From there, it's easy to move on to one of the new restaurants (marquee options include the seafood-focused Council Oak Fish and the Japanese Kuro), nightclubs (Daer: a mid-sized club that attracts big-name DJs), music venues (recent artists include Christina Aguilera and Maxwell), or spa. The wide-open atrium also makes it easy to choose your own adventure, with the casino floor and various restaurants all within clear view. At the bottom of the escalator sits the crown jewel of the hotel’s rock memorabilia collection: A Rolls-Royce automobile once owned by Elvis Presley along with smaller pieces, such as hand-written lyrics to John Lennon’s “Imagine”.
Here, a multi-story escalator rises through a 270-degree wraparound screen playing video content that includes concert footage and on-site promotions. According to Emanuele, some 70 percent of guests self-park and enter the casino through this atrium area, making it an obvious spot to serve as a showpiece and mission statement. Key to fixing this: Adding a central atrium that serves as a dramatic statement and crossroads for the structure. “The Taj never had a very good circulation plan,” Emanuele says.
