Food writer Kim Foster explores these associations and more, as part of UNLV’s University Forum Lecture series in collaboration with the Black Mountain Institute

It started as a crude sketch — a circle with a stick person inside. Seven years later, that drawing has been made real: A $2.3 billion massive spherical venue standing 366 feet high and lighting up the Las Vegas skyline.

All eyes are on the Sphere this weekend, as the one-of-a-kind event and entertainment venue — which has garnered worldwide attention for its unique architectural and technological design — celebrates its grand opening in Las Vegas.

While the technological marvels of the Sphere have dazzled tourists and locals, UNLV Professor Glenn Nowak sees the building that opens its doors Friday from a different perspective.

The Sphere is years in the making with a hefty price tag of $2.3 Billion. CEO James Dolan would surely like to start making that money back.

The Sphere is years in the making with a hefty price tag of $2.3 Billion. CEO James Dolan would surely like to start making that money back.

The Sphere will open it's doors to the public for the first time on Friday, Sept 29 with U2's first of 25 performances at the venue.

Sphere has captured the attention of many, including Alex Hu from Canada who was strolling along the Las Vegas Strip on Monday.

Sphere has captured the attention of many, including Alex Hu from Canada who was strolling along the Las Vegas Strip on Monday.

Rock Band U2, Exclusive Film To Kick Off Sphere’s Calendar of Events

UNLV is getting $5 million from the federal government as part of an effort to keep things a little bit cooler in one of the nation’s hottest cities.

UNLV plans to plant about 3,000 trees in Southern Nevada over the next five years with a $5 million grant from the U.S. Forest Service.