The Park Opens in Las Vegas

by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Mon April 4, 2016

PHOTO: Water wall at The Park Las Vegas. (courtesy MGM Resorts International)

MGM Resorts International has opened its new entertainment hub, The Park Las Vegas, between the New York-New York and Monte Carlo resorts. The space is designed to be a social gathering place and offers culinary options, art installations and a brand-new entertainment space for both visitors and locals who can stroll through a place inspired by plazas, promenades and squares from around the world.

At the heart of The Park is the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena, which is scheduled to open on April 6.

At today's opening, MGM Resorts' chairman and CEO Jim Murren was joined by Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, Clark County commissioner Mary Beth Scow and Southern Nevada Water Authority general manager John Entsminger. Entsminger presented The Park with the Authority's prestigious 2016 Water Hero Award, recognizing its dedication to water conservation and devotion to saving millions of gallons of water annually.

On the opening of the park, Murren said in a statement: "Our vision for The Park was to create a new kind of experience for Las Vegas that would speak to the desires of today's travelers. Within this beautiful outdoor setting, guests have opportunities to explore and discover. Whether it be to enjoy the beauty of desert landscaping, take a photo to share with friends of an important art installation, to enjoy cocktails and a bite to eat on a patio before an event at T-Mobile Arena, or simply to enjoy a quiet moment outside, The Park is designed to offer something for everyone. "

Inside The Park, visitors will find creative social spaces, towering shade structures outside, patio-style seating, and unique water features. Water walls stretch for more than 100 feet along the entrance and paintings incorporate the beauty of the desert, depicting dramatic blooms.

In the evenings, The Park comes alive with, lit by more than 3,000 LED lights, acoustic guitar music, dancing and more.

Dining Options

Encouraging social engagment are The Park's several dining options that incorporate an indoor/outdoor seating to create a patio ambience mimicking the feel of small cafes and bistros that spill out onto some of the world's most iconic promenades.

Beerhaus is an American beer hall with a prime vantage point from which guests can see all of the action within The Park. Sake Rok is a theatrical hotspot and dining "extravaganza," offering a dining experience that is part theater and part cuisine. Bruxie offers gourmet waffles and waffle sandwiches.

There is also a Shake Shack and a California Pizza Kitchen for chain restaurant traditionalists.

Design

The Park's design elements were created in collaboration between MGM Resorts International, Cooper, Robertson & Partners, !melk and Marnell Architecture. The restaurant corridor was built to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Gold standards. Landscape design utilizes native and desert-adaptive plants that are able to thrive in hot and dry environments with minimal water. Mature trees, vegetation, water features and artful shade structures have been installed to create a comfortable environment for guests year-round.

Get a glimpse of what The Park is like in the video below.