Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Cosmopolitan cuts ribbon to mark ‘beginning of a new era’

Cosmopolitan Opening Ceremony

Steve Marcus

John Unwin, second from left, CEO of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and other executives cut a ribbon during an opening ceremony at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. With Unwin, from left, are: Ronald Wackrow, executive vice president of development for Related Companies, David Rockwell, architect and designer, and Craig Shaw president and CEO of Perini Building Company.

Cosmopolitan Opening Ceremony

A view of the Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Launch slideshow »

Inside the Cosmopolitan

Get an inside look at the last resort to open on The Strip for the next few years. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas seeks to appeal to "the curious class," from a "restaurant neighborhood" with a secret pizza joint to its unprecedented number of rooms with outdoor terraces. The Cosmopolitan opens its doors Dec. 15, 2010.

Outside Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is shown at sunset from the roof of Planet Hollywood on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Launch slideshow »

Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas executives on Wednesday cut the ribbon on the $3.9 billion resort, which is set to open later in the evening.

Resort executives and partners marked the occasion in front of one of Cosmopolitan's signature spaces: the David Rockwell-designed Chandelier Bar, a three-tiered bar, dripping with more than 2 million crystals.

Cosmopolitan Chief Executive John Unwin cut the ribbon with property executives and others involved in the development of the resort, including Related Companies Vice President of Development Ron Wackrow, Perini Building Company CEO Craig Shaw, and architects Rockwell and Brad Friedmutter.

"Welcome to the beginning of a new era. Welcome to luxury redefined. We bring it to you in a way that is crafted, yet unscripted. We bring it to you in a very intimate setting, with something interesting around every corner," Unwin said.

Surrounded by some of the Cosmopolitan's 5,000 workers still prepping for the opening, Unwin thanked his employees, which he called "co-stars," for their work in preparing to unveil the resort.

"I couldn't be more excited. I couldn't be happier. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and every single one of you are treating it that way," Unwin said.

The Cosmopolitan will host an invite-only opening night party before the doors open to the public at 8 p.m. Local artist and Killers frontman Brandon Flowers will be Cosmopolitan's first major headliner when he takes the stage at 10 p.m.

"Cosmopolitan is about creating new relationships. It's about being part of a great community. Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas embraces Las Vegas, embraces each and every one of you. We just can't wait to show you around," Unwin said.

When doors open to the 2,995-room Deutsche Bank-owned resort, the public will get its first glimpse of a project that has been more than five years in the making.

Also expected to be at the opening are disgruntled condo owners who still have contracts at Cosmopolitan. When Deutsche Bank took over the Cosmopolitan, the project had more than 1,800 units under contract. Developers settled with most buyers by refunding a portion of security deposits, but some condo owners and the resort are still in the midst of a legal battle.

Two weeks after it officially opens to the public, the resort is planning a grand opening bash on New Year's Eve with a concert by musical odd couple Coldplay and Jay-Z.

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