Friday, December 22, 2017

360 Vintage Vegas: Wayne McAllister






Patreon.com/360Vegas
Architecture, if done well, is much more than just the designing of a building; its creating a durable structure that is not only functional but beautiful.  Every building is designed by an architect however it takes vision and skill to transcend the steel, concrete and glass jungles of major metropolitan cities to create things that stands out in someone’s mind, and in some cases in history, as exceptional representations of the craft, inspiring future generations to take architecture to the next level; to continue to evolve with science and create something timeless.  While the best to ever live are often unknown to the public at large, their creations are known around the world and live on for decades and in some cases centuries after they are gone. 

While he had a hand in designing Binion’s Horseshoe, the Fremont is the only remaining resort Wayne McAllister was responsible for in Las Vegas.  Nevertheless, his legacy far transcends the buildings he created.  While most people have no idea who he is, Wayne’s work and influence on Las Vegas is unmistakable and timeless.  The Vegas vibe and all things cool about it can be related back to or somehow influenced by him, like a game of 6 degrees of Wayne McAllister.  So the next time you find yourself starting to tingle from the special Vegas euphoria, remember who invented that feeling, think of your favorite marquee and throw the dice. 

Saturday, December 16, 2017

E-253: Tears For Fears of Cirque



Random Vegas
There is a small thematic sub-text of cirque’s Beatles LOVE being the band’s last concert? (Vegas Chatter)

Twitpic of the week



Palpable, in a word, is how I would describe @jenhaught's picture and this week's "Twitpic of the week".  The view of the strip, south of Paris, at night, taken from the Eiffel Tower experience is so intense it's almost tangible, also known as the actual definition of the word Palpable.  One of the most interesting effects views like this and ones available at the Mandarin Oriental or the High Roller is, while they are stunningly beautiful, they also create an intense desire to abandon said view and become a part of it.  It reminds one of the philosophy that there are two kinds of people in the world, Astronomers and Astronauts.  Astronomers observe and enjoy space from a distance, in the safety of familiar surroundings; while an Astronaut ventures into the vast unknown to experience it.  I get the impression the majority of people who love Las Vegas are the latter, even if only in Las Vegas.

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Saturday, December 9, 2017

E-252: Box Turtle



Random Vegas
The Las Vegas Club was originally located on the other side of the st, in between the Northern Club and La Bayou.  In 1949, it moved across the street and took over the Overland Hotel eventually expanding to the corner for Fremont and Main (multiple sources)

Twitpic of the week



It's the kind of picture that makes you stop and look closer the moment you see it; bold moments in Vegas not-so-long-ago history.  MGM Grand's original entrance, on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana, was a giant golden lion meant to serve not only as the properties marquee but as a cubist representation of the studios mascot.  Captured here by @LasVegas_Lovers under construction, perhaps it's with the benefit of hind sight that one can't help but look at this picture and ask "what were they thinking?"  "How did they not know walking under a lion would put off Asian gamblers?"  Once you remember the entire project was meant to attract families to the property, the concept comes into focus.  It also reminds us that once there was a world where you couldn't simply Google "Asian Gambling Superstitions" and find all the reasons why this marquee would only exist for 3 years.  Regardless, fortune favors the bold and photography documents it for all to relive and learn from.

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