Saturday, September 30, 2023

E-458: Drunk Tony

 Random Vegas

Because they used the shell of the Marina Hotel, the entire MGM Grand project was considered a remodel rather than new construction. Therefore, property taxes were set at the value when the Marina was built. (@AStotland)
Twitpic of the week
 
While it may be hard to wrap your head around, motels used to dominate the Vegas strip and beyond. They must have seen the writing on the wall when hotel towers became the future of hospitality but that didn’t stop properties like the La Concha from continuing to try and compete in the market. In 2001, the property was approved to build a 520 foot tall hotel tower, a 645 square foot condo tower and a shopping mall. In 2004 the La Concha was closed and demolished to make room for the new project. The iconic concrete shell lobby was carefully dismantled and donated to the Neon Museum who reassembled it and use it as the attractions lobby. The signage, shown here by @Las_when, is on display in the neon boneyard to this day. The project was ultimately canceled for reasons unknown and the property has been sold multiple times. It is currently owned by the Siegel Group and trust me, you don’t want these people opening a hotel/casino. Think Circus Circus, Imperial Palace and Excalibur at their worst but strip out the themes.
News
Posted by 360 Vegas at 6:12:00 AM

Saturday, September 23, 2023

E-457: Tree Hugging

 Random Vegas

While already in use at multiple other businesses in the valley, the Las Vegas Club installed the 1st neon sign on a hotel gambling establishment in 1931 (Vintage Research)
Twitpic of the week
While there are many reasons to not like Caesars Palace, the architecture isn’t one of them. The move from the Sarno block exterior to an aesthetic that more appropriately reflects the time and place its representing was masterfully applied. Even though we know these are all recreations it still projects a sense of authentic grandeur. I mean, whose eyes aren’t drawn to statues of topless females and concrete penises. Thanks to @las_when for sharing a great representation of what we are talking about.
News
Posted by 360 Vegas at 6:47:00 AM

Friday, September 15, 2023

E-456: Lake Taco

Random Vegas

By 1980, the states five dominate gaming entities were publicly traded companies.  They were Harrah’s, MGM, Del Webb, Caesars World and Hilton (Neon Metropolis)

Twitpic of the week
 
The concept was unique and interesting to begin with.  City Center, a city within a city.  So big it has its own fire department onsite.  Unfortunately, what we got was essentially a very expensive office park on the strip. While not pictured, Aria is a sexy bitch, but it was designed to usurp Bellagio as the premier property in the portfolio and to date, it has done no such thing.  While Veer towers have always captured our imagination the remaining resorts on property, include Vdara and Waldorf Astoria, don’t have casinos in them so there is no reason to even visit either of these properties, in our opinion.  It is amusing that the most popular resort in the City Center portfolio is arguably Cosmopolitan, a property they had to acquire and fold into the complex.  Thanks to @TheCrybabyvegas for sharing the view from his room during VV12.
News
Posted by 360 Vegas at 8:42:00 PM

Saturday, September 9, 2023

E-455: Big Mouth and a Mime

 Random Vegas

There are over 130 unique employee uniform styles at the Aria.  Each uniform is equipped with a radio frequency ID chip (sincitytalk.com)

Twitpic of the week

Welcome to the new strip landscape, one populated by a mesmerizing giant cylindrical object proving that even LED can be done in an interesting way and not just as a giant rectangular TV.  It will come as no surprise that @maverickhelishared this new view.  Here we see the entire strip showcased with the Strat in the foreground all the way down to Mandalay Bay.  The Sphere, of course, stands out because of its uniqueness, not just to the market but in the world as the largest spherical object.  As with everything, someone will probably build one larger, probably in the middle east, unless it’s a huge flop but I don’t think Venetian owners will allow that to happen.  What the hell else are you gonna use that thing for if not its intended purpose.  Is the Sphere too big to fail or will it fail because its too big.  Time will tell.  We are hoping it doesn’t fail either way and instead became as iconic as the Fountians of Bellagio or the Mirage volcano.

News

Posted by 360 Vegas at 7:48:00 AM

Friday, September 1, 2023

E-454: Social Contract

 Random Vegas

The myth is that casino carpet is busy to keep guests looking at the slots.  The fact is its to conceal stains as well as wear. (@VitalVegas)

Twitpic of the week

A breathtaking photo of @Caesars Palace from @maverickHeli.  An arial view of the property showing just how diverse and sprawling the property is.  This photo has it all, well, almost all.  It has the 6 different hotel towers, the Roman, Centurion, Fantasy (known today as the Nobu tower), Palace, Augustus, and Octavius towers.  It has the porte cochere and the famous fountains capped off by the Absinthe circus tent.  While I’ve been assured this tent is a permanent structure, I can’t help but wonder why Caesars didn’t build them something more on brand.  Perhaps the juxtaposition better suits the show’s theme.  Whatever the reason it’s a marvelous photo and one I’m happy to add to the Twitpic of the week collection.

News

Posted by 360 Vegas at 4:13:00 PM