The sad news of Carrie Fisher passing away a few days ago was compounded by the news that her mother Debbie Reynolds had also passed away the next day.
Debbie Reynolds was a Hollywood mainstay appearing in countless films highlighted by Singin' in the Rain and her Academy Award nominated performance in The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
Reynolds also had an extensive history in Las Vegas. During the 1960's and early 70's she was a constant headliner at the Riviera performing a lounge act which included singing and comedy. She was famous for doing impressions of other female celebrities during her shows.
Debbie Reynolds was also a Las Vegas hotel owner in the 1990's. She purchased the closed Paddlewheel Hotel and Casino at auction in 1992. It was reopened in 1993 as Debbie Reynolds Hotel and Casino. The property was highlighted by a Hollywood Movie Museum and Debbie's Star Theater.
Unfortunately the property was never financially successful under Reynolds. The casino was closed in 1996 and the hotel was put up for auction again a year later. It was eventually re-branded as the Greek Isles in the early 2000's - ultimately becoming a Clarion before being imploded in 2015.
Showing posts with label Riviera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Riviera. Show all posts
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Riviera Monaco Tower Implosion
The first of two Riviera implosions took place this morning as the Monaco Tower was taken down. A series of fireworks and live musical performances marked the occasion as onlookers flooded the sidewalks to see the tower fall.
Video: Jay Brannan.
Riviera's Monte Carlo Tower will be imploded later this summer. It was delayed after asbestos was discovered.
Video: Jay Brannan.
Riviera's Monte Carlo Tower will be imploded later this summer. It was delayed after asbestos was discovered.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Riviera used for Fire and Police Training
The Riviera hotel closed on May 4th, and it will likely be imploded sometime in late 2015. The vacant building has found a new purpose though - as a training ground for the Clark County Fire Department, along with police and other agencies.
Having a vacant resort hotel like this gives the police and firefighters a unique opportunity to train on a real life building, something that is rarely done. This video from the LVCVA gives a glimpse inside the Riviera and the training that's going on.
Having a vacant resort hotel like this gives the police and firefighters a unique opportunity to train on a real life building, something that is rarely done. This video from the LVCVA gives a glimpse inside the Riviera and the training that's going on.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Resorts World Breaking Ground May 5, 2015
Construction on Resorts World Las Vegas will break ground on May 5, 2015 as first reported by the Review Journal.
The groundbreaking will take place approximately one year later than most people expected. The transaction selling Echelon by Boyd to Genting took place in March 2013. It was widely reported that construction would take place a year later in the spring of 2014 but that didn't happen.
Genting has been taking a conservative approach to this project. It seems like they wanted to be completely sure about the economy before they start building, which is smart. They are also opening the resort in phases - seemingly a prudent approach compared to the all or nothing approach that CityCenter used. There is also no official timetable for completion which allows for extra flexibility.
The May 5th start date is an interesting one, as it comes one day after the closing of the historic Riviera hotel right across the street. Coincidence or not, it's certainly symbolic in a "circle of life" kind of way.
The groundbreaking will take place approximately one year later than most people expected. The transaction selling Echelon by Boyd to Genting took place in March 2013. It was widely reported that construction would take place a year later in the spring of 2014 but that didn't happen.
Genting has been taking a conservative approach to this project. It seems like they wanted to be completely sure about the economy before they start building, which is smart. They are also opening the resort in phases - seemingly a prudent approach compared to the all or nothing approach that CityCenter used. There is also no official timetable for completion which allows for extra flexibility.
The May 5th start date is an interesting one, as it comes one day after the closing of the historic Riviera hotel right across the street. Coincidence or not, it's certainly symbolic in a "circle of life" kind of way.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Riviera Closing May 4, 2015
The Riviera will be closing on May 4, 2015. The historic Las Vegas hotel was recently purchased for 182.5 million by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). The Riviera will be imploded as early as June to make way for the Las Vegas Global Business District. The Business District will cost a whopping 2.3 Billion dollars and will extend the existing convention center all the way out to the Las Vegas Strip.
It's always sad to see a classic Las Vegas property close down, but it isn't unexpected. The Riviera has been struggling badly for some time now. The aging casino combined with a bad location made the Riviera seem like a ghost town on most nights recently.
The Riviera could have benefited from a North Strip turnaround, but the cavalry led by Resorts World didn't show up in time. As much as I would have liked to see a comeback story from the Riv, this convention center expansion is probably a better outcome for everyone involved. A 2.3 Billion dollar project could just be the kickstart needed for the North Strip revitalization that we've been waiting on for years now.
It's always sad to see a classic Las Vegas property close down, but it isn't unexpected. The Riviera has been struggling badly for some time now. The aging casino combined with a bad location made the Riviera seem like a ghost town on most nights recently.
The Riviera could have benefited from a North Strip turnaround, but the cavalry led by Resorts World didn't show up in time. As much as I would have liked to see a comeback story from the Riv, this convention center expansion is probably a better outcome for everyone involved. A 2.3 Billion dollar project could just be the kickstart needed for the North Strip revitalization that we've been waiting on for years now.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sahara Website Farewell Message
With the Sahara closing on Monday after 58 years of operation, their website was sure to follow suit and recently shut down.
The message left up on the site says, "Thanks for a Wonderful Engagement" and directs prospective guests to Circus Circus.
A few weeks ago I speculated that Riviera would benefit by taking stranded Sahara guests. Even though Circus Circus turned out to be the "official" relocation destination, I still think a lot of the Sahara clientele will wind up at Riviera.
The message left up on the site says, "Thanks for a Wonderful Engagement" and directs prospective guests to Circus Circus.
A few weeks ago I speculated that Riviera would benefit by taking stranded Sahara guests. Even though Circus Circus turned out to be the "official" relocation destination, I still think a lot of the Sahara clientele will wind up at Riviera.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Will Sahara Closing Help Riviera?
Ever since it was announced that Sahara will be closing, I've been wondering how the closure will affect other hotels around Las Vegas.
People who would be inclined to stay at Sahara will probably move to a similar property. The most similar property to Sahara in terms of location, prestige and history is the Riviera.
Will any of the Sahara's customers move over to Riviera and help out the cause, or will the Sahara's closing make it even harder for a property to make money on the North end of the Strip?
Last week the Sun had an article about the Riv's struggling revenue and income situation. It looks like Riviera is in a pretty bad way financially. They can use all the help they can get, even if that means "stealing" customers from Sahara.
People who would be inclined to stay at Sahara will probably move to a similar property. The most similar property to Sahara in terms of location, prestige and history is the Riviera.
Will any of the Sahara's customers move over to Riviera and help out the cause, or will the Sahara's closing make it even harder for a property to make money on the North end of the Strip?
Last week the Sun had an article about the Riv's struggling revenue and income situation. It looks like Riviera is in a pretty bad way financially. They can use all the help they can get, even if that means "stealing" customers from Sahara.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Starwood plans Takeover of Riviera
Starwood Capital Group will be taking over the Riviera. Riviera Holdings Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on Monday. The reorganization will give Riviera's debt holders primary control of the company - Starwood had purchased a large portion of Riviera's debt in March, and had since been negotiating the planned takeover of the company.
From a tourist's perspective this is will probably be a good thing. Starwood will have the money and desire to make some improvements to the hotel, which will make it more competitive. If the Fontainebleau ever opens that would put the Riv in a great location in the middle of two mega-resorts. This seems like a smart move by Starwood in that respect.
Source: Las Vegas Sun.
From a tourist's perspective this is will probably be a good thing. Starwood will have the money and desire to make some improvements to the hotel, which will make it more competitive. If the Fontainebleau ever opens that would put the Riv in a great location in the middle of two mega-resorts. This seems like a smart move by Starwood in that respect.
Source: Las Vegas Sun.
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