Aladdin

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At times the Aladdin has been called “The Vegas Jinx”.  History has documented a long line of potential suitors who, when they took their shot, missed.  In a town where the house always wins, it’s not only an anomaly when one doesn’t, it’s also a cautionary tale.  It isn’t as simple as build it and they will come.  Theme, location, timing and in some cases luck is needed to be a successful Las Vegas resort.

If your interested in learning more about the Aladdin, check out...

• lvstriphistory.com 
• Gambling on a Dream: The Classic Las Vegas Strip 1956-1973 
• Dreaming the Skyline 
• The Strip 
• After-Hours Architecture 
• Pinterest 
• Battle Born Pins 
• Vintage Vegas Shirts 

Del Webb & the Sahara

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The Sahara used to be referred to as the start of the strip, when the strip began to develop.  During that time, people talked about the strip like they do off strip properties today, too far from the action.  Turns out what people really wanted was more options and the development of the strip over the years has been nothing short of remarkable.  The question is, does the strip have a limit to the number of properties it can support, or do the struggles facing places like Sahara fall directly on the shoulders of the properties experiencing them.  Give the people what they want and they will come.  If you follow that sentiment then the question has to be asked, do people not want what Sahara has to offer?  Is that why they are struggling?

For more information regarding Del Webb and the Sahara, check out...

• lvstriphistory.com 
• Del Webb: A Man A Company 
• Gambling on a Dream: The Classic Las Vegas Strip 1930-1955 
• Viva Las Vegas: After-Hours Architecture 
• The First 100: Portraits of the Men and Women Who Shaped Las Vegas 
• Pinterest 
• Battle Born Pins 
  
  

360 Vintage Vegas - Kenny Epstein

Most of you probably don’t know who Kenny Epstein is, but you should. He’s the owner and CEO of El Cortez. Much more than that, he’s the guy that made the conscious decision to not remodel the property but to refresh it while retaining the vintage feel the property permeates. Kenny understands what El Cortez does so well and sees the value in continuing to service those customers. So instead he upgraded just about everything in the property, all without changing the esthetic. This year, the El Cortez, and Kenny, celebrate their 80th birthday. So we took the opportunity to talk history and the El Cortez with the man himself in the first ever 360 Vintage Vegas Interview.

 

Benny Binion

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Benny Binion is a Vegas legend.  Many of the policies and procedures he put in place to run his casinos are standard operating procedure today.  Making everyone feel like they were someone was the key to establishing loyalty and more importantly, return business.  At Binion’s, you knew you were getting a good gamble with a fair shake.

For more information about Benny Binion, check out the following

• lvstriphistory.com
• The Players: The Men Who Made Las Vegas
• The First 100
• Sharks in the Desert
• I Do My Own Damn Killin'
• Blood Aces
• Pinterest
• BattleBorn Pins
• Vintage Vegas Shirts

Hacienda

 

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Something for everyone, that’s what Vegas has that makes it a magical destination.  It took decades for the market to get that way but it seems every time change is needed, the city finds a way to adapt and evolve.  At the end, the Hacienda looked miniature next to its new neighbors Luxor and Excalibur.  Like many properties before it and since, the Hacienda evolved as much as it could but ultimately had to be imploded to make room for the future of the strip.  Thankfully part of that evolution includes other properties adapting to cater to the audience that once frequented the Hacienda.

For more on Hacienda, check out the following resources

• lvstriphistory.com
• Gambling on a Dream Volume 2
• The Strip: Las Vegas and the Architecture of the American Dream
• Pinterest
• Vintage Vegas Shirts
• Battle Born Pins

Flamingo

 

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The Flamingo may be the most iconic property in all of Las Vegas.  Credited with bringing the luxury theme to the strip, its opulence was considered off putting to some, particularly locals, especially when they were initially informed they weren't allowed to wear their cowboy hats inside. 

If your interested in learning more about the Flamingo, check out...

• lvstriphistory.com 
• When the Mob Ran Vegas 
• After-Hours Architecture 
• Gambling on a Dream: The Classic Las Vegas Strip 1930-1955 
• the Strip: Las Vegas and the Architecture of the American Dream 
• Pinterest 
• BattleBorn Pins 
• Vintage Vegas Shirts 

Riviera

 

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Most remember the Riviera as the old rundown place it felt like towards the end of its existence.  But the Riviera roamed the landscape like giants for a time, attracting the biggest names in entertainment.  However that was a long time ago and the Riviera was not able to keep up with changing tastes.  And as Liberace and Dean Martin’s stars began to fade, so did the Riviera, gradually declining into the property she was for her last 20 years, a grind joint. The Riviera is no longer with us.  While romantic hearts will look at this tragically, realists will acknowledge that Riviera is simply a story of a life cycle, the evolution of a property, from inception to implosion. Here is that story.

Battle Born Pins

Pinterest Board

Vintage Vegas Shirts

Evolution of Fremont E-3

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The hum, the glow, the animated reminders of the opportunities that lie just inside.  Giant tubes of red, blue and yellow dancing for our attention.  Informing, you too can enjoy a dance with Lady Fortune, a treacherous mistress that is as dangerous as she is beautiful.  The most important thing to remember is that she belongs to no one.  Enjoy the time you get to spend with her because it will be limited before she’s off to blow on some other guys dice. 

In this installment, we conclude our Evolution of Fremont St series by discussing blocks 19, 18 and 30, better known as 4 Queens, Fremont and the D 

For more information about Fremont's evolution, check out www.over50vegas.com