As Wynn Las Vegas marks its 20th anniversary, we pause to reflect on the vision, ingenuity, and artistry that shaped this extraordinary property. We were fortunate to be part of the team, crafting a landscape environment that set the tone for modern luxury on the Las Vegas Strip. Having previously designed Bellagio with Mirage Resorts (now Wynn Resorts), we embraced a new challenge—creating a property with a completely different feel.

While Bellagio showcased its grandeur out front, Wynn Las Vegas took a more intimate and enigmatic approach, keeping its secrets inside. It draws you into a world of curated beauty, seclusion and exclusivity.

The Greeting of a Pine-Covered Mountain

One of the most striking features of Wynn Las Vegas is that it hides away from the Strip. Our task was to create a fully immersive environment – that shields the guests from the noisy, visual chaos of the surrounding streets and adjacent developments, while crafting an entirely distinct world for the resort. Given the size of the overwhelming surroundings, subtlety wasn’t an option. So, we dreamed up a towering 100’ tall ‘mountain’ blanketed in a forest of 40’-50’ tall pines, enveloping the entire front of the resort.

More than just a dramatic visual element, this lush green mammoth serves multiple important functions. Shaping the mountain’s footprint on the resort side of the mountain allowed us to create intimate, secluded coves that played to guests at the adjacent restaurants and clubs, including the Lake of Dreams show. Unlike a traditional earthen mound, the mountain is a sophisticated, stepped structure with deep planters. Beneath its surface, the design provides the necessary storage space for show support facilities and the hydraulic equipment for the many waterfalls that bring each cove to life.

The mountain would not have been possible without salvaging numerous large pine trees that had been growing on the former Desert Inn golf course for over 50 years. The process of transforming the outdated course into the pristine Wynn Golf Club you see today allowed us to selectively remove some trees for replanting throughout the resort without disrupting the landscape. These trees now continue to lend history and character to the property as they cover the mountain, line the entry drives, and provide structure to the pool area.

The Atrium: A Garden at the Heart of the Resort

From the moment guests step inside, they are immersed in a breathtaking garden experience that is the signature of a Wynn property. The atrium serves as a seamless transition from the lush world that we created leading into the resort, guiding visitors through a dynamic garden of flowers, sculptures, and trees as they stroll to restaurants, registration, or the casino. The artistry of the landscape is an extension of the Wynn style and Roger Thomas’ exquisite floral mosaic floors that weave through the atrium. Just like the mountain that we created in front of the property, the Atrium and planting were theatrically designed for multiple purposes. The planting areas are contoured underneath, ensuring that as the seasonal plants are rotated, they remain tilted upward for better visibility by guests. These slopes also create a discreetly planted hill that prevents immediate views of the nearby casino floor. Meanwhile, the large live Ficus trees lining the walkway create an intimate canopy over the guests. Their branches gently diffuse the sun shining through the skylight, while mitigating the less desirable view of the tower.

The Pool Gardens: A Boutique Oasis

Unlike the expansive pools of other resorts, the Wynn pool area was designed to evoke the exclusivity of a boutique retreat. Instead of seeing everything at once, Wynn guests experience an unfolding journey as they travel through the pool area, discovering a series of small, interconnected, pool-focused garden “rooms.” Each of these areas is crafted with the same level of detail and elegance as the resort’s interiors, making them feel more like romantic European gardens with fountains, where swimming is part of the experience.

We designed and had pre-grown live topiary elements, used in the pool gardens and around the property, to give a whimsical nod to the landscape’s European inspiration. Grown around steel frameworks to make sure they always keep their shape, everything from Italian Cypress and fruitless olive trees to Ficus and citrus trees were thoughtfully arranged as sculptural and framing elements, ensuring the garden feels both timeless and artistic.

Additionally, the pools were positioned to serve as a visual delight beyond their recreational use. The picturesque gardens can be seen from the many cafes, meeting rooms, and ballrooms nearby, enhancing the ambiance for both business and leisure guests. They also provide an expansive breakout space for events.

The Golf Course and Fairway Villas: A Seamless Connection to Nature

Reworked and improved from the Desert Inn Golf Club which had been a fixture for over 50 years, the Wynn Golf Club introduced a unique experience for the Wynn guest that no other Las Vegas Strip resort property offered. Not only did the resort’s landscape extend seamlessly onto the fairways, offering enthusiasts a world class golf experience right on property, but this adjacency also allowed the Fairway Villas to take full advantage of the breathtaking views. Their private garden retreats offer infinity-edge pools to create the illusion that the villa gardens extend directly into the fairways, reinforcing a sense of harmony between architecture and nature.

A Legacy of Art and Design

Just like the resort itself, which was originally tentatively named Le Reve in honor of the iconic Picasso painting that Mr. Wynn owned, every aspect of Wynn Las Vegas was inspired by art. From the romantic contemporary mood of the gardens to the sculptural quality of the topiaries, this philosophy permeated every design decision, ensuring that the resort remains an enduring icon of beauty and ingenuity.

As we celebrate 20 years of Wynn Las Vegas, we take pride in the role we played in shaping its legendary landscape. It remains a testament to the power of thoughtful design—where nature, architecture, and artistry come together to create something truly magical.