The Linq (formerly Flamingo Capri , Imperial Palace and The Quad ) 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.
111-569: Ralph Engelstad purchased the Flamingo Capri in 1971, and added 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
222-447: 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,
333-527: A casino and 20-story boutique hotel next to Harry Reid International Airport began construction in 2022 for an opening originally scheduled for 2024. Construction was halted in March 2023 due to stalled funding plans. It could resume construction in January 2024 and the opening has been rescheduled to the end of 2025. Astral Hotels planned to start building Astral, a 34-story, 620-room hotel and casino on
444-760: A central stage. Caesars announced the sudden discontinuation of the Dealertainer Pit on September 8, 2014, without explanation. Ralph Engelstad Ralph Louis Engelstad (January 28, 1930 – November 26, 2002) was an American businessman who owned the Imperial Palace casino-hotels in Las Vegas and in Biloxi, Mississippi . He also owned the Kona Kai motel in Las Vegas, which later became
555-431: A dedicated broadcast booth, and the ability to watch up to 15 sporting events at once. The sports network ESPN is broadcasting sports betting shows from a dedicated studio at The Linq. Some sportsbooks are now offering self-service betting kiosks. The Las Vegas Strip is known for its lounges, showrooms, theaters and nightclubs, most on the hotel casino properties. Some of the more popular free attractions visible from
666-480: A key point in transforming Las Vegas Strip entertainment. In an effort to attract families, resorts offered more attractions geared toward youth, but had limited success. The Wet 'n Wild water park opened in 1985 and was located on the south side of the Sahara hotel. It closed at the end of the 2004 season and was later demolished. The current MGM Grand opened in 1993 with MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park , but
777-623: 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
888-472: 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
999-677: 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
1110-471: 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
1221-506: 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
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#17327807791241332-431: 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
1443-529: 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
1554-495: Is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada , that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos . The Strip , as it is known, is about 4.2 mi (6.8 km) long, and is immediately south of the Las Vegas city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester , but is often referred to simply as "Las Vegas". Many of the largest hotel, casino, and resort properties in
1665-501: Is the southernmost resort considered to be on the Strip (the Klondike was the southernmost until 2006, when it was closed, although it was not included in the Strip on some definitions and travel guides). According to Clark County, the southern end of the Strip is the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign; the county acknowledges that some argue for Russell Road at the southernmost terminus. The first casino to be built on Highway 91
1776-612: The Dunes golf course in the mid-90s. Steve Wynn , founder of previously owned Mirage Resorts , purchased the Desert Inn and golf course for his new company Wynn Resorts and redeveloped the course as the Wynn Golf Club. This course closed in 2017, but the development planned for the course was cancelled and the course was renovated and re-opened in late 2019. In 2000, Bali Hai Golf Club opened just south of Mandalay Bay and
1887-509: The Engelstad Foundation in 2002. Since its inception, the foundation has provided more than $ 300 million in grants to organizations focused on animal compassion, at-risk individuals, education, historical preservation, medical research and support, people with disabilities and veterans. Notable donations to organizations span Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, and Utah. Las Vegas Strip The Las Vegas Strip
1998-762: The Klondike Hotel and Casino . He was also the donor for the construction of the $ 104 million Ralph Engelstad Arena for his alma mater , the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota , and another arena bearing his name in Thief River Falls, Minnesota . Engelstad was also a co-developer of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway . Engelstad was one of the very few independent casino-hotel owners in Las Vegas. Engelstad
2109-556: The Nevada Gaming Commission fined Engelstad $ 1.5 million "for actions that damaged the reputation and image of Nevada's gaming industry." Engelstad apologized publicly for the parties, saying they were "stupid, insensitive and held in bad taste", but the row was not to be his last controversial move. Engelstad embroiled himself in the fight over the Fighting Sioux logo when he built a $ 104 million arena on
2220-745: The SLS Las Vegas continued to transform the Strip in 2014. The Las Vegas Festival Grounds opened in 2015. In 2016, T-Mobile Arena , The Park, and the Park Theater (now known as Dolby Live) opened. On October 1, 2017, a mass shooting occurred on the Strip at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, adjacent to the Mandalay Bay hotel. 60 people were killed, and approximately 867 were injured. The gunman, Stephen Paddock , opened fire on concertgoers with several rifles from his suites on
2331-478: The University of North Dakota campus for the Fighting Sioux hockey program. Midway in its construction, Engelstad threatened to withdraw funding if the long-standing nickname were to be changed. The logo was placed in thousands of instances in the arena, making the prospect of removal a costly measure. Later, Engelstad placed the stadium under private (rather than University) management and stipulated that
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#17327807791242442-472: The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign. Clark County uses the phrase Resort Corridor to describe the area including Las Vegas Boulevard between 215 Beltway and Sahara Avenue and surrounding areas. The Sahara is considered the Strip's northern terminus by Clark County, though travel guides typically extend it to the Strat 0.4 miles (0.64 km) to the north. Mandalay Bay , just north of Russell Road
2553-586: 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
2664-536: The 1950s, Engelstad founded his own construction company: Engelstad Construction. Engelstad became a millionaire at the age of twenty-nine, fulfilling his hope to become a millionaire by the age of thirty. In 1959, he moved to Las Vegas , Nevada, where his construction company had secured government contracts to build FHA homes. In 1965, he purchased the Thunderbird Field airport and later acquired vacant land nearby. In 1967, he sold 145 acres, including
2775-529: The 1990s, more than 12 new hotels opened, including themed hotels like the Luxor , Excalibur , and Mandalay Bay . At $ 1.7B, the most expensive hotel in the world at the time, The Bellagio , was built in the 1990s. These huge facilities offer entertainment and dining options, as well as gambling and lodging. In 1993, the launch of the Mystère show at the new Treasure Island hotel by Cirque du Soleil marked
2886-484: The 1990s, several pedestrian footbridges were erected over Las Vegas Boulevard to increase pedestrian safety and alleviate traffic congestion at popular intersections. The first was the Tropicana – Las Vegas Boulevard footbridge. Some mimic the theme of nearby resorts. . The footbridges include: Pedestrians have complained that they must walk as much as a quarter-mile to reach a footbridge or intersection to cross
2997-437: 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
3108-901: The 4,500 bollards will be shortened from 54 inches to 36 inches. The shortened bollards line 20 driveways. Studies conducted by Clark County in 2012 and 2015 identified issues with congestion. The studies resulted in $ 5 million of improvements, including LED lights, ADA ramps, containment fencing, widening sidewalks, and removing permanent obstructions, such as signs, signposts, trash cans, and fire hydrants. The studies also identified non-permanent obstructions causing congestion, such as street performers, vendors, handbillers, sign-holders, and illegal street gambling. Modifications to non-obstruction zones and increased enforcement were implemented in order to reduce congestion. Taxis are available at resorts, shopping centers, attractions, and for scheduled pickups. The Nevada Taxicab Authority provides information about taxi fares and fare zones. In 2021, there
3219-499: 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
3330-615: The City of Las Vegas. Caesars Palace was established in 1966. Opening in 1969, the International Hotel , with 1,512 rooms, began the era of mega-resorts. The International is known as Westgate Las Vegas today. The first MGM Grand Hotel and Casino opened in 1973 with 2,084 rooms. On November 21, 1980, MGM Grand suffered the worst resort fire in the history of Las Vegas as a result of electrical problems, killing 87 people. It reopened eight months later. In 1986, Kerkorian sold
3441-512: The Fighting Sioux motif be kept indefinitely. An Engelstad family trust continues to own the arena and rents it to the University. The North Dakota Board of Higher Education ruled on April 8, 2010, to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname in response to pressure from the NCAA . On February 8, 2012 the "repeal of the repeal" took place. After 17,213 North Dakota residents signed a petition bringing
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3552-615: 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
3663-412: 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 the resort, which
3774-508: 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
3885-417: 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
3996-414: 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
4107-672: The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Engelstad said "I now feel I have done what I can and apologized for what I cannot do". In addition to the memorabilia he stored on display in his "war room", a printing plate was found within his hotel that was used to make bumper stickers that read "Hitler Was Right". On April 20 in 1986 and 1988, he hosted parties to celebrate Adolf Hitler 's birthday at his casino in Las Vegas that featured bartenders in T-shirts reading "Adolf Hitler — European tour 1939-45 ". Because of this, in 1989,
4218-475: 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
4329-551: The MGM Grand and the Sahara at each end of the route. The stations include: The monorail began operating in 1995 with two trains from Walt Disney World . In 2020, the monorail was acquired by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Tens of thousands of pedestrians are walking along the Strip at any given time. As of 2019, about 50,000 pedestrians walked the Strip on an average day. In
4440-421: The MGM Grand to Bally Manufacturing , and it was renamed Bally's . The opening of The Mirage in 1989 set a new level to the Las Vegas experience, as smaller hotels and casinos made way for the larger mega-resorts. Some of the key features of The Mirage included tropical landscapes with waterfalls, an erupting volcano, restaurants with world-class chefs, and a show with illusionists Siegfried & Roy . In
4551-701: The Mandalay Bay's 32nd floor. Paddock's motive was never determined, and he committed suicide after the massacre. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history. In 2018, the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino was renamed the Park MGM and in 2019, the SLS changed its name back to Sahara Las Vegas . In 2021, the Pinball Hall of Fame moved near the "Fabulous Las Vegas" sign at
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4662-578: The North and South Las Vegas Strip routes are classified as Nevada Scenic Byways and National Scenic Byways . Historically, casinos that were not in Downtown Las Vegas along Fremont Street sat outside the city limits on Las Vegas Boulevard. In 1959, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was built exactly 4.5 miles (7.2 km) outside the city limits. The sign is currently located in
4773-482: 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
4884-942: The Strip include the water fountains at Bellagio , the volcano at The Mirage , and the Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain at Caesars Palace . There are several Cirque du Soleil shows, such as Kà at the MGM Grand, O at Bellagio, Mystère at Treasure Island, and Michael Jackson: One at Mandalay Bay . Many notable artists have performed in Las Vegas, including Elvis Presley , Frank Sinatra , Wayne Newton , Dean Martin , Sammy Davis Jr. , Rod Stewart and Liberace , and in more recent years Celine Dion , Britney Spears , Barry Manilow , Cher , Elton John , Bette Midler , Diana Ross , Donny and Marie Osmond , Garth Brooks , Jennifer Lopez , Reba McEntire , Mariah Carey , Janet Jackson , Kylie Minogue , Shania Twain , Criss Angel , Olivia Newton-John , Queen + Adam Lambert , Lady Gaga , and Gwen Stefani have had residencies in
4995-420: The Strip trended towards the luxurious high-end segment through most of the 2000s, while some older resorts added major expansions and renovations, including some de-theming of the earlier themed hotels. High end dining, specialty retail, spas and nightclubs increasingly became options for visitors in addition to gambling at most Strip resorts. There was also a trend towards expensive residential condo units on
5106-897: The Strip, including: The Strip also hosts the Las Vegas Grand Prix which has been part of the Formula One World Championship since 2023 . It will also house the New Las Vegas Stadium for the Oakland Athletics in 2028 when the team relocates to the Las Vegas Valley. The Aladdin had a nine-hole golf course in the 1960s. As land values on the Strip have increased over the years, the resort-affiliated golf courses have been removed to make way for building projects. The Tropicana Country Club closed in 1990 and
5217-685: The Strip. In 2004, MGM Mirage announced plans for CityCenter , a 66-acre (27 ha), $ 7 billion multi-use project on the site of the Boardwalk hotel and adjoining land. It consists of hotel, casino, condo, retail, art, business and other uses on the site. Most elements of the project opened in late 2009. In 2012, the High Roller Ferris wheel and a retail district called The Linq Promenade broke ground in an attempt to diversify attractions beyond that of casino resorts. Renovations and rebrandings such as The Cromwell Las Vegas and
5328-523: The Strip. Most of the resorts have a showroom, nightclub and/or live music venue on the property and a few have large multipurpose arenas. Major venues include: The Strip is populated with many restaurants and fine dining establishments, many of which are inside the casinos and resorts. In recent years, many celebrity chefs have opened restaurants along the Strip, including Wolfgang Puck , Michael Mina , Gordon Ramsay , Guy Savoy , and Joël Robuchon . Professional sports are found at venues on or near
5439-854: The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and South Strip Transfer Terminal to the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) and the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas , with stops near every casino. Several free trams operate between properties on the west side of the Strip: While not on the Strip itself, the Las Vegas Monorail runs a 3.9-mile route on the east side of the Strip corridor from Tropicana Avenue to Sahara Avenue, with stops every 4 to 8 minutes at several on-Strip properties including
5550-493: 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
5661-783: The airport, to billionaire Howard Hughes for $ 2 million. Engelstad used the money to purchase the Kona Kai motel on the Las Vegas Strip . He sold the motel in 1975 for $ 1.2 million, and it would later become the Klondike Hotel and Casino. In 1971, he purchased the Flamingo Capri Motel, also on the Las Vegas Strip. He added a casino in 1972, and later renamed the property to the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in 1979. By 1989, he
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#17327807791245772-406: 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
5883-514: The average trip gambling budget, $ 591.06, was increased from 2018. About nine in ten (89%) visitors who gambled did so on the Strip Corridor. UNLV reported that in 2019, Big Las Vegas Strip Casinos (defined as Strip casinos with more than $ 72M in annual gaming revenues) had more than $ 6B in annual gaming revenues, corresponding to about 26% of total annual revenues. From the time period spanning 1985 to 2019, there have been some changes in
5994-530: 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
6105-543: The city's rising debt. Instead, Gus Greenbaum of the Flamingo led a group of casino executives to lobby the Clark County commissioners for town status. Two unincorporated towns were eventually created, Paradise and Winchester . More than two decades later, the Supreme Court of Nevada struck down a 1975 Nevada state law that would have folded the Strip and the rest of the urban areas of Clark County into
6216-555: The completion of the Flamingo construction with mob money. The Flamingo casino opened in December 1946, and the hotel opened in March 1947. Wilbur Clark 's Desert Inn resort opened in 1950. The funding for many Las Vegas projects was provided through the American National Insurance Company , which was based in the then-notorious gambling empire of Galveston, Texas . Las Vegas Boulevard South
6327-422: The construction, casino and entertainment industries. Engelstad was a controversial figure. He raised accusations of being sympathetic to Nazism owing to his collection of Nazi memorabilia stored in a private room, which he referred to as his "war room", within his Imperial Palace hotel-casino. After discovery of the memorabilia, Engelstad agreed to sell it rather than put it on display. In an apology letter to
6438-443: The debate over the nickname to a statewide vote, UND resumed use of the nickname. On June 14, 2012, the nickname was repealed again after a vote held on June 11, 2012, on whether to keep or retire the nickname resulted in 67.35% of North Dakota voters chose to retire the "Fighting Sioux" name and American Indian head logo as a result of negative consequences resulting from impending NCAA sanctions. Ralph and his wife, Betty, created
6549-481: 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
6660-414: 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
6771-418: 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
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#17327807791246882-551: 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
6993-420: 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
7104-457: 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
7215-699: 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
7326-403: 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
7437-716: 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
7548-430: The median just south of Russell Road (which is 4.2 miles (6.8 km) from The Sahara. ), across from the location of the now-demolished Klondike Hotel and Casino and about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) south of the southernmost entrance to Mandalay Bay , which is the Strip's southernmost casino. In the strictest sense, the Strip refers only to the stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that is roughly between Sahara Avenue and
7659-554: The mix of table games in casinos on the Strip: Casino operators have been expanding sports betting facilities and products, as well as renovating and upgrading equipment and facilities. Although sports betting has a relatively low margin, the high-end sportsbooks can generate significant amounts of revenue in other areas, such as food and drink. As a result, sportsbooks have been expanding and upgrading food and drink offerings. High-end sportsbooks include features such as single-seat stadium-style seating, large high-definition screens,
7770-421: The motel rooms would remain in operation for decades. The Imperial Palace 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
7881-401: 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
7992-586: 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,
8103-466: 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,
8214-508: The park closed in 2000 due to lack of interest. Similarly, in 2003 Treasure Island closed its own video arcade and abandoned the previous pirate theme, adopting the new ti name. In addition to the large hotels, casinos and resorts, the Strip is home to many attractions, such as M&M's World , Adventuredome and the Fashion Show Mall . With the opening of Bellagio , Venetian , Palazzo , Wynn and Encore resorts,
8325-403: 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 the world , and had more than 2,200 employees. The casino
8436-463: 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
8547-559: 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
8658-450: 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
8769-402: 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
8880-416: 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
8991-407: 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
9102-412: 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
9213-482: 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,
9324-545: The room count to 2,637. It was among the largest hotels in 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
9435-478: 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
9546-571: 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
9657-471: The site of the former El Rancho Hotel and Casino and Algiers Hotel . The Tropicana closed in April 2024 and was demolished in October 2024. It will be replaced with a new Bally's Las Vegas resort and New Las Vegas Stadium which will become the home of the Oakland Athletics after they relocate to Las Vegas. The Mirage also closed in July 2024. BLVD is opening in 2025. Dream Las Vegas ,
9768-546: The south end of the Strip. Later that year, Resorts World Las Vegas , opened on the site of the former Stardust Resort and Casino . Resorts World incorporates portions of a previously planned resort known as Echelon Place , which was canceled in 2008. In 2022, Bally's was renamed the Horseshoe Las Vegas . The Sphere venue opened in 2023. Also, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened on
9879-454: The southern Las Vegas Strip, but the project is delayed. In 2022, businessman Tilman Fertitta received approval to eventually build a 43-story resort at the southeast corner of Harmon Avenue. LVXP Las Vegas , a planned 752-tall resort project and an arena, is opening in 2029. RTC Transit (previously Citizens Area Transit, or CAT) provides bus service on the Strip with double decker buses known as The Deuce . The Deuce runs between
9990-520: The street. After a driver drove into pedestrians on the sidewalk in front of Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood in December 2015, 800 bollards began to be installed on Las Vegas Blvd. starting in 2017. The construction of the bollards resulted in the removal of 49 of the 82 stars of the Las Vegas Walk of Stars . In 2019, the bollards on Las Vegas Blvd. were shortened after drivers complained that they were obstructing street views. 283 of
10101-645: 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
10212-446: 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 the annual Imperial Palace Antique Auto Run. In 1985,
10323-612: The various resorts on the Strip. The only movie theatre directly on the Strip was the 10-screen Regal Showcase Theatre in the Showcase Mall. The theater opened in 1997 and was operated by Regal Entertainment Group , until its closure in 2018. During 2019, 51% of visitors attended shows, which was down from 2015, 2017, and 2018. Among visitors who saw shows, relatively more went to Broadway/production shows than in past years, while relatively fewer saw lounge acts, comedy shows, or celebrity DJs. Numerous entertainment venues populate
10434-530: The workers to assemble steel buildings from morning to night. In 1954, he graduated from the University of North Dakota (UND) with a degree in Business. While at UND, Engelstad also played goalie for the school hockey team and even received a tryout with the Chicago Blackhawks. After graduation, he went on to marry Betty Stocker of East Grand Forks. The two went on to have a daughter, Kris. In
10545-432: The world are on the Strip, known for its contemporary architecture, lights, and wide variety of attractions. Its hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, entertainment offerings, and skyline have established the Strip as one of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations in the world and is one of the driving forces for Las Vegas's economy. Most of the Strip has been designated as an All-American Road , and
10656-414: Was an increase in taxi passengers due to declines in rideshare drivers and rideshare surge pricing. Rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft , are available on the Strip. In 2019, about eight in ten (81%) visitors said they gambled while in Las Vegas, the highest proportion in the past five years. The average time spent gambling, 2.7 hours, represents an increase over the past three years. Also,
10767-401: Was born on January 28, 1930, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota . He was one of five children born to Christian and Madeline (Thill) Engelstad. His grandfather, Peder was a Norwegian immigrant from Vang, Hedmark . During high school, Engelstad worked a summer job at AGSCO farm supply company, where his father was a salesman. It was usually long and hard work, taking place on farms and requiring
10878-412: 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
10989-402: 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
11100-431: 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
11211-437: 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
11322-866: Was honored with multiple awards throughout his life, including "National Employer of the Year" from the President's Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities; "Employer of the Year" from the Southwest Business, Industry and Rehabilitation Association; and "Humanitarian of the Year Award" from the International Gaming & Business Exposition. In 2002, Engelstad was inducted into the North Dakota Entrepreneur Hall of Fame for his contributions to
11433-401: 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
11544-456: 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,
11655-631: Was previously called Hwy 91, or the Arrowhead Highway , or Los Angeles Highway. The Strip was named by Los Angeles police officer and businessman Guy McAfee , after his hometown's Sunset Strip in Hollywood. In 1950, Mayor Ernie Cragin of the City of Las Vegas sought to annex the Las Vegas Strip, which ran through unincorporated Clark County territory, in order to expand the city's tax base to fund his ambitious building agenda and pay down
11766-541: 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 the casino and portions of
11877-631: Was the Pair-o-Dice Club in 1931, but the first full service casino-resort on what is currently called the Strip was the El Rancho Vegas , which opened with 63 bungalow hotel rooms on April 3, 1941. Its success spawned a second nearby hotel, the Hotel Last Frontier in 1942. Organized crime figures such as Bugsy Siegel took an intense interest in the growing Las Vegas gaming center and funded another resort; financing
11988-404: 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
12099-479: 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
12210-507: 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
12321-496: Was worth an estimated $ 300 million. In 1997, he opened a second Imperial Palace resort in Biloxi, Mississippi . In 1996, Engelstad joined with Bill Bennett (owner of the Sahara Hotel and Casino ) to build the Las Vegas Motor Speedway , which they later sold to Speedway Motorsports in 1998. After a lengthy affliction with lung cancer , Engelstad died at his home in Las Vegas on November 26, 2002. Ralph Engelstad
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