The Tropicana sign arrives at the Neon Boneyard in 2010
The Hartlauer Sign team tracing the neon for repairs
The Hartlauer Sign team working on the sign in situ
Las Vegas is known for its rich history and so many of the resorts and casinos on the Strip have stories to tell. The Tropicana was a mainstay in Las Vegas for over 65 years, but in April, the curtain closed on this historic property.
As we say goodbye to The Tropicana we know and love, let’s look at the rich history behind this special property.
The Birth of an Icon
The story of The Tropicana begins in 1957, when it first opened its doors to the public on April 3. It was one of the original resorts on the Strip, and its creation marked a new era of sophistication in Las Vegas. The visionaries behind The Tropicana sought to create an oasis of luxury in the desert, a place where guests could escape the ordinary and immerse themselves in a world of opulence and entertainment.
At $15 million, it was the most expensive property ever built in Las Vegas, exceeding the reported $10 million price tag of the Riviera Hotel & Casino just two years prior.
Early Days of Glamour
During its early years, The Tropicana quickly became a hot spot for celebrities, socialites, and high rollers such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, earning The Tropicana a reputation as the “Tiffany of the Strip.”
The Tropicana’s Mob Connections
Like many casinos of its time, The Tropicana had its share of connections to the mob. In the 1950s and 1960s, organized crime figures such as Frank Costello were known to have interests in the casino. The botched 1957 assassination attempt on Costello, an associate of the Tropicana-involved Phil Kastel, forever changed the perception of the property in the minds of the media and the public alike. These connections, while controversial, are an important part of The Tropicana’s history.
The Tropicana’s Golden Age
The 1960s and 1970s were a golden age for The Tropicana, as it continued to host top-tier entertainment and attract a glamorous crowd. With all of its bespoke offerings, the Tropicana perhaps had more in common with an early resort than with a traditional casino.
Changing Hands and Modernization
As with many Vegas institutions, ownership of The Tropicana changed hands several times over the decades. In 1979, it was purchased by the Ramada hotel chain, which ushered in a new era of modernization. The resort underwent subsequent renovations and expansions, keeping its facilities up to date with the evolving tastes of guests. In 2006, The Tropicana was acquired by Columbia Sussex Corporation. The result was a refreshed Tropicana, blending classic Vegas charm with contemporary sophistication.
The Tropicana’s Future
In 2021, the Rhode Island-based Bally’s Corporation acquired the property for over $300 million. Just months after Bally’s acquisition, The Tropicana was announced as the potential site for a new Oakland Athletics stadium, with the formal bid being submitted in December 2021. As negotiations continued, April 2, 2024 was selected as the property’s proposed closing date, with an implosion expected to follow shortly thereafter. The proposed completion of the Oakland A’s 33,000-seat stadium is expected sometime in 2028.
The Tropicana is a testament to the rich history of Las Vegas. The property had its ups and downs but throughout it all, it remained a pillar of The Entertainment Capital of the World. Now, with its demolition, we say goodbye to an icon and hello to a new chapter in The Strip’s history book.
