Saturday, December 30, 2023

E-469: List of Sodas

 Random Vegas

About one in 3 U.S. Adults said they thought the tipping culture “has gotten out of control,” according to a survey conducted in May 2023 (Review Journal)
Twitpic of the week
The photo by @Las_when doesn’t date the picture but this is how the Stardust looked when I got the one and only chance to visit the property in 2006, just months before it closed its doors on Nov 1st. The lamentation of properties lost has a long tradition in Las Vegas. However this move has gone down in history as the worst move made by Boyd gaming’s well documented history of brilliance, hindsight being 20/20.
News

Saturday, December 23, 2023

E-468: Meth to Monkeys

 Random Vegas

Allegiant Stadium generated $2.29 billion in economic impact to the city of Las Vegas including $128 million in tax revenue (@mickakers)

Twitpic of the week

Following last week’s holiday theme, @_GrandpaD out did himself with a collection of various Vegas locations themed for the holidays.  Everything from Stardust’s Aku Aku tiki statue with a giant Santa hat on to more views of Fremont St with decorations strewn across the street.  Our favorite this week was the view of Stardust’s original marquee anchored with Christmas decorations, full sized which only further gives perspective to just how large the sign was in its day.  As is common in Vegas signage, if you aren’t paying attention, you might miss the decorations, although not in this photo.

News

Saturday, December 16, 2023

E-467: Extra Space

 Random Vegas

Fontainebleau isn’t the first property to encounter financing problems causing the project to sit unfinished.  That title goes to the Landmark who broke ground in 1961 but had to halt construction in 62 due to financing issues.  So it sat, 80% done.  During that time it was the tallest building in the state of Nevada.  It sat dormant until 1969 when Howard Hughes bought it and finished building the property.  The Landmark would eventually open July 1st, 1969 (Vintage Research)

Twitpic of the week

Festive isn’t exactly how you would describe Christmas in Las Vegas.  Not that the city doesn’t try but the displays are usually in juxtaposition with existing signage and all easily overlooked if you aren’t paying attention.  A perfect example of this is this week’s winner from @_GrandPaD showcasing Fremont St during the holidays, circa 1959.  It isn’t easy to see upon initial inspection because Vegas signs are designed to draw your attention to them.  However, if you look past the marquees you’ll seen garland strung across the street with some bells and whistles.  Signage tangent, this picture shows Golden Nugget in a transitional period with the original signage still on display but with the addition of the steel framed roof sign, added in 1956.  In just a few years, 1961, Kermit Wayne will add a giant bullnose shield on the corners with flanked animated signage on each side.  This will come to be the properties most memorable incarnation of signage, aside from its current.

News

Friday, December 8, 2023

E-466: Sophie's Choice

 Random Vegas

The world record for “largest video game digital display” was broken when someone played Pac-Man on Resorts World’s 100,000 square foot LED screen (@LasVegasLocally)

Twitpic of the week

@maverickheli once again captures a view that is a beautiful metaphor for summers in the desert climate that is Las Vegas.  The photo features an arial view of both Encore and Wynn as well as the sphere, dressed up to look like the sun…or maybe Mars…regardless, it looks hot, both in temperature and in the way kids use it today.

News


Saturday, December 2, 2023

E-465: Careless Love

 Random Vegas

Similar to the myth of Bugsy Seigel and the Flamingo, a popular myth has been told many times over about Howard Hughes and the purchase of the Desert Inn.  The legend says Hughes overstayed his welcome because ownership wanted the penthouse rooms for high rollers coming in for new years.  Instead of leaving, Howard bought the place.  The real story about the Desert Inn purchase is that Howard kept holding up the deal with seemingly petty details.  The two parties would agree in principle to a deal only to have Hughes find something else he wanted to address.  The situation became so heated that the deal almost fell through and his right-hand man Bob Maheu threatened to quit if Hughes changed one more thing.  That was enough to get Hughes to finally close on the deal, paying $13 million for the Desert Inn. (Book - Howard Hughes: The Hidden Years)


Twitpic of the week

No one has done as much with so little than Cosmopolitan.  That resort sits on 4.4 acres, has a premium location next to Bellagio’s fountains and offers something no other property offers, balconies in the majority of their rooms.  The closest is Cromwell which resides on 1.4 acres.  Thanks to @MaverickHeli and Claytonhaam for sharing another stunning view via helicopter of an icon.  Here’s hoping that MGM won’t fuck up everything at the property.


News

LV Sands buys Mavericks