The Bellagio, which takes inspiration from Lake Como, Italy, recently was ranked No. 22 out of 150 structures in a poll conducted by Harris Interactive and the American Institute of Architects of AIA members? and the public?s favorite architecture. Shelly Donahue/View
Shelly Donahue/ViewVisitors walk through the Bellagio conservatory. The Bellagio is the highest-ranked structure built in the last decade and the only Las Vegas landmark to make the AIA list.
Shelly Donahue/ViewVisitors walk through Via Bellagio, the upscale shopping arcade at the Bellagio. The hotel was designed with an Italian-European town style.
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When Americans think of great architecture, the Bellagio is No. 22 on the list, according to the recently released America's Favorite Architecture poll conducted by Harris Interactive and the American Institute of Architects.
The Bellagio is the highest-ranked structure built in the last decade and the only Las Vegas landmark on the list.
"It's a special recognition for the Bellagio," said Jenn Michaels, the vice president of public relations for MGM Mirage. "Bellagio is intended to invoke a sense of luxury and romance."
The poll featured 150 landmarks from across the United States. The Empire State Building in New York topped the list, with the Golden Gate Bridge ranked fifth, the World Trade Center Towers ranked 19th and the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego ranked 18th.
The interviews were conducted online among a random sample of AIA members, who could nominate their 20 favorite structures in 15 categories. From there, the top 248 structures were chosen and presented in a survey to the general public in interviews to 1,800 adults over age 18. Respondents then evaluated 78 photos chosen at random.
Edward Shriver, chairman of AIA's National Retail and Entertainment Knowledge Community, said the Bellagio is good at creating a separate world of entertainment.
"The Bellagio has created this very comfortable, Italian-European town style. They've been very consistent and coherent," Shriver said. "Those blown-glass flowers in the ceiling are just stunning."
Michaels said the Dale Chihuly glass flowers and the conservatory add to the Bellagio's appeal. Then, there's the fountains.
"I think that the very iconic fountains certainly must be among the most recognizable icons in the country. One can't help but watch the fountains and feel they've been whisked away to a very special place," Michaels said.
Michaels said the inspiration for the design was taken from Lake Como in Italy.
"It evokes the sense of a Tuscan resort in Italy," she said.
Michaels said this is the first architectural honor that Bellagio has received.
"Readers polls are especially important because it says to us what the customers are thinking," Michaels said.
For a complete list of the structures, visit www.aia150.org.
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