Martin Stern Jr posthumously honoured at G2E

"Martin Stern influenced the entire history of casino architecture and design in Las Vegas, -- and the world - by fusing convention hotel, casino space and retail," said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. "Without him, literally, raising the bar for casinos, we would not see any of the spectacular designs being built today."

Stern began his career as a sketch artist in Hollywood. His flair for the dramatic influenced his design style. Before designing casinos, he drew attention for the funky-looking "Googie" style architecture in Los Angeles. His most famous work, the "Ships" coffee house in Los Angeles, stands to this day.

Stern founded Martin Stern, Jr. and Associates, an architectural firm that helped transform Las Vegas from a low-rise stretch into an extravagant vertical city. He began working in Las Vegas when he designed the low-rise addition to the Sahara Hotel and Casino. However, he quickly moved on to design more efficient and unique tower additions for the Sands Hotel and the Mint Hotel. The high-rise form became his most well-known design, raising the skyline of the city.

Throughout Las Vegas, Martin became known as a go-to designer for innovative and creative projects. His designs were in high demand and he gained world recognition for The International, which is now the Las Vegas Hilton. The tri-form megaresort became one of the most duplicated forms on the Strip and provided the model for the Bellagio Resort & Casino, Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, the Mirage Resort & Casino and Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, among others.

As the casino industry moved east, so did Martin's work. Martin designed tri-form casinos in Atlantic City, including the Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino and the Showboat Hotel & Casino. His designs quickly became the most popular form, not just in Las Vegas, but in gaming destinations across the country. He was commissioned for further projects in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles.

In 1993, Stern was brought back for one final project as a consultant on the modern-day MGM Grand Hotel. "Martin is a legend, whose legacy can be appreciated most by those of us following in his footsteps," said Joel D. Bergman, AIA, chairman and CEO of Bergman, Walls & Associates and a past recipient of the Sarno award. Bergman, a longtime employee and colleague of Stern, accepted the 2011 Sarno award on his behalf.

The Sarno Award, the highest honor afforded to any individual involved in the design and construction of casino resorts, is presented annually during G2E, which provides the only education content dedicated solely to casino architecture, design and decor, and construction. The Award is named for Jay Sarno, the grandfather of casino design, who envisioned such well-known casino resort properties as Caesars Palace and Circus Circus in the 1960s.