News: Las Vegas Design Center to Discuss ‘Design A Suite Downtown’ Entries During First Friday

08.27.10

(LAS VEGAS)—August 27, 2010—Over the summer, Las Vegas designers were invited to enter renderings of their fantasy suite at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino during the “Design A Suite Downtown.” The four finalists have been named, and now competition advisor and judge Brian Thornton, IIDA, will showcase the 18 intriguing submissions for the competition September 3 at 10 a.m. at Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas as part of the monthly First Friday design series.

“Design A Suite Downtown” is the first of its kind in Las Vegas. It served to challenge local interior designers to create an original, inspired vision for a hotel suite. It was also an opportunity for one of downtown Las Vegas’ most iconic properties, El Cortez Hotel & Casino, to put to use the remarkable pool of talent in the Las Vegas design landscape. Constructed in 1941, the El Cortez is an anchor property in the Fremont East Entertainment District. Its original façade and classic neon signage displays the retro vibe, while also embodying the modern aesthetic with 300 newly remodeled rooms and a boutique-style hotel.

Four finalists were selected for the competition in late July and each will receive a budget of $20,000 to bring their plans to life. This First Friday discussion is an opportunity for the public (and entrants) to see the four winning designs as well as the 14 additional entries, and learn about the judging process directly from Thornton, who was involved from start to finish.

Thornton, who is founder of Brian G. Thornton Designs, has more than 30 years of hospitality, commercial, upper-end residential and retail design experience. In 2008, Thornton served as Director of Design for MGM Mirage’s design group in Las Vegas. The same year, Thornton founded designMINDS, a local, creative networking organization for the interior design and architecture community, which has quickly become one of the most significant professional organizations in Las Vegas. In 2010, Thornton launched a luxury lighting line for the hospitality and residential markets along with a faucet line in conjunction with Pfister.

The First Friday discussion will take place 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 3 in C-176 at World Market Center Las Vegas, 495 South Grand Central Parkway. To R.S.V.P. please e-mail LVDC@LVDesignCenter.com or call (702) 599-3093. For more information on Design A Suite Downtown, please visit www.designasuitedowntown.com. 

About Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas

Sitting at the epicenter of the world’s fastest growing home furnishings complex, Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas is a year-round resource for design-seeking consumers and designers showcasing top names in fine furniture, decorative accessories, wall décor, lighting, floor coverings, fabrics and trim. Now open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., LVDC boasts hundreds of leading manufacturers’ lines. An important source of education for the industry, Las Vegas Design Center also attracts many of the industry’s most prominent thought leaders to its comprehensive slate of seminars, networking receptions and other sought-after events. Las Vegas Design Center is home to the recently opened Mundo: A Culinary Haute Spot. For more information, visit www.lvdesigncenter.com.

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