360 Vegas

E-396: Vroom

Random Vegas
The Mirage hotel’s gold windows get their color from actual gold dust used in the tinting process.
Twitpic of the week
An easy way to get my attention is to share a picture of one of Las Vegas’ legendary resorts under construction, like the one shared by @las_when of NYNY in the early stages of construction.  I’ve no handyman skills so construction or renovation of any kind is magical to me.  Watching Vegas resorts evolve and develop their footprint always makes me smile as well as showcases how far we’ve come and how uncreative properties like Resorts World and Virgin are, little more than simply buildings with casinos inside, devoid of any personality.  Thankfully we have photography to document Vegas’ evolution into the number 1 tourist destination in America.
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E-395: Salt Bae & Switch

Random Vegas
In the late 40s, ownership of the Flamingo saved 30 cats marked for euthanization and gave them a home and a job
Not only did they kill the mice and rats at the Flamingo but overachieved by taking care of them in the surrounding area as well.
Eager to show off what a good job they were doing, the cats would often bring the remains of their prey to Flamingo staff who would then have to quickly hide the remains, so guests didn't see.
So valued were their services that they learned they would receive leftovers from elaborate meals at the property if they simply visited the back door to the kitchen
Twitpic of the week
It’s a dream like image of a property that lives up to the Hype.  Circa fully light up and reflecting off a puddle, symbolizing the Stevens group domination of the Downtown market.  Not to be forgot is the reflection of the Golden Gate, the oldest property on Fremont St.  It’s hard to come up with the proper way to say this is beautiful but it is and so much more.  You’ve got to see @goldengatevegas photo and this week’s winner.
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E-934: Coming In Hot

Random Vegas
MSG Sphere @Venetian will be the largest spherical structure in the world at 366-feet tall and 516 feet wide.  The project is expected to be complete in 2023 (edmtunes.com)
Twitpic of the week
Elegant in black and white, legendary at all accounts.  Caesars Palace, unlike Flamingo, is a property that has weathered many storms and still managed to keep attracting high rollers.  Captured by @las_when, this photo from 1971 shows the property after its first expansion tower.  Today, not only does that tower look different, the entire property has gone through a much more appropriate Grecco roman esthetic. Thankfully we have photography to capture this time in history
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360 Vintage Vegas PCP: Tony Cornero and the Stardust

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While many architecture academics have criticized Las Vegas for its lack of substance, there may be no better example of this elitism than the scorn directed towards the Stardust.  For better or worse, history points to the Stardust as the defining moment when Las Vegas no longer required a jacket and tie to gain entrance to.  Instead of celebrating the brilliance in the Stardust’s minimalism, it was trashed for focusing more on the exterior signage and façade, wrapped around a building that was little more than a massive, non-descript warehouse.  Whether inadvertent or by intention, it seems each time Vegas has successfully evolved to appeal to more diverse tastes, that success is met with opposition; Slut Shaming those who dare to find things appealing like neon signage, themed resorts or anything deemed inferior to "intellectual" tastes.  But the glory that is Las Vegas is knowing that judging people for what appeals to them has never made converts, it alienates; even if supplying that demand is more financially motivated than cultural.  When the majority doesn't see things the way you'd like them to, that doesn't mean they're wrong, it means you don't get it.  The Stardust got it, in a big way. 

E-393: Appropropriate Juxtaposition

Random Vegas
Before Paris/Caesars could do anything to the Eiffel Tower replica, such as the addition of the light show, changes have to be approved by France (@VitalVegas)
 
Twitpic of the week
 
It’s a rare occurrence in Vegas but when it happens it's as magical as a neon.  Snow in Las Vegas, the clean and beautiful white dressing everything you know into a winter wonderland.  Contending for even better than the view is the fact that snow doesn’t typically stick around any longer than an afternoon.  So only morning traffic has to deal with it.  Potentially the best looking property in the snow is Luxor, shared by @LasVegasLocally with its juxtaposed onyx glass playing off the pristine white covering the pyramid, sphinx and palm trees.  Thankfully we have photography to capture this unicorn when it magically appears.
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E-392: Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys

Random Vegas
Del Webb was a private person, egoless.  He wouldn't even allow himself to be paged in any of his properties.  In fact, he remained so anonymous that one former employee tells a story about a time Webb tried to get on a service elevator at the Sahara to go to the offices in the penthouse.  An employee stopped Del, asked who he was and when he claimed he was Del Webb, the employee told him, unless he could prove that, he wasn't allowed to use the service elevator and turned him away.  Later, it was confirmed Del was who he claimed to be, and rather than fire the employee, he was very please that he stopped him since he didn't know who he was because he could have been anyone wanting to burn the place down.
 
Twitpic of the week
 
It’s common knowledge that rain doesn’t happen often in Las Vegas.  When it does, neon reflections in puddles are commonly captured.  This time, @RemkoRinkema shared the view from a rain soaked windshield in traffic and it was fabulous.  Noticeable are both Bally’s marquee, the reflection of Bellagio and brake/headlights.  I hate precipitation in any form unless its used for recreation.  But its hard to deny how it captures the beauty of the neon jungle.
 
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E-391: Counter Surfing

Random Vegas
49% of Las Vegas workers are at a high risk of being replaced by robots and other forms of automation technology, according to a new study.  Casino dealers have a “probability of automation” of 96% - highest among all professions in the us. (@LasVegasLocally)
Twitpic of the week
The tweet that brought this picture to our attention, originally shared by @Las_when, came from @Vital Vegas.  It said “Caesars Palace kindergarten picture”.  Not only did it make me laugh but it is a pretty accurate statement.  The photo, taken in 1971, shows both the original Roman Tower, built in 1966, as well as the 1 year old Centurion tower.  Other than the parking lot surrounding, you see a lot of desert surrounding the property.  No matter what your feelings are about Caesars Palace, it’s a fact that its an attractive property, past and present versions.
 
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E-390: Insanely Astute

Random Vegas
Louie Anderson once lost $80K in an LA card room. That same night he rented a car, drove to Vegas, took out a $2K marker at Bally's, won $110K playing blackjack, tipped the dealer $20K, and flew back to LA to film a TV commercial at 7 am. (@lasvegaslocally)
Twitpic of the week
Debatably the best the Golden Nugget ever looked.  It’s true that its most recent incarnation suits the target market they look to attract but it lost its personality.  It exchanged a vibrant display full of animated neon for a stagnate, poshier exterior.  Today, the only way we can enjoy this exterior is in movies like “Diamonds are Forever” and “Viva Las Vegas”.  Thankfully we have @summacorp's twitter feed to remind us of yesteryear and rejoice.
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Atomic City Industries
Bally’s rebranding