,800 seats host 600,000 fans yearly—Gaga to Cirque du Soleil—while Crystals’ events add $20 million.
- Tech Forward: Smart-room tech—auto blinds, temp controls—and LEED Gold status, with 30% energy savings, set a sustainability benchmark.
These pillars fuel Aria’s allure. The casino floor, a 150,000-square-foot marvel, sees 70,000 bets daily—slots at 65% of play—while the 2010 debut’s $40 million art haul, from Lin to Henry Moore, drew 1 million gawkers yearly. The 2021 casino refresh added 200 slots—$15 million more—lifting revenue to $500 million; Carbone’s 1 million diners and Javier’s $20 million haul shine. The theater’s $50 million in tickets and pools’ $25 million in cabanas keep it buzzing, a tech-driven titan in the Americas’ gambling pantheon.
The Aria Resort & Casino by the Numbers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | December 16, 2009 |
| Casino Floor Size | 150,000 square feet |
| Total Rooms | 4,004 across two towers |
| Annual Revenue | $1.3 billion |
| Slot Machines | 1,800+ |
| Table Games | 145 |
| Restaurants | 16 |
| Annual Visitors | 8 million |
| Construction Cost | $8.5 billion (CityCenter total) |
Aria’s Journey and Lasting Impact
Aria’s story began in 2004, when MGM Resorts, eyeing a bold leap beyond its Mirage and Bellagio successes, partnered with Dubai World to launch CityCenter, a $8.5 billion bet on Las Vegas’s future. Ground broke April 19, 2006, on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo, with Pelli Clarke Pelli crafting twin towers—51 stories, 18 million square feet—using 16,000 tons of steel and 500,000 square feet of glass. The 2008 recession hit hard—costs ballooned from $4 billion, Dubai World bailed out MGM with $4 billion—and opening day, December 16, 2009, drew 10,000 despite a $100 million loss in year one. By 2013, under Jim Murren’s helm, it turned $200 million profit; 2015’s $100 million Sky Suites added 400 luxury keys—$1,500 nightly—pushing capacity to 4,004. The 2020 COVID dip cut revenue 55%, but 2021’s rebound hit 90% occupancy—$250-$500 rooms—while 2023’s MGM Rewards integration boosted loyalty play 25%. Today, 8 million visitors—25% overseas—spend $800 million on gaming, $500 million on extras, a $1.3 billion juggernaut.
Aria’s influence reshaped the Strip and beyond. Its 150,000-square-foot casino, elevated above street level, inspired Cosmopolitan and Resorts World to rethink layouts; slots and tables churn $500 million—65% from 1,800 machines—while the Sports Book’s $60 million in bets, peaking at $6 million for Super Bowl 2024, set trends. Dining’s 16 venues serve 5 million meals—Carbone’s $30 million, Din Tai Fung’s 1 million dumplings—outpacing peers; the theater’s 600,000 fans—$50 million in tickets—echo from Gaga’s 2018-2022 run to 2024’s rotating acts. Retail’s 80,000 square feet net $100 million—2 million shoppers—while pools and spa (51 rooms, $25 million) draw 1.5 million. Jobs—8,000 strong—fuel $450 million in wages, $300 million in taxes for Nevada, rippling to Sun City’s sprawl and Crown’s luxe. The 2024 F1 Grand Prix, with $25 million in suites and parties, went global.
Aria adapts with precision. The 2021 $50 million casino tweak—200 slots, new poker tables—lifted play 15%; 2022’s Carbone debut added $10 million in dining. The 2023 pool refresh—11 acres, four vibes—drew 1.5 million swimmers, $25 million in cabanas; the spa’s $25 million pampers 50,000 at $200 a session. Sustainability shines—LEED Gold since 2010, 30% energy cut, 75 million gallons saved—yet excess thrives: $5 million in caviar, 15,000 daily meals. Here’s Aria’s tech edge:
- Smart Rooms: Auto blinds, climate control, in-room tablets.
- Energy Savings: 30% less power than peers, 6 megawatts solar.
- Guest Tracking: RFID chips, loyalty data boost play 20%.
- Digital Slots: 50% of 1,800 machines upgraded by 2024.
The journey continues. The 2015 Sky Suites—400 rooms, $100 million—catered to VIPs; 2020’s $20 million theater redo kept acts fresh—600,000 fans yearly. The 2022 slot upgrade—$10 million—added 200 machines; 2023’s LED retrofit cut energy 10%, saving $5 million. The Sports Book’s $60 million bets—$6 million on F1 2024—grow; 2025’s $50 million tower refresh eyes 90% occupancy—8 million visitors, $1.3 billion revenue—a tech-driven dynasty.
The Aria Resort & Casino stands as a titan in “Legendary Casinos of the Americas and Beyond,” its $8.5 billion birth in 2009 forging a legacy of innovation across 4,004 rooms, 8 million visitors, and $1.3 billion yearly. From a recession-era gamble to a Strip icon—$800 million in gaming, $300 million in taxes—it melds tech, luxury, and Vegas flair, a beacon of the Americas’ casino evolution. Its glass towers gleam, a futuristic hymn to ambition that resonates worldwide.