The Tropicana Las Vegas, one of the oldest and most historic hotels on the iconic Las Vegas strip, has closed its doors permanently after nearly 67 years. The closure was made to make room for a new Major League Baseball stadium, which is set to cost $1.5 billion and will begin demolition in October. The hotel, which opened in 1957 and was nicknamed the “Tiffany of the Strip” for its opulence, underwent several expansions over the years. These included the Tiffany Tower in 1979 with 600 rooms and the Island Tower in 1986 with 800 rooms.
Behind the scenes, the Tropicana had ties to famed mobster Frank Costello, who was shot in the head shortly after the hotel’s debut. A note found on Costello mentioned the Tropicana’s earnings figure and the “money to be skimmed” for his associates. In the 1970s, federal authorities charged more than a dozen mob operatives with conspiring to skim nearly $2 million in gambling revenue from Las Vegas casinos, including the Tropicana. This resulted in five convictions related to the Tropicana alone.
Throughout its history, the Tropicana has been featured in various forms of entertainment. In 1959, the hotel debuted a risqué show featuring topless showgirls, which was later featured in the 1964 Elvis Presley film “Viva Las Vegas.” Magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, as well as Lance Burton, got their start in the show. Additionally, a portion of “The Godfather” was filmed at the Tropicana, and in the 1971 film “Diamonds Are Forever,” James Bond stays at the hotel.
Moving forward, the closure of the Tropicana will make way for the construction of a new Major League Baseball stadium, a significant development for the city of Las Vegas. The stadium is set to cost $1.5 billion and is slated to begin demolition in October. The closure of the Tropicana marks the end of an era for one of Las Vegas’ most iconic hotels, which has played a significant role in the city’s history and entertainment scene for nearly seven decades.
In conclusion, the Tropicana Las Vegas, one of the oldest and most historic hotels on the Las Vegas strip, has closed its doors permanently to make room for a new Major League Baseball stadium. With ties to famed mobster Frank Costello and connections to various forms of entertainment, the Tropicana has played a significant role in the history and culture of Las Vegas. The closure of the hotel marks the end of an era, but also paves the way for new developments in the city, such as the construction of a new baseball stadium. Though the Tropicana may be closing, its legacy will continue to live on in the memories of those who visited and experienced its opulence and entertainment offerings over the years.
