Commercial Construction & Renovation

JUL-AUG 2016

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Vakil, senior VP of design & devel- opment for MGM Resorts International, grew up in Mumbai, India, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, graduating as class Gold Medalist in both his first and fifth years of study. In 1989, he relocated stateside, pursuing his MS in Building Design at Arizona State University. He initially worked for a civil engineer, but, as fate would have it, relocated to Las Vegas less than a year later, joining a developer's team. Roughly three years later, an architectural firm specializing in the resort/casino industry hired him. "It provided me with a great learning experience," Vakil says. During that time, Vakil obtained his architectural licensure and NCARB certification and received his MBA. After leaving that firm, he managed the Las Vegas office for a national architectural firm. It was there that he was pursued by the local MGM, which he subsequently joined as director of architecture to head up its Architectural Department. The rest, as they say, is history. Commercial Construction & Renovation sat down with Joyen Vakil, senior VP of design & develop- ment for MGM Resorts International, to get his thoughts on the luxury resort hotel and casino market. Give us some of design trends in the luxury resort hotels/casino market. What's trending now is for each individual property to focus cultivat- ing product offerings and services upon the next generation. When the Millennials take over as being our No. 1 target market, what will they demand? What will they want? This is an ever-changing process, and if we are to push the envelope to optimal levels for our resorts' clientele on an ongoing basis, we have no recourse but to know everything about this continually growing market segment. Re-invention is the key word. Technology is changing every transaction today. I remember my Dad, when leaving the house, steadfastly making sure he had his keys and his wallet. Today, making sure you have your smartphone when leaving home is just as vital, if not more important. And many people, myself included, are now going "keyless" as well. My point being is that in particular, our hotel designs must fit in with this mammoth, ongoing re-invention necessity. Is there an overall architectural and design "goal program" for MGM Resorts? Perhaps the best way to answer that is to quote Einstein, "If you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got." We completely agree with that mindset. MGM offers different design strategies developed to both complement and re-invent. We always want to raise the bar in every possible way. That might mean totally re-doing an existing property from top to bottom, inside and out or, just lightly tweaking another one. All of this is based upon knowing what our clientele of both today and tomorrow wants. I like to think that, immodestly; we get into their heads, way before they get into our rooms, restaurants and casinos. Is there a specific mindset on how best to create a lavish pool environment? Again, we must think "re-invention." Years ago, the life of a resort's pool area would basically stop every day at 7 p.m. That has changed. Now, it's a nearby destination synonymous with relaxation around the clock – a place where one person or many come to decompress. For example, in locations such as Las Vegas or South Miami Beach, pool venues at major hotels have been totally re-purposed over the last decade. And this re-purposing is based totally on knowing the demographics of customers. Do they like to listen to music outdoors? Does the outdoor poolside bar have different offerings than what is being offered indoors? Do people enjoy dining poolside? All of this and more are considered prior to any architectural plans being created. Demographics drive design. Are there any specific MGM Resort projects you consider your favorites? They are all my favorites. Why? First of all, they are the end result of so much research and subsequent strategic thinking. And second, they are each a compilation of specific life properties. I love the classical references and overall execution at Bellagio. The contempo- rary design at ARIA is totally unique from my vantage point. Overall, I think my favorite architectural projects are not yet even on the drawing board. I cannot wait to see what we'll come up with next. We have a highly professional, seasoned and forward-thinking team. As creators of hospitality establishments, what we produce must be our customers' favorites. License to design Noted architect takes us inside the world of luxury resorts and casinos By Ron Treister J oyen Vakil clearly is not your typical North American architect. Approachable, humble and low-key, the design director of world-class hospitality destinations such as Bellagio, ARIA and MGM Grand seemingly has found his occupational nirvana in America and, in a proud but gentle way, is on a mission to make tomorrow's luxury resort architectural projects even better than today's. I think my favorite architectural projects are not yet even on the drawing board. I cannot wait to see what we'll come up with next. Joyen Vakil 106 COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — JULY : AUGUST 2016

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