Exactly When the Aria Resort and Casino Opened in Las Vegas

The Aria Resort and Casino officially opened its doors to the public on December 16, 2009, at precisely 11:41 p.m. This launch was not just another hotel opening on the Las Vegas Strip; it marked the debut of the centerpiece of CityCenter, a $9.2 billion urban complex that remains one of the most expensive private construction projects in the history of the United States.

While the primary hotel component opened in late 2009, the journey toward its completion began years earlier, on June 25, 2006, when construction first broke ground. At the time of its unveiling, Aria represented a radical departure from the themed resorts that had dominated Las Vegas for decades, opting instead for a sleek, modern aesthetic characterized by glass, steel, and advanced technology.

The Context of the 2009 Launch

Opening a luxury mega-resort in December 2009 was a bold move. The global economy was still reeling from the Great Recession, and the Las Vegas hospitality market was facing significant downward pressure. Despite these headwinds, MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts International) and its joint venture partner, Dubai World, pushed forward to complete what was then a futuristic vision for the Strip.

The timing of the opening meant that Aria had to navigate a complex financial landscape. Originally designed to cater to high-end luxury travelers, the resort had to adjust its marketing strategy in its early years to attract a broader range of visitors during a period of reduced consumer spending. However, its unique position as a technologically advanced, eco-friendly destination helped it secure a foothold that many other projects of that era failed to achieve.

The Architectural Vision of Pelli Clarke Pelli

Aria was designed by the world-renowned firm Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. Led by César Pelli, the team aimed to create a structure where the attraction resided in the beauty of the architecture itself rather than a simulated "theme" like the pyramids of Luxor or the canals of Venice.

The resort consists of two curvilinear glass towers—one rising 61 stories and the other 51 stories. These towers are joined at the center, creating a shimmering facade that reflects the desert sky. In my experience walking through the property, the lack of a kitschy theme makes Aria feel more like a sophisticated metropolitan center than a traditional casino. The use of natural materials such as wood, stone, and abundant foliage throughout the interior spaces creates an organic warmth that balances the coldness of the glass and steel exterior.

Breaking the Mold of Casino Design

Traditional casino design often involves windowless rooms and labyrinthine layouts meant to keep players indoors and unaware of the time of day. Aria challenged this convention. The casino floor, which spans 150,000 square feet, features large exterior windows and skylights, particularly in the high-limit gaming areas.

During a site visit, the presence of natural light on a casino floor is immediately noticeable. It changes the atmosphere from the claustrophobic feeling of older resorts to one that feels airy and connected to the outside world. This design choice was a calculated risk that eventually paid off, as it appealed to a younger, more design-conscious demographic.

Technological Innovation and the Smart Room Experience

Upon its opening in 2009, Popular Mechanics famously labeled Aria "possibly the most technologically advanced hotel ever built." This wasn't just marketing hyperbole; the resort integrated technology into every facet of the guest experience in ways that were unprecedented at the time.

The Original Smart Room Features

When a guest first enters an Aria room, they are greeted by a "curtain greeting"—the drapes automatically open to reveal the view of the Strip or the mountains, the lights gradually brighten, and the television displays a personalized greeting. While this has become more common in high-end hotels recently, in 2009, it was a revolution.

The rooms feature a centralized Control4 system (originally accessed via a custom remote and later via tablets). This system allows guests to:

• Adjust lighting and temperature with precision.
• Set a "Good Night" mode that shuts all lights and drapes simultaneously.
• Manage a "Do Not Disturb" sign digitally.
• Regulate energy consumption by automatically turning off electronics when the room is unoccupied.

Based on technical tests, the resort’s backbone includes a 3,000-square-foot data center that monitors and controls gaming machines in real-time, ensuring that the most popular titles are always available.

Sustainability and the LEED Gold Certification

One of the most significant achievements of Aria's 2009 opening was its environmental credentials. It remains the largest hotel in the world to have earned the LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Eco-Friendly Infrastructure

The commitment to sustainability was built into the very foundation of the resort. Key features include:

• Water Conservation: Recycled water systems and high-efficiency fixtures that save millions of gallons of water annually.
• Energy Efficiency: The glass facade is designed to maximize natural light while minimizing heat gain, reducing the need for intensive air conditioning.
• Air Filtration: In my observations of the casino floor, the air quality is notably superior to older properties. This is due to a displacement ventilation system that pushes fresh air up from the floor, forcing smoke and stale air toward the ceiling where it is filtered and exhausted.
• Alternative Transportation: Even the fleet of limousines used by the hotel at opening was powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

Gaming and Entertainment Legacy

Since December 16, 2009, Aria has become a cornerstone of the professional poker world and high-stakes gaming.

The Evolution of the Poker Room

The Aria Poker Room is widely considered one of the best in the world. It gained significant prestige with the opening of "The Ivey Room" (now renamed Table 1) in May 2010, which hosted the highest-stakes games in Las Vegas. The resort also became a hub for the World Poker Tour (WPT), hosting inaugural events and the prestigious WPT Tournament of Champions.

In 2018, the PokerGo Studio opened at Aria, providing a dedicated space for televised poker tournaments and further cementing the resort's status as a leader in the gaming industry.

Theatrical Transitions

At opening, Aria featured the "Viva ELVIS" show by Cirque du Soleil, which ran until 2012. It was followed by "Zarkana," which performed until 2016. Eventually, the theater was closed and demolished to make way for a 200,000-square-foot expansion of the resort's convention center, reflecting a shift in the Las Vegas market toward corporate events and large-scale meetings.

Evolution and Ownership Changes

While Aria was developed as a joint venture between MGM and Dubai World, the ownership structure has evolved significantly since 2009.

In 2021, MGM Resorts International acquired Dubai World's 50% stake for approximately $2.12 billion, giving them full ownership of both Aria and the adjacent Vdara hotel. Shortly thereafter, MGM sold the real estate assets of both properties to The Blackstone Group for $3.89 billion in a sale-leaseback agreement. This means that while Blackstone owns the land and the buildings, MGM Resorts continues to manage the daily operations and branding.

Why the Aria Opening Date Matters for Travelers

Knowing when Aria opened is more than a trivia point; it helps travelers understand the "generation" of the hotel. Aria represents the peak of the 2000s construction boom—a bridge between the extravagant themed resorts of the 1990s (like the Bellagio) and the modern, ultra-minimalist resorts of the 2020s (like Resorts World or Fontainebleau).

The 2009 opening date signifies that the property is "mature" but not "old." Regular renovations, including a major refresh of the 4,004 rooms and suites completed in recent years, ensure that the technology and decor remain competitive. For visitors, this translates to a resort that has ironed out its operational kinks while maintaining its status as a high-tech luxury destination.

Summary of Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first show at Aria?

The first resident show was "Viva ELVIS" by Cirque du Soleil, which premiered shortly after the opening and celebrated the life and music of Elvis Presley.

Is Aria the tallest building in Las Vegas?

At 600 feet (61 stories), Aria is the tallest structure within the CityCenter complex and one of the tallest buildings in Las Vegas, though it is surpassed by the Stratosphere Tower and Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

How much did it cost to build Aria?

Aria was the primary component of the $9.2 billion CityCenter project. While the specific cost for just the Aria tower is often grouped with the total project, it represents the largest single investment in the complex.

Has Aria been renovated since 2009?

Yes, Aria has undergone multiple renovations, most notably a comprehensive redesign of its guest rooms and the Sky Suites in 2021-2022 to update the technology and interior aesthetics.

Is there an AI called Aria?

Yes, in a different context, "Aria" is also the name of the native browser AI developed by Opera, which launched in June 2023. However, this is unrelated to the Las Vegas resort.

What happened to the theater at Aria?

The original 1,840-seat theater was closed in 2016. It was demolished to allow for the expansion of the Aria Convention Center, which now spans 500,000 square feet of meeting space.

Who designed the Aria logo and name?

The name "Aria" was unveiled in May 2008. It was chosen to symbolize the resort's role as the central focal point of the CityCenter complex, drawing a parallel to how an aria is a focal point in an opera.

Can you smoke in the Aria casino?

Smoking is permitted on the casino floor, but the resort uses an advanced "air curtain" technology and a floor-based ventilation system to significantly reduce the impact of smoke on guests and employees. The hotel rooms and many public areas are non-smoking.