Harmon Hotel
Encyclopedia
The Harmon is a highrise building in the CityCenter Las Vegas development in Paradise
, Nevada
. The tower was designed by Foster + Partners
as a non-gaming boutique hotel
, and was to be operated by Andrew Sasson
's The Light Group upon completion. The building features an elliptical layout and highly reflective exterior located on the northeast corner of the project at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard
and Harmon Avenue. Serious construction defects to the building were discovered in 2008, and the project was halted indefinitely. On August 15, 2011 MGM announced plans to implode the building.
) after 15 stories of the building had already been erected. The error caused a major change in the building's design; instead of being 49 stories, it was reduced to 28 stories with the condominium element, The Harmon Residences removed entirely. At the time, 88 of the 207 condominiums were reserved by buyers who had put 20 percent down. Those buyers were offered refunds or the chance to buy in other buildings. Due to the delay and alterations to the design, the building has been delayed past the other CityCenter projects and was scheduled to be finished in late 2010, but is now delayed indefinitely. The canceled units ranged in size from 980 to 3700 sq ft (91 to 343.7 ). With litigation pending due to the defects, construction was halted, and MGM Resorts International, the owner of CityCenter, has targeted the building for a complete demolition by 2012.
On July 11, 2011 a report was released by Weidlinger Associates, an engineering firm hired by MGM Resorts International. This report indicated that the building was likely to collapse in a major earthquake and that a determination of possible repairs would take at least a year.
Paradise, Nevada
Paradise is an unincorporated town in the Las Vegas metropolitan area in Clark County, Nevada, United States. The population was 223,167 at the 2010 census...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. The tower was designed by Foster + Partners
Foster and Partners
Foster + Partners is an architectural firm based in London. The practice is led by its founder and Chairman, Norman Foster, and has constructed many high-profile glass-and-steel buildings....
as a non-gaming boutique hotel
Boutique hotel
Boutique hotel is a term popularized in North America and the United Kingdom to describe intimate, usually luxurious or unique hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing personalized accommodation and services / facilities...
, and was to be operated by Andrew Sasson
Andrew Sasson
Andrew Sasson is a nightlife entrepreneur and real estate developer.Sasson is the founder and principal owner of , a Las Vegas-based hospitality development and management company, whose portfolio includes numerous food and beverage properties at AAA Five Diamond Bellagio Resort and Casino, The...
's The Light Group upon completion. The building features an elliptical layout and highly reflective exterior located on the northeast corner of the project at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas Boulevard
State Route 604 is the route number designation for parts of Las Vegas Boulevard, a major north–south road in the Las Vegas metropolitan area of Nevada in the United States best known for the Las Vegas Strip and its casinos. Formerly carrying U.S...
and Harmon Avenue. Serious construction defects to the building were discovered in 2008, and the project was halted indefinitely. On August 15, 2011 MGM announced plans to implode the building.
History
At the beginning of the project, the hotel was called the "Lifestyle Hotel" and then "The Harmon Hotel, Spa & Residences". The tower was planned to have 400 hotel rooms and approximately 207 condominium residences from 800 square foot on 49 floors. The hotel's pool deck was planned to be on the roof high above The Strip. The exterior of the building was finished in 2009 but the interior work to correct the construction issues was to continue into 2010.Project scope reduction and halt
In late 2008, work on the Harmon Hotel/Condo Tower was stopped after inspectors discovered construction defects: county inspectors discovered improper installation by Pacific Coast Steel, of critical steel reinforcements (rebarRebar
A rebar , also known as reinforcing steel, reinforcement steel, rerod, or a deformed bar, is a common steel bar, and is commonly used as a tensioning device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures holding the concrete in compression...
) after 15 stories of the building had already been erected. The error caused a major change in the building's design; instead of being 49 stories, it was reduced to 28 stories with the condominium element, The Harmon Residences removed entirely. At the time, 88 of the 207 condominiums were reserved by buyers who had put 20 percent down. Those buyers were offered refunds or the chance to buy in other buildings. Due to the delay and alterations to the design, the building has been delayed past the other CityCenter projects and was scheduled to be finished in late 2010, but is now delayed indefinitely. The canceled units ranged in size from 980 to 3700 sq ft (91 to 343.7 ). With litigation pending due to the defects, construction was halted, and MGM Resorts International, the owner of CityCenter, has targeted the building for a complete demolition by 2012.
On July 11, 2011 a report was released by Weidlinger Associates, an engineering firm hired by MGM Resorts International. This report indicated that the building was likely to collapse in a major earthquake and that a determination of possible repairs would take at least a year.