[go: up one dir, main page]

The Tropicana Las Vegas was a casino hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It operated from 1957 to 2024. In its final years, the property included a 44,570 sq ft (4,141 m2) casino and 1,467 rooms. The complex occupied 35 acres (14 ha) at the southeast corner of the Tropicana - Las Vegas Boulevard intersection.

Tropicana Las Vegas
Final logo (2009–2024)[1]
The Tropicana in 2022
Tropicana Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas Strip
Tropicana Las Vegas
Tropicana Las Vegas is located in Nevada
Tropicana Las Vegas
Location Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Address 3801 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening dateApril 4, 1957; 67 years ago (1957-04-04)
Closing dateApril 2, 2024; 7 months ago (2024-04-02)
ThemeTropical / South Beach
No. of rooms1,467
Total gaming space44,570 sq ft (4,141 m2)
Permanent showsFolies Bergere (1959–2009)
Laugh Factory
Purple Reign
MJ Live
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerBally's Corporation (final owner, 2022–2024)
ArchitectM. Tony Sherman (1957)
Renovated in1959, 1962, 1964, 1979, 1986, 2009–2011
Coordinates36°05′59″N 115°10′17″W / 36.09972°N 115.17139°W / 36.09972; -115.17139
Websitecasinos.ballys.com/tropicana-las-vegas/

The resort was conceived by Ben Jaffe, part owner of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. The $15 million Tropicana opened on April 4, 1957, as the most expensive Las Vegas resort developed up to that point. The hotel originally opened with low-rise structures containing 300 rooms, and the property would later launch several expansions, including two hotel towers added in 1979 and 1986 respectively. The latter tower was accompanied by the introduction of an island theme for the property. The Tropicana was host to various live entertainment, including the topless showgirl revue known as Folies Bergere. It ended in 2009, after nearly 50 years, and remains the longest-running show in Las Vegas history.

The Tropicana underwent numerous ownership changes throughout its history. Mob connections were present at the time of its opening, and an FBI investigation in 1979 uncovered a skimming operation at the resort. It was sold that year to Ramada Inns, which later transferred ownership to its spin-off company, Aztar Corporation, in 1989. During the 2000s, Aztar considered demolishing the Tropicana for development of a new resort, although this did not come to fruition. Columbia Sussex bought the resort in 2007, but lost it to bankruptcy two years later, with Onex Corporation emerging as the new owner. Onex launched a $180 million renovation, the property's first since 1986. The project was completed in 2011 and added a South Beach theme.

Penn National Gaming bought the Tropicana in 2015, then sold the property to its spin-off company, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), in 2020. Bally's Corporation purchased the Tropicana two years later and leased the land from GLPI. In 2023, Bally's and GLPI reached a redevelopment agreement with the Oakland Athletics, a Major League Baseball team. The Tropicana would be demolished to make way for two new projects: a baseball stadium (tentatively the New Las Vegas Stadium) on nine acres of the site, and a new Bally's Las Vegas resort on the remaining land. The Tropicana closed on April 2, 2024, and demolition began within a month. The last remaining structures, the two hotel towers, were imploded on October 9, 2024.

History

edit

Development and opening

edit

The Tropicana was conceived by Ben Jaffe, part owner of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach.[2] In 1955, Jaffe came to Las Vegas and bought the vacant property that would become the site of the Tropicana.[3] M. Tony Sherman of Miami was the architect and Taylor Construction Company was the general contractor.[4][5] Jaffe intended the Tropicana to be the finest hotel in Las Vegas.[3]

Construction ran over schedule and over budget, due in part to competition for labor with the under-construction Stardust, also on the Las Vegas Strip.[3] Jaffe had to sell his interest in the Fontainebleau to complete the Tropicana.[3] Originally proposed as a $4.5 million project,[6] it ultimately cost $15 million, including $800,000 for decorating and tropical landscaping.[7] It was the most expensive Las Vegas resort developed up to that point, beating the $8.5 million Riviera, which opened two years earlier.[8] The Tropicana would be advertised as "the Tiffany of the Strip",[5][9] in reference to the high-end jeweler Tiffany & Co.[10]

The project had 30 investors,[11] including singer Morton Downey, who owned a five-percent interest.[12] Jaffe first leased the property to Phil Kastel,[3] who supervised the project during construction.[13] However, the Gaming Control Board raised suspicions over Kastel's apparent links to organized crime,[3] prompting him to sell his interest in the Tropicana in early 1957.[13] This paved the way for the issuance of a gaming license.[14] J. Kell Houssels, owner of the Las Vegas Club, was hired to operate the Tropicana casino.[3][15]

The Tropicana hosted a preview opening for local residents on April 3, 1957, before debuting to the general public a day later.[5][16] The resort's involvement with organized crime was confirmed a month later, when a note bearing a Tropicana earnings figure was found in the possession of mobster Frank Costello, who was associated with Kastel.[3] Costello had been shot in a failed assassination attempt, and police discovered the note while he was under hospital care.[5]

The control board subsequently investigated to determine whether Kastel was still secretly involved with the Tropicana.[14][17] Kastel had publicly invested more than $300,000 in the project during construction, and the Nevada Tax Commission eventually ordered the Tropicana to rid its ties with him as soon as possible by paying off the debt owed to him.[18] The note was ultimately traced to Tropicana executive Louis Lederer and cashier Michael Tanico, both of whom would be removed from the property.[19][5][20]

Early ownership changes

edit

By 1959, Houssels bought out Jaffe's interest, gaining a majority share in the Tropicana and becoming its new president.[3][21] The Jaffe family, however, would retain ownership of the land for decades and continue leasing it.[22] The Tropicana prospered throughout the next decade.[3] Houssells sold out in 1968 to Trans-Texas Airways,[3][23] for $8.7 million,[24] but remained as manager for a few years.[5]

In the early 1970s, the Tropicana fared poorly from competition with larger, newer hotels like Caesars Palace and the Las Vegas Hilton.[3] During this time, the Tropicana hosted annual fiesta parties to increase gaming revenue, inviting celebrities and high rollers to attend.[25][26] Deil Gustafson, a Minnesota financier, bought the resort in 1972.[27][28] Sammy Davis Jr. also purchased an eight-percent interest, becoming the first black person to own a share in a Strip resort.[29][30] Gustafson undertook an expansion plan, but encountered financing difficulties.[31][32] In 1974, brothers Edward and Fred Doumani took over management on an emergency basis after investing $1 million into the property.[31][33][34][35]

Mitzi Stauffer Briggs, heir to the Stauffer Chemical fortune, bought a majority interest in the Tropicana in 1975.[36] Briggs said she knew "absolutely nothing about gambling or casinos", but invested in the Tropicana at the suggestion of a friend.[37] Many of its top executives were either fired or resigned in 1976, as Briggs sought to make the resort profitable once again. She invested more than $6 million in the property.[38] Briggs initially received only a probationary one-year gaming license, due to several business failures in her past.[36] She received a full license in July 1977,[32] and began construction of the property's first high-rise structure, the Tiffany Tower,[39][40] which opened two years later.[41] The casino floor was also renovated and expanded.[42]

The Tropicana became the target of a mob skimming operation in 1978.[43] Joe Agosto, then-owner of the casino's Folies Bergere show, oversaw the siphoning of money from the cashier cage to the Kansas City crime family.[44][45][46] The scheme was exposed in 1979 through "Operation Strawman",[47][48] an FBI investigation into hidden mob interests in Las Vegas casinos.[49][50][51] Due to her inexperience, Briggs had relied on the advice of Agosto,[5] whom she found to be charming.[37][52] Because they had allowed Agosto to manage the casino without a gaming license, Briggs and Gustafson faced revocation of their own licenses.[53] They had little choice but to sell the Tropicana. Hotel chain Ramada Inns purchased the business in December 1979, along with a 50% share of the property's real estate that had been owned by the Doumanis.[54][55] Briggs lost an estimated $44 million during her involvement with the Tropicana, and did not receive any of the profits from the Ramada purchase.[37][52] The Doumani brothers and Gufstafson later accused Ramada of breaching its contract on the sale, winning a $34 million judgment in 1989.[56][57]

Gustafson was convicted in 1983 over a check kiting scheme involving the Tropicana,[58][59] and served 40 months in prison.[56] In 1995, he was also charged with bankruptcy fraud relating to the Tropicana's 1979 sale. He, in turn, named the Doumani brothers and two others involved in a scheme with him to divert money from the 1989 judgment; these four individuals were charged as well. Federal officials alleged that the diverted money had wound up in the possession of mobsters. Gustafson pled guilty and agreed to testify against the others. One defendant was dismissed because of lack of evidence, and the others were found not guilty in a 1998 trial.[60]

Later years

edit
 
Pool area and tropical landscaping

Amid the early 1980s recession, Ramada began targeting a middle-class clientele for the Tropicana, which had lost the luxury prominence it once had.[5] In 1986, the resort completed a $70 million expansion which included a second high-rise, the Island Tower. The project also introduced a five-acre pool area of man-made lagoons, waterfalls and islands, accompanied by floating blackjack tables. The property began marketing itself as the "Island of Las Vegas".[61][62][63]

 
The Tropicana and its original tower in the 1990s

Ramada spun off its gaming properties, including the Tropicana, in 1989 as Aztar Corporation.[64] By the late 1990s, the Tropicana was largely seen as an aging, under-performing property in contrast to newer resorts on the Strip.[65]

In 1998, Aztar bought an option to acquire the 50% interest held by the Jaffe family, which would make future renovations easier to implement.[66] Aztar, however, held off its buyout for several years to assess whether Las Vegas had been overbuilt with new hotels.[67] The company eventually consolidated ownership of the Tropicana in 2002, buying the half interest in the land and buildings from the Jaffe family for $117.5 million.[68] The sale opened up the possibility of redeveloping the Tropicana site.[69]

In 2003, Aztar unveiled potential plans for a $500 million expansion. The project would replace the northern half of the existing Tropicana facilities, adding additional rooms and timeshares.[70][71] A decision about whether to proceed with these plans was expected in early 2004, but was pushed back by Aztar to focus on an expansion at its other Tropicana resort, located in Atlantic City.[72] Following the latter's completion, Aztar would continue to put off its Las Vegas redevelopment plans to further evaluate the best use of the land.[73][74]

In 2006, Aztar unveiled new plans to demolish the Tropicana and build a $1.2 billion casino resort.[75] Gaming analysts viewed the redevelopment plans as a certainty; Aztar had already hired Marnell Corrao Associates to manage construction, and sought bank financing to fund the project.[76] However, a bidding war soon began for Aztar, with Ameristar Casinos, Columbia Sussex, and Pinnacle Entertainment competing to buy the company.[77][78] Aztar was desired for its ownership of the Tropicana, which presented ample redevelopment opportunities. Columbia Sussex ultimately prevailed,[79] finalizing its purchase in January 2007.[80]

Columbia Sussex planned to renovate the Tropicana as part of a $2 billion expansion project, adding five new towers for more than 8,000 rooms.[81] However, this project was put on hold because of the financial crisis of 2007–2008,[82] and it later became moot when Columbia Sussex's gaming arm filed for bankruptcy in 2008. The Tropicana, which had a $440 million secured loan against it,[83][84] was bought from the bankrupt company in July 2009 by its creditors, led by Canadian private equity firm Onex Corporation and former MGM Mirage CEO Alex Yemenidjian, who took over as the Tropicana's CEO.[85][86][87]

The remainder of Columbia Sussex's gaming business, reorganized under new ownership as Tropicana Entertainment Inc., promptly sued the Las Vegas property, demanding royalties for use of the Tropicana name. The case was eventually settled, with the Tropicana Las Vegas receiving exclusive rights to use the name in the Las Vegas region, royalty-free.[88][89]

The original tower, seen before and after the 2010 renovation

Amid the Great Recession, the Tropicana emphasized its cheap amenities to attract a value-conscious demographic.[90] After taking over the Tropicana, Yemenidjian sought to update the property and transform it into a middle-class resort: "We're not interested in the very low end because there's no margin in that business. And we're not interested in the very high end because those customers have different expectations. The most successful properties in Las Vegas are both aspirational and accessible as opposed to those targeting a narrow market."[91]

Renovations began in August 2009,[92] and cost $180 million.[93] It marked the Tropicana's first major remodel in nearly 25 years, and added a South Beach theme to the property.[94][95] Room renovations were completed in 2010, and work on the casino floor was expected to conclude by the end of the year.[96][97]

In August 2015, Penn National Gaming purchased the Tropicana for $360 million,[98][99][100] marking its first resort on the Strip.[101] During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn faced the prospect of financial issues brought on by resort closures. As a result, Penn sold the land occupied by the Tropicana to its spin-off company, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI).[102] The land sold for $337.5 million in rent credits, and the sale was finalized in April 2020. Penn would continue to operate the Tropicana for another two years, or until the resort was sold.[103]

In April 2021, Bally's Corporation agreed to purchase the Tropicana,[104] a deal that was finalized in September 2022. Bally's bought the non-land assets of the resort from GLPI and Penn for $148 million, and leased the land from GLPI for annual rent of $10.5 million.[105] Plans were soon made to replace the Tropicana with a baseball stadium and a new casino resort.[106]

Closure

edit
The Tropicana 10 days after closure
A Tropicana sign at the Neon Museum, 2017

The Tropicana's original hotel wings from 1957 were closed, without fanfare, in mid-November 2023. They were the oldest resort rooms on the Strip.[107] The rest of the Tropicana ceased operations on April 2, 2024; the casino floor closed at 3:00 a.m., followed by the remainder of the property at 12:00 p.m.[108][109] At the time of its closure, the Tropicana had 700 workers,[110] some of whom had been with the property for decades.[111]

Prior to closing, Bally's chairman Soo Kim said, "The Trop is obviously iconic, but it is, really, in a lot of ways, economically obsolete. It literally is part of the glitz and glamour of Vegas, but it hasn't been that for decades."[112] Katie Dowd of SFGate wrote that "decades of decay have already destroyed what's left of the world-famous Tropicana".[113] Michael Green, a history professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), noted that, "Hotels built in the 1950s were not designed for the 2020s." He partly attributed the Tropicana's decline to the numerous ownership changes in its later years, which "meant different approaches, different plans. Then it was surrounded by these megaresorts. And in a sense, it tried to have its own niche by not being one of them and having amenities – but not the amenities to the degree the others did."[114] Despite its age, the Tropicana was profitable at the time of its closure.[115]

A liquidation sale began not long after the property's closure,[116] lasting about two months.[117] It included entire furnished suites,[118] as well as various items from the casino floor.[119] Most of the gaming equipment was transferred to other Bally's properties.[106][120] Some items and memorabilia will be donated to local organizations, including UNLV and the Neon Museum;[121][122] the latter had already acquired a former Tropicana neon sign years earlier.[123]

Demolition

edit
 
Demolition debris a week after implosion

Demolition got underway within a month of the property's closure.[124] Several hotel structures contained asbestos, which had to be removed prior to demolition.[125][126][127] Most of the asbestos had already been removed during renovations and expansions that had taken place over the years. Miller Environmental Inc. removed the remainder and then demolished the low-rise buildings,[128] leaving the towers as the last structures on the site.[117][129] Miller and GGG Demolition Inc. gutted the buildings to prepare them for implosion, removing plaster and drywall to minimize dust.[128][130]

 
Tropicana Las Vegas implosion Oct 9, 2024

The towers were imploded on October 9, 2024,[131] at 2:37 a.m.[132] Demolition was preceded by a ceremony featuring LED and pyrotechnic aerial drones, as well as fireworks from Fireworks by Grucci.[133][134][135] The aerial show took approximately five months to plan, with a crew of nearly 100 people on-site to execute it.[135] The towers were imploded by Controlled Demolition, Inc., which has handled Las Vegas implosions for decades.[136]

The towers were built differently and thus required separate approaches.[137] The original 1979 structure was built with a steel frame, which took 490 pounds of explosives to bring down. The 1986 tower consisted of reinforced concrete and required 1,700 pounds of explosives.[138][139] Approximately 98 percent of the implosion debris is expected to be recycled, with cleanup of the site taking three to four months.[140] The Tropicana marked the first Strip implosion since the Riviera in 2016.[141]

Redevelopment plans

edit

New Las Vegas Stadium

edit

The Athletics, a Major League Baseball team, began considering a Las Vegas relocation in 2021, with the Tropicana property as a potential site for a new stadium.[142][143] In May 2023, after more than a year of negotiations,[144] the Oakland A's reached an agreement with Bally's and GLPI to demolish the Tropicana for redevelopment. The stadium will occupy nine acres.[145][146]

The stadium is expected to cost $1.5 billion, and a public financing package for up to $380 million was approved by the state in June 2023.[147] Five months later, the Oakland A's relocation to Las Vegas was approved by the MLB.[146] Construction of the stadium is scheduled to begin in April 2025,[148] with completion in January 2028.[149][150]

New Bally's Las Vegas

edit

The stadium is expected to occupy 9 acres (3.6 ha) of the 35-acre (14 ha) site, with another 15 acres (6.1 ha)[151] being used for a new Bally's Las Vegas resort.[146][106] The remaining 11 acres (4.5 ha) would be shared between the stadium and the resort.[151] There had previously been plans to rebrand the Tropicana as a Bally's property.[100] The original Bally's Las Vegas, also on the Strip, was rebranded as Horseshoe Las Vegas in 2022.[152]

Bally's had more than $3 billion in long-term debt as of April 2024.[153] At that time, the company stated there was no rush to build a new resort on the Tropicana site, instead focusing on other gaming projects, including Bally's Chicago and a possible New York property.[154] Bally's said work on the Las Vegas resort could begin some time during the stadium's construction or at a later point following the latter's completion. The company was also open to partnering with another resort operator to begin the project sooner.[155] It has been suggested that the Las Vegas resort could be developed similarly to Bally's property in Chicago.[156]

As demolition concluded on the Tropicana, Bally's was in the early stages of planning for its replacement,[135] an integrated resort with 3,005 rooms, a 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2) casino, and 110,000 sq ft (10,000 m2) of convention space. The hotel would consist of three towers, each standing 459 feet,[151] to be built in phases.[157][158] Bally's stated that it hoped to finish phase-one in time to coincide with the opening of the stadium, with construction taking approximately two years.[159]

Labor disputes

edit

Several bomb incidents occurred at Strip resorts in 1984, amid a labor dispute with local trade unions. The Tropicana was among those targeted, with an early morning blast damaging nine vehicles in its front parking lot.[160] The casino's main show, Folies Bergere, was also closed for 11 weeks due to the dispute.[161]

Folies Bergere closed again in 1989, when its 14-crew musician team went on strike. The crew was represented by the American Federation of Musicians, and walked off the job after their contract expired without a deal for renewal. The closure of Folies Bergere affected 170 other workers involved in the show. It soon reopened with the use of taped music in place of live musicians, a practice that the union had opposed. The crew was ultimately fired, saving the Tropicana $600,000 in yearly salaries. The musician strike also affected several other resorts on the Strip.[162][163][164] After seven months, the strike ended in 1990 with a new contract agreement.[165][166]

In 2001, table game dealers at the Tropicana voted to be represented by the Transport Workers Union, which later accused the casino of targeting its supporters.[167] The union's representation was decertified in 2002; of 147 dealers, 98 voted to decertify, while 38 voted in support of the union.[168][169]

The overall workforce at the Tropicana was represented by the Culinary Workers Union.[170][171][172] Bill Yung, the founder and chief executive of Columbia Sussex, was opposed to union representation.[173] When his company took over the Tropicana in 2007, it laid off more than 500 workers, including 300 Culinary members.[82] Columbia Sussex also sought givebacks from the union during negotiations for a contract renewal.[174] Talks between the two sides eventually became bitter and prolonged.[175][176] In 2008, Yung was replaced by Scott Butera, who worked to negotiate a new contract with Culinary.[173]

Property overview

edit

The Tropicana occupied 35 acres (14 ha),[177] located at the southeast corner of the Tropicana – Las Vegas Boulevard intersection.[178] Tropicana Avenue was originally known as Bond Road, and took on its current name in 1961, at the request of the Tropicana.[179][180]

Stained-glass ceiling before and after the 2010 renovation

In its final years, the casino floor measured 44,570 sq ft (4,141 m2).[181] It included 600 slot machines and 19 table games.[182] A section of the casino floor featured a stained-glass ceiling that covered 4,250 sq ft (395 m2).[183][184][185] It was designed by Tony DeVroudes and created by Judson Studios,[186][187] and was installed in 1979,[188] at a cost of $1 million.[184] Las Vegas architect Joel Bergman later said of the ceiling, "Nothing like that had been done before inside a casino. It changed the texture of design in Las Vegas." Bergman's firm was hired in 2010 to revamp the ceiling.[189] Following the Tropicana's closure, the ceiling is expected to be donated to a historic group.[108][120][190]

In 1993, the Tropicana added the Wildlife Walk habitat, featuring exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles. It was built in an existing covered walkway linking the two hotel towers.[191][192][193]

Nikki Beach, a chain of beach clubs, opened a location at the Tropicana in May 2011. It was aimed at a clientele in the 30-to-40 age range.[194] A nightclub, known as Club Nikki, also opened along with Cafe Nikki.[195] The three facilities were added as part of the Tropicana's $180 million renovation.[196] The resort parted ways with the Nikki brand later in 2011,[195] and the nightclub was renamed RPM Nightclub.[197][198][199] The other club was soon rebranded as Bagatelle Beach & Supper Club.[200][201] In 2013, the Tropicana took over operations of the two clubs and renamed them the Havana Room and Beach Club, open only for private events.[196][202]

Hotel

edit
Left to right: the 1986 and 1979 towers prior to the 2010 renovation
Overlooking the 1986 tower and low-rise structures in 2017

The Tropicana originally opened with a three-story hotel and 300 rooms. The resort was built out in a "Y" shape, with its two hotel wings branching outward from the casino building.[203][5] A three-story wing extension with 150 rooms, designed by architect Homer Rissman, was added in 1959.[204] Another wing was extended in 1962.[183] A four-story addition with 132 rooms, also by Rissman, was added in 1964.[205][206] Two major hotel expansions would later occur:

  • The Tiffany Tower opened in 1979, with 600 rooms.[39][183] It was renamed the Paradise Tower in 1986.[41][63]
  • The Island Tower opened in 1986, with 806 rooms.[207][208] It later became the Club Tower.[209]

The first and second towers are designated as 22 and 21 stories respectively,[210][211] although both skip the 13th floor due to bad-luck superstition among gamblers.[212]

As part of the 2010 renovation, the resort demolished its 1959 and 1964 wings, the latter to make way for a second entrance and additional parking along Tropicana Avenue.[213] The 20th floor of the Paradise Tower was also renovated to include 6 luxury villas, removing 30 regular rooms in the process. As a result of these changes, the hotel was left with 1,467 rooms in total,[214] down from approximately 1,870.[215][216][217]

From 2012 until it closed in 2024, the Tropicana's hotel had been affiliated with DoubleTree by Hilton.[218][211]

Dining

edit

A $5 million remodeling project was launched in 1978, and included two new restaurants.[219] Others would debut in the late 1990s, including the Savanna Steakhouse.[220][221][222] The Tropicana also opened Pietro's, a fine-dining restaurant that would go on to be well received.[223][224][225] It eventually closed in 2007 under the resort's new ownership, which found it to be under-performing.[226]

The 2010 renovation added several new dining options, including the Italian restaurant Bacio.[227][228] Legends Steak & Seafood, a 4,000 sq ft (370 m2) restaurant, was updated to become Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine.[189][229] In 2017, it was remodeled again to include a bar and lounge.[230] That year, celebrity chef Robert Irvine opened a restaurant, Robert Irvine's Public House,[231][232] and the resort also added Oakville Steakhouse.[233]

Museums and exhibits

edit

From 1999 to 2005, the Tropicana was the home of the Casino Legends Hall of Fame.[234][235] It displayed artifacts and memorabilia from hundreds of casinos, and held induction ceremonies to honor notable Las Vegas entertainers and gaming industry figures.[234][236] The 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) facility featured 10,000 items.[67] Upon closing, it was quickly replaced by the Las Vegas Historic Museum, which lasted until 2006.[235][237]

Convention and exhibit space was added in 1973,[238] and an expansion was completed in 2015.[239][240] The space hosted several exhibits,[241][242] including "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition", which opened in 2005.[243] It was joined in 2006 by "Bodies: The Exhibition", a display of preserved human bodies.[244] The two exhibits, both produced by Premier Exhibitions, closed in 2008 to move to the Luxor.[245][246]

They were replaced in March 2011 by the Las Vegas Mob Experience, an attraction describing the rise and fall of organized crime in Las Vegas, featuring mob artifacts, holograms of famed gangsters such as Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky, and live actors.[247][248][249] After being plagued by technical problems, litigation, and low ticket sales, and going through a bankruptcy and partial closure, the exhibit became known as the Mob Attraction Las Vegas in March 2012.[250][251] It closed in November 2013.[252]

Plaza area

edit
 
A portion of the plaza area in 2018

A plaza with tropical landscaping was located at the Tropicana – Las Vegas intersection, in front of the resort and facing the Strip.[178] This area originally featured a water cooling tower, which was covered with a tulip-shaped fountain structure.[5][2] It stood 60 feet (18 m),[203][2] and was demolished in 1977, as part of renovation work.[253]

The tropical theme was added in 1991,[191] and included two large statues depicting Easter Island heads. The statues were 35 feet (11 m) high and weighed 300,000 pounds each. They were removed in 1996, during a renovation.[254]

The plaza's tropical theme was expanded with a Caribbean village facade, which began construction in 1993 and was finished within a year.[191][255][256] In 1994, the plaza debuted a free laser light show, accompanied by music and special effects such as fog.[257][258][259] Plans were announced in 2013 to build a two-story shopping area on the plaza land,[214] but this project was later scrapped.[260]

Tropicana Country Club

edit

The Tropicana Country Club opened in September 1961,[261][262] on 125 acres (51 ha) of land. It was located north of the resort, across Tropicana Avenue. The site had consisted of vacant desert land, which was transformed into the golf club over a 10-month period.[263][264] It included a 70-par course measuring 6,481 yards.[265]

MGM Grand Inc. purchased the country club in 1989,[266] and closed it a year later. The land was redeveloped as the MGM Grand resort and MGM Grand Adventures theme park, both opened in 1993.[267][268][269]

Live entertainment

edit

The Tropicana opened with the 450-seat Theatre Restaurant, featuring tiered flooring which overlooked a semi-circular stage. It also included glass walls offering a view of the property's tropical gardens.[8][203] The venue opened with singer Eddie Fisher,[270] who was a regular performer there.[10]

Other venues included the Showcase and Blue Room lounges.[260][271] Jazz performances took place in the latter,[260] which opened in 1965.[183][272] The Blue Room seated more than 400 people. Notable performers there included Louis Armstrong, Erroll Garner, Benny Goodman, Al Hirt and the Ramsey Lewis Trio.[273]

The Tropicana Holiday, a striptease revue starring Jayne Mansfield, opened in 1958.[274] Later that year, the Stardust resort opened on the Strip along with the show Lido de Paris, featuring topless showgirls. Inspired by the show's success, the Tropicana debuted its own topless revue in 1959, titled Folies Bergere.[5] The show was imported from Paris. Aside from the showgirls, Folies Bergere also featured other acts, including the Las Vegas debut of magicians Siegfried & Roy (1967) and Lance Burton (1982).[2][275] The show ran at the Tropicana until 2009, closing shortly before its 50th anniversary.[276] As of 2023, it remains the longest-running show in Las Vegas history.[2]

 
A performance of Air Play in 2003

Several live albums were recorded at the Tropicana, including Kenton Live from the Las Vegas Tropicana (1959) by Stan Kenton,[277] Jackpot! (1966) by Dave Brubeck,[278] Standing Ovation (1969) by Count Basie,[279] Keep the Customer Satisfied (1970) by the Buddy Rich Big Band,[280] and America! America! America! (1978) by Pink Lady.

In 2002, the casino floor debuted Air Play, a free show performed several times daily. It featured various entertainers – including jugglers, singers and dancers – who performed on a stage atop a bank of slot machines, with the casino's stained-glass ceiling as a backdrop. As part of the show, a track was also installed along the ceiling for acrobatic performances.[281][282]

Main theater

edit
 
Sign along Tropicana Avenue, advertising the resort's entertainment offerings in 2011

The largest venue at the property was the 1,100-seat Tropicana Theater,[283] which featured the Prince tribute show Purple Reign (since 2017)[284] and the Michael Jackson tribute show MJ Live (since 2022).[285] The venue opened in 1973 as the Superstar Theater,[286][287] built to the specifications desired by Sammy Davis Jr.[288] It was renamed as the Tiffany Theatre in 1975.[289] In 2011, it became the Gladys Knight Theater when the singer began a residency at the venue.[290][291] It was renamed as the Tropicana Theater later that year, after Knight's departure.[292] From 2019 to 2022, it hosted the celebrity impersonator revue Legends in Concert and was named the Legends in Concert Theater.[293][294]

Other productions at the theater have included magician Rick Thomas (1997–2005);[295][296][297] magician Dirk Arthur (2005–2010);[297][298] singer Wayne Newton (2009–2010);[299][300] percussion group Recycled Percussion (2010–2012);[301][302] a live production of Dancing with the Stars (2012);[302][303] Mamma Mia!, the Broadway musical based on the songs of ABBA (2014);[304] Raiding the Rock Vault, a musical featuring classic rock songs (2014–2016);[305][306] illusionist Jan Rouven (2014–2016);[307][308] and illusionist David Goldrake (2017–2018).[309][310]

Comedy clubs

edit

A showroom on the Tropicana's mezzanine level was occupied by the Laugh Factory, a comedy club which offered two nightly stand-up comedy shows,[311][312] as well as nightly performances by impressionist Rich Little[313] and comic magician Murray Sawchuck.[314] The space opened in 1988 as Rodney's Place, a comedy club associated with Rodney Dangerfield, which closed after six months.[315][316] It then operated as the Comedy Stop from 1990 to 2009.[317] The venue next became the Bobby Slayton Room, offering regular shows by the comedian and several other performers.[318] It then opened as Brad Garrett's Comedy Club in 2010.[319] Garrett's club departed in 2011 to move to the MGM Grand.[320] The Laugh Factory took over the space in 2012,[321] and continued there until the Tropicana closed in 2024. The Laugh Factory intends to relocate to a new yet-to-be-determined location on the Strip.[322]

edit

The Tropicana made various appearances in popular culture, including films:

The Tropicana was also featured in television programs:

  • The resort was a filming location for a 1978 episode of Charlie's Angels titled "Angels in Vegas".[330][331]
  • A two-part episode of Designing Women, aired in 1992 during season seven, was set at the Tropicana. In the episodes, Anthony meets and marries a showgirl from Folies Bergere.
  • In 1998, stunt performer Robbie Knievel jumped a motorcycle across 30 limousines at the Tropicana, for a live two-hour special titled Daredevils Live: Shattering the Records.[332][333]
  • An episode of Seven Days filmed at the Tropicana in 1999.[334][335]
  • The Tropicana was featured on the TV show Angel in the 2002 episode "The House Always Wins", as the casino where the character Lorne had his show.[336]
  • The fifth-season premiere of Malcolm in the Middle was filmed at the Tropicana in 2003.[337]

The Tropicana was also used for the taping of several game shows, including Dealer's Choice (1974) and Las Vegas Gambit (1980–81).[338][339] Let's Make a Deal was revived in 2009, with half of its first season taped at the resort,[340][341] before moving to Los Angeles.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Finnegan, Amanda (August 6, 2009). "Tropicana shows off new logo tied to redesign". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bracelin, Jason (June 2, 2023). "Glamour, gangsters and million-dollar ceilings: The Trop's legacy in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Moehring, Eugene P. (2000). Resort city in the sunbelt: Las Vegas, 1930–2000. University of Nevada Press. pp. 84–86. ISBN 0-87417-356-6. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  4. ^ "2 More Strip Hotels Get Okeh of Planners". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 15, 1955. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Schwartz, David G. (March 30, 2017). "The Tiffany of the Strip". Vegas Seven. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017.
  6. ^ "Tropicana Hotel Gets Green Light". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 22, 1955. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  7. ^ "Licensing Board Clear Tropicana". Nevada State Journal. March 27, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Schwartz, David G. (April 4, 2017). "Sixty Years Ago, the Tropicana Opened Under Mob's Hidden Control". The Mob Museum. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  9. ^ Dini, Mike. "The Las Vegas Strip". Neon Museum. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Goodwin, Grace Eliza (June 19, 2023). "The historic Tropicana hotel in Las Vegas could be demolished — old photos show what the resort was like in its midcentury heyday". Insider. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "Newest Las Vegas Hotel Plush Tropicana Will Open". Reno Evening Gazette. March 27, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Control Board Considers Tropicana Hotel License". Reno Evening Gazette. March 14, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "Kastel Retires From Tropicana". Reno Evening Gazette. February 9, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "Tallies Found on Costello Match Nev. Gambling Take". Shreveport Times. June 13, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Houssels Sr. May Head Gaming At Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 9, 1956. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  16. ^ "Opening Held For Tropicana". Reno Evening Gazette. Associated Press. April 4, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Tropicana President Denies Any Costello Interest". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. United Press. June 13, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Tropicana Spa Difficulty Told To Commission". Reno Evening Gazette. August 20, 1957. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Nevada Gambling: State Board Digs Deep". Nevada State Journal. January 14, 1964. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Schwartz, David G. (June 24, 2017). "The hit that could have sunk Las Vegas". The Mob Museum. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  21. ^ "Kell Houssels Sr., New President of Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 20, 1959. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  22. ^ Berns, Dave (February 3, 2000). "Tropicana renovation a maybe". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 8, 2002.
  23. ^ "Airline Acquires Big Vegas Hotel". The Bridgeport Post. November 1, 1968. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Vegas Builder Plans to Buy Tropicana". Nevada State Journal. October 18, 1971. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Ripley, Anthony (December 17, 1970). "Las Vegas Fiesta Pits Patrons Against Gifts". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  26. ^ "If You Have Ears – Listen to Evangeline". The Palm Beach Post. November 15, 1973. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Nevada grants city firm betting operation permit". Minneapolis Star. February 18, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "N.Y. firm takes over Texas airline". Minneapolis Star. August 30, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Sammy Davis Buys Share of Tropicana in Las Vegas". The New York Times. August 30, 1972. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "Notes on People". The New York Times. September 29, 1973. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Deadline met". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Associated Press. August 5, 1975 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ a b "Heiress Receives License To Head Vegas Tropicana". Santa Cruz Sentinel. July 22, 1977. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Michigan developer reported buying interest in Tropicana". Reno Gazette-Journal. Associated Press. September 14, 1974 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Nevada Checking a Casino's Credit". The New York Times. September 4, 1974. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  35. ^ "Las Vegas Hotel Man Found Guilty of Tax Fraud". The New York Times. October 31, 1974. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Las Vegas' Tropicana Hotel: San Francisco heiress closer to control". Reno Evening Gazette. Associated Press. June 9, 1977. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ a b c Smith, John L. (September 25, 2013). "Heiress was pilfered in doomed Tropicana investment, but kept values". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  38. ^ "Vegas Hotel Owner Mum On Money Woes". Sun Post. April 2, 1976. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ a b "Tiffany Tower groundbreaking at Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 8, 1977. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  40. ^ "Gaming License Gets Nod". Nevada State Journal. June 16, 1977. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ a b "The Tropicana – Paradise Tower". Skyscraper Center. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  42. ^ "Vegas' Tropicana Plans to Expand". Nevada State Journal. July 21, 1978. Retrieved December 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ United States v. Thomas, 759 F.2d 659 (8th Cir. 1985).
  44. ^ Wallace Turner (June 12, 1983). "Testimony details Kansas City underworld's control of a Las Vegas casino". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  45. ^ Smith, John L. (February 22, 2009). "Former Tropicana owner still has faith after mob, corporate muggings". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009.
  46. ^ Hawley, Tom (January 20, 2016). "Video Vault | Tropicana's Folies Bergere and the mob skim". KSNV. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  47. ^ "An FBI tip that a mob figure was marked..." United Press International. October 16, 1983. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  48. ^ Bygraves, Max (2003). Stars in My Eyes: A Life in Show Business. Franz Steiner Verlag. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-1-86105-672-6. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  49. ^ Flagg, Tom (May 23, 1979). "FBI Affidavits Link Agosto, KC Mob". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  50. ^ "Indictments could kill Midwest mob, former FBI agent says". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 12, 1983 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ Morris, Sam (April 1, 2007). "Tropicana at 50". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  52. ^ a b Smith, John L. (September 30, 2013). "The Ballad of Mitzi Stauffer Briggs, Heiress Who Lost It All in Vegas". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  53. ^ Doug Stone; Robert J. Hagen (July 27, 1979). "Gustafson allegedly fabricated story on funds". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, MN – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "Ramada takes over Tropicana". Reno Gazette-Journal. Associated Press. December 8, 1979 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ In re Adamar Casino Application, 10 N.J.A.R. 581, 596 (November 17, 1982).
  56. ^ a b Geer, Carri (February 18, 1998). "Ex-Tropicana owner gets probation in complex federal case". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on February 25, 2002.
  57. ^ "Former Tropicana owner Gustafson dies at age of 67". Las Vegas Sun. April 6, 1999. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  58. ^ "Banker Deil O. Gustafson, former part-owner of Las Vegas'..." United Press International. April 27, 1983. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  59. ^ Delugach, Al (October 28, 1985). "Tapes Playing Pivotal Role in Casino Skimming Trial". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  60. ^ Retrieved December 27, 2023:
  61. ^ Morrison, Jane Ann (December 4, 1984). "Tropical look for the Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  62. ^ "Tropicana expansion completed". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 14, 1986. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  63. ^ a b "Tropicana unveils 'island' in the desert". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 25, 1986. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  64. ^ "Ramada Closes Hotel Sale". Los Angeles Times. December 21, 1989. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  65. ^ "Buyout could lead to rebuilding of the Tropicana". Las Vegas Sun. February 3, 1998. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  66. ^ Berns, Dave (February 4, 1998). "Aztar buys option for Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 22, 1999.
  67. ^ a b Edwards, John G. (February 15, 1999). "New Legends museum delivers taste of history". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 20, 2000.
  68. ^ "Aztar completes Tropicana buyout". Phoenix Business Journal. March 5, 2002. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  69. ^ Strow, David (January 30, 2002). "Tropicana looking at LV options to expand". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  70. ^ "Tropicana unveils $500 mil. proposal". Las Vegas Sun. June 19, 2003. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  71. ^ Benston, Liz (September 4, 2003). "County approves three resort projects". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  72. ^ Benston, Liz (February 12, 2004). "Aztar Corp. remains bullish on LV Tropicana redevelopment plan". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  73. ^ Jones, Chris (February 3, 2005). "Tropicana owner mum about plans". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 13, 2005.
  74. ^ McKee, David (January 23, 2006). "How long will old resorts last?". Las Vegas Business Press. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006.
  75. ^ "New Resort May Replace Tropicana". Los Angeles Times. February 17, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  76. ^ Stutz, Howard (February 16, 2006). "Time for 'Ta-ta, Tropicana'?". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on February 19, 2006.
  77. ^ McKee, David (April 24, 2006). "A tale of two Strip casinos". Las Vegas Business Press. Archived from the original on April 28, 2006.
  78. ^ "Bid From Ameristar Is Better, Aztar Says". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 26, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  79. ^ "Tropicana Casino's Owner Being Bought for $2 Billion". The New York Times. May 20, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  80. ^ "Tropicana May Emerge from Bankruptcy This Spring". The New York Times. March 25, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  81. ^ Stutz, Howard (November 2, 2006). "Tropicana staying put". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 7, 2007.
  82. ^ a b "Tropicana makeover on hold for now". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 17, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  83. ^ Knightly, Arnold (May 6, 2008). "Tropicana Entertainment files bankruptcy". Casino City Times.
  84. ^ Green, Steve (March 24, 2009). "Tropicana creditors want Vegas property split from company". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  85. ^ Green, Steve (May 15, 2009). "Equity firm plans to take over Tropicana". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  86. ^ Knightly, Arnold M. (July 2, 2009). "New Trop owner vows return to glory". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  87. ^ Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew (July 3, 2009). "Onex takes control of Las Vegas landmark". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009.
  88. ^ Green, Steve (July 21, 2009). "Tropicana in two courts to keep 'Tropicana' name free". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  89. ^ Green, Steve (August 16, 2011). "Strip resort, Carl Icahn company settle dispute over 'Tropicana' use". Vegas Inc.
  90. ^ Finnegan, Amanda (February 3, 2009). "Tropicana hires branding firm to focus on value". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  91. ^ Benston, Liz (October 30, 2010). "Tropicana not the tired, old lady on the Strip anymore". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  92. ^ Knightly, Arnold M. (August 16, 2009). "The Strip: Historic Tropicana poised for pricey renovation". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009.
  93. ^ "South Beach on the Strip". Los Angeles Times. June 2, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  94. ^ Finnegan, Amanda (May 19, 2010). "Tropicana 'changing everything' in favor of new South Beach vibe". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  95. ^ Hodge, Damon (July 15, 2010). "Tropicana renovation: South Beach vibe on the Strip". Travel Weekly. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  96. ^ Finnegan, Amanda (August 19, 2010). "Tropicana says renovations show signs of paying off". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  97. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (November 3, 2010). "Board suggests licensing approval for Tropicana owner". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  98. ^ Kimberly De La Cruz (April 29, 2015). "Penn National to buy Tropicana for $360 million". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  99. ^ Stutz, Howard (May 20, 2015). "Purchase of Tropicana Las Vegas keeps alive Rat Pack-era name". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  100. ^ a b Segall, Eli (January 27, 2022). "Tropicana resort could be in for some major changes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  101. ^ "Tropicana Vegas to be sold for $360M". USA Today. April 29, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  102. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (March 27, 2020). "Penn Gaming to furlough 26K workers, selling Tropicana real estate". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  103. ^ Schulz, Bailey (April 20, 2020). "Penn finalizes sale of Tropicana real estate on Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  104. ^ "Bally's buys Tropicana hotel on Las Vegas Strip for $308M". Boston Herald. Associated Press. April 13, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  105. ^ Segall, Eli (September 28, 2022). "Tropicana officially under new ownership". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  106. ^ a b c Velotta, Richard N. (March 6, 2024). "What we know about the Tropicana closure, including the fate of its name". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  107. ^ Levitan, Corey (December 28, 2023). "Oldest Rooms on Las Vegas Strip Permanently Closed Since November". Casino.org. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  108. ^ a b Stutz, Howard (April 3, 2024). "Indy Gaming: Saying farewell to one of the Strip's last Rat Pack-era resorts". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  109. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (April 2, 2024). "Tropicana on Las Vegas Strip gets final sendoff from workers and players". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  110. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (March 21, 2024). "Coming to Tropicana: A 10-foot 'demolition wall' as closure nears". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  111. ^ Ross, McKenna (March 29, 2024). "'Like a second home': Longtime Tropicana workers say leaving will be bittersweet". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  112. ^ Albeck-Ripka, Livia (June 19, 2023). "The Tropicana, a Relic on the Las Vegas Strip, Could Be Demolished". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  113. ^ Dowd, Katie (March 24, 2024). "The last days of a Las Vegas icon". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  114. ^ Schulz, Bailey (April 2, 2024). "Iconic Tropicana Las Vegas resort closing to make room for new stadium". USA Today. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  115. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (April 26, 2024). "Tropicana was profitable right up until it closed, landowner says". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  116. ^ Ross, McKenna (April 2, 2024). "Want a piece of history? Items from the Tropicana are for sale". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  117. ^ a b Ross, McKenna (June 20, 2024). "What does Bally's have to do before a possible Tropicana implosion?". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  118. ^ Tropicana Las Vegas Selling Off Entire Furnished Suites Before Implosion
  119. ^ Ross, McKenna (May 22, 2024). "Fill a truck for $100 at Tropicana liquidation sale". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  120. ^ a b Velotta, Richard N. (April 4, 2024). "Preservation of Tropicana artifacts begins with sign lighting". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  121. ^ Seeman, Matthew (March 25, 2024). "Tropicana Las Vegas teams up with community groups to preserve history ahead of closure". KSNV. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  122. ^ Flynn, Sheila (April 14, 2024). "Las Vegas is betting on sports. The Tropicana hotel, home of the showgirls, is a victim of the new era". The Independent. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  123. ^ Ketcham, Ryan (April 3, 2024). "Owner of Tropicana during 1970s reminisces about hotel's glory days". KTNV. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  124. ^ Matthey, Ryan (May 2, 2024). "Tropicana Las Vegas begins deconstruction, asbestos remains on the inside". KLAS. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  125. ^ Horwath, Bryan (April 16, 2024). "Before Tropicana drops, asbestos will need to come out". KTNV. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  126. ^ Schultz, Jaclyn (April 11, 2024). "Exclusive inside look at Tropicana teardown from Laborers union". KVVU. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  127. ^ Tisminezky, Ryan (September 24, 2024). "Tropicana Las Vegas receives implosion permit, asbestos abatement complete". KLAS. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  128. ^ a b "Iconic Hotel Being Demolished to Make Way for Baseball Stadium". Construction Equipment Guide. September 18, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  129. ^ Ross, McKenna (July 11, 2024). "Tropicana operators take the next step toward implosion". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  130. ^ Miller, Shannon (October 3, 2024). "Time to say goodbye to Tropicana Las Vegas, set for implosion this week". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  131. ^ Schulz, Bailey (October 9, 2024). "Tropicana implosion in Las Vegas: After 67 years, Rat Pack-era Strip resort falls". USA Today. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  132. ^ "Tropicana hotel implosion marks the end of an era on the Las Vegas Strip". KSBY. October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  133. ^ Akers, Mick (August 26, 2024). "Tropicana implosion date set, to feature fireworks, drone show". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  134. ^ Schaeffer, James (October 5, 2024). "Las Vegas casino implosion show will include 150 'Pyrodrones' 400 feet above the Tropicana". KTLA. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  135. ^ a b c Akers, Mick (October 9, 2024). "Tropicana implosion paves the way for new era in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  136. ^ Matthey, Ryan (April 4, 2024). "Tropicana Las Vegas set for implosion, demo company says". KLAS. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  137. ^ Ketcham, Ryan (October 8, 2024). "Explosives placed and goodbyes said: Las Vegas readies for Tropicana implosion". KTNV. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  138. ^ Schaeffer, James (September 26, 2024). "Tropicana Las Vegas implosion calls for two different approaches". KLAS. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  139. ^ Akers, Mick (September 25, 2024). "Drop the Trop: 555 drones, 2,100 pounds of explosives highlight implosion". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  140. ^ Ketcham, Ryan (October 10, 2024). "Here's what will happen to the Tropicana debris following its implosion". KTNV. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  141. ^ Ross, McKenna (March 31, 2024). "Tropicana fans spend bittersweet last weekend at 66-year-old hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  142. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (June 5, 2021). "New owner of Tropicana tuned in to sports, including baseball". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  143. ^ "Oakland A's submit bid to build stadium at the Tropicana in Las Vegas". CNBC. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  144. ^ Akers, Mick (January 10, 2023). "A's appear to be down to 1 potential Las Vegas ballpark site". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  145. ^ Stutz, Howard (May 15, 2023). "A's reach formal Vegas baseball stadium agreement with Bally's, GLPI". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  146. ^ a b c Akers, Mick (November 16, 2023). "'A great asset': A's move to Las Vegas approved; Strip ballpark on horizon". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  147. ^ "Lombardo signs A's baseball stadium funding bill; relocation hurdles remain". The Nevada Independent. June 15, 2023.
  148. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (November 1, 2023). "Bally's losing employees at Tropicana as it awaits A's next move on stadium". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  149. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (July 28, 2023). "A's stadium project moving at 'very, very fast pace,' Trop land owner says". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  150. ^ Akers, Mick (October 27, 2023). "A's Las Vegas ballpark construction timeline revealed". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  151. ^ a b c Akers, Mick (October 17, 2024). "A's Las Vegas ballpark may be flanked by Bally's towers". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  152. ^ Radke, Brock (April 7, 2022). "Get ready for Las Vegas Strip transformations at Bally's and the Tropicana". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  153. ^ Stutz, Howard (April 3, 2024). "Investors suggest debt-saddled Bally's sell its ownership in closed Tropicana". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  154. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (May 1, 2024). "No rush to build new resort attached to A's ballpark, Bally's says". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  155. ^ Akers, Mick (May 7, 2024). "Exact A's ballpark location unknown; Bally's may seek partner on new resort". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  156. ^ Shriber, Todd (July 16, 2024). "Bally's Chicago Deal Could Be Playbook for Tropicana Las Vegas". Casino.org. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  157. ^ "New renderings released of A's ballpark, Bally's Resort on Las Vegas Strip". KVVU. October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  158. ^ Bally’s has a plan to surround BIG-designed Oakland A's Las Vegas stadium with hotel and casino towers
  159. ^ Akers, Mick (October 22, 2024). "Bally's aims to open hotel, casino at same time as A's Las Vegas ballpark". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  160. ^ Borders, Myram (May 27, 1984). "Bomb explodes outside Tropicana". United Press International. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  161. ^ Borders, Myram (June 15, 1984). "Strike ends on Las Vegas 'strip'". United Press International. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  162. ^ Puig, Claudia (June 5, 1989). "Stage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  163. ^ Baker, Bob (July 7, 1989). "Facing the Music: As Vegas Hotel Turns to Tape, Band Players March Picket Line". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  164. ^ "Las Vegas Musicians Still Walk the Beat: 11-Week Strike to Retain Live Music 'Just Keeps Dragging On'". Los Angeles Times. August 19, 1989. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  165. ^ Baker, Bob (January 23, 1990). "Musicians Set to End Vegas Strike". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  166. ^ Hawley, Tom (April 13, 2016). "Video Vault | Corporate Las Vegas' gain was union musicians' loss". KSNV. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  167. ^ "Tropicana, dealers at odds over union contract". Las Vegas Sun. November 6, 2001. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  168. ^ "Tropicana dealer seeks decertification of union". Las Vegas Sun. May 10, 2002. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  169. ^ Benston, Liz (July 16, 2002). "Tropicana dealers vote to drop TWU". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  170. ^ Leong, Grace (June 26, 2003). "Tropicana, union reach agreement on contract". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  171. ^ Benston, Liz (August 20, 2008). "Culinary Union reaches tentative pact with Tropicana". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  172. ^ "Tropicana reaches labor deal with Culinary, bartenders unions". Las Vegas Sun. Associated Press. March 6, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  173. ^ a b McCloskey, Megan (August 27, 2008). "New blood helped Tropicana, union heal old wounds". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  174. ^ Mishak, Michael (September 9, 2007). "Tropicana wants to change benefits union sees as sacred". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  175. ^ Benston, Liz; Mishak, Michael (February 5, 2008). "Tenser and tenser as Trop and workers negotiate". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  176. ^ Mishak, Michael (February 6, 2008). "Culinary, Tropicana are talking — but slowly, not about the big issues". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  177. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (July 31, 2020). "Tropicana won't change hands anytime soon, Penn-affiliated REIT says". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  178. ^ a b "Neon Survey: Sunset to Sahara". University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021.
  179. ^ "Strip Hotels Seek Street Name Changes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 17, 1961. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  180. ^ "Two Strip Hotels Win Road Name Change Fight". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 7, 1961. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  181. ^ "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)". Nevada Gaming Control Board. March 6, 2018. p. 10. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  182. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (March 28, 2024). "Say goodbye to the Tropicana. Here's what happens before doors lock". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  183. ^ a b c d "Tropicana celebrates 25th anniversary". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 13, 1982. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  184. ^ a b Townsend Rodgers, Lissa (March 30, 2017). "The Tropicana's Stained Glass Ceiling Is a Masterpiece". Vegas Seven. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017.
  185. ^ "Question of the Day". Las Vegas Advisor. July 13, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  186. ^ "Judson Stained Glass Studios began 88 years ago in LA" (PDF). Highland Park Journal. March 3, 1984. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  187. ^ Schaeffer, James (March 4, 2024). "Las Vegas artist wants $4M artwork saved from implosion". KLAS. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  188. ^ Jones, Jay (June 20, 2017). "Check out Vegas' remarkable public art, from 'Popeye' to a winged jackalope". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  189. ^ a b Illia, Tony (January 5, 2011). "Will a Renovation Reverse Losses at the Tropicana?". Engineering News-Record. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  190. ^ Ross, McKenna (May 1, 2024). "What's happening with the Tropicana's iconic stained glass?". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  191. ^ a b c "Tropicana adding island flavor". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 12, 1993. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  192. ^ "Tropicana joins themed-resort crowd". Reno Gazette-Journal. August 11, 1993. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  193. ^ "Take a walk on the wild side at the Tropicana". Los Angeles Times. June 29, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  194. ^ Finnegan, Amanda (April 7, 2011). "2 new pool parties diving into Las Vegas 'daylife' scene". VegasInc. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  195. ^ a b Katsilometes, John (September 24, 2011). "Tropicana severs ties with Nikki Beach and Club Nikki and plans to run the show itself". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  196. ^ a b "With Bagatelle's closing, the Tropicana has a chance to refocus on what it does best". Las Vegas Weekly. July 31, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  197. ^ Katsilometes, John (November 3, 2011). "Club Nikki to take on new name – RPM Nightclub – on New Year's Eve weekend". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  198. ^ Stapleton, Susan (March 8, 2012). "RPM Nightclub Closing at the End of March". Eater.
  199. ^ Green, Steve (March 8, 2012). "Tropicana Las Vegas clubs under new ownership yet again". VegasInc. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  200. ^ Stapleton, Susan (October 15, 2012). "Some Things Bagatelle Doesn't Want You to Know". Eater. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  201. ^ Stapleton, Susan (April 11, 2013). "Finally, Bagatelle's Beach Club Makes Its Debut". Eater. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  202. ^ Katsilometes, John (July 24, 2013). "Bagatelle Beach Club renamed Havana Room and Beach Club; closes to public in favor of private events". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  203. ^ a b c "$15 Million Tropicana Hotel Opens Today". Las Vegas Sun. April 3, 1957. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  204. ^ "Tropicana Schedules Expansion, 150 Units". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 20, 1959. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  205. ^ "132 Spacious Units: $2 Million Addition Started Near Tropicana Hotel". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 19, 1963. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  206. ^ "Tropicana Opens Wing". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 21, 1964. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  207. ^ Kristof, Nicholas D. (November 28, 1985). "Vegas Courts Low Rollers". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  208. ^ "Swim-up blackjack returns". Arizona Republic. July 2, 1995. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  209. ^ "Question of the Day". Las Vegas Advisor. December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  210. ^ "The Tropicana Las Vegas". Skyscraper Center. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  211. ^ a b "Bally's purchases the Tropicana in $308M deal". Las Vegas Sun. April 13, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  212. ^ "Question of the Day". Las Vegas Advisor. June 25, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  213. ^ "Overview of Tropicana structures". Vintage Las Vegas. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  214. ^ a b Sieroty, Chris (November 26, 2013). "Tropicana chief sees new retailers at property transforming south Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  215. ^ Stutz, Howard (July 21, 2005). "Aztar Finds Ace". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 28, 2005. He also didn't discuss why room reservations at the 1,871-room property were not being accepted past Dec. 1 [...].
  216. ^ "Tropicana on His Mind". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 4, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2023. While he has been around to see the transformation of the Tropicana to the 1,878-room hotel [...].
  217. ^ Knightly, Arnold M. (June 19, 2009). "Ex-MGM exec gets OK to run Trop". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2023. Yemenidjian told regulators the new owners plan to completely renovate the 1,876-room property [...].
  218. ^ "Hilton returns to Vegas Strip with Tropicana deal". USA Today. October 26, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  219. ^ "Tropicana remodeling project set". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 20, 1978. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  220. ^ Paskevich, Michael (March 13, 1998). "Time for a Change". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  221. ^ "Tropicana eatery has new menu". Arizona Republic. July 21, 2002. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  222. ^ White, Ken (July 24, 2002). "Tropicana's upgraded steakhouse out to please customers". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2002.
  223. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (January 24, 2003). "Restaurant Review: Vegas Institution". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 12, 2004.
  224. ^ Desiderio, Charlie (November 5, 2004). "Small Italian restaurant is still one of the Strip's great treasures". Las Vegas Business Press. Archived from the original on November 26, 2004.
  225. ^ Stevens, Muriel (March 19, 2006). "The Food Of Life". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  226. ^ "New Trop owner trimming work force". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 4, 2007. Archived from the original on April 1, 2007.
  227. ^ Finnegan, Amanda (September 16, 2009). "Tropicana opens restaurants tied to $125M renovation". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  228. ^ "Chef Carla Pellegrino's love at first sight with L.V., new restaurant, cookbook". Las Vegas Sun. August 30, 2012. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017.
  229. ^ Radke, Brock (October 19, 2010). "Tropicana's Biscayne steakhouse falls a bit short". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  230. ^ Stapleton, Susan (February 8, 2017). "Biscayne Reveals Its Contemporary Makeover". Eater. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  231. ^ Heidi Knapp Rinella; Al Mancini (August 1, 2017). "Robert Irvine fails to deliver on promises for Public House". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  232. ^ Jones, Jay (August 8, 2017). "British chef and fitness guru Robert Irvine opens a namesake pub on the Vegas Strip". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  233. ^ Heidi Knapp Rinella; Al Mancini (July 5, 2017). "Naked City Pizza to offer party bus packages to Golden Knights games". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  234. ^ a b Gary Thompson (February 5, 1999). "Casino Legends Hall of Fame looks to save gaming heritage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  235. ^ a b Jerry Fink (April 2, 2006). "Tropicana's closing shuts door on history". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  236. ^ "Strip mine: Casino Legends Hall of Fame details Las Vegas' past". Las Vegas Sun. June 4, 2002. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  237. ^ Ken White (July 29, 2005). "Keeping the past alive". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  238. ^ "Tropicana Las Vegas". Historic Las Vegas Project. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  239. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (June 4, 2013). "Tropicana expanding meeting space". VegasInc. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  240. ^ "Expansion Of Tropicana Las Vegas Convention Facilities Slated For Completion March 1, 2015". PR Newswire. August 26, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  241. ^ "Tropicana makes waves with 'Titanic'". Las Vegas Sun. March 25, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  242. ^ Katsilometes, John (April 25, 2010). "'Experiential entertainment' to be a hallmark of Las Vegas Mob Experience". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  243. ^ Jerry Fink (April 8, 2005). "'Titanic' is a hull of a time". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  244. ^ Laura Tucker (June 27, 2006). "Bodies displayed at Tropicana". Anthem View. Las Vegas, NV – via NewsBank.
  245. ^ "Two nongaming attractions now at Tropicana will be displayed at Luxor". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 19, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  246. ^ Bruce Camenga (November 28, 2008). "Exhibits, shows moving". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, CA – via NewsBank.
  247. ^ Jones, Jay (January 2, 2011). "Bugsy Siegel's Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  248. ^ Saltzstein, Dan (March 9, 2011). "Two New Museums to Explore Vegas Mob Past". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  249. ^ Sonya Padgett (March 31, 2011). "Las Vegas Mob Experience mixes entertainment and family history". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  250. ^ Katsilometes, John (September 9, 2011). "Mob Experience closing down much of the 'experience' to make upgrades". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  251. ^ Steve Green (March 5, 2012). "Tropicana mob exhibit consultant: 'Nobody has an attraction like this'". Vegas Inc. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  252. ^ "Investors in failed Mob Experience: Jay Bloom 'has given us a shot at making our money back'". Vegas Inc. August 20, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  253. ^ "Trop Symbol Turned to Rubble". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 29, 1977. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  254. ^ Green, Marian (April 10, 1996). "Tropicana plans statue removal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  255. ^ "New bridges keep visitors off streets". Los Angeles Times. June 12, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  256. ^ "Tropicana face lift to include remodeled rooms". Los Angeles Times. September 25, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  257. ^ "Goulet returns home as 'Camelot' debuts in LV". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 10, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  258. ^ "Tropicana adds new laser light shows". Arizona Republic. July 10, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  259. ^ "Tropicana provides laser-light shows at Four Corners". Los Angeles Times. July 24, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  260. ^ a b c Kachelriess, Rob (October 3, 2023). "The Iconic Las Vegas Tropicana Is Going Out with a Bang Soon". Thrillist. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  261. ^ "Quiet-Spoken Jaffe Founder of Course". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 2, 1961. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  262. ^ "Country Club Opens". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 3, 1961. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  263. ^ "New Las Vegas course to open". Reno Gazette-Journal. August 29, 1961 – via Newspapers.com.
  264. ^ "Hotels sponsor sports events in Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. April 7, 1963 – via Newspapers.com.
  265. ^ Fossum, Jim (September 5, 1990). "Pro laments Tropicana's demise". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  266. ^ "Tropicana's closure to be big blow to golfing". Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 12, 1989. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  267. ^ "MGM planning $700 million movie theme park in Vegas". Reno Gazette-Journal. October 4, 1989. Retrieved December 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  268. ^ "Mirage-fed optimism sparks 'room boom'". Press of Atlantic City. Scripps Howard. April 29, 1990 – via NewsBank.
  269. ^ Guzzon, John (October 24, 2016). "Sports/Entertainment Award of Merit – Topgolf Las Vegas". Engineering News-Record. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  270. ^ Pearl, Ralph (April 4, 1957). "Spectacle opens lavish Tropicana". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  271. ^ "Tropicana Preparing Lounge". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 15, 1964. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  272. ^ "Tropicana Blue Room Show Is Talk of Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 7, 1965. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  273. ^ "Joe Delaney remembers 1968: Pete Fountain at the Tropicana". Las Vegas Sun. November 10, 2000. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  274. ^ Golden, Eve (2021). Jayne Mansfield: The Girl Couldn't Help It. University Press of Kentucky. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-8131-8097-7. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  275. ^ Katsilometes, John (December 9, 2020). "Lance Burton's disappearing act takes him back to Kentucky". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  276. ^ Meraji, Shereen (February 23, 2009). "Folies Bergere To Close In Las Vegas". NPR. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  277. ^ "Stan Kenton – Kenton Live from the Las Vegas Tropicana". AllMusic. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  278. ^ Album Reviews. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. February 24, 1968. pp. 1–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  279. ^ "Count Basie – Standing Ovation Review". AllMusic. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  280. ^ "Buddy Rich – Keep the Customer Satisfied". AllMusic. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  281. ^ Padgett, Sonya (December 5, 2002). "Free Show: Up in the Air". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 21, 2005.
  282. ^ "Air Supply: Tropicana offers show in the sky and it's free". Las Vegas Sun. January 2, 2003. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  283. ^ John Katsilometes (October 16, 2018). "'Legends in Concert' moving to 'famed four corners' of Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  284. ^ Brock Radke (November 1, 2017). "'Purple Reign' makes the move from Westgate to Tropicana". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  285. ^ Ken Miller (February 18, 2022). "'MJ Live' is off-the-wall-fun in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  286. ^ Robert Hilburn (September 29, 1973). "New Vegas showrooms sign up acts". Los Angeles Times – via Newspapers.com.
  287. ^ "Tropicana Opens New Room". Van Nuys News. October 9, 1973. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  288. ^ Fishgall, Gary (2010). Gonna Do Great Things: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr. Simon and Schuster. p. 305. ISBN 978-1-4391-3157-2.
  289. ^ "Tropicana Las Vegas unveils new theater design". Lodging Magazine. February 22, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  290. ^ John Katsilometes (March 14, 2011). "Under-renovation Tropicana gears up for the Knight life". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  291. ^ Katsilometes, John (September 23, 2011). "Gladys Knight: Performing at Trop was 'a dream come true,' but staying didn't make financial sense". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  292. ^ John Katsilometes (November 2, 2011). "Recycled Percussion is the act, Tropicana Theater the name as showroom (loudly) enters new phase". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  293. ^ John Katsilometes (February 19, 2019). "Country tribute show opening on Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  294. ^ "Legends in Concert show to conclude four-year run at Tropicana Las Vegas". KSNV-TV. December 28, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  295. ^ Michael Paskevich (September 12, 1997). "Tropicana's magic show more derivative than original". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  296. ^ Mike Weatherford (February 3, 2005). "Thomas moves magic show amid uncertainty at Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  297. ^ a b Mike Weatherford (April 15, 2005). "Sleight of hand, slight of statute". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  298. ^ Norm Clarke (March 14, 2010). "'Dice' miffed over 'Donny Clay' show". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  299. ^ Joe Brown (November 2, 2009). "Wayne Newton: The story, but not the sound". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  300. ^ John Katsilometes (April 26, 2010). "Newton turns to projects away from the stage as 'Once Before I Go' closes". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  301. ^ Mike Weatherford (November 11, 2010). "New shows set to open". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  302. ^ a b John Katsilometes (November 13, 2012). "Recycled Percussion stepping in for Human Nature; Trop theater overhaul". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  303. ^ Mike Weatherford (April 15, 2012). "'Dancing' a step in right direction". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  304. ^ John Katsilometes (July 22, 2014). "'Mamma Mia!' closes in less than three months at Tropicana". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  305. ^ Mike Weatherford (November 15, 2014). "Never too old to raid the 'Rock Vault'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  306. ^ Mike Weatherford (July 31, 2016). "Wave of show closings a blow to the Las Vegas entertainment community". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  307. ^ Matt Kelemen (December 5, 2014). "A bigger stage means bigger dangers in Jan Rouven's revamped 'Illusions'". Las Vegas Magazine. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  308. ^ John Katsilometes (March 17, 2016). "Tropicana acts quickly on cutting loose Jan Rouven". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  309. ^ Robin Leach (July 21, 2017). "'New magic guy' in town opens Tropicana show". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  310. ^ John Katsilometes (September 14, 2018). "After GGG, 'Canelo' to answer the bell at XS Nightclub". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  311. ^ John Katsilometes (March 20, 2012). "New venture at the Tropicana is a laugh–or, rather, a factory of them". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  312. ^ Mike Weatherford (April 11, 2016). "30-year veteran of Vegas comedy clubs now runs one". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  313. ^ Robin Leach (September 28, 2015). "Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Stewart remain two of Rich Little's favorite voices". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  314. ^ Brock Radke (November 21, 2018). "Murray the Magician is right at home at the Trop". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  315. ^ "Rodney Dangerfield takes a question at the opening of his comedy club at the Tropicana Hotel". Philadelphia Inquirer. December 29, 1988 – via NewsBank.
  316. ^ Laura Myers (August 7, 1989). "Nevada casinos going for the cheap laughs". Mercury News. Associated Press – via NewsBank.
  317. ^ Mike Weatherford (March 11, 2009). "The Comedy Stop will stop". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  318. ^ Mike Weatherford (September 24, 2009). "Construction may keep tourists away". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  319. ^ John Katsilometes (July 22, 2010). "Brad Garrett is taking the ultimate Las Vegas gamble". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  320. ^ John Katsilometes (December 14, 2011). "Brad Garrett closes out at the Trop, focuses his ample energy on MGM Grand". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  321. ^ Mike Weatherford (April 12, 2012). "Masada sees Trop as top spot for laughs". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  322. ^ "Tropicana's shows will survive hotel demolition". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 29, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  323. ^ McGee, Kimberley (December 10, 1999). "Still opulent and extravagant, the 'Folies Bergere' celebrates the big Four-O". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  324. ^ a b Epting, Chris (December 30, 2003). "Reel Las Vegas". NBC News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  325. ^ Lawrence, Christopher (November 4, 2015). "When James Bond came to Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  326. ^ Block, Marcelline (2011). World Film Locations: Las Vegas. Intellect Books. Page 18. ISBN 9781841505886.
  327. ^ "This Is My Life (1992)". American Film Institute. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  328. ^ Clarke, Norm (June 29, 2012). "Ephron's husband has Vegas friends". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  329. ^ Italie, Hillel (June 27, 2012). "Author, director Ephron dies of leukemia at 71". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Associated Press. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  330. ^ "Angels Invade Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 14, 1978. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  331. ^ Toole, Michael (March 3, 2005). "Fembots! Dan Tanna! The Angels! Fred Sanford! (Did We Mention the Fembots?)". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  332. ^ Zekan, Karen (February 24, 1998). "Weather to pose added challenge for daredevil". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  333. ^ "Robbie Knievel Makes Record Jump". Associated Press News. February 24, 1998. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023.
  334. ^ Cling, Carol (February 22, 1999). "Time travel show 'Seven Days' to spend week in Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 3, 2000.
  335. ^ Levine, Phil (May 7, 2000). "Filmmakers, casinos work to bridge gap between two cultures". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  336. ^ Cling, Carol (August 19, 2002). "BMW ad, 'Angel' episode call Vegas home for a few days". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 16, 2005.
  337. ^ Cling, Carol (July 28, 2003). "Spike Lee to begin work on Internet commercial for Microsoft". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 28, 2004.
  338. ^ "New TV game show taped at Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 9, 1974. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  339. ^ "Gambit renewed at Tropicana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 17, 1981. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  340. ^ Cling, Carol (September 7, 2009). "Real 'Deal' at Tropicana; 'Pawn Stars' back for more". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  341. ^ Adalian, Josef (September 2, 2009). "New 'Let's Make a Deal' Will Play the Trop". TheWrap. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
edit