One of Las Vegas’ most historic landmarks, The Tropicana Hotel, is set to be demolished on October 9th. This iconic establishment, which first opened its doors in 1957, has been a staple of the Las Vegas Strip for decades.
The hotel ceased operations on April 2nd, and its 22-storey contents have since been liquidated, with many walls already dismantled in preparation for the grand implosion.
A grand farewell
The demolition will be marked by a spectacular drone and fireworks display, scheduled for 2:30 am PST on October 9th. Bally’s Corporation, the current owner of The Tropicana, announced the event via social media, promising a memorable send-off for this legendary venue.
A piece of cinematic history
Located near the north end of the historic Las Vegas Strip, The Tropicana is famously known as the filming location for the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds are Forever.” Its demolition marks the end of an era for one of the original Las Vegas casinos.
Future developments
Once the site is cleared, construction will begin on a new MLB baseball stadium for the Oakland Athletics (A’s). This development is part of a broader transformation of the area into a sports district, which already includes the nearby Allegiant Stadium, home to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, and T-Mobile Arena, which hosts UFC events, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, and the NHL’s Golden Knights.
Modernising the strip
The Tropicana is the latest in a series of hotel closures aimed at modernising the Las Vegas Strip. Earlier this year, The Mirage closed its doors and is set to be renovated into a new Hard Rock hotel and casino, complete with a 700-foot-tall guitar. In 2018, MGM Resorts transformed the former Monte Carlo casino into the new Park MGM, featuring renovated rooms and a new Eataly food court.
Tourism impact
Las Vegas continues to be a major tourist destination, with over 40.8 million visitors in 2023, according to the region’s tourism department. The ongoing developments and modernisations are expected to attract an even broader range of travellers in the coming years.