BEST MARBLE PROJECT

Waldorf Astoria Lobby
Mountain West Administrative District Council
Signatory Contractor: T. Nickolas Company

The renovation of the Waldorf Astoria lobby in Las Vegas is one of the most extraordinary projects of the year. The project, designed by CallisonRTKL Inc., utilized over 11,000 square feet of Italian Calacatta and Carrera marble, imported from Italy, to transform the heart of this iconic hotel.

Inspired by the grandeur of New York’s Waldorf Astoria, the bold design of the Hoover Dam and the colors of the surrounding landscape, the new lobby features an art deco design that evokes both luxury and strength. 

The installation methods were as intricate as the design itself – walls were mechanically fastened, while floors were fresh set in mortar, using 4x4 marble slabs installed with inlays, all by a dedicated team of highly skilled members of the BAC Mountain West Administrative District Council who worked tirelessly for four months.

The challenges were formidable. Precision was key, with every marble piece requiring on-site kerfing for the rail mounting system, as well as custom fabrication of the LED light cove cavity on the fluted, curved book match columns. Creative rigging was used to overcome the limited anchoring points, and layout design was critical, needing to ensure the walls and floors aligned under the two-story ceilings, made even more difficult through multiple blind spots.

The scale of this project demanded excellence, especially with the added pressure of completing the transformation in time for two high-profile events—the Super Bowl and the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix. However, despite these challenges, the team met every expectation, completing the renovation with impeccable precision.

This award is a testament to the excellence of the skill and craftsmanship of the Mountain West Administrative District Council members who brought this vision to life.