LAS VEGAS, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystals at CityCenter has earned the VIVA "Best-of-the-Best" designation by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Crystals is one of only three 2012 VIVA (Vision Innovation, Value and Achievement) award winners in the world.

"The VIVA 'Best-of-the-Best' award honors and recognizes the most outstanding examples of shopping center design and development, sustainability, marketing, and community service worldwide," ICSC said in a statement. 

"Crystals is an integral part of CityCenter and was created with a vision to bring a new level of environmental consciousness to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip," said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). "As one of the world's largest sustainable developments, CityCenter's environmental responsibility spans the spectrum from design and construction to operations and guest amenities."

CityCenter is the world's largest private green development.  MGM Resorts co-developed CityCenter with Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. 

ICSC said Crystals is an architectural movement of sheer energy, as the exterior architecture is a multi-faceted, glass canopy depicting the intricate beauty of a quartz crystal that welcomes an abundance of natural light into the stunning three-level experiential environment.

ICSC annually bestows VIVA awards in just three categories:  marketing, design and development, and sustainability.  Crystals is the only winner named in the sustainability category.

After opening its doors in late 2009, Crystals won a 2011 ICSC Gold Award and Sustainable Design Award in the "Innovation Design and Development New Project" category. The category recognizes and honors a new shopping center on how it demonstrates a specific design or resolution of a construction problem, or how new standards in design and construction were established. 

The gold award was based on how Crystals met five criteria: sustainability, including transportation; education about environmental responsibility and engaging retailers in sustainability design and operations; water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

All gold winners in ICSC's regional awards programs are automatically entered into the prestigious VIVA global awards program.

In 2009, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded its LEED® Gold certification to Crystals for sustainability. Crystals is the largest LEED®  Gold-certified retail district in the United States.   In addition at CityCenter,  LEED® Gold certifications have been awarded to ARIA Resort & Casino's hotel tower, convention center and theater;  Vdara Hotel & Spa;  Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas; and Veer Towers. 

About ICSC
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 55,000 members in over 90 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials.  As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world.  For more information, visit www.icsc.org

About CityCenter
CityCenter is an unprecedented development on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World.  CityCenter features the AAA Five Diamond ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas' first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development's only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot destination for luxury shopping and dining. Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers offer approximately 900 residential units.  At the forefront of sustainability, CityCenter is the world's largest private green development.  ARIA, Vdara, Crystals, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers all have received LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.  This marks the highest LEED achievement for any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas.  For more information about CityCenter, please visit citycenter.com.

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.  In addition to its 51% interest in MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino, the Company has significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in three other properties in Nevada and Illinois. One of those investments is CityCenter, an unprecedented urban resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino. Leveraging MGM Resorts' unmatched amenities, the M life rewards program delivers exclusive access, one-of-a-kind experiences, insider privileges, personalized rewards and partnership offers for both gaming and non-gaming members at the Company's renowned resorts nationwide. Through its hospitality management subsidiary, the Company holds a growing number of development and management agreements for casino and non-casino resort projects around the world. MGM Resorts International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company's commitment to sustainable development and operations. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

Statements in this release which are not historical facts are "forward looking" statements and "safe harbor statements" Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including risks and/or uncertainties as described in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE MGM Resorts International