Westgate Resorts is changing the face of timeshares with the PH Towers, integrated with the existing Planet Hollywood complex at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. Housing 1,201 guestrooms and 621 timeshare units, the 52-story cobalt-blue building (a second tower is in the works) and its interiors emphasize clean, cool, angular design with bold interventions of color and artful details.

The Westgate in-house design staff, under the guidance of founder and president David Siegel and COO Mark Waltrip, brought in Morris Architects. “Our design philosophy focused on creating a new level of cosmopolitan living in Las Vegas that harmonizes purity, balance, and purpose,” says Westgate lead designer Alma Smailbegovic. “The towers have a sense of rhythm and grace derived from sophisticated simplicity.” Adds Gerald Koi of Morris Architects: “We could see potential for the ‘wow’ factor with the bold Deco modern design, dramatic full-glass views of the Strip and surrounding mountains, and elegant pool and cabanas. It’s South Beach without the ocean.”

Overlooking an iridescent 30-foot tiled waterfall, reflective glass escalators lead to a daylight-filled lobby, accented by white marble flooring, black granite countertops, a 100-foot-long curving glass wall, and electric red highlights in the carpeting, furnishings, and architectural elements. The brilliant red hue continues in the 17 decorative columns fabricated by Moz Designs, where a lively ripples pattern works together with a translucent holographic effect. A black-and-white lobby bar, meanwhile, floats between the reception center and pool. “It’s not a bold, masculine statement, but rather soft, sexy, and seductive,” says Smailbegovic

Designed to conceal the overhead pipes, fitting, and vents, more than 100 red tiles were suspended by threaded steel and float above the VIP entry. With a hand-etched bamboo pattern, the tiles shimmer and glow in this unique application. “The soffit and ceiling tiles catch the sun’s rays and manifest brilliant, changing colors throughout the day from light red to deep ruby, matching the desert sunsets,” Smailbegovic notes.

Lighting was also a critical element in staging an inviting setting in the reception area. Sculpted white glass chandeliers from Prospetto create a quiet light source and oversized “light box” columns are lit with color-changing LEDs, while the lighting company’s Bubbles fixtures illuminate the corridors.

Guestrooms and timeshare units emit a luxury-liner vibe, thanks to black-on-black dimensional floor-to-ceiling headboards, sculpted black swirling carpets, leather-like wallcoverings, exotic veneered cabinets, and low-level LED lighting.

Outside, a sandy beach surrounds the pool, while privacy cabanas sport breezy white and signature red fabrics. The bright red lobby accents make their way into shade canopies overhanging two bars, as well as the rattan-style furniture.

“The architects and designers interpreted our vision of a luxurious, contemporary urban resort with an inviting human scale and comfort level,” Westgate’s Waltrip says.