Helmut Jahn is the
architect of the two, veering, 37 story Veer Towers (the yellow towers
incline at 5 degree opposing angles). The towers
contain 674 condominiums. Jahn (and his work) was recently
awarded the distinction of being one of the 'Ten Most Influential
Living
American Architects' by the American Institute of Architects.
He is the author of: 'Super Modernism: Architecture in the Age of
Globalization'.
Rafael Vinoly
is the architect of the 57 story, crescent shaped Vdara which contains
nearly 1,500 residences. His RV Architectural firm
is spotlighted in this World Architecture News article.
Cesar Pelli and
Fred Clarke of the Pelli-Clarke
architectural firm were designers of the 61 story, 4,000 room Aria
Hotel-Casino.
Aira is the world's largest hotel to achieve an LEED
Gold rating for excellence in Energy and Environmental Design.
Kohn Pedersen
Fox architectural firm designed the 47 story Mandarin Oriental Hotel
(which contains 400 hotel rooms & 227 condos).
Foster + Partners
known for their 'British Modern' style designed the 28 story, 400 room
Harmon Hotel - slated to open in 2010.
Daniel Libeskind
designed Crystals luxury shopping mall. His Studio website uses the apt slogan: "Architecture
is a Language".
David Rockwell is the
designer for the interior of Crystals
retail shopping area. He is the author of the 2006 book: 'Spectacle'
Driving a Vegas cab is a very cinematic experience. It's a combination of virtual reality, video games and crazy movies that last all
night long. Part 'Taxi Driver', 10% 'Girls Gone Wild', 1/4th 'Grand Theft Auto', 1/8th 'Hard Day's Night' and 62% 'American Graffiti'.
That's on the better nights. Other nights it's a jumbled mix of 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure' combined with a big dash of
'Goodfellas',
'The Nutty Professor', 'Rebel Without a Cause', 'Cinderella', 'Showgirls' and 'Frankenstein'. However the night comes at
you...it's
guaranteed to be the strangest assortment of events imaginable. All-in-all...cab driving is John Milner's and Cousin Eddie's dream
come true. It's a great job for a guy who likes to drive the Main Drag of the USA and enjoys seeing people having fun and guiding
them to exciting places. It's very similar to playing roulette. You drive around wondering where the ball will stop next and who might
get inside your cab and where the night might go. Your cab becomes like a roulette ball - and you never know what luck might bring.
But I quit cab driving. After 8 years those 12 hour nights take their toll. A guy has to get out before he burns out or his luck turns bad.
I got out while my luck and health were still good. This website is my ex-cabbie's vision of Las Vegas. Nothing more and nothing less.
It's my way of still showing people the sights of Las Vegas and providing them with information about local life from the Strip to the far
west edge of town, from Sunset to Cheyenne & The Boulevard to Red Rock. That's all there really is to this website. Just an ex-cabbie's
guide to local life and a photographer's look at the city he lives in. Maybe you'll enjoy some of it and find some useful information here.
This is my one-man-guide to Las Vegas architecture and everyday life in the Great Westside. This isn't a typical or corporate Vegas
website. There's no real gambling information here. Maybe just maps of the casinos and info on how to find the best casino bathrooms
or parking garages. Or the best local restaurants and fast food joints off the Strip and where to get good 24 hour food; plus guides to
the local schools, post offices, libraries, TV & radio channels, hospitals, movie theaters, daily news, parks, shopping centers, churches,
and other everyday things that might make life in West Vegas a bit easier for you. Mostly though this website is just a place to see lots
of photos of colorful places and people I encounter. Check it out if you feel like it. You might find something you enjoy here. I hope so.
Restaurant & Fast-Food Guide
