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The movie Lucky You, reminds us of a time in Vegas, when people thought the only limits the market had, were the limits of the imagination.  While it isn’t a period piece in the traditional sense, at least not yet, or intentionally, one of the truly fun things about Las Vegas, is how often it changes.  Unlike major cities all around the world, whose landscape typically just expands over the years, Vegas can look radically different from one decade to the next.  That’s, what we get to explore, with Lucky You, to see, just how different, the city looks, from the way it did in 2005, when the movie was being filmed, compared to today, less than 20 years later. 

Random Vegas 

Resorts World offers players the option to “reserve” their slot machine while they step away to visit the restroom (@VitalVegas) 

Twitpic of the week 

Welcome to the new era of the strip complete with professional sports teams.  The city that has claimed to be the entertainment capital of the world for years now has a legitimate claim to it.  For those of you fans of a sport not currently in Vegas, be patient. It’s coming.  As long as the two teams in operation continue to show their respective leagues how to make destination entertainment, those not a part of the party will desire to become part of the conversation.  @MaverickHeli once again gives us a god like view of how grand and beautiful the incorporation of sports has been. 

News

FlyOver Las Vegas

Beast Mode Comes to Mandalay Bay

Go Go Claw slot machine

Laurel Lounges Petition

 Random Vegas 

City Center cost $8.5 billion to build and was the most expensive project in the western world (@vegas_only) 

Twitpic of the week 

Welcome back to the 90s in Las Vegas.  A time apparently before MGM new that Asian gamblers didn’t like to walk under the head of a lion because it’s bad luck or some other superstition.  But for a time, there she anchored the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd in all her oversized glory.  @summacorp provides even more context to this week’s winner, clocking that the MGM Marquee sign is shown under construction, which would date this picture early 94, after the introduction of the Hilton marquee was erected as the largest sign in the city and before MGM built a larger sign. 

News

• MGM Buys and sells City Center

 Random Vegas 

Wayne Gretzky’s ‘brand ambassador’ deal with BetMGM cost MGM Resorts around $10 million, according to someone familiar with the details.  It also included $1 million in casino Free Play (@lasvegaslocally) 

Twitpic of the week 

It’s here, finally.  The project that started with the closing of the Stardust in 2006 has finally open as Resorts World Las Vegas.  True its location is still a liability but we now have a resort that extends the strip north again to Circus Circus.  It even makes an argument that Sahara and Stratosphere are once again located on the strip.  As always, @maverickheli gives us an ideal view of the newest property to join the Las Vegas strip and captures the hope that it brings to returning the market to the number one tourist destination in the world. 

News

• Resorts World Opens

 Random Vegas 

Celebrity chef deals with Caesars Entertainment require the personality to visit his or her Las Vegas restaurant(s) at least once each year for at least 24 consecutive hours.  Contracts also require the chef to be photographed in their restaurant(s) (Vital Vegas) 

Twitpic of the week 

A sizzling photo of just how sexy lightbulbs can be when you group thousands of them all together. Throw a couple mirrors strategically placed to overwhelm the senses in the best way it can be done legally and you get Plaza’s porte cashere, shared by @LasVegasLocally with a hat tip to @Summacorp.  Once your senses get done absorbing all this glowing awesomeness you realize the easter egg, the view down Fremont St as it was before Slotzilla and the canopy came to be.  Since we don’t see the Mint signage it can be determined that this photo is at least post Binion’s 1988 acquisition of the property. 

Tropicana is the kind of property in Vegas that everyone knows about but most don't spend much time at, which is a real shame.  Its contribution to the experiences available in the market is a unique blend of classic intimacy and affordable luxury.  Many properties in Vegas seek to transport you from everyday life to a personal version of paradise but the use of bright spaces gives it a feeling of warmth and carelessness.  Without excessive ornamentation or theming, Tropicana has succeeded in what can best be described as that happy place on a beach people can retreat to when the stressed of life reaches levels requiring such a place.   A truly transformative experience, all with the convenience of virtually any other imaginable adventure available just outside, brought to you as only the Las Vegas strip can. 

 Random Vegas 

June 27, 2002: On the eve of a concert tour by the Who, bass guitarist John Entwistle is found dead in his hotel room at Hard Rock. The coroner determined that Entwistle died of a heart attack caused by cocaine use. (latimes.com) 

Twitpic of the week 

Inspiring, every time I see a shot of the Mint in all her swooping neon glory. It’s the animation that does it.  Taking something as common and as simple as a single light bulb.  Now multiply that by thousands and with some careful choreography you’ve now brought it to life with animation.  Even though we lost the Mint signage, we are fortunate that this animation is a common lighting trick deployed on Fremont St to this day.  Thanks for the reminder @las_when.

News

MGM Resorts Poolside Mobile Ordering

WhiskeyX @Cosmopolitan

Cirque Demand

Cannabis Lounges Approved

Dog Friendly Encore

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There are a collection of men who helped build the city of Las Vegas during its formative years that didn’t have colored pasts.  Their origins are not linked to organized crime and their stories aren’t the sort of things people make movies about.  However they would become the shining examples that the gaming industry could not only exist without the Mob but could continue to grow. A fact that was established in 1941 and continues to endure to this day.  The El Cortez is the city’s oldest hotel casino to continuously operate under the same name and only the 2nd casino ever added to the nation’s historical preservation list.  It’s also the only casino on that list still open to this day.  This is the story of the people and the properties that shaped Downtown Las Vegas.

Random Vegas 

Flamingo's cascading feathers signage, on display today on the southwest corner of the property, was created by artist and parade float designer Paul Rodriguez in 1976.  He was also the designer of the Clown marquee for Circus Circus Reno (Neon Museum & Research) 

Twitpic of the week 

The Eiffel Tower experience in all her French glory, glowing blue, white and red.  The 2/3rd replica of the arc de triomphe, the Paris balloon, it’s all there.  Its a postcard worthy snapshot from @maverickheli of another resort that has embraced its theme in the wake of detheming.  And doing so shows they know who its audience is and how to cater to them.  Continued thanks to MaverickHeli for providing unique perspectives that inspire impassioned monologues. 

News

Resorts World Entertainment Calendar

Maskless May

Caesars Slashes Entertainment

Random Vegas

• In 1968, just before his 2-week residency in the lounge at the Riviera was coming to an end, Shecky Greene was informed that plans were to turn the showroom into a Keno lounge.

• In an attempt to be funny, Greene came to the stage that final night and began chopping up the stage floor and giving out pieces to guests in attendance as souvenirs

Twitpic of the week

The legend as I’m sure she’s looked to many of her patrons on many a nights.  This is El Cortez after a case of Coors Light and a tough night at the tables.  Magnificent and frightening.  Somehow sticky too, all communicated via their classic signage and usage of neon.  @zotaramichael shares with us a view askew.  A journey that no doubt comes with a story for the ages.

News

• Palms Sale Confirmed