The Hotel Tropicana, a landmark in Las Vegas of the United States for 67 years, was demolished today, Wednesday, October 9, in just 22 seconds, marking the end of an era for the iconic resort known for its rich history and entertainment.
The demolition – which took place 2:30 past midnight (local time) was accompanied by fireworks and drone shows as well, marking the first casino demolition in the city in nearly a decade.
A new baseball stadium will be built on the site of the hotel, which will host the MLB team Oakland Athletics for $1.5 billion.
History of the Tropicana Hotel
“Welcome to the 1984 version of the Folies Bergere,” a voice once announced, introducing the longest-running show in Las Vegas history, which could be enjoyed on the Tropicana’s stage for 49 years, until it closed in 2009.
The Tropicana Hotel-Casino opened its doors on Bond Road in April 1957, a street later renamed the hotel became a celebrity attraction. Even Mohammed Ali visited the Tropicana in the 1970s to train for his big races.
US singer and dancer, Sammy Davis Jr. was so “in love” with the hotel that he owned 8% of it in the early 1970s.
The Tropicana’s theatre hosted performances by Charo, Xavier Cugat, Pearl Bailey, Mitzi Gaynor and Donny and Marie Osmond.
As its name suggests, the hotel was renowned for its tropical atmosphere and featured a swimming pool, as well as many activities that guests could enjoy in the water, such as blackjack on the water and underwater slot machines.
Joe Krathwohl, known as The Birdman, performed at the Tropicana for 15 years, starting in 1989. “I lived at the Trop the first year I came to town. If I had my choice, I would still live there until they kicked me out,” Krathwohl said. His bird, Sheba, became a star of the hotel herself. “She played in almost every show I did at the Tropicana,” he said. “She got to the point where she was more famous than me, and I was happy with that.”
