The story about building CityCenter is as much about the organization required to build it as it is about the actual construction. It's considered usual practice to build developments in phases or stages but Perini's contract requires that all construction proceed at the same time and be completed for the grand opening. Grantham says this includes a total of 17 structures plus the infrastructure. Six of these structures are towers with the rest being low-rise buildings. The towers include Harmon, Mandarin, Pelli, Vdara, and the twin towers of Veer.

The project is divided into three blocks: A, B, and C. Construction of the infrastructure is additional and includes heating/cooling, electrical, an overhead tram connecting several MGM Mirage properties, communications, water, and sewer service to all the blocks. Also included is the construction of a new Harmon Street that will run adjacent to the project and cross over the I-15 expressway to the west. A managing architect and engineer are assigned to each block. Tishman, N.Y., is the executive construction manager representing the owner and Gensler, N.Y., is the executive architect for the entire project. Here is what is included in each block:

• Pelli Tower—a 4000-room hotel
• The Convention Center
• The Show Room—a large live theater
• West Podium—an underground parking area with swimming pools and leisure areas on a deck above the parking ramp approximately 20 feet above ground
• East Podium—casino, restaurants, and a porte-cochere, or architectural entryway
• Central Plant—power, heating, and cooling for the entire complex
• Sinatra Parking Garage

• Vdara Tower and low-rise—a condo-hotel
• Fire station
• Bellagio employee parking garage—replaces demolished parking
• Harmon Circle—elevated entrance to CityCenter

• Mandarin Tower and Podium—hotel, service condominiums, and dining
• Veer Tower—condominiums
• Harmon Tower and low-rise—hotel, service condominiums, and dining
• Dining, Entertainment, and Retail District—encompassing 500,000 gross square feet
• Garage #6 and service tunnels—approximately 2000 feet of underground tunnels

Each construction in each block has its own architect and engineer. Perini is the primary general contractor for the entire development and is self-performing the structural concrete for the Pelli, Veer, and Vdara Towers. Bomel, Anaheim Hills, Calif., is overseeing the structural concrete for the Mandarin Tower, and Ceco, Las Vegas, is building the Harmon Tower.

The first challenge for Perini was to provide office space for a project this size. Grantham says two office buildings on the edge of the property were needed: a 100,000-square-foot building to house MGM Mirage construction-related staff and an 88,000-square-foot structure for the Perini construction staff. In addition, Perini has 20,000 square feet of office space inside the project area, with another 15,000 square feet planned. The goal was to keep the entire construction team of approximately 480 salaried staff close together.