E-321: Lake Charles Water Spout

Random Vegas

Sahara has turned the Monkey Bar, formerly at SLS, into the Tangiers, a nod to both the former name of one of Sahara’s hotel towers and the name of the fictional casino in the Martin Scorsese film “Casino”.  Although to be fair, the hotel tower had the name before it was used in the film (@VitalVegas and my big Vegas brain)

Twitpic of the week

I’ll be honest...Vegas isn’t the same now that I live here.  That desperation to savor every moment and make sure its memorable enough for you to survive off of until your next opportunity to catch a neon fix, is no longer there.  The large amounts of pictures, chips/cards/dices/pens/room keys/notepads/plastic cups/branded napkins...are no longer coveted.  That’s all gone now.  Now, we can just go out and enjoy these things whenever we’d like.  Had a shitty day, let’s go to Cosmopolitan, play multiline video poker at the Chandelier while Keren plays Gems before grabbing some Secret Pizza.  Or should I get Hatti B’s?  Had a great day?  Let’s celebrate.  I’ll get reservations at Heritage steak and tickets to Beatles LOVE at the Mirage.  Oh, is a band touring?  We’ll have to keep an eye out for when they come to Vegas…because everyone comes to Vegas.  Bragging aside, we finally live in a place that feels like home AND serves as a beacon, to the coolest people, in existence, on this planet, per our own, independent study.  Thanks again to @MaverickHeli for reminding us how much better we are than all of you.

News
360 Vegas Vacation 10 (#360VVX)

Slumlord Renovations

Ruff Plans for Circus Circus

New Flamingo Food Option

Craps Fire Bet

E-299: Lesidency

Random Vegas

The La Concha Motel lobby was designed in 1961 by Paul Revere Williams, the first African American elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.  To this day it is considered one of the best preserved examples of 1950s googie architecture, a style featuring upswept roofs, curvaceous geometric shapes and its use of neon. The La Concha lobby is now the Neon Museum's visitors' center (Neon Museum & Research) 

Twitpic of the week

It’s quite simply one of the best marquees that has existed in Vegas history.  A truly mesmerizing sign whose presence was not only grand but glorious.  Shared this week by @summacorp aka vintageLasVegas on instagram, this whole style of architecture resonates with me in an unexplainable way.  I find the swooping curves breathtaking, get lost in the sparkle of the lettering and could spend hours watching the lights cascade back and forth.  It’s a special thing when signage becomes iconic.  While I like that owners of the small dive casino bar west of Lucky Dragon have resurrected the name and installed a smaller version of this marquee, make no mistake, the Mint has not returned.  That being said, here’s hoping that this is the start of a new era in Vegas where unforgettable brands return to the landscape. 

News

Battle Born Vegas Pins
MGM Sundries Surge Pricing
Cirque's R.U.N. coming to Luxor
Light Rail Transit System Defeated
The Massachusetts Manze
Wynn Resorts Eliminates Parking Fees
Paula Abdul Vegas Residency
Weed Lounges Approved

E-267: Didn't Be Like

Random Vegas

The International (aka Hilton, LVH & Westgate) was the first Vegas property to use the 3-wing hotel design; also know as the hug concept.  The Mirage, Treasure Island and Monte Carlo all used the same concept.  Bellagio and Venetian are variations of the concept. Wynn & Encore are considered to be a further evolution of the practice.

Twitpic of the week

I've never been one to lament the virtual elimination of the small business.  I fully support property consolidation, if only so low rollers have more options while still being able to get credit for their action, as long as it's kept within reason.  Anti-trust regulations were created for a reason.  That being said, I get it.  Especially when I look at the Twitpic of the week, brought to you by @Summacorp.  It's a picture of Fremont St circa 1963.  And while all these structures still exist, in one form or another, the only one that is today, what it was in 63, is Golden Gate. The rest have been repurposed or absorbed by its neighbors.  And honestly, my real disappointment may simply be an excessive desire for more signage, or different signage.  Although, the more I look at this picture, the more I start to think, I prefer it the way it is now, minus the Fremont St Experience canopy.  Thank you, pictures, for allowing me to enjoy how things existed in the past while not forcing me to have to live with them in the present. 

News

I love Sugar coming to LINQ

More Plans for LINQ

Vegas Water Conversation

Electric Safari

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. 

E-243: Truest

Random Vegas

Originally, elephants and various other carnie animals wandered the casino floor at Circus Circus.  To help disguise when they really shit on the floors, the carpet had elephant dung imprints on it. (The Book Forgotten Man)

Twitpic of the week

The only thing that is constant is change.  Vegas may be the poster child for that adage.  Take the Dunes for example; a property that started out as a motor court with a 35-foot tall fiberglass sultan as their marquee evolved into a high-rise hotel with one of the most iconic neon signs to ever grace the strip.  And so change continues, this time on Fremont St, with the removal of the Golden Goose and Glitter Gulch signage as progress continues on the 18 Fremont St demolition site. While their future is unclear, it’s fitting that @LasVegasLocally shared weeks winner and that we proclaim it Twitpic of the Week reminding us how far we’ve come and just how much things have changed.

News

Fontainebleau Actually Sold

Sports Betting & Cannabis

Satan’s Kitchen

Monte Carlo Update

NHL Begins in Vegas 

Illegal 24/7

18 Fremont Progress Report

New Flamingo Rooms

Caesars Entertainment Happy Hours