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How many shopping centers have a casino resort as an anchor? And yet, not only will the presence of one such at Green Valley Ranch Hotel and Casino draw people to The Shops at Green Valley Ranch, it has determined the project's overall architecture theme.
Lifestyle center inherits casino as anchor
Nov 19, 2004(Date Posted)
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The Main Street-themed architecture brings touches of New York City to the desert, with SoHo-style loft residences, wrought-iron balconies and gas street lamps.
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How many shopping centers have a casino resort as an anchor? And yet, not only will the presence of one such at Green Valley Ranch Hotel and Casino draw people to The Shops at Green Valley Ranch, it has determined the project's overall architecture theme.
"We are using the casino to anchor the lifestyle center, though the scale is a bit different," says Howard Perlman, president of Perlman Architects, the project's Las Vegas-based designer. The 410,000-square-foot lifestyle and office center is located on a 30-acre site at the Green Valley and Paseo Verde parkways in Henderson, Nev., about 15 miles southeast of Las Vegas. The center will serve as a downtown for the 160-acre Green Valley master-planned community, which is being built by The American Nevada Co.
The Mediterranean-themed casino recalls the grand casinos of Europe. But the resort was built with a side entrance that didn't go anywhere. Now the door will lead to the lifestyle center, which will serve as a "centerpiece for the community," Perlman said.
The $44 million project includes 190,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and 140,000 square feet of luxury apartments, with the rest of the space devoted to offices in an outparcel and over one of the seven buildings in the complex.
The Main Street-themed architecture features upscale shops, restaurants and two-level SoHo-style loft residences. The three buildings on the north side of the the street are topped with apartments, which are themselves built beneath two-level lofts, all with a view of the Strip. There will also be a fitness room, a library and a spa.
"It will be a New York-type of feel, which out here is really cool," Perlman said.
The south side of the street is pure single-level retail, set on a higher grade to complement the rest of the project.
An underground parking structure with 150 spaces will provide secure access to the residential; surface parking will accommodate an additional 1,300 cars. Parking will also be available on the main street, increasing the urban look. The materials, too - brick, dark earth tones, stone detailing and tile roofs - say "city."
The lush landscaping will contribute to a sophisticated yet comfortable shopping and dining experience. But that in itself is a feat in a desert setting.
"One of the challenges of Las Vegas is that stuff doesn't grow here," Perlman said. "But we have lots of green."
Working with Denver-based landscape architect Design Workshop, the company selected palm trees and other plants. There are also intricately designed wrought-iron balconies, a fountain and gas streetlamps. Banners, bicycle racks and kiosks will enhance the downtown feel. A sculpture in the middle of the main thoroughfare will add an attractive central feature and help slow traffic on the principal Street.
Perhaps the greatest challenge was merging four uses into a relatively small space. Simple logistics, such as trash removal, had to be coordinated and lighting carefully calculated to best show off the retail while not disturbing the residents.
"It was an exercise in making it work," Perlman said. "But this is the talk of the town."
Construction began last April and will be partially completed this month. Full completion is set for June.
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