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104-579: In 1979, Ralph Engelstad opened the Imperial Palace hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Nevada . He received attention for hiring disabled individuals, which was rare at the time. The Engelstad family continued quietly donating to charities and institutions in communities they had connections to. Before he died in November 2002, Ralph Engelstad put a plan into motion to create a foundation that would allow

208-451: A Ford Torino from Starsky & Hutch . The Auto Collections closed on December 30, 2017. Rob Williams, the general manager and a part-owner, said about the closure, "It's time; it's basically that simple. We've had a great run here … It's just time to close it down and move on to our next endeavors." Although visitor attendance had slightly declined, it was not a reason for the closure. The Imperial Theatre showroom, with 850 seats,

312-428: A $ 1.5 million gift to fund the university’s second mobile healthcare clinic. The foundation went on to provide an additional $ 4 million gift, which created the school’s first scholarship endowment for our medical students. Of the $ 4 million gift, $ 3 million was endowed to provide for student scholarships and $ 1 million funded additional outreach initiatives for the university’s three mobile healthcare clinics. Additionally,

416-772: A $ 10 million match grant for the expansion. The project is named after Betty Engelstad. The Engelstad Foundation partnered with the estate of Kirk Kerkorian to provide a $ 1.3 million donation to fund the second location for Project 150, a Las Vegas nonprofit that provides resources for high school students in need. The location aims to connect services for thousands of homeless, displaced, and disadvantaged students in Las Vegas. The Englestad Foundation has gifted over $ 8 million Touro University Nevada (Touro University) to fund scholarships, partnership programs, mobile health care outreach, and bench-to-bedside research. The Engelstad Foundation’s partnership with Touro University started with

520-829: A $ 3 million fine against the Stardust for skimming , the Nevada Gaming Commission asked the Boyds to run the property's gaming operations. When the Stardust was taken over by the reputable Boyd family, they were surprised by its huge profits, now that every penny of income was being recorded. Ex-FBI agent William F. Roemer Jr., longtime senior agent of the FBI's organized-crime squad in Chicago and an expert in Las Vegas doings, said, "The amount of skim had been so heavy that

624-564: A $ 4.8 billion resort complex at the site of the Stardust. In preparation for the project, Boyd Gaming swapped the Barbary Coast to Harrah's Entertainment in exchange for 24 acres near the Stardust, giving the company an 87-acre parcel on the north end of the Strip. The famed Stardust was closed on November 1, 2006, and imploded the night of March 13, 2007. Construction on Echelon Place began on June 19, 2007, with plans to open in 2010, but

728-568: A Las Vegas investment firm that sources, executes and manages private equity, real estate and other investments. Erin McGarry, daughter of Kris Engelstad, is the foundation’s chief granting officer, assisting with the foundation’s grant proposal and management process. As a foundation that has been granted charitable status, the Engelstad Foundation is required to file IRS 990-PF form annually. In fiscal year ending December 2022,

832-515: A casino the following year. He built additional motel buildings in 1974, and eventually added the 19-story Imperial Palace Tower in 1977. Engelstad renamed the entire property as the Imperial Palace on November 1, 1979, when a new casino facility opened on the site. The Flamingo Capri's casino was demolished to make way for the Imperial Palace's entrance, although some of the motel rooms would remain in operation for decades. The Imperial Palace

936-536: A central stage. Caesars announced the sudden discontinuation of the Dealertainer Pit on September 8, 2014, without explanation. Boyd Gaming Boyd Gaming Corporation is an American gaming and hospitality company based in Paradise, Nevada . The company continues to be run by founder Sam Boyd 's family under the management of Sam's granddaughter, Marianne Boyd-Johnson, who currently serves as

1040-680: A dealer, Sam Boyd worked his way up through the ranks of the Las Vegas casino industry, first to pit boss, then shift boss. He eventually saved enough to buy a small interest in the Sahara Hotel and Casino ; later, Sam Boyd left the Sahara to become general manager and partner of The Mint Las Vegas . Sam Boyd first partnered with his son Bill in 1962, when the two teamed up to acquire the Eldorado Casino in Henderson, Nevada. Bill, who

1144-477: A microeconomy where scholar dollars are the currency. Rhea Watson, with Las Vegas-based Scholarship Solutions, received $ 150,000 for her “A Scholarship A Day” app that aims to provide students access to college and scholarship information and opportunities. Natalie Adame, Robele Abdi and Nefeli Georgilas, received $ 150,000 for their SchoolM8 Educational Management web app, which will help students streamline their educational journey in one centralized website. In 2021,

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1248-578: A middle-class and value-conscious clientele throughout its history. The resort did little marketing, but still achieved high occupancy rates, due to its location on the Strip and its low room rates. At the time of opening, the resort included Court of a Thousand Treasures, a four-story shopping arcade with 60 stores, overlooking the east end of the 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m ) casino. An automobile museum, The Auto Collections , opened in 1981. A 650-room hotel tower opened in August 1982, bringing

1352-477: A new Las Vegas studio at The Linq, as part of its partnership with Caesars Entertainment to provide sports betting information. The 6,000 sq ft (560 m ) studio began operations in 2020, producing digital content related to sports betting, as well as its television program Daily Wager and segments for other programs. The studio closed in 2023 after ESPN signed with competitor Penn Entertainment on its ESPN Bet service, with Daily Wager (which

1456-679: A possible revocation of his gaming license, but eventually agreed to pay a $ 1.5 million fine to the state, settling issues related to the Nazi controversy and the destruction of records. It was the second-largest fine in Nevada gaming history. In 1997, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a sex discrimination lawsuit against the Imperial Palace, on behalf of six cocktail waitresses who worked there. The waitresses had become pregnant and their weight gain

1560-729: A public-private partnership with the NHBC, the nonprofit organization managed $ 120 million in philanthropic donations from the Engelstad Foundation, the Lincy Foundation, the Boyd Family Foundation and Bank of America , as well as a $ 25 million contribution from the state of Nevada to build the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine Building at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The school celebrated

1664-474: A reference to a sense of community that the project aimed to create. It also referred to the project's location, connected between the Imperial Palace and the Flamingo. The Imperial Palace's wedding chapel was among the facilities to receive renovation work. The resort's main entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard was closed on May 1, 2012, as part of the ongoing construction for Project Linq. A new resort entrance

1768-484: A reputation for running a squeaky-clean operation. As a result, Nevada regulators turned to the Boyds for help following an investigation of skimming operations at the Stardust and Fremont casinos in the mid-1980s. The properties were notorious at the time for their extensive skimming operations; according to the FBI, anywhere from $ 7 million to $ 15 million in funds from the Stardust were diverted to organized crime figures between 1974 and 1976 alone. In 1984, after leveling

1872-512: A self-serve beer wall and a food truck; the latter was added due to popular demand by millennials. The food menu and sports betting are accessed through tablet computers . Caesars intended for The Book to serve as a testing ground for new concepts, which could potentially be implemented at its other properties to attract millennials. By 2019, the casino included a video game arcade, and three-dimensional LED sculptures that react as people walk by. In 2019, ESPN announced that it would construct

1976-438: A spacious appearance. The hotel-casino was modernized and designed to target a millennial demographic. The property featured self-check in, while touchscreens allowed guests to make reservations for restaurants and entertainment. Outlets for cellphones and laptops were added throughout the property, and digital televisions in the hotel rooms were used to order room service. A bar and lounge area known as 3535 – referencing

2080-530: A technologically advanced, 11,000 sq ft (1,000 m ) sportsbook, The Book, on September 6, 2018. It is a reimagined version of the traditional sportsbook concept. In addition to sports betting, patrons can also order food from the resort's restaurants and can play sports video games in The Book. It is divided into 12 rentable areas known as Fan Caves, each one including TVs, an Xbox One game console, and virtual reality headsets . The Book also features

2184-497: A year after Borgata opened, Boyd Gaming announced plans to acquire Coast Casinos , Inc., one of the largest operators of locals casinos in the Las Vegas market. Completed on July 1, 2004, the $ 1.3 billion acquisition gave Boyd Gaming four additional Las Vegas properties—Suncoast; Gold Coast; the Orleans; and Barbary Coast. The Coast acquisition also included the yet-to-be completed South Coast, located five miles (8 km) south of

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2288-542: Is a casino hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada . It is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment . It opened as the Flamingo Capri on October 30, 1959, on property located directly north of the original Flamingo resort. The Flamingo Capri was a 180-room motel, owned by George E. Goldberg and Flamingo employee Bill Capri. Ralph Engelstad purchased the Flamingo Capri in 1971, and added

2392-682: Is estimated that roughly 50 freshman students will have trade school paid for after graduation in 2027. The Engelstad Foundation funded a $ 1.5 million grant to Wave Neuroscience that will support Wave Neuroscience’s Phase Two clinical trial , which aims to develop and validate treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), currently underway with Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) Institute of Biosciences and Technology. Imperial Palace (hotel and casino) The Linq (formerly Flamingo Capri , Imperial Palace and The Quad )

2496-550: The Imperial Palace Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi that was owned and operated by Engelstad. Since 2002, his role has also included acting as a trustee on the Engelstad Foundation board. He also serves as the foundation's Chief Financial Officer . Sean McGarry, son of Kris Engelstad, serves as a Trustee as well as Investment Director for the foundation. He is also the founder of 1930 Capital,

2600-690: The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with individual trauma kits, also referred to as IFAKs, and train on how to use them. In 2024, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine received $ 500,000 from the Engelstad Foundation towards cancer research, conducted within the Touro University Nevada’s Engelstad Research Complex, aiming to develop a drug that prevents cancer metastasis . Announced in February 2024,

2704-1004: The New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol "BYD." Funds from the IPO supplied Boyd Gaming with a source of capital for expansion, and the company embarked on a period of aggressive growth. The company acquired the Eldorado and Jokers Wild (which had previously been owned directly by the Boyd family) in 1993; later that year, Boyd Gaming acquired the bankrupt Main Street Station Hotel and Casino and Brewery . The company's first expansion outside of Nevada came in 1994, when Boyd Gaming opened Sam's Town Tunica in Mississippi. Later expansions included: Boyd Gaming's most ambitious expansion project came in 2003, when

2808-739: The Touro University Nevada ’s Engelstad Research Complex was created with support from the Englestad Foundation’s gifts totaling $ 1.8 million. Beginning in 2022, a $ 1 million grant from the Engelstad Foundation funded the Las Vegas Crisis Response Medical Training Program, led by Touro University. More than 1,200 officers with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department have been instructed in lifesaving medical training. The Engelstad Foundation and Touro University also provide

2912-465: The United States . Former trustee Betty Engelstad serves the board as Trustee Emeritus. Betty Engelstad, widow of Ralph Engelstad, worked in a bank as a young girl which primed her for the budgeting that she would be doing for both her own family and eventually the Engelstad Foundation. Betty prefers to remain out of the public eye when it comes to the foundation’s giving, but her role in staging

3016-592: The $ 2-million, 180-room Flamingo Capri motel, owned by George E. Goldberg and Bill Capri. The motel was built directly north of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino , where Capri was an employee. The original Flamingo agreed to provide hotel services to guests at the Capri. The motel began construction in May 1959, and opened on October 30 of that year. Douglas Honnold and John Rex, both of Beverly Hills, California, were

3120-443: The 1990s, the sportsbook also gained a reputation for posting more futures and proposition wagers than any other Las Vegas sportsbook. In the early 1990s, the resort launched a weekly series of luau parties known as Hawaiian Hot Luau. It offered a buffet of Asian food and performances by hula dancers and fire eaters . In 1993, the Imperial Palace added a medical center for its employees and their families, as well as tourists. By

3224-504: The 78,000 sq ft (7,200 m ) Brooklyn Bowl , which includes a restaurant, music club, and a two-floor bowling alley with 32 lanes. Caesars decided to build the project in 2007, and eventually announced its plans in July 2009, under the name Project Link. It would contain an outdoor collection of restaurants and bars that would be built between the original O'Sheas and the Flamingo. These plans were considered again in 2010, with

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3328-612: The Boyd Group, the company initially had 75 investors. Boyd Gaming embarked on its first expansion in 1979, when it opened the first Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall -branded property; Sam's Town Las Vegas on Boulder Highway at Nellis Boulevard. Considered one of the first "locals" properties in the Las Vegas Valley , Sam's Town helped inaugurate the later development of Las Vegas' "Boulder Strip." During these first two decades in operation, Sam and Bill Boyd developed

3432-661: The Echelon site for $ 350 million to the Genting Group , a Malaysia-based gaming company to develop the site as Resorts World Las Vegas . In 2007, Boyd purchased Dania Jai Alai, a fronton in Dania Beach, Florida . The company hoped to expand the facility with a casino, but efforts to allow new casinos in the Miami area made little headway. Boyd agreed in 2011 to sell the property to Dania Entertainment for $ 80 million, but

3536-560: The Engelstad Foundation partnered with Mike Rowe , creator and host of the TV series Dirty Jobs , and the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, to create the “Warrior Pathway Program.” The four-year program provides approximately $ 4.5 million in full-ride scholarships, funded by the Engelstad Foundation, to trade schools for students at Western High School in Las Vegas . Students who complete the program through their senior year, will be offered scholarships to two-year or shorter technical training programs. It

3640-408: The Engelstad Foundation partnered with Opportunity Village to sponsor the building of Betty’s Village, a $ 35 million housing project for individuals with special needs. The development initially housed 70 adults and includes amenities, such as a gym and pool for residents. In the spring of 2023, Opportunity Village announced the plan to construct 100 more housing units with construction set to begin in

3744-619: The Flamingo Capri were relocated and converted to become part of Engelstad's other property, the Kona Kai motel. Engelstad's construction company added a three-story wing at the east end of the motel, as well as a northern addition, both of which opened in 1974 along with the Shangri-la pool. By 1976, the motel was being operated as part of the Best Western hotel chain, while retaining the Flamingo Capri name. An expansion project

3848-399: The Imperial Palace name. The name change to Imperial Palace took place on November 1, 1979, with the opening of the new casino building. Demolition simultaneously began on the Flamingo Capri's casino building, clearing way for the Imperial Palace's entrance, which was expected to be finished within a month. The number of employees increased to 1,000. Merlin J. Barth was the architect of

3952-513: The Imperial Palace or its neighbors. In 2009, the Imperial Palace added The King's Ransom, an exhibit of Elvis Presley memorabilia. A year later, Harrah's was renamed as Caesars Entertainment Corporation. In August 2011, Caesars announced that the Imperial Palace name would be replaced, with a new name to be chosen at a later date. The property would also be renovated. Later that year, Caesars began construction on Project Linq, an outdoor collection of restaurants, bars, and retailers. The project

4056-419: The Imperial Palace was the 10th largest hotel in the world and the world's largest privately owned hotel. That year, Engelstad opened a second Imperial Palace in Biloxi, Mississippi . In 2000, Engelstad said that he would sell his properties in preparation for retirement. Analysts considered Harrah's Entertainment as a likely buyer for the Imperial Palace, given that the company's Harrah's Las Vegas resort

4160-419: The Imperial Palace would remain open into 2007, while redevelopment options were considered. The hotel had 2,640 rooms, and the casino included 1,600 slot machines and 56 table games. Harrah's leased the Imperial Palace name through a deal set to expire in 2012. Harrah's redevelopment plans were delayed in 2006, when two firms announced plans to purchase the company. In 2007, Harrah's decided not to demolish

4264-480: The Linq retail and entertainment complex. Further renovations would modernize the property and would take place in phases, lasting through 2013. The hotel would retain its 2,543 rooms and several restaurants. The name change to Quad became official on December 21, 2012. The property's design was changed entirely. The Asian theme was removed, and a giant "Q" replaced the Imperial Palace exterior logo sign. A portion of

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4368-487: The Quad as The Linq Hotel & Casino, matching the new promenade. Jon Gray, the general manager for the promenade, said the change would provide a "complete, seamless experience. The new name clears up any confusion. It's all Linq." The name change took place on October 30, 2014, and was accompanied by a $ 223 million renovation. The hotel rooms were remodeled, and the resort's interior was brightened and opened up more for

4472-432: The Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard. Boyd Gaming completed the project and opened its doors on December 22, 2005 Boyd Gaming operated the property for less than a year before selling it to former Coast CEO Michael Gaughan in 2006. (The property was rebranded to its current name, South Point, following the sale to Gaughan.) In 2006, Boyd Gaming turned its focus to what would have been the largest project in its history: Echelon ,

4576-733: The Sustaining Community Award for their investment in changing the lives of those in Southern Nevada March 2023. Kris Engelstad, of the Engelstad Foundation, formed a donor development limited liability corporation, the Nevada Health and Bioscience Corporation (NHBC), with several Las Vegas philanthropists including MaryKaye Cashman, of Cashman Equipment; Lindy Schumacher, of the Lincy Institute; and Marianne Johnson, of Boyd Gaming . Through

4680-674: The United States." The partnership is focused on positioning both companies to succeed in the emerging online gambling and sports betting markets in the United States. In late 2018, Boyd completed two deals to increase its regional holdings. It acquired Valley Forge Casino Resort in Pennsylvania for $ 281 million. It also purchased the operations of four casinos from Pinnacle Entertainment for $ 564 million: Ameristar Kansas City , Ameristar St. Charles, Belterra Casino , and Belterra Park . The company paid another $ 58 million for

4784-570: The Vegas locals market, acquiring the Aliante Casino and Hotel for $ 380 million and the two properties of Cannery Casino Resorts for $ 230 million. Meanwhile, it sold its 50 percent stake in the Borgata to MGM for $ 900 million. In July 2018, Boyd announced a partnership with MGM Resorts International "to significantly increase each company's market access and customer base throughout

4888-496: The addition of a new Olympic-size swimming pool , a heated spa, and a poolside bar. The final phase of the expansion – including a race & sportsbook , and fitness center – extended the resort to the sidewalk along Las Vegas Boulevard . The sportsbook was completed in September 1989, and a drive-through option was created in 1991. Located on Koval Lane behind the hotel, the drive-through became popular among customers. During

4992-405: The annual Imperial Palace Antique Auto Run. In 1985, the parking garage was expanded to include more than 1,000 additional parking spaces, becoming one of the largest parking facilities in Las Vegas. In December 1985, the foundation was laid for a 560-room hotel addition, which was completed in 1986, bringing the room count total to 2,100. The Imperial Palace became the seventh largest hotel in

5096-411: The architects. Maurice N. Aroff of Beverly Hills was the general contractor. Capri departed the property soon after the opening, with Goldberg becoming the sole owner and operator. The Flamingo Capri Restaurant was added in 1964. Ralph Engelstad purchased the motel in 1971, and added a casino in 1972. Prior to the addition of a casino, the motel had 250 employees. In 1973, four motel buildings from

5200-426: The assets he acquired to be given back after his death. In 2002, Ralph and Betty Engelstad officially formed the Engelstad Foundation with the goal of continuing Ralph's charitable work. Since its establishment, the Engelstad Foundation has provided more than $ 500 million in grants to organizations spanning the states of North Dakota , Nevada , Minnesota , Utah and Mississippi . The Engelstad family has history in

5304-434: The casino and portions of the motel. The Imperial Palace's parking garage was also built over the wash, suffering the same consequences during storms. In 1983, the casino was briefly closed while eight feet of water rushed through the parking area and garage, leaving mud in the pool area and in more than 20 ground-floor rooms. In 2004, two men had to be rescued by firefighters after their car stalled in flood water behind

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5408-533: The center Strip. Harrah's had long wanted to acquire the Imperial Palace, and there was speculation that the company would demolish it for a new project. Harrah's chairman Gary Loveman said that plans were underway to develop the area for long-term success, stating that properties such as the Imperial Palace "are going to require very substantial modifications or complete tear-downs and rebuilds." Harrah's completed its purchase in December 2005, and announced that

5512-483: The company opened the $ 1.1 billion Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. A joint venture with MGM Resorts International , Borgata was the first new casino property to open in Atlantic City in 13 years, and quickly emerged as the market's leading property by gaming revenue. Borgata is by far Boyd Gaming's largest property, and currently supplies more than a third of the company's overall profits. Less than

5616-465: The company's executive chairman after her father, Bill, was appointed Chairman Emeritus in May 2023. As of 2021, Boyd operates 28 properties with a total of 10,751 hotel rooms and 1,694,482 square feet (157,422.5 m ) of casino space with 31,635 slot machines and 686 table games. Gaming revenue is 80% of total gross revenue. Boyd Gaming's history dates to 1941, when founder Sam Boyd first arrived in Las Vegas with his family. After being hired as

5720-709: The contest awarded a total of $ 275,000 in grants. Las Vegas high school teacher Ben Nguyen received a $ 200,000 grant for his "A Platform for the Future" concept that aims to build a platform for localized job shadowing, training, and mentorship. Retired Las Vegas teacher Eleanor Cormier received a $ 50,000 grant for her Project 300 Early Learning Academy model, an online virtual tutoring program for kindergarteners in urban elementary schools that will aim to strengthen their literacy skills utilizing Common Core State Standards in English language arts. Henderson, Nev. resident Dorothy Blake

5824-452: The creation of the foundation remains evident. The Engelstad Foundation is currently run by trustees Kris Engelstad, Jeffrey M. Cooper and Sean Mcgarry. Ralph and Betty Engelstad’s daughter, Kris Engelstad, also serves as a Trustee and CEO for the foundation. In many instances, she is the face of the foundation in the public eye . Jeffrey M. Cooper worked with Ralph Engelstad as his certified public accountant. He also served as treasurer for

5928-730: The deal was not completed. The two companies reached a new sale agreement in February 2013 for $ 65.5 million. Boyd Gaming bought the IP Casino Resort & Spa in October 2011 for $ 278 million cash, plus a $ 10 million donation to the Engelstad Family Foundation. In November 2012, Boyd acquired Peninsula Gaming , an Iowa-based company with five casinos in the Midwest and South, for $ 1.45 billion. The company made two deals in 2016 to expand its footprint in

6032-483: The destruction of such records. Several other lawsuits were filed during the mid-1980s, accusing the resort of sexual and religious discrimination. In 1988, agents for the Nevada Gaming Control Board inspected the Imperial Palace and discovered that Engelstad had a "war room" there, containing a large collection of World War II Nazi memorabilia. Among the items was a portrait of Engelstad in

6136-418: The end of the decade, the resort partnered with Reno Air to provide guests with baggage check-in at the hotel, ahead of outgoing flights. In 1984, a couple staying at the hotel were robbed, and the wife was also raped. They filed a security negligence lawsuit against the Imperial Palace, and later accused the resort of destroying records that were sought for the lawsuit. Casino executives later admitted to

6240-420: The escalator. The property reopened later that night, after two hours. In June 2005, Harrah's Entertainment purchased Caesars Entertainment, Inc. , which included the acquisition of the O'Sheas Casino and the Flamingo, both directly south of the Imperial Palace. Two months later, Harrah's announced plans to purchase the Imperial Palace for $ 370 million, giving the company a sizable and contiguous ownership of

6344-564: The first and only zipline on the Strip. Construction of the $ 20-million zipline was underway in April 2018. It opened on November 9, 2018, and features 10 side-by-side ziplines that travel over the promenade. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel partnered with Caesars to create Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club, which opened at the promenade in 2019. Later that year, the promenade added the world's largest ice bar , measuring 1,200 sq ft (110 m ). In 2024, Caesars announced that it would sell

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6448-470: The foundation reported total assets of $ 826,907,501, revenue of $ 53,710,352 and charitable disbursements of $ 52,007,432. The Engelstad Foundation promotes the welfare of others through generous donations to what they believe to be good causes. Donations to organizations focus on various categories including animal compassion, at-risk individuals, education, historical preservation, medical research and support, people with disabilities and veterans. The extent of

6552-427: The foundation. The parking garage was left unchanged during the transformation into the Linq, and the property continued to suffer from flooding. A 2017 storm left some cars in the garage partially underwater, and six people had to be rescued. Footage of the parking garage's flooding often goes viral . The Linq Promenade is an outdoor entertainment district, spread across a 1,200-foot-long pathway that runs along

6656-458: The garage. The Clark County Fire Department stated that such rescues had to be performed at the property on a regular basis. During floods, the garage is usually closed off, preventing guests from leaving. The resort had no plans for structural changes, stating that prior research had never turned up a viable solution. Efforts to prevent future flooding were hindered, as an underground drainage system could not be installed without possibly weakening

6760-538: The grand opening of the building on Oct. 5, 2023. The building was constructed and delivered under-budget and ahead of deadline. The Engelstad Foundation donated $ 15 million to construct the Kirk Kerkorian Medical Educational Building. The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and the Engelstad Foundation partnered to financially back THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE: An Education Innovation Contest. In 2022, THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE

6864-708: The late 1980s, the Governor's Committee for the Handicapped named the Imperial Palace as "Employer of the Year". A few years later, the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities named the Imperial Palace "National Employer of the Year". The resort subsequently offered listening devices in its showroom for hearing-impaired audience members. A three-phase expansion began in August 1987 and concluded in July 1989. The three-phase expansion included

6968-411: The likeness of Adolf Hitler . The control board also found that Engelstad had hosted Nazi-themed parties at the war room in 1986 and 1988, celebrating Hitler's birthday. Following these revelations, state officials accused Engelstad of bringing discredit to Nevada and its gaming industry. He apologized for the parties and stated that the collection was purely of historical interest. Engelstad faced

7072-612: The main Flamingo resort. Project Linq was inspired by The Grove and Third Street Promenade , both entertainment and retail complexes in Los Angeles. The Meatpacking District in Manhattan was another inspiration. The Linq project was developed by Caruso Affiliated , which previously created The Grove. Construction began in November 2011. Portions of it opened on December 27, 2013, and it celebrated its grand opening in February 2014. Additional tenants continued to open over

7176-581: The markets that the foundation serves. For example, the foundation holds strong ties to Thief River Falls, Minnesota , where Ralph Engelstad was born. There is a strong presence in North Dakota as well – where Ralph Engelstad graduated from the University of North Dakota and met his wife, Betty, during his time in Grand Forks . The foundation’s ties to Mississippi derive from the 1997 opening of

7280-592: The next several months. The promenade cost $ 550 million to construct. A multi-story structure, known as the Vortex, was built on the former O'Sheas land, marking the entrance to the Linq Promenade. The structure includes a top-floor deck that is used for events, and a vortex-shaped LED canopy that displays advertisements to people below. By 2017, the Linq Promenade had added the Strip's first In-N-Out Burger , and Caesars also announced plans to add Fly Linq,

7384-469: The order, security continued to hold him for a period of time. Grosjean filed and eventually won a lawsuit against the Imperial Palace, alleging false imprisonment . In the mid-1990s, Engelstad considered selling the Imperial Palace for $ 400-$ 500 million. At the time, the resort occupied 8.5 acres (3.4 ha), and Engelstad owned an additional 10 acres (4.0 ha) behind the resort. The casino measured 47,625 sq ft (4,424.5 m ). As of 1997,

7488-531: The organization’s philanthropic endeavors has led multiple associations to honor the foundation. In 2020, the Engelstad Foundation was honored as Las Vegas Sun VEGAS INC Angel Awards: Foundation of the Year. Kris Englestad was named the CommonSpirit Philanthropist of the Year at CommonSpirit Health’s 12th annual Philanthropy Summit in February 2023. The Engelstad Foundation was honored as a Candlelighters Sustaining Impact Honoree, receiving

7592-468: The place of those that had been sold in the exhibit. Approximately half of the vehicles in the collection were owned by Williams and Clyne. A single mechanic was responsible for maintaining the vehicles. The collection occupied 125,000 sq ft (11,600 m ) of space, and included vehicles once owned by celebrities or state officials. Among these was a 1939 Chrysler Royal sedan, which Engelstad purchased from Johnny Carson for $ 1 in 1994. This

7696-438: The profit and loss statement did not present a true picture of the gold mine that the Stardust was." After several years of successful operations, Boyd Gaming officially acquired the Stardust and Fremont in 1985. Company founder Sam Boyd died on January 15, 1993, at the age of 82, and was succeeded as chief executive officer by Bill Boyd. In July of the same year, Boyd Gaming held its initial public offering of stock, debuting on

7800-566: The promenade, excluding the High Roller, to TPG Real Estate and Acadia Realty Trust. The $ 275 million sale is expected to close by the end of the year. The Auto Collections was a collection of classic vehicles on display at the resort until 2017. The museum opened on December 1, 1981, known then as the Antique and Classic Auto Collections. The museum initially consisted of Engelstad's own private car collection, worth over $ 10 million at

7904-454: The property's general manager. The four became co-trustees following Engelstad's death, and there were no immediate plans to sell the property, considering its popularity. In 2003, the casino added 600 new slot machines, and a monorail station was built, connecting with Harrah's Las Vegas. In July 2004, an escalator fire sent smoke into the casino and upper-floor restaurants, forcing an evacuation. The fire caused $ 500,000 in damage, mostly to

8008-406: The proposal now known as Project Linq. By that time, a Ferris wheel and retail space had been added to the proposed plans. Project Linq received final county approval in August 2011. The original O'Sheas, located along the Strip, was demolished to make way for Project Linq. The project also replaced an old parking garage and an alleyway, in addition to the Flamingo Capri rooms and tennis courts for

8112-595: The real estate of Belterra Park. The sale was designed to ensure regulatory approval for Penn National Gaming 's planned purchase of Pinnacle. On July 13, 2020, Boyd Gaming announced it was laying off at least 25% of its workforce equating to thousands of job losses at its properties nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States . In March 2022, Boyd Gaming entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pala Interactive LLC and its subsidiaries for total cash consideration of $ 170 million. In November 2022, it

8216-474: The renovated casino was opened in March 2013, featuring red, silver, and gold colors. Friedmutter Group handled the interior designs. The casino floor received new slot machines and table games. The Quad also added several new restaurants, including one by Guy Fieri . Project Linq was eventually finished as The Linq Promenade, opening in December 2013. On July 1, 2014, Caesars announced that it would rename

8320-414: The resort's address – was added in the hotel lobby. It was among several other bars in the casino. Final renovations – including a new spa, fitness center, two new pools, and event space – were completed in July 2015. A year later, the Linq started offering 12 hotel rooms with bunk beds, being the only Strip property to offer such a feature. The hotel also rented board games to guests. The Linq opened

8424-419: The resort's southern edge. Most of the tenants are restaurants or nightlife businesses. A new version of the O'Sheas Casino is among the tenants, and is attached to the Linq's casino floor. A primary attraction at the Linq Promenade is the 550-foot High Roller observation wheel, which was the tallest in the world upon opening in 2014. It is located at the east end of the promenade. The Linq also features

8528-501: The resort, which was themed after an Asian palace. Engelstad chose the Oriental theme for its uniqueness, as there were no other Asian-themed resorts on the Las Vegas Strip . Barth chose blue tile imported from Japan for the roof of the resort, having been influenced by Japanese temples. The interior heavily featured the Oriental theme as well, and included carved dragons and giant wind chime chandeliers. The Imperial Palace catered to

8632-482: The resort, before deciding on a renovation instead. On December 21, 2012, Caesars renamed the resort as The Quad. The Asian theme was removed, and the property received a redesign. The Linq Promenade – an outdoor collection of bars, restaurants, and retailers – was opened by Caesars in 2013. It was built along the Quad's southern edge. A signature feature of the promenade is the High Roller Ferris wheel,

8736-459: The second Imperial Palace in Biloxi, Mississippi . The foundation is currently based in Las Vegas , Nevada , where Ralph Engelstad built his business as an entrepreneur and where the Engelstad family has lived for many years. In 2022, the Engelstad Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary and crossed $ 500 million in giving, providing more than $ 523 million in funding to nonprofits throughout

8840-479: The second tallest in the world, only behind the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel. The Quad was renamed as The Linq on October 30, 2014, to match the new promenade. The name change was accompanied by a $ 223 million renovation, which modernized the resort in an effort to attract a new demographic of millennials . The Linq includes a 33,890 sq ft (3,148 m ) casino and 2,250 rooms. The property began as

8944-644: The show moved to an updated venue at Harrah's. In July 2003, the Imperial Palace casino opened its Legends Pit, named after Legends in Concert. It featured celebrity impersonators as blackjack dealers, known as Dealertainers. The resort's managers devised the concept after spotting an Elvis impersonator on the Las Vegas Strip. Dealertainers impersonated celebrities such as Michael Jackson , Cher , Britney Spears , and Buddy Holly . In addition to dealing, they would also provide musical performances on

9048-418: The spring of 2024 and estimated to take 18 months to two years to complete. The additions will be built on 17.6 acres of land located in northwest Las Vegas . The first phase will include beds and the second phase will have a community center along with more housing. The units at Betty’s Village vary between one and two-bedroom homes and the tenant’s rent is covered by Medicaid . The Engelstad Foundation pledged

9152-652: The time of the opening. The exhibition was located in an air-conditioned facility on the 5th floor of the resort's parking garage. Don Williams and Richie Clyne took over operations of the museum in 1999. Because the museum was a significant attraction, the Imperial Palace leased the space to Williams and Clyne for only $ 1 a year. Under their management, the museum began offering its vehicles for sale and trade on February 1, 2000. Williams and Clyne sold off Engelstad's original collection of cars and gradually replaced it with new vehicles. Approximately 200 vehicles were kept in storage nearby; these would be put on display to take

9256-402: The total room count to more than 1,500. By 1982, the shopping arcade included the free Imperial Palace School of Gaming, for gamblers who did not know how to play. The school operated as a mini casino overlooking the main 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m ) casino. It later operated on the main casino floor. During the 1980s, the resort served as the starting and finishing location of

9360-504: The world , and had more than 2,200 employees. The casino was expanded by 15,000 square feet (1,400 m ), and convention facilities were increased from 25,000 sq ft (2,300 m ) to 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m ). A final hotel tower, standing 19 stories with 547 rooms, was completed in July 1987, bringing the total to 2,637 rooms. The tower was the former location of the resort's pool. The Imperial Palace won several awards for its hiring of disabled people. Twice in

9464-484: The world . When Engelstad died in 2002, the Imperial Palace was the second-largest privately owned hotel in the world, behind the Venetian resort in Las Vegas. Following his death, operations were taken over by a group that included his wife Betty. Harrah's Entertainment (later known as Caesars Entertainment) purchased the Imperial Palace in 2005, for $ 370 million. The company considered partial or complete demolition of

9568-493: Was awarded a $ 25,000 grant to expand the Mindful Music Moments program into Nevada by launching a pilot program. In 2023, THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE, in its 2nd year, selected three winners that received a total of $ 500,000 in grants. Las Vegas educators Shardae Chenoweth and Dr. Biante’ Gainous, received $ 200,000 to grow their Financially Lit platform, an experiential learning opportunity for students to exist within

9672-416: Was built at the property's north end. The Rockhouse bar and nightclub, which had operated at the original entrance for several years, was permanently closed. On September 17, 2012, Caesars announced that the Imperial Palace would be renamed as The Quad. Caesars stated that the name was chosen to denote a center of activity, similar to a college quadrangle . The Quad would serve as the primary entrance for

9776-403: Was built on land between the Imperial Palace and Flamingo. The Imperial Palace still had some rooms left from the earlier Flamingo Capri, which were among the oldest rooms at the resort; 90 of these rooms were demolished around late 2011, making room for the Linq project. The project was intended as an urban gathering place, targeting younger, budget-conscious visitors. The name "Linq" was meant as

9880-434: Was considered unattractive by the resort, which gave them the option of taking lower-paying jobs or unpaid leave. The Imperial Palace eventually reached financial settlements with the women after three years. James Grosjean , an advantage gambler , was briefly detained by Imperial Palace security in 2001. The Nevada Gaming Control Board viewed Grosjean as a person of interest, but later ordered that he be released. Despite

9984-429: Was launched as an incubator-type contest that encouraged individuals to submit the creative idea that they believed could transform education in Nevada. The contest awarded grants to three winners to make their ideas a reality. Winners also received assistance from Nevada GrantLab to manage the funding and bring the idea to life. More than 200 applications for the challenge were accepted from January through March 2022 and

10088-405: Was located on adjacent property. Engelstad died of lung cancer in November 2002. At the time, the Imperial Palace was the second-largest privately owned hotel in the world, behind the Venetian resort in Las Vegas. The Imperial Palace had nearly 2,700 rooms and 2,600 employees. After Engelstad's death, his wife Betty oversaw operations with the help of his longtime attorney, his accountant, and

10192-465: Was opened in June 1980. It featured the dance show Bravo Vegas , with Engelstad as executive producer. Legends in Concert opened at the Imperial Palace in May 1983. The show featured musical performances by celebrity impersonators, and would continue running at the Imperial Palace for nearly 26 years. As of 2007, Legends in Concert was the third longest-running show on the Las Vegas Strip. In 2009,

10296-522: Was retitled ESPN Bet Live as part of the agreement) moving back to ESPN's main studio in Bristol, Connecticut . The Linq includes a 33,890 sq ft (3,148 m ) casino and 2,250 rooms. The Flamingo Capri was built over the Flamingo Wash , which the motel advertised as a "Venetian canal". The property was prone to flooding, including an incident in 1975 that left water damage in

10400-460: Was suspended a little over one year later, on August 1, 2008. At the time, Boyd Gaming officials cited "the difficult environment in today's capital markets, as well as weak economic conditions," and estimated construction would resume in three to four quarters. As the global recession deepened, the suspension continued; in October 2009, the company said it would likely be three to five years before development resumed. However, in March 2013, Boyd sold

10504-407: Was the first Asian-themed resort on the Strip. It was popular among middle-class and value-conscious guests. Long-running attractions included The Auto Collections , a car museum that operated from 1981 to 2017; and Legends in Concert , a show that ran from 1983 to 2009. Engelstad added additional hotel towers from 1982 to 1987, increasing the room count to 2,637. It was among the largest hotels in

10608-407: Was the only vehicle from Engelstad's personal collection to remain part of the museum, having never been put up for sale. Other vehicles throughout its history included a 1955 Lincoln Capri convertible owned by Marilyn Monroe , and a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz owned by Elvis Presley . The museum sometimes displayed vehicles from films, including " Eleanor " from Gone in 60 Seconds , and

10712-571: Was then a practicing attorney, acquired his first stake in the Eldorado by doing its legal work. Sam would go on to manage the Eldorado full-time after the Mint was sold in 1968. Although the Boyd family had been involved in the Las Vegas casino industry for decades, Boyd Gaming Corporation wasn't founded until January 1, 1975, when the company was formed to develop and operate the California Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas. Then known as

10816-512: Was underway in early 1977. It included the 19-story Imperial Palace Tower, which opened in July 1977, increasing the number of rooms from 300 to 650. A second phase of expansion began later in 1977, following the partial demolition of the Flamingo Capri motel. The expansion would include a new casino building and a showroom. There were plans to eventually rename the Flamingo Capri as the Imperial Palace. The Flamingo Capri's eastern motel structure continued operating for more than three decades under

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