One thing Las Vegas knows how to do is make a spectacle out of anything … including demolishing one of their iconic hotels, which they did this morning at 2:30am. After an impressive drone and fireworks show. The Tropicana Las Vegas took 22 seconds to fall (videos embedded below). The momentous event turns the page to the next chapter of Las Vegas’ legacy of reinvention as the city makes way for the Oakland A’s state-of-the-art ballpark and a world-class entertainment resort destination in partnership with Bally’s Corporation.
The last time the city blew up a hotel on The Strip was in 2016, when the final tower of the Riviera was leveled for a convention center. According to a press release, “the Tropicana’s two 22-story towers, totaling 917,400 square feet, involved a total of 22,000 lineal feet of detonating cord. The structural steel-framed Paradise Tower featured 220 cut-point locations loaded with 490 pounds of explosives, while the reinforced concrete-framed Club Tower had 1,130 boreholes filled with 1,700 pounds of explosives.”
Before the detonation, Bally’s honored the Tropicana with speakers from their chairman Soo Kim, Athletics owner John Fisher, Tropicana Las Vegas General Manager & Vice President of Hospitality Strategy Arik Knowles, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) Steve Hill and Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson.
Following the ceremony and just before the detonation, there was a spectacular 555-drone and fireworks display.
I don’t think I’ve ever stayed at “The Trop,” as it was often referred to as, but I do know it had a long history since its opening in 1957. It was originally developed by Miami-based businessman Ben Jaffe and its luxurious South Beach-inspired architecture and tropical theme set a new standard for opulence. At the time, The Tropicana boasted the largest casino in Las Vegas so it was a favorite of high-rollers and celebrities. Here’s a full timeline of the history of the Tropicana Las Vegas per Bally’s:
• 1947: The Vision Takes Shape: Businessmen Ben Jaffe and Phil Kastel unveil plans for a new casino-hotel, the Tropicana Resort & Casino, aiming to create a tropical paradise in the Nevada desert.
• 1957: A Grand Debut: On April 4, the Tropicana opens with a $15 million investment, featuring 300 rooms and the largest casino on the Strip. With its South Beach-inspired architecture and lush tropical theme, it earns the nickname “The Tiffany of the Strip.” Its opening acts, including singer Eddie Fisher, draw celebrities and high-rollers, immediately establishing The Trop as the place to see and be seen.
• 1959: The Iconic Folies Bergère Debuts: The world-famous Folies Bergère revue opens, bringing the glitz of Paris to Las Vegas. With its dazzling showgirls, elaborate costumes, and high-energy performances, Folies Bergère would run for nearly 50 years, becoming one of the most beloved and glamorous productions in Strip history.
• 1960s: The Rat Pack Era: The Tropicana thrives during the era of the Rat Pack, when Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. ruled the Strip. Though the group was most associated with the Sands Hotel, their influence spread across Las Vegas, including the Tropicana, drawing elite crowds and adding to the hotel’s allure.
• 1967: Siegfried & Roy’s Magic Debut: The magic duo Siegfried & Roy make one of their first Las Vegas appearances at the Tropicana, where they dazzled audiences with their signature white tigers and groundbreaking illusions, kickstarting their legendary careers.
• 1971: James Bond Checks In: The wider world gets a glimpse of The Tropicana’s allure when Sean Connery, as James Bond, checks into a Tropicana suite in Diamonds Are Forever, forever linking the resort to cinematic history.
• 1979: The Tiffany Tower: The Tropicana expands with the addition of the Tiffany Tower, adding 600 rooms and a striking $1 million glass ceiling over the casino floor. It was another step in solidifying The Trop’s place as a luxurious destination for Vegas visitors.
• 1986: Island of Las Vegas: A $70 million renovation transforms the property into an island paradise, complete with a five-acre pool area featuring lagoons, waterfalls, and floating blackjack tables, marketing itself as the “Island of Las Vegas.”
• 1988-1995: Ownership Shifts, Renovations Continue: Under new ownership by Aztar Corporation, the Tropicana undergoes extensive renovations totaling $200 million, ensuring it remained a top destination for both high-stakes gamblers and entertainment seekers.
• 1997: Magic Reigns with Rick Thomas: Illusionist Rick Thomas brings his spellbinding magic show to the Tropicana, captivating audiences with grand illusions and mesmerizing performances.
• 2009-2011: A New Era of Entertainment: After being acquired by Onex Corporation and Goldman Sachs, the Tropicana undergoes a massive $180 million renovation. Wayne Newton, “Mr. Las Vegas” himself, debuts his show, Once Before I Go, while Gladys Knight takes the stage with her residency.
• 2015-2017: A New Chapter with Penn National Gaming: Penn National Gaming acquires the Tropicana for $360 million, ushering in a new era. Purple Reign, a tribute to Prince, debuts, thrilling audiences with electrifying performances of the late icon’s greatest hits.
• 2019-2022: Tribute Shows Take Center Stage: The Tropicana continues to celebrate the legends of music with Legends in Concert, featuring impersonators of icons like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, and MJ Live, a tribute to Michael Jackson.
• September 2022: A New Chapter with Bally’s Corporation: Bally’s Corporation completes its $148 million acquisition of the Tropicana Las Vegas with Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. and PENN Entertainment, Inc.
• May 2023: Bally’s Announces Partnership with The A’s: Bally’s Corporation announced that, in conjunction with Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc., they have reached a binding agreement with the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball to site their new ballpark on a portion of the current Tropicana Las Vegas property. The ballpark is expected to welcome more than 2.5 million fans and visitors annually, and will be a one-of-a-kind asset for the Las Vegas Strip.
• April 2024: The Final Bow After 67 years of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable entertainment, the Tropicana closes its doors, marking the end of an era. As the Las Vegas Strip continues to evolve, Tropicana’s legacy as a pioneer in entertainment and luxury will forever be etched into the history of the city that never sleeps.
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