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Northwest View of the Westside of 
Las Vegas Showing Palms and Rio Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2007-10

2007 Before-View of the Palms Fantasy Tower, the Rio, Stratosphere, Fountainbleau rising, Stardust, Rio Tower, Frontier,
Turnberry Towers, Treasure Island and Mirage Hotel (as seen from West Vegas) before the completion of Steve Wynn's Encore.

2010 View of the Mid-Las Vegas Strip as seen from MGM-Mirage's New City Center's
 Mandarin Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2009-10

The Las Vegas Strip as seen from City Center's Mandarin Hotel's Sky Lobby (the day after the December 16, 2009 Grand Opening).
The Harmon Hotel is seen on left with an advertisement for Aria's new Viva Elvis Show (set to open in January 2010).
On the right is Planet Hollywood, then Paris, Ballys, Bills, Flamingo, Venetian, Palazzo - then Wynn Las Vegas.


City Center Photos

WestVegas.com is pleased to celebrate the Grand Opening of the 67 acre city-within-a-city called City Center. City Center is
MGM-Mirage's great new property - located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip between Tropicana Avenue and Flamingo Road.

The Front Entrance to City Center Showing the Veer Towers, Front Entrance to Aria
 Hotel-Casino and the Monorail-Tram.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2009-10

The front entry to MGM's City Center showing Aria, Vdara, Veer Towers and the monorail which runs from Bellagio to Monte Carlo.

The Front Circular Driveway and Fountain of City Center's Aria Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

The driveway and porte cochre of City Center's Aria Hotel as seen on the day after its December 16th, 2009 Grand Opening.

City Center Looking West, with Mandarin Oriental at Left, Veer Towers in Middle
 and Aria Hotel in Background.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

View of City Center with Veer Towers (center), Aria and Vdara (back) Crystals and The Harmon Hotel (right).

Aria Hotel's North Side Showing Canoe Art Exhibit.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

Back view of Aria as seen from Vdara and the north valet circle.

Bellagio, Vdara, Harmon, Aria and Mandarin Oriental Hotels as Seen from the
 West and Vegas' Freeway I-15.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

West side of City Center on the edge of the I-15 Freeway. Vdara is on left, Aria is mid-right and Mandarin is on far right.

City Center's Aria Hotel Front Interior.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

Aria's front entry - where the Registration Desk, View Lounge and Serrano's Restaurant are located.

Aria Hotels SEcond Floor Gold Loung and Viva Elvis Theater.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

The Gold Lounge is on the second floor - just across the way from the Viva Elvis theater.

2007 Architectural Model of the 
Entire City Center Complex in Las Vegas Showing the Mock-Up of Upcoming 
Hotels, Condo Units and Main Casino.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2007-10

A 2007 model of MGM-Mirage's City Center. View is looking west from Planet Hollywood location. The Bellagio is on right
with Monte Carlo on left. The Harmon Overpass road leads directly into City Center, from the west, and continues to the Strip.

City Center's Vdara and Aria's 
Cab-Stand and Circular Driveway Looking East Towards the Vegas Strip.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2009-10

Vdara's circular driveway can be reached from the West Harmon Street overpass or from The Strip. This entryway also acts as Aria's
north-valet area. For the fastest access to a cab, at busy times, the Vdara cab stand is less crowded than Aria's - and is just 100 yards
away from Aria's lobby. Planet Hollywood's new tower, the Harmon Hotel and MGM's Signature Tower can be seen on the left.

Close-Up of City Center's 
Vdara Hotel and Top Building Sign.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2009-10

Vdara as seen from Dean Martin Drive.

The We Vegas Sign on Mandarin
 Oriental Hotel and Monte Carlo Roadsign.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2009-10

Mandarin Oriental's 'We Vegas' sign announcing City Center's December 2009-10 Grand Opening. Which opened right on schedule.


City Center - Now Open

Grand Opening of City Center and
 Aria as Guests Enter Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2009-10

People entering Aria's Hotel & Casino.


A Complete Guide to City Center

125 photos, plus Maps, Videos, Info & Special Features - Coming from WestVegas.com - February 10th, 2010.


Architects of City Center

Aria Hotel's Leed Award Placed on 
Second Floor Stairwell.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2009-10

Aria's 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' Award.

WestVegas.com wishes to applaud the work of City Center's architectual team which was led by Executive Architect Arthur Gensler Jr.
You can read the Las Vegas Review-Journal's interview to better understand Genler's architectural concepts for the project.

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'

Spectacle Book Banner of David Rockwell's
 Book on Las Vegas - Titled Spectacle.
David Rockwell's Books: Spectacle & Pleasure
Pleasure Book Banner of David 
Rockwell's Book.

Visit the InOldLasVegas.com Bookstore for David Rockwell's 'Spectacle' or 650 great books on Las Vegas Tourism,
Travel Guides, History, Casino Operations, Architecture, Design, Advertising, Sociology, Black Jack, Craps and Poker.

LAS VEGAS BOOKSTORE

Fast Company's Designerati article - CityCenter's Architect Dream Team Builds the Next Vegas.


West Vegas.com Logo.
Graphic by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2010

2009 Northeast View Towards Rio, Mirage,
 Treasure Island & Wynn's Encore Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

December 2009 After-View looking north-east towards the Rio Hotel, TI, Mirage, Palazzo and Venetian showing Wynn Las Vegas
alongside the newly opened 2008 Encore Hotel - as seen from the Orleans Hotel in West Vegas. The Fountain bleau is seen at far left.

2010 Mid-Strip Vegas Skyline Showing the Pano
rama Towers and MGM-Mirage's City Center.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

December 2009 view of the three Panorama Towers on Dean Martin Drive, with MGM's new City Center's Vdara, Aria
and Mandarin Hotels just behind. The MGM Signature Towers and the Monte Carlo Hotel-Casino are seen at far right.

2009 Las Vegas Skyline as Seen from the West,
 with City Center and Casino-Hotels.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

The new 2010 Las Vegas Skyline. Trump Tower is at far left. Caesars and Bellagio are in the middle. City Center is at right.

Photo View of West Vegas Looking Towards the 
Strip and Palms from Flamingo Road Near Cimarron.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

The locals' view of West Vegas - looking eastward from Flamingo Road approaching Cimarron.

Trump International Tower, West Vegas and
 the La Madre Mountains as Seen from The Strip and WYnn Las Vegas.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2010-10

The visitor's view of West Vegas - looking westward from Wynn Las Vegas and The Strip.


Erik Wunstell's Guide to the Las Vegas Strip & Westside

A One-Man, Free-Lance, Photo Documentation of 21st-Century Las Vegas

Erik Wunstell. Former Las Vegas Taxi Driver.
Copyright by Camden Communications © 2005-2010

Architecture, Glamour, Daylife & Nightlife in West Vegas

Featuring Interesting Places, Beautiful People and Lively Events Around Town

Hello and welcome to my West Vegas website. My name is Erik Wunstell, a 59 year old, life-long, solar-earth scientist and photographer.
I moved to Las Vegas 12 years ago to achieve my ambition to become the world's third best cab driver. Over a span of 8 years I drove
the streets of Vegas every night for 12 hours at a time, taking over 56,000 trips and driving over 162,000 passengers to their assorted
destinations. Within two years I was named the Unofficial Best Las Vegas Cab Driver by the eight head-doormen at the Palms and Paris
Hotels for 6 years straight. They knew what they were talking about because I could drive anyone anywhere for the lowest price possible.
In that regard, I was a wizard and the most polite, entertaining, dependable, safest, least corrupt taxi driver this city has ever seen. It's true.

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.

MY VEGAS NOW & THEN BLOG

THE PHOTO-HISTORY OF ERIK WUNSTELL

WEST VEGAS VIDEOS - ON YOU TUBE


West Vegas Photos

Rear View of Las Vegas's Fashion Show Mall's
 Model in Bikini.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

Front View of Las Vegas's Fashion Show Mall's
 Model in Bikini.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

Fashion Show Mall bikini model.

Pussycat Doll Dancer at Caesars Palace.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

Pussycat Doll dancer at Caesars.

Mandarin Hotel's Sky Lobby and Guests in the
 Sky Lobby.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2009-10

Mandarin Oriental's 23rd Floor Sky Lobby & Lounge provides an excellent view of the Mid-Strip.

People Walking Along the Las Vegas Strip in
 December 2009.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2009-10

Walkers on the Las Vegas Strip.

Model 1 at the Fashion Show Mall's Free 
Fashion Show
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2008-10

Fashion Show Mall model. Check out Fashion Show's Map & Store List and Meadows Mall too.

Fashion Show Mall Walkway. Las Vegas.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2008-10

Walkway from the Fashion Show parking garage to Dillards.

Las Vegas Bikini Model.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2008-10

Fashion shows are held regularly at Fashion Show Mall on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.

Photo of West Las Vegas and the Surroun
ding La Madre Mountains.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2008-10

View of West Vegas - showing Summerlin's Queensridge Towers (right) with Red Rock Canyon and the La Madre Mountains in the distance.

View From West Vegas of the Luxor Pyramid,
 Mandalay Bay and THEE Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2007-10

The Luxor, Mandalay Bay and THE Hotel - as seen from West Vegas.

Sunrise at the Wynn Encore Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

Sunrise at Steve Wynn's Encore the morning after its December 2008 Grand Opening.

Eastside Lounge Inside Wynn Encore Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

The Eastside Lounge at Wynn Encore.

Aria Hotel's Official Elvis Store Across from The Viva Elvis Theater.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

The Elvis Store at Aria is on the 2nd floor of Aria directly across from the 'Viva Elvis' Cirque Du Soleil Theater.

Hard Rock's New Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip Showing Neon Guitar.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

The new Hard Rock Strip location features an outdoor balcony & big windows from which to enjoy the sights near City Center.

American and Nevada State Flag Next To Yucca Plant at the Department of Motor
 Vehicles West Branch on Flamingo.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2009-10

The flag of the Silver State of Nevada waving alongside the indigenous desert Yucca plant.

Photo of Summerlin, Red Rock Canyon, La Madre Mountains and Queensridge Condom
inum Towers.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2010

The La Madre Mountains and the Red Rock Canyon area as seen looking westward from the West Vegas Department of Motor Vehicles
on Flamingo Road. The Summerlin area extends to the edge of the mountains and newer homes are starting to be built on the slopes.

Winter Snow on the Vegas Valley Mountains - January 2010.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2010

The western mountains of the Las Vegas Valley

La Madre Mountains Beyond West Las Vegas.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright 2010

Winter Mountains at the Western Edge of Las Vegas.

2009 Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

Racer in Wheelchair in The 2009 Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

Marathon Webpage - Coming February 15, 2010

On Dec. 6, 2009 Las Vegas hosted its first 26 mile Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. The entire Strip was shut-down to allow over 25,000
runners to race from below Mandalay Bay to Downtown and back to near Fashion Show Mall where the runners continued an
additional 16 mile trek thru the heart of West Vegas - out to Spanish Trail and back to the Finish Line near Mc Carran Airport.

Peace Girl Runner in the LV Marathon.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

Runners, like this Canadian woman, flew in from all parts of the world to attend this first annual event.

Crowd of Runners Along Decatur Boulevard in the First 26 Mile Vegas Marathon.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

After running past every major hotel on the Strip - the racers arrived at the 13 mile, mid-way point here on Decatur Boulevard.
Along the Rock 'n' Roll route were 26 stages providing water and entertainment for the runners and spectators.

Vegas Metro Police Motorcyle Cops at the Vegas Marathon.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © Copyright December 2009-10

The Metro Police Department (arguably the best in the nation) did an incredible job keeping runners safe and traffic moving.
Many more photos of the Vegas Marathon can be seen further inside this WestVegas.com website, along with a map of the route.


ELVIS - BACK IN VEGAS

Erik Wunstell's 1974 Color Photo of Elvis 
Presley.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 1974-2010

Elvis age 39. Mother's Day May 12, 1974. Boarding Sinatra's jet to fly to Lake Tahoe's Sahara Hotel to start his '20th Anniversary Tour'.
Now, for the first time since December 12, 1976 the name Elvis is back on a major Las Vegas Hotel Marquee in Cirque's Viva Elvis.

Close-Up Photo of the Viva Elvis Theater's Sign.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2009-10

The Viva Elvis sign in front of Aria's Cirque theater.

VIVA ELVIS - TICKETMASTER

Video of Elvis, age 35, performing 'Polk Salad Annie' at the Las Vegas International Hotel (now the Hilton) in 1970.

Banner for Aria Viva Elvis-Cirque Show.

Press the Viva Elvis banner to find Ticketmaster's prices, seats and date availablity. This new 'Viva ELVIS' Cirque du Soleil
show mixes live music, acrobatics and dance in a never-before-seen tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley (at Aria).

The Viva Elvis Theater at City Center's Aria 
Hotel.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2009-10

The Viva Elvis Theater on the second floor at Aria.

Follow Las Vegas Review-Journal's Entertainment Journalist Norm Clarke on Twitter.


West Vegas Box Office

The Best Las Vegas Shows - Blue Man Group, Ka,
 The Jersey Boys and Beatles' Love.

BEST OF VEGAS - SHOWGUIDE & TICKETS

Best of Vegas Banner.

WestVegas now provides you two ticket suppliers: 'TicketMaster' & 'Best of Vegas' - to allow price & seat comparisons.

LAS VEGAS SHOWS - TICKETMASTER


2010 WEST VEGAS

Restaurant & Fast-Food Guide

Your complete Guide to West Vegas Restaurants, Fast Food Locations, 24 Hour Dining & Delivery. View over 250 great
places to eat. Menus, locations, hours, addresses, phone numbers, maps & direct links to websites!!

Landry's Seafood Restaurant on West Sahara Ave.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

Landry's Seafood restaurant across from Palace Station. Click the Restaurant link below to see all the
best westside restaurants, locations, hours, menus, links and maps (in every food category imaginable).

Restaurants & 125 Menus

The In & Out Burger Location at Tropicana and 
Industrial (across from Wild West Casino).
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

In & Out Burger on Tropicana & Industrial. Click the Fast Food link, below, for all 3 West locations, hours, menus & maps.

Fast Food & Delivery Guide

Line Break Banner.

Visit My Las Vegas - Photo History Website

Banner for InOldLasVegas.com's History Website.

In Old Las Vegas.com

Erik Wunstell's 1977 Color Photo of the Old Las Vegas
 Strip, Caesars and Flamingo Hotels.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 1977-2010

1977 photo of Caesars & Flamingo - looking north (before the Forum Shops, Harrah's, Mirage, TI & Venetian).

WestVegas.com's InOldLasVegas.com Linking Banner.
InOldLasVegas.com Collection. Graphic Resoration and Enhancement by Erik Wunstell.

1961 Stardust photo. Visit 'In Old Las Vegas.com' to see hundreds of full-color, Old Vegas photos.

IN OLD LAS VEGAS.com

In Old Las Vegas. 'Bring Me To Life' - Special Thanks to Evanescence.

Visit InOldLasVegas.com's Photo-History Website to see 500 photos of Casino Culture & 150 old film & movie clip videos.


Best Las Vegas Product of 2010

Hunter Hillegas' Vegas Mate i-Phone App

Vegas Mate I-Phone App Banner 1.
Graphic Copyright © 2010 by Hunter Hillegas & RateVegas.com

Vegas Mate I-Phone App Banner 2.
Graphic Copyright © 2010 by Hunter Hillegas & RateVegas.com


Book of the Season

Dr. David G. Schwartz' - Suburban Xanadu

'The Casino Resort of the Las Vegas Strip and Beyond - Banner.
Graphic Copyright © 2003-10 by Davis G. Schwartz & Routledge Group Books

'Suburban Xanadu - The Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip and Beyond'


Happy Vegas New Year & Decade

2010 New Year's Eve in West Vegas Looking East Towa
rd the Palms, Gold Coast and Rio Casinos.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2010

Midnight Fireworks in West Vegas. January 1, 2010.

The complete 7 minute & 11 second Vegas New Year's Eve 2010 - Fireworks Extravaganza Video.

Thanks Gary Waddel, Paula Francis & Channel 8 for excellent news coverage of the half-million dollar fireworks show.

Couple Viewing the Fountains at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Photography by Erik Wunstell © 2008-10

The End of Page One. There are links to great Vegas websites on the 2nd page, plus many new photos soon to come of the
exterior and interior of City Center - plus a new Contents Page to help you find whatever information you are looking for.
In the meanwhile, please take a look at the following eight Vegas Videos of Las Vegas perfomers and sights of the city.
Please be sure to visit 'My Favorite Vegas Webpages & Blogs'. There are some fantastic webhosts & sites on Page Two.


West Vegas.com

Contents Page & Many More Photos of Las Vegas Hotel-Casinos & Nightclubs.

Panorama Photos of Las Vegas as Seen from Westside.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2008-10

Plus the Complete Locals' Guide to Life in the West: Includes - Maps - Libraries - Theater Locations & Movie Showtimes
Daily News - Post Offices - Hospitals - Schools - TV Channels - Radio Stations - Churches - Shopping Centers - Parks
Realty - Restaurants - Fast Food - Hourly Accident Reports - Disaster Preparedness - Sate llite Images - More.

Panoramic Photos of the Towers of Las Vegas.
Photography by Erik Wunstell Copyright © 2008-10

ENTER WEST VEGAS

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Last Update: January 30, 2010

E-Mail Erik Wunstell.

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Website Copyright © 1999-2010 By Erik Wunstell
4175 S. Decatur #205 Las Vegas, NV 89103
Phone 702-287-2595