The Las Vegas Strip boasts some of the most extraordinary themed facade structures in the world. These structures can be stand-alone or attached to the outside or inside of buildings. Their unique shapes may envelope an occupied space or unusable area.

The design of these impressive structures requires a special set of skills. To name a few, experience in conducting site surveys, analysis of the existing structural systems, understanding tenant operations and construction aspects such as transportation of materials within an occupied space that must remain usable are crucial.

This month's featured projects demonstrate our firm's capability in designing these unique structures. By working as an integral part of a team of designers and contractors, our engineers made it possible to bring these projects to reality.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

Stupidiotic, Swatch, I Heart NY NY and Starbucks were the latest fashionable stores to hit the Las Vegas Strip at New York New York Resort. These boutique stores are part of the new $100 million outdoor shopping mall and plaza along the strip side of the property which is owned by MGM Resorts International. The public promenade is intended to lead patrons into the 20,000-seat arena currently being built by the same owner. While construction work on the plaza and arena continues, the 4 beautiful stores are complete and are open for business.

THOMAD Engineering provided the full range of structural engineering consulting and design services for this adaptive re-use and renovation project. Facades of the exterior strip-side and interior casino-side were re-designed to fit the new store-fronts. The Swatch included the addition of a new iconic marquee and entry structure similar in appearance to that at the Time Square New York City location. THOMAD Engineering worked very closely with the project architect to design unique structural systems to accommodate the architectural and interior design features of each store. Our engineers also worked very closely with multiple project contractors to refine the structural design during demolition work to fit the existing field conditions. Throughout construction and until completion, our engineers worked with the architect and owner to meet value engineering requirement and design changes.

PROJECT TEAM: 

• Architect: RDH Interests, Inc.
• Owner: MGM Resorts International
• MPE Engineering: FEA Consulting Engineers
• Contractors: Mason Building Company

Casino Side Interior Facades of Starbucks, Swatch and Stupidiotics, the New Stores at New York New York Resort in Las Vegas

Strip Side Exterior Facades of the New Stupidiotic and Swatch Boutique Shops

Strip Side Exterior Facade of the New I Heart NY NY Store