Martin Stern, Jr.

Martin Stern Jr. (April 9, 1917 – July 28, 2001) was an American architect who was most widely known for his large scale designs and structures in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is credited with originating the concept of the structurally integrated casino resort complex in Las Vegas. He graduated from the University of Southern California before briefly working for Paul R. Williams. In 1945, he opened his own practice in 8912 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. His early work in Los Angeles included custom homes and garden apartments like Manchester Gardens, Wilshire-La Cienega Gardens, and Belford Gardens. He also designed apartment and office buildings. He then had a brief hiatus from architecture when he served in the U.S. Armed Forces around 1950.

After his military service, he returned to work. He collaborated with William Cody on the Tamarisk Country Club in Palm Springs, as well as multiple shopping centers, housing tracts, homes and coffee shops. Martin and Doris had two sons. After they divorced, in 1967 Stern remarried to Chantal Maspey, with whom he had a son and a daughter.

High-rising Las Vegas

Martin Stern Jr. designed the International Hotel, which later became the Las Vegas Hilton, and the first MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, two pivotal Martin Stern Jr. projects with entrepreneur Kirk Kerkorian in 1969 and 1973, which set the pace for the transformation of Las Vegas from a low-rise sprawl 1954: Clark Market, Torrance, California 1955: Encino Village, a subdivision of 400 homes in Encino, Los Angeles, California.

in Kaanapali, Hawaii.