I just got an email press release from MGM Mirage with some new details about Project CityCenter’s residential component. First, there is a “residential gallery” open at Bellagio, which I think has been open for a while now (it was there about a month ago, at least). Second, there are details–and names–for all of the residences in the project. From MGM Mirage PR:

CITYCENTER’S RESIDENTIAL OFFERINGS

Veer Towers

Designed by architect Helmut Jahn, Veer Towers will rise from CityCenter’s retail and entertainment district giving residents unprecedented access to the best of stylish city living. Distinctively designed as two glass towers leaning in opposite directions, Veer Towers represent a truly innovative architectural accomplishment. The 37-story towers will each house more than 350 modern condominium residences ranging from 500 to 2,600 square feet and available in studio, one-and-two-bedroom flats and penthouses. Atop each striking tower, residents and guests will enjoy an amenities floor featuring unparalleled view of Las Vegas complemented by an “infinity edge” pool, fitness center, spa, cabanas and a patio for outdoor entertaining. Steps away, residents can partake in upscale dining, lavish shopping, exhilarating nightlife and entertainment that only Las Vegas can deliver.

Vdara Condo Hotel

Vdara Condo Hotel will be the complex’s sole condo hotel and deliver the ideal balance of access and escape. Designed by RV Architecture LLC, the 50-story ebony tower will feature understated interior designs to complement its open floor plans and spacious windows with spectacular views of the city. Located between Bellagio and CityCenter’s gaming resort, Vdara’s tower will host approximately 1,543 residential units including studios, deluxe studios, one-bedroom suites and one- and two-bedroom multi-level penthouse suites, ranging from 500 to 1,850 square feet. Amenities and services for residents and guests will include a luxurious spa and salon, pool with cabanas for added privacy, a fitness center, a destination restaurant, 24-hour concierge service, state of the art conference and meetings facilities, in-room dining, housekeeping and valet parking. Residents also will have the option to rent out their units on a nightly basis unlike a traditional condominium.

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental will mix the prestige of an internationally renowned resort brand, unparalleled amenities and striking architectural design with a world-class hotel and residential experience. Designed by KPF Architects, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental will feature approximately 227 condominium residences situated on the upper floors of the 400-room hotel tower, with a private owner’s lobby and clubroom. Residences will be available in one-and-two-bedroom plans, or two-and-three-bedroom penthouses ranging from 1,000 to 4,100 square feet.

The Harmon Hotel & Residences

Designed by Foster and Partners and operated by visionary Andrew Sasson’s The Light Group, The Harmon Hotel & Residences will define hip, exclusive living on the Strip and offer the highest standard of service and luxurious amenities for guests and residents. Each room will be unique and offer stylish and fashionable design elements. The hotel’s pool deck will be perched 100 feet above the Strip providing full views of world’s most dynamic street below. Residents will have full access to all hotel amenities including a private lounge in the lobby, dining, the hippest retail offerings in Las Vegas, the luxurious spa (with in-room services available), pool deck, valet parking, in-room dining, housekeeping and much more. The Harmon’s elegant tower will boast 400 hotel rooms and approximately 228 condominium residences from 800 to 4,200 square feet available as one-and-two-bedroom flats and penthouses. The Harmon Residences will be released for sale in mid-2007.

THE COMMUNITY

Residents and guests to CityCenter will enjoy the urban community’s gaming resort and retail district. Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli, the iconic 60-story, 4,000-room hotel/casino will become the focal point of the Las Vegas skyline. At the heart of CityCenter, the retail and entertainment district by Studio Daniel Libeskind will feature high-end retailers, fashionable clubs, gourmet restaurants, galleries and more under a crystalline canopy of unprecedented brilliance. For the interior architecture, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group will create an experiential environment to complement the overall city scene.

To inquire about residential opportunities at CityCenter, which is scheduled to open in late 2009, please call (702) 590-5999, or toll-free (866) 708-7111. CityCenter’s Residential Sales Pavilion will open in January 2007.

That’s a total of 2,698 residential units, including the condo hotel. I really like the name “Veer Towers,” because the towers do look like they are veering. I don’t know what a Vdara is, but it should be a nice place to live. Actually, it looks like a screen name. Maybe it’ll start a trend, and we’ll start getting high-end residential towers with names like ‘vgsdude77″ and “qtgrrl474.” As long as there’s no “maf54,” people should be fine with it.

And the infinity edge pools on top of the Veer Towers should be really, really neat.

As of today, the South Coast has become the South Point. From the LVRJ:

The corporate gaming world didn’t suit Michael Gaughan’s tastes.

But this morning, he gets to be his own boss again.

Gaughan, who built Coast Resorts into a locals’ casino giant before selling the business to Boyd Gaming Corp. for $1.3 billion two years ago, takes over as sole owner and operator of the 10-month-old South Coast. In July, Boyd agreed to trade Gaughan the property in exchange for his stock in the company, valued at $512 million.

The casino is getting a new name — Michael Gaughan’s South Point — and a slight makeover. Signs will change gradually, but new gaming chips and other casino equipment, advertising and the Web site already bear the new name.

The 63-year-old Gaughan said he was never comfortable in the corporate environment, although he remains close with Boyd Gaming Chairman Bill Boyd. The chance to run his own “joint” has given the gaming industry pioneer a passion similar to one he felt in 1979 when he opened his first casino, the Barbary Coast.

“I’m having a good time. I’ve got a little bit of a spring back in my step,” said Gaughan, who resigned his position as a director of Boyd Gaming in the transaction.

He also agreed to give up control of the Coast Casinos brand, which included the Barbary Coast, Gold Coast, Orleans and Suncoast. Boyd Gaming has since agreed to trade the Barbary Coast to Harrah’s Entertainment in a Strip land swap.

“This is actually tougher than opening up a new place,” Gaughan said. “You have to empty out all the slots, change out all the chips and take down all the stuff while keeping it open.”

Most of the modifications happened early this morning, beginning shortly after midnight.

The South Point’s 2,200 employees became Gaughan’s workers upon the transfer. He said he asked Boyd for permission to take about 70 key corporate employees with him.
…
When he decided to cut his ties with Boyd Gaming, Gaughan had to give South Coast a new name.

He wanted to keep “South” in his casino’s title and toyed with “South Strip.” But he didn’t think that name would work if he ever decided to take the brand elsewhere.

Going from “Coast” to “Point” seemed like the easiest solution, he said.

“Five letters; that’s the cheapest way to change out those big signs,” Gaughan said, adding that his name will only appear in the property’s advertising and not its exterior signs.
reviewjournal.com — Business – MAKING A POINT

Gaughan’s been successful with virtually everything else he’s done, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if he really turns the erstwhile Coast around. With all the new construction down there, I’ve got to think that in a few years it will be a real live spot.

In other news, I wasn’t tabbed for jury duty–this time. I’m supposed to wait for another summons, and then go through the reporting/not reporting lottery again. Fun stuff.