What Happens in Vegas: Las Vegas Hilton Sign Coming Down

This is a sign of the times, literally. The Las Vegas Hilton sign is well known, and has been a landmark of its own in the past. At one time, it was the largest free-standing sign in the world. And then it collapsed in a taco-shape one day in a wind storm. It was remodeled after that, but it remained familiar in appearance. Now, it will be removed, since the property will be changing its name to. . .wait for it. . .LVH: Las Vegas Hotel & Casino! That's just so. Different. Or something. Anyway, goodbye LVH! And hello, LVH!

Current sign, image from 8NewsNow

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Source: 8NewsNow

A shot of the rubble after the collapse of the original sign.
Image from: July 20, 1994, edition of the Sun.
© LEE ZAICHICK / LAS VEGAS SUN FILE PHOTO

What Happens in Vegas: The Neighborhood That Had to Die

I just picked up this week's Las Vegas CityLife, the local weekly paper, and was surprised to see an article about a friend's former neighborhood. My friend and sometimes fill-in editor Stupid Monkey Planet used to live in what is called "Richfield Village," according to the article, which is news to me. I didn't know it had a name. I'd have called it, "land that's scrunched up next to Palace Station Hotel & Casino, that will probably end up eminent domained."

Surprise! That's what happened, sort of. Corporations behind the scenes started buying up houses, en masse--after my friend had already moved out, naturally. Some people got screwed. Some people made out like bandits. Some people held out for a huge payday. Then the economy crashed. And Station Casinos filed for bankruptcy. And now there is a neighborhood, mostly empty, some of it knocked down, stuck in limbo. And how do you resell empty houses, when people probably figure that one day, the economy will rebound, and the land will go up for grabs again? Yikes.

[Excerpt]

Image from source, Las Vegas City Life

The neighborhood that had to die

Looking east from the heart of Richfield Village, past Rex Bell Elementary School, the mansard roof of Palace Station towers over the sedate neighborhood. By Vegas standards, Richfield is venerable, growing up around Rex Bell, built in 1963. But Palace Station is no longer just a landmark or an employer to Richfield residents. It's also become the elephant in the middle of the neighborhood, dismaying longtime denizens of the neighborhood who see a once-stable community drifting into transience and uncertainty, thanks to Station Casinos. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas City Life

Monte Carlo, Las Vegas Must Remove Facade

Photo from source, Raw Story

It's difficult to tell by this story, but I suspect that the Monte Carlo Hotel will have to remove the foam facade from the entire top of the building, and not just the burned portions, at least eventually. Clearly, whatever the material is, it's quite flammable, and not particularly safe.

I drove by the place this afternoon, and it's downright creepy looking. The damage may be largely superficial, but from the ground it doesn't look that way. I give it a week, maybe two before MGM begins vigorous repair work. I know they won't want one of their properties to look like a burned-out hulk for very long!

[Excerpt]

Official orders casino facade removed

The burned exterior facade along the roof of the Monte Carlo hotel-casino will have to be removed or secured before the Las Vegas Strip resort can reopen, the chief county building inspector said Saturday.

Ron Lynn, chief of the Clark County Building Department, said the 32-story building will remain closed until resort owner MGM Mirage Inc. completes work to the roof-line foam building material damaged in Friday's blaze. . .

Read more at: Raw Story