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1. Name:
Luxor Resort and Casino
2. Owner: Mandalay
Resort Group
3. Address: 3900
S. Las Vegas Blvd. 262-4000
3b. Additional Site
Details: The giant black, glass,
pyramid rises out of the desert as certainly one of the most unique
structures. The pyramid is also accompanied by a monolithic, heavily
geometric structure, finished in the same black, panels of windows.
Just to the north. The front of the property is dominated by an
array or Egyptian architectural landmarks such as an giant obelisk,
the Sphinx, various statues of Egyptian gods and pharaohs line the
multi tiered expanse of concrete and stucco. The property is pedestrian
interactive, being able to pass underneath the giant obelisk, and
through and beneath the giant Sphinx. The feel produced by area
is appropriate for the desert environment.
4. Condition:
Structure 5
Surface 5
Lighting 5
Notes: See
description
5. Form: plyon,
fasica, porte cochere
6. Specfic Description:
On the expanse of concrete in front
of Las Vegas Blvd, just north of the obelisk, a double-sided pylon
sign joins the ancient composition. The pylon actually is more akin
to the pylons seen at properties such as the Monte Carlo or the
Mirage. It is located in the northern portion of the property on
the west side of the strip-facing northwest along Las Vegas Blvd.
Two square posts support a two-sided square cabinet which houses
a back lit advertisement and a set of crafted letters spelling the
name of the establishment. Occupying the upper portion of the space
between the legs another internally lit, two sided, cabinet, atop
a small pair of internally lit sculpted cabinets. From a distance
the cabinets look like thumbs holding up the cabinet. The shapes
are graphically treated on the surfaces to look like colorful recreations
of a hieroglyphic bird, the wings being the elongated portion of
the cabinet. The only art attached to the cabinet is the portion
designated for the head of the creature. Three sets of sculpted
cornices, create borders for the different planes. The bases of
the legs are treated with the ledging, the section separating the
top cabinet, from the rest of the sign, and finally another set
around the top crowning edge of the sign. Both sides of the top
edge have a sculpted element in the very center. A flat circle,
presumably a representation of the sun, flanked by two snakes are
set on a pair of large wings spreading to either side. This element
is ambiently lit from underneath. The text, which spells "Luxor,"
is composed of polished gold channel letters, with closed faces
with graphic treatments in blue upon the faces. The faces are painted
to appear if the letters are faceted into three dimensions. They
are lit from behind with whit neon creating a halo effect around
the letters. The surface of the actual structure is finished to
appear as if it is constructed of limestone, utilizing false joints
and seams. The south end of the property close to the street is
the four-sided obelisk. The text on the obelisk is the same word
treated in the same fashion, structurally and aesthetically, as
the pylon sign. The only difference is that it reads vertically
from top to bottom. Statuary adorn the base of the obelisk in a
repeating pattern as well as it being covered in hieroglyphic patterns.
A tunnel allows for the pedestrian to pass underneath the obelisk.
The porte cochere is located underneath the body of the Sphinx,
another use of the architecture to incorporate the pedestrian element.
If you head east through the sphinx, a tunnel opens up into a small
courtyard where a shuttle bus may be caught. The ceiling of the
porte cochere is adorned with a circular chandelier, composed of
metal representations of leafy branches radiating around a rounded
center. The ends of the arms hold length-wise half cylinder lamps.
The ceiling above is painted blue. The most spectacular element
of the Luxor is its super powerful light in the place of the capstone
at the very peak. The beam is one of the most powerful lights in
the world, and can be seen from high above into the earth's atmosphere
as well. The edges of the pyramid are also raceways, which can be
seen in action in the dark. An animation of bulbs makes it appear
as if a single bulb of light streams up the base to the very peak.
The animation runs at an interval of every couple of seconds. On
the very south edge of the property, actually on the southeast corner,
is a sculpted, small pylon which houses a color led screen.
7. Type of Display:
neon, ambient
8. Media: steel,
masonry
9. Non-neon treatments:
plaster/stucco finishes
10. Animation:
chasing
Notes: {animnotes}
11. Environment:
Standing next to the Mandalay
Bay on the west side of the southern end of Las Vegas Blvd., the
Luxor's front exterior is a sprawling mass of smooth vertical planes
turning into eloquent statue and stucco walls. They are interlaced
with drives and signage complete with a platform at the base of
the Sphinx, which is just east of where the valet and porte cochere
are grounded in the base of the beasts belly. From the edge of a
Platform a tram station is located and also a view of the signage
can be seen as well. The Luxor's environment is a very pedestrian
one as well. Being in an isolated part of the strip, the noise clutter
brought about by the surging traffic is considerably better than
the heart of the strip. |
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