Recently in New Development Category

Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel in Cherokee, NC, announces the September 1st Grand Opening of Sequoyah National Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 72 championship course. Designed by golf architect Robert Trent Jones II and Native American golf pro Notah Begay III, the casino golf course is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and managed by Troon Golf, prominent developer, marketer and manager of upscale golf properties.

Sequoyah National is set against the spectacular backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Designed at 6,700 yards from the back tees, the course's five sets of tees challenge every level of player. The clubhouse sits atop a hill with panoramic views of the mountainous Cherokee homeland.

Guests at Harrah's Cherokee have privileged access to Sequoyah National through Harrah's Cherokee Service Connection Center and Casino Host Teams. All guests can play Sequoyah National utilizing Reward Credits; VIP guests receive monthly offers for two rounds of golf through the hotel's loyalty program. Rack rates are $85 weekdays; $110 weekends.

Harrah's Cherokee is currently undergoing a $633 million expansion to position the property as the premier gaming destination in the Southeast and a world-class resort for leisure and business travel. The property's Master Plan is currently the largest hospitality expansion project underway in the Southeast and one of the largest in the U.S., offering the greatest number of hotel accommodations in the state.

Upon completion in 2012, the 37-acre property will have added a third guest tower (533 luxury rooms and suites), 3,000-seat events center, entertainment and VIP lounges, 16,000-square-foot spa, state-of-the-art digital poker room, Asian gaming room, new restaurant and retail outlets, and new hotel and casino parking garages. It is also renovating current casino facilities and doubling the casino floor to 150,000 square feet while increasing video and table game capacity. The new facilities will utilize the Eastern Band of Cherokee's important collection of Native American art portraying local culture. Significant investment is also being made in sophisticated technology and group services ranging from business and conference support to catering services.

For information: 1-800-HARRAHS or www.harrahs.com.

Created with a vision to bring a new level of environmental consciousness to the world-famous Strip, CityCenter will be one of the world's largest sustainable developments, from design and construction to operations and guest amenities. An extraordinary urban resort destination brought to life by eight world-renowned architects, the 18-million-square-foot development is set to achieve a combination of gold and silver LEED(R) ratings by the U.S. Green Building Council throughout its distinctive hotels; residences; dining, retail and public spaces. Using cutting-edge solutions, CityCenter has been able to grow responsibly without sacrificing the quality of materials or guest experience.

Due to its size and purchasing power, CityCenter is driving green economies of scale in multiple industry segments, paving the way for other entities to build and operate sustainably. CityCenter has moved beyond existing green practices to empower industry-wide innovations.

Key Sustainable Highlights

• First energy-generation on The Strip through its 8.5 megawatt natural-gas co-generation plant, providing efficient electricity on site, reducing emissions and using "waste heat" to provide all domestic hot water
• Water conservation technology and programs that will save between 32% and 39% within the buildings and 60% in outdoor landscaping
• First-ever fleet of stretch limos powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG)
• Nation's most technologically advanced hotel rooms with exclusive features allowing guests to "green their stay"
• Development of slot machine bases that serve as floor air-conditioning units, efficiently cooling guests from the ground up, rather than wasting energy on empty space by cooling from the ceiling
• Energy-efficiency initiatives providing a savings equivalent to powering 7,700 households annually
• Creation of a large-scale recycling operation that enabled the recycling or reuse of more than 230,000 tons of construction waste, including 80% of the imploded Boardwalk Hotel
  

Most significantly, collaborating with the foremost sustainability and LEED(R) consultants from throughout the nation, CityCenter has introduced more than 10,000 construction trade and craftsmen to green building techniques that can be implemented at other developments throughout Las Vegas and beyond.

"CityCenter captures the energy and diversity of Las Vegas in one of the world's largest green urban developments," said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE. "Designing CityCenter with sustainable elements and practices reinforces its permanence and creates a healthier environment for our guests and residents, as well as for the 12,000 people who ultimately will work at CityCenter."

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

Construction and Recycling

• The Boardwalk Hotel was imploded to make way for CityCenter. 80% of the previous structure has been recycled into the building materials or sent elsewhere for reuse. Crushed blocks and mortar were used in dust abatement on the construction site and as aggregate in concrete and asphalt; recycled whole and broken glass, and bathroom fixtures were shipped to other countries for reuse after being wrapped in Boardwalk curtains and carpets as recycled packing materials
• 95% of all construction waste that would have ended up in landfills has been recycled
• Ventilation systems have been completely sealed until installed, which protects them from the dust, smoke and harmful particles that are present on a construction site. No smoking is allowed on the site once the ventilation is sealed, which will give the buildings vastly higher indoor air quality when the facility opens
• CityCenter uses Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) wood, which ensures wood only is taken from forests with responsible management practices. Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints are used, along with enough sustainable certified carpet to cover 140 American football fields
• Reclaimed water from Monte Carlo is used for dust control in place of precious drinking water, which has contributed to savings of 2.4 million gallons of potable water
• A concrete batch plant allowed concrete to be generated on site saving gas and energy
• Each room is carefully sealed to prevent migration of tobacco smoke ensuring freshness and comfort for each guest
  

Design

• An 8.5 megawatt natural gas co-generation plant will provide efficient electricity on site (10% of overall CityCenter use), reduce emissions and utilize the waste heat from the power generation to provide all the domestic hot water necessary at CityCenter, including within its numerous pools
• Each tower has energy-efficient exterior features to help reduce the heat transfer from the sun onto the buildings, including air-brows, reflective rooftops, specially coated windows and high-performance glass
• CityCenter worked with manufacturers to invent designer water fixtures that deliver incredibly satisfying, pressurized showers while using a third less water
• Outdoor landscaping was carefully selected to provide a beautiful array of native desert plant life which is watered through a highly efficient irrigation system. The system is equipped with moisture controls to ensure watering is only done when necessary
• Marquees, signs and slot machines will be energy efficient
  

Operations

• CityCenter will offer sustainable options for meetings, conventions and events by incorporating environmentally responsible practices and services including sales kits constructed from recycled paper; ARIA's banquet server uniforms will be made from recycled polyester
• CityCenter employees will undergo LEED(R) training as part of orientation, educating them about CityCenter's green initiatives and how to do their jobs in line with the development's green focus
• Many restaurants will focus on farm-to-table ingredients, buying produce, meat and dairy direct from responsible local growers
• Spas will be committed to using organic or wild-crafted paraben-free products; the implementation of a recycling program and use of recycled paper for spa materials
• CityCenter will implement green cleaning practices within the hotels, using products that minimize concerns to human health and the environment. Additionally, the areas where chemical use occurs are negatively pressurized with separate outside exhaust and no recirculation of air
• All of CityCenter's facilities will have integrated recycling programs
  

Guest Experience

• For the highest quality, environmentally sustainable travel, CityCenter has commissioned the world's first-ever fleet of CNG stretch limos. The 26 silver, 72-inch Lincoln Town Cars are 100% dedicated to utilizing CNG. In addition to abundant U.S. natural gas reserves, CNG is one of the cleanest-burning alternative fuels available
• Natural gas used by the CNG limo fleet produces significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides (35-60 percent less), particulate matter (90-97 percent less), carcinogenic and toxic pollutants such as carbon monoxide (90-97 percent less) as well as the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (25 percent less). Source: U.S. Department of Energy
• Guests arriving at CityCenter via carpool or in alternative-fuel vehicles will have access to preferred parking spaces; bicycle valet services also will be provided
• The urban community offers numerous amenities within walking distance of the hotels, including restaurants, stores and entertainment. CityCenter's people mover will offer convenient transportation between Monte Carlo, Crystals and Bellagio
• CityCenter's hotels will feature the most technologically advanced guestrooms in the country, with exclusive technology that allows guests to "green their stay." With a simple setting, guests can indicate their preferred light level and room temperature, and the properties can automatically put a room into unoccupied status upon checkout, turning off the heating/cooling system, televisions, lights and any appliances
• Extensive natural light will be utilized through skylights and expansive windows at CityCenter to reduce energy use
• Many of the artists participating in CityCenter's public Fine Art Collection will use reclaimed material in their works of art. For instance, Maya Lin's silver cast of the Colorado River will incorporate the use of reclaimed silver; CityCenter's sustainability initiatives inspired her first work of art in Las Vegas. Richard Long's mud wall drawings will incorporate natural products, Nancy Rubins will construct a gravity-defying display that includes recycled river and ocean vessels, and Isa Genzken's steel and aluminum rose will contain 75% recycled materials
  

When it opens in December, CityCenter will not only redefine the Las Vegas skyline, but also transform the destination into a global showcase of urban design and sustainability.

About CityCenter

CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis that will open in late 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corps, a subsidiary of Dubai World. CityCenter will feature ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas' first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel; Veer Towers, the development's only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental and Veer Towers will include approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also will feature a resident Cirque du Soleil production celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Vinoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, Rockwell Group and Gensler. Charting a new course for responsible growth in Las Vegas, MGM MIRAGE is pursuing the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) certification at CityCenter. As planned, the 18-million-square-foot, multi-use project will become one of the world's largest environmentally sustainable urban communities. For more information about CityCenter, please visit www.citycenter.com.

* As a consultant to AAI Architects, Inc.

Marina Bay Sands(TM), a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), announced today that it has topped out the three 55-story hotel towers, a major milestone in a striking and iconic project to bring Singapore a premier integrated resort.

The company's senior executives celebrated the occasion with an event that attracted approximately 120 regional and local media as well as members of the Singapore government, the construction team, and other distinguished guests.

Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s Chairman, Mr. Sheldon G. Adelson, who came to Singapore for the event, said "Topping the hotel towers at Marina Bay Sands is a milestone in an exciting construction and engineering project. We're pleased to be another step closer to delivering on our promise to Singapore and we remain committed to creating the landmark, premier integrated resort in Southeast Asia."

The architects and construction managers employed industry-leading construction solutions on their way to the 55th story. The construction team had to use steel trusses to link the east and west legs of each tower about half way up and used innovative methods to seal the atriums in each of the three towers and in-between them. After the steel trusses were in place, the team was able to build one new hotel floor every four days, an unprecedented pace for skyscraper construction in Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands will be a unique destination in the region. It will be home to the Sands SkyPark(TM) and the Museum, that symbolizes the 'welcoming hand of Singapore', packaged together as part of a world-class integrated resort nestled in the heart of the city's Central Business District and the ever-expanding tourism and entertainment district at Marina Bay.

The Sands SkyPark is the next critical phase of construction. The contractor will hoist the 7,000-ton structure 200 meters to the top of the towers using technology usually used in building bridges. The process of lifting each of many individual sections can take a full day. When it is completed, the Sands SkyPark will be longer horizontally than the Eiffel Tower is tall and will be the largest cantilevered public observation deck in the world.

Work on the interior and exterior of the hotel towers is well underway and the roof is taking shape on the Sands Expo & Convention Centre and on the casino. Other areas are progressing well.

Mr. George Tanasijevich, General Manager and Vice President of Singapore Development, Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, said "Marina Bay Sands will be a magnificent destination, with world-class entertainment, convention facilities, dining, shopping, Las Vegas-style gaming, and a luxury hotel. It will transform the skyline and bolster Singapore's image as the city for business and leisure tourists to visit again and again".

"Over the next few months, we will unveil a range of luxury brand shops, celebrity chef restaurants and world-class entertainment for Marina Bay Sands. There will truly be something for everyone," Mr. Tanasijevich said.

When completed, Marina Bay Sands will feature large and flexible convention and exhibition facilities, approximately 2,600 luxury hotel rooms and suites, the breathtaking rooftop Sands SkyPark, a museum, Las Vegas-style gaming, the Paiza Club for premium players, theatres, entertainment, an outdoor event plaza, and unparalleled shopping and dining.

Source: Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel today broke ground on its new 532-room luxury Tower, part of a $633 million expansion to position the property as the premier gaming destination in the Southeast and world-class entertainment and tourism destination. The Master Plan for the property is currently the largest hospitality expansion project underway in the Southeast and one of the largest in the U.S., offering the greatest number of hotel accommodations in the state.

Upon completion in 2012, the 37-acre property will have added a third tower incorporating luxury accommodations and high-end suites, a 3,000-seat events center, entertainment and VIP lounges, 16,000-square-foot spa, new state-of-the-art digital poker room, Asian gaming room, restaurant and retail outlets, and hotel and casino parking garages. Harrah's Cherokee is also renovating current casino facilities and doubling the size of its casino floor to 150,000 square feet while increasing video and table game capacity. The facilities will incorporate the Eastern Band of Cherokee's extensive and important collection of Native American art. Significant investment is being made in technology and group services, from business and conference support to elaborate catering services.

Today's groundbreaking ceremonies included Harrah's management and executives, Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal leaders, government officials and local VIPs, construction and design representatives and members of the media. The project has significant economic impact for the region, significantly increasing hospitality-related and construction jobs available in the region.

Speaking at the event were Principal Chief Michell Hicks, Eastern Band of Cherokees; Norma Moss, Chair of Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise; Lynn Minges, Assistant Secretary/Tourism, Marketing and Global Branding, North Carolina; Darold Londo, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Harrah's Cherokee; John Payne, Central Division President, Harrah's Entertainment; Ken Leach, Executive Vice President, Turner Construction.

Principal Chief Hicks said that the Tribe -- along with Harrah's Entertainment -- is proud of the massive expansion effort that will grow and transform the property into "a world-class entertainment and tourism destination." Chief Hicks noted: "Despite the economy, the expansion will position the property in perfect position -- ahead of the competition -- when the economy rebounds and we can welcome new customers anxious for world-class entertainment, accommodations and service."

Visitors to Harrah's Cherokee enjoy nearby recreational, athletic and cultural attractions within the Great Smoky Mountains, and visits to Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Gallery and "Unto These Hills" Mountainside Theater. Opening in September 2009 is nearby Sequoia National Golf Club designed by world-renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones II.

Source: Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel

Gaming Partners International Corporation (Nasdaq: GPIC) announced the successful delivery of its order for the City of Dreams casino in Macau, which opened earlier this month. The order, which included all of the casino's gaming plaques for their 550 table games, was valued at US$2.7 million.

City of Dreams, a Melco PBL Entertainment property, purchased GPI's Bourgogne & Grasset(R) (B&G) line of gaming plaques fitted with high-frequency 13.56MHz RFID (radio frequency identification device) micro chips. The plaques were provided in a variety of styles, shapes and color combinations, available in the B&G line.

The RFID technology offered with all GPI's lines of casino currency, allows casinos to verify the authenticity and value of each chip, plaque and jeton almost instantly, reducing the possibility of counterfeits, staff pilferage or errors in casino currency counts. This technology enables casinos to track individual chips, plaques or jetons throughout the gaming floor and, with specialized readers and software, follow payments, fills and credits, table drops, tips, and win and losses per table at any time of the day. GPI's high-frequency RFID chips are compatible with special player tracking hardware and software that allow for accurate tracking of play data from tables so casinos can follow player bets and accurately rate and reward players.

"GPI is very proud to have been a part of the successful opening of this landmark casino," said Gerard P. Charlier, President and CEO of GPI. "The City of Dreams' acceptance of RFID is a testament to the advantages of this technology and our commitment in providing the best solutions for casino currency security and tracking."

City of Dreams, Macau is just the latest Melco PBL property to implement GPI's RFID technology with its casino currency. GPI has been providing the Crown Macau and Crown Melbourne casino with RFID Casino Currency Control(R) solutions since 2007. This latest delivery maintains GPI's dominance in the Macau casino currency control market.

SOURCE Gaming Partners International Corporation

MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and New Giza for Real Estate Development - an Egyptian company building a luxury, mixed-use community near the base of the famous pyramids - today announced plans to develop the MGM Grand New Giza. All equity funding for the development will be provided by New Giza for Real Estate Development. MGM MIRAGE will provide management services and brand fees through MGM MIRAGE Hospitality.

Conveniently located 40 minutes from the airport on the outskirts of Cairo, the 550-room MGM Grand will provide spectacular views of the city of Cairo and the famous pyramids of Giza. It will be connected via electric train to the new and highly anticipated Egyptian antiquities museum, currently under construction.

"The New Giza community presents an opportunity for us to be part of an extraordinary new master-planned development near Egypt's famed pyramids," said Gamal Aziz, President and CEO of MGM MIRAGE Hospitality. "Our partners share our focus on luxury, excellence, customer-oriented design and unparalleled service. Together with this spectacular location, this new resort will quickly become a tourism and conference destination that is both in high demand and fully reflective of the MGM Grand brand."

The New Giza development marks a new beginning for luxurious, master-planned communities in Egypt. Built over 1,500 acres of land, it will incorporate elegant homes, three resort hotels, lavish restaurants, shopping malls, all-inclusive sporting facilities and a high-end golf course designed by Thomson Perrett & Lobb. Built on graded elevations, approximately eighty percent of the 2,500 villas and townhomes will enjoy all-around views of Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. Developed as nine individual neighborhoods, the community will be surrounded by endless greenery, parks and lakes.

"We are delighted to have the MGM Grand anchor our hotel and hospitality sector in New Giza," said Mahmoud El Gammal, CEO of New Giza for Real Estate Development. "MGM's reputation for quality living, dining, entertainment, spa and nightlife offerings will provide the amenities, excitement and energy that reflect the lifestyle of this unique development."

MGM Grand New Giza is currently under design, and the resort is anticipated to open in 2013.

SOURCE MGM MIRAGE