MGM National Harbor Resort and Casino
With properties hosting millions of visitors every year, MGM Resorts International recognizes its responsibility to positively influence its guests to embrace environmental stewardship. SmithGroup helped MGM chart a new course for sustainable growth when the new MGM National Harbor achieved LEED Gold certification.
Markets/Services
Size
3,200,000 GSF
Designed in collaboration between MGM Resorts International, SmithGroup as the architect of record and design architect HKS, Inc., MGM National Harbor opened in December 2016 on the shores of the Potomac River just south of Washington, DC in the National Harbor development. MGM National Harbor features a 23-story, 308-room luxury hotel with amenities including fine dining from local and celebrity chefs, world-class entertainment, luxury retail shops, a three thousand-seat theater and a resort spa.
MGM National Harbor integrates environmentally responsible practices, effectively lowering the carbon footprint of its operations across the resort. The 3.5 million square foot multi-use hospitality development incorporates energy efficient systems, occupancy comfort and wellness-minded material selection, preferred parking spaces for electric and high-efficiency vehicles, and emphasis on several technologies and innovations to manage water—making MGM National Harbor a premier, environmentally sustainable urban destination.
The project site and scale created unique challenges and opportunities. Stormwater management and water efficiency were prioritized given the resort’s location within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The project’s size and scale enabled district-level thinking as well as enhanced its purchasing power. The team leveraged that purchasing power to ensure products procured included material ingredient disclosures for healthy and ethical manufacturing.
Beyond merely interacting with the resort’s sustainable design features, guests learn about environmental stewardship through a comprehensive green education program which includes signage highlighting sustainable design strategies and their benefits.
SmithGroup managed a team of more than 60 design consultants, ensuring design requirements and guidelines regarding sustainability and environmental practices, technologies and materials were enforced across the large team.