The Michelle Sterling Las Vegas Real Estate Team would like to weigh-in on the topic of unusual and distinctive landmarks in home cities across the country. We feel especially qualified to pontificate on this particular subject due to the outstanding collection of amazing architectural delights on Las Vegas Boulevard. To be honest, it’s hard to know where to start, so we’ll just dive-in at the south end of the Strip and work our way northward!

The Luxor  Hotel  is among the most recognizable hotels in the world  because of its striking Egyptian  design. Guests are greeted by an authentic recreation of the Great Sphinx of Giza and a 350-foot (30 story) black glass pyramid. Topping-out the structure is the brightest light beam in the world (for real). With a visibility radius of 275 miles, the Luxor  spotlight  can be seen  from  anywhere in Southern California  as soon as  your plane hits cruising altitude. Believe me, the Egyptian  Pharaohs never had it so good!

The next stop on the magical architectural tour is the  New York New York Hotel and Casino. The building itself is a composite display of significant New York City skyscrapers that include the Chrysler Building and Trump Tower as well as  a wrap-around roller coaster aptly named the Manhattan Express. The front of the structure  features a water display that represents New York Harbor complete with tug boats, the Brooklyn Bridge  and the Statue of Liberty (at half scale). Even the interior motif recreates the look and feel of New York, especially the dining areas that  bear an amazing resemblance to  Greenwich Village. Ready for a late night  slice of New York’s famous? Believe me, you’ll think you’re standing in Ray Bari’s on Third Avenue!

Last but not least, we move to the world-famous fountains at Bellagio and the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas. Inspired by the elegance of Lake Como in Italy, the lake in front of the Bellagio Hotel is home to the most stunning water display ever created. Can there be anyone left  that hasn’t seen the remake of Ocean’s Eleven where the Bellagio  fountains were  prominently displayed (along with the rest of the hotel)? The Fountains of Bellagio consist of 1,200 high pressure nozzles and 4,500 lights within an 8-acre lake at a cost estimated to be at least $50 million. The  fluid  choreography of light, music and water create breathtaking  visual magic that must be experienced to be believed. In fact, one of the most spectacular viewpoints for  the fountain show can be found just across the street  at the top of the Eiffel Tower. The observation deck (at 460 feet) provides  sweeping  views of Bellagio…and beyond.  Another unique aspect of Paris Las Vegas is that a back leg of the Eiffel tower actually comes down through the middle of the casino floor!

Arguably the most  spectacular city in the world, Las Vegas dazzles with  world class  resort-style landmarks that continue to set the standard. We couldn’t be more proud of our city in all it’s glamor!