About Jonathan S. Sparer

Jon retired as a founding principal of YWS Architects in December 2012 after creating the firm in 2001. YWS was an International Design Firm that specialized in leisure design. During Jon’s tenure at YWS he was the design architect for such diverse projects as the MGM Macau, multiple Resorts in China, Delta Downs in Louisiana, Blue Chip Casino in Indiana, Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson, NV and The Center in downtown Las Vegas.

Prior to founding YWS Jon spent 19 years at Marnell Corrao Associates, the last 10 years as VP Architecture. While at MCA, Jon was the Design Architect for the Borgata in Atlantic City as well as the lead Executive Architect on the Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio Resorts in Las Vegas as well as numerous remodels and expansions at most of the casino resorts in Las Vegas.

Prior to moving to Las Vegas in 1981, Jon worked for a small architectural firm in Beverly Hills for 4 years where he worked on diverse and interesting projects, including beachfront mansions for celebrities, hospitals and assorted commercial projects.

Jon moved around in his college years, attending Quinnipiac College and Arizona State University before attending and graduating from The Ohio State University in 1977, with a semester abroad at Oxford. Jon is the current Nevada State Fellow Representative and past President of both the Nevada and Las Vegas Chapters of the AIA. Jon was the Co-Chair of A’19; the last ‘in-person’ National Conference on Architecture held in Las Vegas in June 2019.

After 32 years together, Jon and John Klai, FAIA, married in 2014 and live in Las Vegas with their 2 puppies, Dexter & Bruno. Their daughter Alison lives in Houston with her husband Jimmy Mulligan, son Mason and daughter Elliot.