Tropicana Las Vegas closing on April 2, 2024

[Dan Druff]

[Dan Druff]

I like the last line about how the notice is confidential and proprietary.

It took exactly 0 days to show up on the internet.

[Dan Druff]

Let's go back 35 years prior to the Trop closing date -- April 2, 1989.

How many of the Vegas strip properties from the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign (south) to Vegas World (north) are still standing and operational, and will remain operational after 4/2/24?

Sahara
Circus Circus
Harrah's
Imperial Palace (now called The Linq)
Flamingo Hilton (now Flamingo)
Caesars Palace
Barbary Coast (now The Cromwell)
MGM Grand (now called Horseshoe)

That's it. Everything else has been wrecked. Barbary Coast is unrecognizable now as The Cromwell. The only three still maintaining 1989 branding are Caesars, Harrahs, Flamingo (minus the Hilton part), and Circus Circus.

The Mirage was the first of the new breed of strip casinos, opening in November 1989.

[kewlJ]

The exact date might have been confidential, but it has been basic knowledge it was closing sometime this spring to begin construction on the new ballpark and casino complex. Seems like they are planning on cramming a lot into that small lot.

Sometimes a known closing in advanced like this presents an opportunity at the blackjack tables. Think pit folks that will be losing their job and just don't give much of a damn. Just going through the motions. Maybe surveillance too. They might even be understaffed as some may have moved on and they didn't bother replacing them. I have seen this a couple different times throughout the years.

[Dan Druff]

What's weird is that I'm hearing the whole plan was falling apart because the lot isn't big enough for a stadium with a retractable roof, and they can't build it high because of the airport nearby.

[kewlJ]

Wasn't building it high the same issue with the Rams/chargers stadium in the shadow if LA airport? They solved that by sinking the stadium half into the ground, albeit at considerable cost.

[Dan Druff]

Someone pointed out on Twitter that Vegas World was not demolished, and the existing towers were made into part of the Stratosphere.

Is this true?

[Rob.Singer]

Someone pointed out on Twitter that Vegas World was not demolished, and the existing towers were made into part of the Stratosphere.

Is this true?

I don't believe that's correct. The entire hotel/casino was demolished if I'm remembering it right.

[jdog]

Someone pointed out on Twitter that Vegas World was not demolished, and the existing towers were made into part of the Stratosphere.

To my knowledge one of the original towers was kept and is currently being used for admin offices, I think the smaller original one closest to LV blvd.

Sad to see another of the iconic properties go down. But I stayed there not too long ago and the room was disgusting, it would take a fortune to get that property up to date.

[MDawg]

They can't even seem to keep their signage lit up fully.

[jpfromla]

Someone pointed out on Twitter that Vegas World was not demolished, and the existing towers were made into part of the Stratosphere.

Is this true?

True
They might have added a wing when the Stratosphere Tower went up.
(and it's called Vagrants World!)

[kewlJ]

I don't know why, but I am not as nostalgic about the Tropicana as I have felt with some other properties closing or changing hands and some that closed before I even got a chance to experience them. Trop just seems kind of generic as opposed to some of the other legendary places. Was it always Tropicana? or was it something else first?

As for the baseball stadium, I really don't even like that location very much anyway. The intersections of LVB and trop as well as LVB and Flamingo are just way too congested already. The last thing we need is a stadium right there on the corner and even more traffic at game time and conclusion.

I also didn't like the site they were talking about half mile west at the corner of Tropicana and the I-15. But that is because it would have impacted me more than I want.

I sort of like the location that was being talked about at LVB and warm springs. The Outlets are on the east side corner and on the west side a big open lot (Silverton a half mile further west). And easy access to the freeway.

I get the feeling they think it should be right on the strip, walkable from casino hotels. Why? The home team fans (if there are any ) don't live on the strip. They come via the freeway from places like Summerlin, Henderson and North Las Vegas, everywhere else. And away team fans, well how does that work with the Raiders? Do away team fans staying at the hotels walk to the Raiders stadium? Doubtful.

If they absolutely feel they must have it on the strip, how about 1/4 mile south of the current tropicana location. The Oct 1 Shooting site? It seems like a nice baseball stadium would be a good use of that land that has such bad history. Kind of a "from the ashes" story. Of course that location would also have airport issues.

[jpfromla]

I haven't stepped into the Trop in 30 years, but it was my first Vegas adult stay, just after I turned 21. $29.95 for two nights (and received a $10 roll of quarters plus free Follies tixs at check in). The Buffet was in a showroom. My first jackpot was 777 on a dime slot. Paid $60.

[jpfromla]

I don't know why, but I am not as nostalgic about the Tropicana as I have felt with some other properties closing or changing hands and some that closed before I even got a chance to experience them. Trop just seems kind of generic as opposed to some of the other legendary places. Was it always Tropicana? or was it something else first?

As for the baseball stadium, I really don't even like that location very much anyway. The intersections of LVB and trop as well as LVB and Flamingo are just way too congested already. The last thing we need is a stadium right there on the corner and even more traffic at game time and conclusion.

I also didn't like the site they were talking about half mile west at the corner of Tropicana and the I-15. But that is because it would have impacted me more than I want.

I sort of like the location that was being talked about at LVB and warm springs. The Outlets are on the east side corner and on the west side a big open lot (Silverton a half mile further west). And easy access to the freeway.

I get the feeling they think it should be right on the strip, walkable from casino hotels. Why? The home team fans (if there are any ) don't live on the strip. They come via the freeway from places like Summerlin, Henderson and North Las Vegas, everywhere else. And away team fans, well how does that work with the Raiders? Do away team fans staying at the hotels walk to the Raiders stadium? Doubtful.

If they absolutely feel they must have it on the strip, how about 1/4 mile south of the current tropicana location. The Oct 1 Shooting site? It seems like a nice baseball stadium would be a good use of that land that has such bad history. Kind of a "from the ashes" story. Of course that location would also have airport issues.

Frankly, they should build the baseball stadium away from the strip. With 82 games a year to fill the 40,000+ seats, locals won't come in on a regular basis like other sports if they get dinged for parking - if there is any or fight excessive traffic! ( Don't compare the G Knights - 40 games and 20,000 seats or Raider's - 8 games).

[kewlJ]

Frankly, they should build the baseball stadium away from the strip. With 82 games a year to fill the 40,000+ seats, locals won't come in on a regular basis like other sports if they get dinged for parking - if there is any or fight excessive traffic! ( Don't compare the G Knights - 40 games and 20,000 seats or Raider's - 8 games).

Completely agree. Football is 8 home games. Maybe 9 now. And the Raiders still draw a lot of Home fans from Oakland. Some of those fuckers are very loyal and drove to LA when the Raiders were there. And having been to a several games, including one where I was rooting for the away team (The Eagles), somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 fans at Raiders games are the opposing teams fans. Now a days Football fans travel with their teams. Some like Dallas, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, incredibly so. And any fan of any team thinking of a road trip to an away game is circling the date that their team plays in Vegas.

I did not think Vegas would support an NHL team. the desert and hockey, and lots of Latino population doesn't seem like a great fit. The Golden Knights are a special story. They were the first pro team and not a transplant, won right away which is unusual for an expansion team. and Vegas really embraced that team. I still wonder how it would have gone if they started out terrible for 5 years as most expansion teams do.

And that brings us to baseball. A transplant team. A BAD team. 81 home games. Roof or no roof, games in the summer when it is 110-115 outside. Just doesn't seem a great fit to me. But maybe I am wrong. MLB baseball fans are starting to travel more now a days as well. So we have that going for us.

[Dan Druff]

Trop will be imploded on October 9 at 2:30am PDT. That's a Wednesday morning.

Surprised about the 2:30am time. Wouldn't this disturb sleeping people in the city? Are they all in the middle of the night? I never paid attention to this before.

Hotel rates are already skyrocketing for October 8 and 9. I guess everyone wants to see the legendary Trop fall into the ground. I won't be able to make it, but I'm not sure I'd make the drive to Vegas for that anyway. But I have some other stuff to do in LA that week, so the point is moot.

[MisterV]

I wonder whether it will be televised live?

[The Boz]

I wonder whether it will be televised live?

Dude it’s 2024, hundreds of wannabe “influencers” will be streaming it live looking for a few ad bucks.

[accountinquestion]

Breathing in a big cloud of dusty smoke . Kewl can give the trip report.

[jdog]

Found these on a blog taken a couple days ago. It's already pretty much gone.