August 10, 2009
Las Vegas CityCenter Among World’s Biggest Sustainable Developments
Energy efficient features at the Las Vegas CityCenter, which is touting itself as one the world’s largest sustainable real estate developments, should save the equivalent of energy used at 7,700 homes compared to standard Las Vegas developments, reports Fast Company. Based on the number of sustainable measures implemented throughout all stages of the project, the MGM Mirage and Infinity World Development Corp. venture is seeking LEED Silver or Gold certification.
The $8.5 billion, 18-million-square-foot sustainable development will feature a gaming resort, multiple non-gaming luxury hotels, residential luxury buildings, and a retail and entertainment district. Eco-friendly measures implemented throughout the project include water fixtures that save up to 39 percent of water indoors and 60 percent outdoors, the first fleet of compressed natural gas-powered limousines, an 8.5-megawatt cogeneration plant to provide 10 percent of its electricity, and energy-efficient HVAC, lighting and room controls, according to Fast Company.
Other sustainable features include hotel rooms with features that allow guests to “green their stay,” slot machine bases that serve as air-conditioning units to save energy, and a large-scale recycling operation that enabled the recycling or reuse of more than 230,000 tons of construction waste, according to the Real Estate Channel.
In addition, construction of the CityCenter has introduced more than 10,000 construction workers to green building techniques that can be implemented at other building developments in Las Vegas and across the nation, reports the real estate Web site.
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Reader Comments
I think all you are doing is great. Are you using geothermal technology for your AC units? You can get a tax credit for them up to 30% and their energy savings are up to 50% or more!
Michele | August 12th, 2009
It’s really hard to imagine Las Vegas being eco-friendly ha ha. I guess anything is possible. I love the part about saving as much as 7,700 houses would use. That is just mind boggling! Little changes make a HUGE difference. Thanks for sharing this.
monson | August 21st, 2009
I think the best part is that this job has “introduced more than 10,000 construction workers to green building techniques that can be implemented at other building developments”. What a great teaching tool.
Ned | August 24th, 2009
It is questionable why the USGBC would LEED certify this project when smoking will be allowed throughout the project…in the casino, in hotel/condo units, nightclubs, etc. Basically everywhere.
Smokers do not stop at LEED certified sections of projects as there is zero enforcement.
The Palazzo Resort Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, which also allows smoking everywhere, is also LEED certified.
It is not acceptable to violate LEED Indoor Air Quality requirements thus exposing the employees and the public to contaminated air.
There is nothing “green” about the “grey” in secondhand smoke, a cancer-causing substance.
Stephanie | September 16th, 2009
I just returned from Vegas and saw the development, which is still under construction. While MGM is making a great stride forward, Vegas has a lot of work to do. I covered the sustainable (or lack thereof) efforts in my latest blog posts:
http://blog.mapawatt.com/2009/09/20/las-vegas-consumption/
Chris Kaiser | September 21st, 2009