Clark County Government Center

The Clark County Government Center in 2011

The Clark County Government Center serves as the government center building for Clark County, Nevada. It is located in Downtown Las Vegas. The 350,000-square-foot (33,000 m²) complex designed by Fentress Bradburn and opened in 1995 consists of a six-story county administration building, three one-story buildings for the county commissioners’ chambers, a multipurpose community facility and a central plant. It includes space for government administration, a law enforcement complex, a performing arts complex, a child-care facility and structured parking. It also contains a single-story auditorium, a pyramid-shaped cafeteria and a cylindrical, six-story reception hall, as well as office buildings.

Designed by Fentress Architects, the complex design physically embodies Clark County’s philosophy of providing open, accessible government in a new civic cultural center. The government center is organized around a multifunctional County courtyard and shaded pedestrian spine. The shaded, circular arcade completes the circular form of the buildings. Aligned radially with the columns are three rows of trees framing a sloped lawn amphitheater. A centered raised platform creates the stage. The amphitheater, an acre and a half in area and 280 feet (85 m) in diameter, is capable of accommodating almost any type of major public gathering, theater, or ceremony.

It has received awards including “Best Non-Hotel Architecture” and the “People’s Choice Las Vegas Journal” award in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.