Viva Las Vegas

Edie Cohen -- Interior Design, 11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

That's what the World Market Center believes. With Building A occupied and Building B set for a January opening, the WMC has already celebrated groundbreaking for Building C—on a fast track for a 2008 ribbon-cutting. This latest addition, a 16-story tower by the Jerde Partnership International with JMA Architecture Studios, brings the total showroom space to 5 million square feet. According to Victor Pedraz, the WMC's director, Building C already has 25 percent of 505 showroom spaces committed—albeit partially to tenants on the move from Buildings A or B. Among our crowd, Pedraz is talking to Holly Hunt, Kohler Co., and David Sutherland. He also has his sights set on the European contingent.

The $1 billion three-building project, which occupies 57 acres in downtown Las Vegas, was little more than a concept five years ago. Now, thanks to a combination of private and public financing from the city of Las Vegas, five more structures are slated to be completed by 2013. Signed on to see it all through is former Broyhill Furniture Industries president Harvey Dondero, who returns to his native Vegas as the WMC's CEO.