The Tropicana, a legendary hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, is set to close its doors on April 2nd and be demolished to make way for a proposed baseball stadium for the Athletics. This marks the end of a 67-year run for the iconic resort, which first opened its doors in 1957 as the most expensive hotel on the Strip at the time.
The Tropicana was known as the “Tiffany of the Strip,” featuring luxurious amenities such as delicate mosaic tile, rich mahogany panels, and a stunning stained-glass ceiling over the casino. The resort also had ties to organized crime through mob boss Frank Costello, adding to its allure and mystique.
Entertainment Extravaganza
Over the years, the Tropicana played host to a variety of legendary performers, from Sammy Davis Jr. to Gladys Knight. The topless “Folies Bergere” show ran for an impressive 60 years, showcasing the city’s reputation for showgirls. Magicians Siegfried and Roy got their start at the Tropicana, and daredevil Robbie Knievel made a record-breaking motorcycle jump outside the hotel in 1998.
Despite its storied past, a walk-through of the Tropicana today reveals a property that is more reflective of the 1980s than the 1950s. The original rooms have closed, and the addition of two hotel towers in the late ’70s and ’80s transformed the resort into a more modern destination. A $180 million renovation in 2011 gave the Tropicana a South Beach theme, attracting a new generation of guests.
The Future of the Strip
With the impending demolition of the Tropicana, the future of the Las Vegas Strip is uncertain. The site will be turned over to the Athletics for a new stadium, potentially costing $1.5 billion. A’s owner John Fisher has not released updated renderings for the venue, but it is expected to be a state-of-the-art facility that will reshape the landscape of the Strip.
As the Tropicana makes way for progress, it is a bittersweet moment for fans of the iconic resort. The closure of the Tropicana marks the end of an era in Las Vegas history, but it also signals a new chapter for the city as it continues to evolve and grow. The memories of the Tropicana will live on in the hearts of those who experienced its magic, but its physical presence on the Strip will soon be nothing more than a distant memory.
Leave a Reply