Intensely private, Kerkorian’s legacy may not be as well known as Steve Wynn’s but is unarguably one of the most important in Vegas history. Some will criticize MGM as the shinning example of the faceless corporate machine that has taken over the city but without the corporate evolution of the market, the expansion of gaming around the United States, and the world for that matter, would have never been possible. Corporations removed the negative stigmatism the gambling industry had for eons and made it a viable, bordering on respectable business model, now regarded as just another form of entertainment.
Showing posts with label MGM Grand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MGM Grand. Show all posts
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Sunday, January 19, 2020
E-323: Straight Godfather
Random Vegas
Starwood Resorts once owned Caesars Palace before selling to Park Place Entertainment, aka Hilton, and also owned the Desert Inn before selling to Steve Wynn. In 5 years, the value of the land they sold would increase 2,000 percent. (Vintage Research)
Twitpic of the Week
A single tear rolls down the cheek of those who fondly recall Las Vegas first Landmark, no pun intended. @classiclasvegas’s picture this week, somehow encapsulates what those that have an affinity for this property did and/or do whenever they see a picture of the Landmark, gaze up in fascination at the structure and that pod at the top. Sadly, gambling only existed for a few years at the top of the structure. The space was eventually redesigned into suites for high rollers. That said, I would have happily forked over whatever amount of disposable income required to live in that space for a period of time. That said, if anyone is aware of a way to travel back in time, if only to Las Vegas, I’d also happily pay whatever amount the Dunes would have liked for a room right next to that turret marquee as well, just so I could just stare at it for hours. Also, I’d take any room on the Fremont facing side of the 4 Queens, that face the Mint, so I could do the same thing to that sign. Also, there is a chance the experience would be so cool that it causes one to become catatonic. Totally worth it.
News
Saturday, January 19, 2019
E-289: The Grand Lie
Random Vegas
At 188 feet, the Stardust sign with the shower of stars around the name, was the tallest in the world when it was introduced in 1968 (Neon Museum)
Twitpic of the week
Reflections. With so many glass buildings on the strip there are almost limitless opportunities to catch a glimpse of a distorted reality. A manifestation of euphoria captured by @evilsamgraham and shared so all can fondly recall those moments when you realize the countdown to passing out has begun and the journey to your room needs to begin immediately. A dreamlike state in which details will need to be told to you by friends who better paced themselves. An adventure always worth the price of admission, no matter how much it costs.
News
18 Fremont is now Circa
Resorts World Responds to Wynn Lawsuit
Eataly Opens
MGM Grand Strip Renovations Planned
"Demon with Bowl" Coming to Palms
Downtown Grand Expansion Begins
iHeartRadio coming to Fremont St Experience
360FHE
Yardhouse@LINQ Happy House
Triple George Grill @Downtown Grand Happy Hour
Frankie's Tiki Room
18 Fremont is now Circa
Resorts World Responds to Wynn Lawsuit
Eataly Opens
MGM Grand Strip Renovations Planned
"Demon with Bowl" Coming to Palms
Downtown Grand Expansion Begins
iHeartRadio coming to Fremont St Experience
360FHE
Yardhouse@LINQ Happy House
Triple George Grill @Downtown Grand Happy Hour
Frankie's Tiki Room
360FHE
Saturday, January 5, 2019
E-288: Opening of the Virgin
Random Vegas
Next week, the Stevens Group will share the name of first property built from the ground up on Fremont street in almost 40 years. Interestingly enough, they own that property too. Today it’s known as the D but it opened in 1980 as the Sundance. Another interesting factoid, once the new Landmark opens (that’s what I'm guessing it will be named) it will mean the Stevens group owns the oldest and newest building in Las Vegas. That’s because they also own the building at 1 Fremont St, also known as Golden Gate.
Twitpic of the week
My version of “Welcome to Marwen” is this week’s winner, shared by @sam_marques1. It’s captures that magical experience of seeing the strip like an incredibly detailed miniature model that will soon be scaled to overwhelming so that you can play in it. But everyone knows there's a catch to magical experiences. In this case its Cinderella-esque in that the experience has a time limit and the clock starts ticking the moment you land. So does that mean people who live here are stuck in an inception like dream state? I’ll speak on their behalf of all that live here and say either way, I just hope that top never stops spinning.
News
Tim Burton-Neon Museum Exhibit
Hard Rock Closing
Nevada’s Black Book gets new members
Wynn Resorts Sues Resorts World
Palms Replaces Vandal with Greene St
RJ-MGM Grand 25th Anniversary Lies
360FHE: Boulder Highway/Boyd Inspired
News
Tim Burton-Neon Museum Exhibit
Hard Rock Closing
Nevada’s Black Book gets new members
Wynn Resorts Sues Resorts World
Palms Replaces Vandal with Greene St
RJ-MGM Grand 25th Anniversary Lies
360FHE: Boulder Highway/Boyd Inspired
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.
News