The Cosmopolitan
Encyclopedia
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a luxury resort
casino
and hotel
that broke ground in October 2005 just south of the Bellagio
on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip
and consists of two highrise towers. The resort opened on December 15, 2010. The $3.9 billion project features 2,995 rooms; a 75000 sq ft (6,967.7 m²) casino; 300000 sq ft (27,870.9 m²) of retail
and restaurant
space; a 40000 sq ft (3,716.1 m²) spa and fitness facility; a 1,800 seat theater; and 150000 sq ft (13,935.5 m²) of meeting/convention space. The resort was originally supposed to have a mix of 2,200 residential condominium-hotel units and 800 hotel rooms but plans were changed due to the effects of the late-2000s global recession.
as the design architect for the building's themed exterior. The building is engineered by DeSimone Consulting Engineers. The Interior design team includes the Friedmutter Group, The Rockwell Group, Jeffrey Beers, Adam Tihany, and Bentel & Bentel.
The resort was built on what used to be a small parking lot for a nearby midrise timeshare
building called the Jockey Club. Because the Cosmopolitan occupies much of the parking lot, it was agreed that the Club residents could use part of the Cosmopolitan's parking garage.
The project was begun by developer 3700 Associates, LLC, headed by Ian Bruce Eichner. The Cosmopolitan is the second Las Vegas hotel, after The Palazzo
, to feature an underground parking garage underneath the hotel. As a result, the parking garage was built first. In December 2007, work finished on the 70 feet (21.3 m) hole for the parking structure, while other foundation work remained in progress. The hotel was originally planned to open and be operated by Hyatt
as the Grand Hyatt Las Vegas.
Original plans called for the casino to be on the second floor, but this was later changed and the casino was built on ground level, like most other Las Vegas hotel-casinos. Planned condo units were cancelled and replaced with studios and other hotel rooms.
In January 2008, it was reported that the $3.9 billion project faced foreclosure, as Eichner's company defaulted on a $760 million construction loan from Deutsche Bank
when the developer missed a payment after failing to secure refinancing for the project. Construction moved forward as the developers searched for new financing. In late February 2008, Global Hyatt Corporation and New York-based Marathon Asset Management
agreed to recapitalize the condominium-hotel project. however, one month later the developer said Deutsche Bank AG would begin foreclosure proceedings. They bought the hotel for $1 billion during the summer and hired The Related Cos., developers of Time Warner Center
in New York, to re-position the asset, manage the development process and assist in leasing the retail and restaurant collection. Related recommended many revisions, including bringing the casino entrance onto the strip.
In June 2008, Hearst Corp filed a trademark suit against the owners of the casino. Hearst owns the trademark to Cosmopolitan
magazine. In March 2010, the suit was settled, and the resort was renamed Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
In August 2008, it was announced that MGM Mirage
, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
, Hyatt and Hilton were in talks to acquire the property. It was speculated that MGM Mirage would integrate the project into Bellagio
and CityCenter; Starwood were to establish its W and St Regis brands; and Hyatt would have continued with its plans to operate a Grand Hyatt. In April 2009, the Sun reported that the hotel would be managed by Hilton and would become the Hilton's first in their new Denizen hotel line. Later that month, however, those plans changed; Starwood sued Hilton, claiming trade-secret theft and essentially killing the Denizen brand.
In June 2009, 400 homeowners filed a lawsuit against the developers, claiming breach of contract and seeking refunds for their deposits. They believed that the projected finish date of June 2010 was unrealistic and expressed fear that the developers might turn the condo rooms into hotel rooms only or "finish the building as a shell and not do any interior work.
In April 2010, it was announced that the Cosmopolitan would open in stages, beginning in December and ending in July 2011. It was the only hotel-casino to open on the Strip in 2010. The project officially opened on December 15, 2010, and became part of Marriott International
's Autograph Collection, a collection of independent hotels with access to Marriott's enormous reservation and rewards system. Cosmopolitan is also partnered with the Ritz-Carlton
, which is Ritz's first presence on the Las Vegas Strip and their second property in the Las Vegas area.
, who will open Scarpetta, and David Myers
will open Comme Ça.
On May 2, the resort announced that José Andrés
will be joining the program with two restaurants - one based on his tapas restaurant, Jaleo. And the other, China Poblano, is a new concept combining Mexican and Chinese cuisine.
Additional restaurants include: D.O.C.G. a restaurant and wine bar by Scott Conant; Holstein's, a specialty burger restaurant. Also, STK, a steakhouse by Todd Mark Miller; along with The Henry, Va Bene Caffè, and the Wicked Spoon.
ed guest named Stephanie from a women's restroom, photographed her, and said that she would be banned for life if she didn't leave the premises. Shortly after the incident, the hotel-casino was flooded with complaints on its Facebook
page, which prompted the hotel-casino to issue an apology to the LGBT
community and to Stephanie that they would "welcome her back to the resort anytime." The incident also prompted the hotel-casino to train its staff on awareness initiatives involving the sensitive issue.
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
and hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
that broke ground in October 2005 just south of the Bellagio
Bellagio (hotel and casino)
Bellagio is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in the Paradise area of unincorporated Clark County, Nevada, USA and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. It is owned by MGM Resorts International and was built on the site of the demolished Dunes hotel and casino.Inspired by the...
on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
and consists of two highrise towers. The resort opened on December 15, 2010. The $3.9 billion project features 2,995 rooms; a 75000 sq ft (6,967.7 m²) casino; 300000 sq ft (27,870.9 m²) of retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
and restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
space; a 40000 sq ft (3,716.1 m²) spa and fitness facility; a 1,800 seat theater; and 150000 sq ft (13,935.5 m²) of meeting/convention space. The resort was originally supposed to have a mix of 2,200 residential condominium-hotel units and 800 hotel rooms but plans were changed due to the effects of the late-2000s global recession.
Amenities
Cosmopolitan in the initial plan was to have 2,200 condominium-hotel units; 800 hotel rooms; a 150000 sq ft (13,935.5 m²) casino; 300000 sq ft (27,870.9 m²) of retail and restaurant space; a 40000 sq ft (3,716.1 m²) spa and fitness facility; an 1,800 seat theater; and 150000 sq ft (13,935.5 m²) of meeting/convention space. The Cosmopolitan's 100000 sq ft (9,290.3 m²) casino features views of the Las Vegas Strip. The Pools at the Cosmopolitan features three different types: a relaxing pool, day club pool and nightclub pool.Construction
The Cosmopolitan's design team is led by Friedmutter Group as executive architect, with ArquitectonicaArquitectonica
Arquitectonica is an international architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and urban planning corporation headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, with offices in ten other cities throughout the world...
as the design architect for the building's themed exterior. The building is engineered by DeSimone Consulting Engineers. The Interior design team includes the Friedmutter Group, The Rockwell Group, Jeffrey Beers, Adam Tihany, and Bentel & Bentel.
The resort was built on what used to be a small parking lot for a nearby midrise timeshare
Timeshare
A timeshare is a form of ownership or right to the use of a property, or the term used to describe such properties. These properties are typically resort condominium units, in which multiple parties hold rights to use the property, and each sharer is allotted a period of time in which they may use...
building called the Jockey Club. Because the Cosmopolitan occupies much of the parking lot, it was agreed that the Club residents could use part of the Cosmopolitan's parking garage.
The project was begun by developer 3700 Associates, LLC, headed by Ian Bruce Eichner. The Cosmopolitan is the second Las Vegas hotel, after The Palazzo
The Palazzo
The Palazzo is a luxury hotel and casino resort situated between Wynn and The Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. It is the tallest completed building in Nevada...
, to feature an underground parking garage underneath the hotel. As a result, the parking garage was built first. In December 2007, work finished on the 70 feet (21.3 m) hole for the parking structure, while other foundation work remained in progress. The hotel was originally planned to open and be operated by Hyatt
Hyatt
Hyatt Hotels Corporation , is an international operator of hotels.Hyatt Center is the headquarters for Hyatt corporation...
as the Grand Hyatt Las Vegas.
Original plans called for the casino to be on the second floor, but this was later changed and the casino was built on ground level, like most other Las Vegas hotel-casinos. Planned condo units were cancelled and replaced with studios and other hotel rooms.
In January 2008, it was reported that the $3.9 billion project faced foreclosure, as Eichner's company defaulted on a $760 million construction loan from Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank AG is a global financial service company with its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. It employs more than 100,000 people in over 70 countries, and has a large presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the emerging markets...
when the developer missed a payment after failing to secure refinancing for the project. Construction moved forward as the developers searched for new financing. In late February 2008, Global Hyatt Corporation and New York-based Marathon Asset Management
Marathon Asset Management
Marathon Asset Management is an investment manager focused on opportunistic investing in credit and fixed income markets globally. Marathon manages a family of investment programs principally focused on credit strategies including hedge funds, managed accounts, single-client funds and...
agreed to recapitalize the condominium-hotel project. however, one month later the developer said Deutsche Bank AG would begin foreclosure proceedings. They bought the hotel for $1 billion during the summer and hired The Related Cos., developers of Time Warner Center
Time Warner Center
The Time Warner Center is a mixed-use skyscraper developed by AREA Property Partners and The Related Companies in New York City. Its design, by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, consists of two 750 ft towers bridged by a multi-story atrium containing upscale retail shops...
in New York, to re-position the asset, manage the development process and assist in leasing the retail and restaurant collection. Related recommended many revisions, including bringing the casino entrance onto the strip.
In June 2008, Hearst Corp filed a trademark suit against the owners of the casino. Hearst owns the trademark to Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan (magazine)
Cosmopolitan is an international magazine for women. It was first published in 1886 in the United States as a family magazine, was later transformed into a literary magazine and eventually became a women's magazine in the late 1960s...
magazine. In March 2010, the suit was settled, and the resort was renamed Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
In August 2008, it was announced that MGM Mirage
MGM Mirage
Not to be confused with the Las Vegas, Nevada based casino/resort operator Resorts International Holdings.MGM Resorts International is a Paradise, Nevada based corporation that brands itself as a global hospitality company. It is the second largest gaming company in the world by revenue - about...
, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is a hospitality ownership and management organization, headquartered in White Plains, New York. One of the world's largest hotel companies, it owns, operates, franchises and manages hotels, resorts, spas, residences, and vacation ownership properties...
, Hyatt and Hilton were in talks to acquire the property. It was speculated that MGM Mirage would integrate the project into Bellagio
Bellagio (hotel and casino)
Bellagio is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in the Paradise area of unincorporated Clark County, Nevada, USA and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. It is owned by MGM Resorts International and was built on the site of the demolished Dunes hotel and casino.Inspired by the...
and CityCenter; Starwood were to establish its W and St Regis brands; and Hyatt would have continued with its plans to operate a Grand Hyatt. In April 2009, the Sun reported that the hotel would be managed by Hilton and would become the Hilton's first in their new Denizen hotel line. Later that month, however, those plans changed; Starwood sued Hilton, claiming trade-secret theft and essentially killing the Denizen brand.
In June 2009, 400 homeowners filed a lawsuit against the developers, claiming breach of contract and seeking refunds for their deposits. They believed that the projected finish date of June 2010 was unrealistic and expressed fear that the developers might turn the condo rooms into hotel rooms only or "finish the building as a shell and not do any interior work.
In April 2010, it was announced that the Cosmopolitan would open in stages, beginning in December and ending in July 2011. It was the only hotel-casino to open on the Strip in 2010. The project officially opened on December 15, 2010, and became part of Marriott International
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
's Autograph Collection, a collection of independent hotels with access to Marriott's enormous reservation and rewards system. Cosmopolitan is also partnered with the Ritz-Carlton
Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton is a brand of luxury hotels and resorts with 75 properties located in major cities and resorts in 24 countries worldwide...
, which is Ritz's first presence on the Las Vegas Strip and their second property in the Las Vegas area.
Restaurants
In March 2010, the casino announced several celebrity chefs and restaurants that will open there. Some of them being, Bruce and Eric Bromberg's Blue Ribbon, Costas Spiliadis to open Estiatorio Milos, Scott ConantScott Conant
Scott Conant is an American chef, restaurateur, food personality, and cookbook author.-Personal history:Conant was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. Scott is of Italian descent on his mother's side. He began cooking at a young age, taking cooking classes at the local community college at age 11...
, who will open Scarpetta, and David Myers
David Myers (chef)
David Myers is a chef and restaurateur.Myers was born in Ohio, and originally went to college to study international business, but left to pursue a career in the restaurant industry....
will open Comme Ça.
On May 2, the resort announced that José Andrés
José Andrés
José Ramón Andrés Puerta , known as José Andrés, is a Spanish chef often credited for bringing the small plates dining concept to America...
will be joining the program with two restaurants - one based on his tapas restaurant, Jaleo. And the other, China Poblano, is a new concept combining Mexican and Chinese cuisine.
Additional restaurants include: D.O.C.G. a restaurant and wine bar by Scott Conant; Holstein's, a specialty burger restaurant. Also, STK, a steakhouse by Todd Mark Miller; along with The Henry, Va Bene Caffè, and the Wicked Spoon.
Controversy
On April 27, 2011, Cosmopolitan security staff allegedly removed a transgenderTransgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
ed guest named Stephanie from a women's restroom, photographed her, and said that she would be banned for life if she didn't leave the premises. Shortly after the incident, the hotel-casino was flooded with complaints on its Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page, which prompted the hotel-casino to issue an apology to the LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
community and to Stephanie that they would "welcome her back to the resort anytime." The incident also prompted the hotel-casino to train its staff on awareness initiatives involving the sensitive issue.