Architectural firm Gensler says it’s bullish on the Las Vegas market and greater Nevada as 2025 begins to wind down.
In an hour-long interview featuring Design Director, Principal Brett Robillard and Managing Director, Global Director of Hospitality Joyen Vakil, Gensler leaders touched on their position in the market, trends from an architectural perspective and different projects they have been working on.
Las Vegas Office and Greater Gensler
To begin the interview, the participants were asked to describe Gensler as a company and the Las Vegas office specifically. Robillard said the company typically focuses on boutique-to-moderate-sized projects across a variety of sectors.
Gensler approaches architecture with a generalist point of view. While it is common for similarly sized firms to focus on a small number of project types, Gensler works on projects spanning a wide range of fields.
Robillard said the ability to work on numerous project types has kept the firm nimble and agile when approaching new projects and innovating.
Gensler has six regional offices in the Southwest. Part of what makes the firm so agile is that it can use architects best suited for specific roles on various projects. The offices are interlinked and can freely interact with one another, which allows specialists from all over the world to collaborate.
This enables the firm to provide individual specialists to tailor projects specifically to the needs of the developer and local community.
Nevada Differs from Other States
Robillard said that Nevada as a state and Las Vegas as a city are two very different things. Las Vegas is a travel destination that is commonly visited by both Americans and international travelers, while other parts of the Silver State have their own charms, subcultures and attractions.
In terms of the uniqueness of Las Vegas, Robillard and Vakil agreed the metropolitan area is a hotspot for innovation and technological improvements, specifically in the entertainment and hospitality sectors.
As Las Vegas is a destination, design concepts have to simultaneously be worthwhile to visit and feasible to operate.
Robillard described Las Vegas as a sort of architectural testing ground. While the majority of cities are constructed near rivers and ports, Las Vegas was built in the middle of the desert.
He also said the city has one of the most fascinating skylines, as it’s one of the few places in the world that is constantly tearing things down and replacing them. He went on to say, “There’s a bravado and risk-taking nature that’s fundamentally different from other cities.”
Vakil followed up by saying, “I wish I had taken a photograph of the skyline when I moved here.” He said the Mirage was the tallest building when he initially moved to the city.
While both Northern and Southern Nevada have incredible natural beauty, Northern Nevada places more of a focus on that aspect. This, combined with its proximity to California, has allowed the region to become a tourist destination unto itself.
Northern Nevada is also home to a large number of industrial developments, such as the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. Each area throughout the state has its own character, which plays a role in shaping the experience of developers and customers alike.
Favorite Types of Projects to Work on
The interviewees were then asked what some of their personal favorite types of projects are to work on. Vakil joked, “This is one of my favorite questions. It’s like you’re asking me to pick my favorite child.”
He then said multi-use projects and hospitality projects are some of the most enjoyable and noted that healthcare-related projects are constantly evolving and reinventing themselves.
Robillard began by discussing live entertainment projects. He then said that, while he enjoys all projects, the best ones are the ones that people seek out and want to go to.
Resource Limitations
The Gensler representatives were asked how they incorporate sustainability measures to minimize water and power use.
Robillard began by stressing the importance of working with both civil engineers and local municipalities to maximize water retention. Notably, the region is well-practiced in water retention and leads the United States in limiting water use.
Water conservation and energy usage are built into local codes. Conservation efforts and usage are incredibly complex areas to navigate but are continually improving as time moves forward.
Robillard also noted educational awareness has been spread throughout the state, and residents are generally conscious of water use. He did, however, note that one of the drawbacks to a large tourism industry is it may attract people who are unaware of how to save water.
Vakil said local resorts use groundwater for outdoor features and are frequently working with local treatment plants. Las Vegas Water District also has a number of cooling restrictions on things like evaporative cooling towers.
He said the company tries to use air-based cooling whenever possible. Additionally, Gensler looks at opportunities for solar cell implementation and avoids heat gain and heavy resource use.
Robillard and Vakil were then asked to share some details on some of their recent projects.
Intermountain Health Children’s Hospital
Gensler is working alongside Shepley Bulfinch on the Intermountain Health Children’s Hospital. The hospital is to be constructed on 34 acres at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Harry Reid Research and Technology Park. (NVBEX, July 12)
The project is roughly 30% through the design phase, and Gensler is focusing on the interior design. Robillard made note of the complicated nature of hospital designs. This particular hospital is unique in that, due to its nature as a children’s hospital, rooms must be expanded to accommodate families that will often be present.
The design must also make accommodations for physicians, economics and postoperative care needs. Robillard said he was excited to be a part of a project that is so important to the community and said he loves the “spirit of what we’re doing.”
Film Studios
Gensler had worked on designs for Summerlin Studios, a film studio campus proposed by Howard Hughes Holdings, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery. (NVBEX, Feb. 15; Feb. 28; May 31; June 5; June 7)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Reports have shown the construction of the studio was dependent on the approval of Assembly Bill 238, a legislative bill that would provide film tax credits for the proposed studio. The legislative session ended without the discussion of AB238.
Gov. Joe Lombardo recently announced a special session, which some have speculated may include the film tax credit proposals. The contents of the proposed special sessions are still unknown as of time of writing.
Robillard and Vakil do not know whether the once-proposed film tax credits will appear in the special session. They did, however, express optimism at the prospect of bringing in the industry to further diversify Nevada’s economy.
Robillard said many people have voiced concerns about traffic generated by potential film studios and said those types of developments do not typically generate frequent traffic.
Vakil said there are enough people who want to see film studios in the area that he would not be surprised if studios start to pop up in the region.
UNLV Memorial
Robillard discussed the UNLV Memorial, which is being created to commemorate a recent school shooting. Despite the project’s relatively small size in comparison to the film studios and hospital, it is still one of his favorites, as it is deeply impactful to the local community.
MGM Renovation
The MGM Renovation was also briefly touched on in the interview. Gensler is leading the design on the hospitality giant’s $300M remodel of all its 4,212 rooms in its main tower.
The remodel is thematically described as capturing the glamour and elegance of the disco era. Work is scheduled for completion in December of this year.
Tourism Slowdown
Many news outlets have reported the region is suffering from a tourism decline. When asked if this was true, Vakil said it depends on who you ask, as different people have been seeing different effects.
He went on to say the odd market conditions seen over the past year are due to a number of macroeconomic factors.
He also said the region is in the midst of a reinvention phase. For example, several tech startups are emerging, and data centers are becoming increasingly common.
Robillard said, “It’s bad to bet against a place so resilient and clever.” He said that while traditional gaming isn’t expanding as quickly as it once was, other areas have seen steady growth. He described the city as a lightning rod for innovation and livable experiences.
2026 Outlook
To end the interview, the interviewees were asked how they felt about Las Vegas in 2026 and Gensler’s place in the market.
Vakil began by saying the company has a lot of “irons in the fire.” He and Robillard shared optimism for the growth of both Gensler and Las Vegas. Robillard noted Las Vegas is the most charitable place he has ever lived and is confident in its success.
