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105-469: Part of the property was previously occupied by Vegas World , a hotel and casino Bob Stupak opened in 1979. A decade after its opening, Stupak announced plans for a giant neon sign for Vegas World, to be built on adjacent property. The idea soon evolved into an observation tower with a rooftop restaurant. Construction of the Stratosphere Tower began in 1992. A fire of unknown origin occurred on

210-486: A $ 100,000 bill . Shortly before 8:00 p.m. on May 21, 1974, a fire broke out at the casino. Nine fire units responded; 35 firefighters battled the fire for several hours, during which a section of South Las Vegas Boulevard had to be closed. The fire was visible for several miles throughout the Las Vegas Valley . The casino was destroyed, although firefighters successfully saved most of the money attached to

315-500: A $ 30 million aquarium attraction, measuring 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m) and set to open in 1997, but this never materialized. Within six months of the opening, stock prices in Grand Casinos and Stratosphere Corporation dropped 50% and 80% respectively, and the resort laid off 400 employees. In an effort to attract more gamblers, the casino began offering favorable odds and returns on its table games and slots. The effort

420-556: A $ 65 million renovation project. The resort became profitable under his ownership by targeting value-conscious visitors. In 2004, ownership was transferred to Icahn's company, American Casino & Entertainment Properties (ACEP). Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds purchased ACEP and the Stratosphere in 2008. Two years later, ACEP carried out a $ 20 million renovation that included remodeling the hotel rooms. Other renovations continued into 2012. Golden Entertainment purchased ACEP and

525-501: A Las Vegas resort. The casino's poker room was closed in early 2001, as it was not a significant source of revenue, and it conflicted with the renovation plans. In 2001, the tower was temporarily closed following the September 11 attacks , out of concern that it could be a target for terrorists. In 2003, several additions were being considered, including a convention center, a nightclub, and an indoor go-cart track. In 2004, ownership of

630-514: A construction elevator to bring down the pieces. The complex and risky process was expected to take nearly two months. The tower was topped off with a ceremony on November 4, 1995. A helicopter was used to lift two 3,700-pound (1,700 kg) steel frames to the top. Six workers, strapped to the tower, helped guide the final sections into place. Years before the Stratosphere's opening, a three-block neighborhood of houses in Meadows Village

735-408: A factor in the poor revenue. Because the tower had already received so much publicity, Berman decided that a full marketing campaign was unnecessary. In the months after its opening, the resort continued to suffer financially. The unfinished hotel contained fewer rooms than most Las Vegas resorts, and occupancy was significantly below average for such a property. Another issue was that the two rides atop

840-563: A fire broke out at the half-finished Stratosphere tower. Power went out shortly afterwards. According to employees, a hysterical woman ran through the casino screaming, "Bob Stupak did this for the insurance money!" Upon learning of the fire, Marty Allen (of the Allen & Rossi comedy show at Vegas World ) and his wife arrived to keep evacuated customers entertained. Guests were allowed to return around 4:00 a.m. In November 1993, Grand Casinos announced plans to purchase 33 percent of

945-440: A free fall stunt. Stupak accepted the deal for the publicity. The resort featured what was reputedly the largest exterior sign in the world. On the evening of May 30, 1991, high winds knocked the sign over, leaving it partially hanging over South Las Vegas Boulevard. Vegas World also suffered a power outage from the high winds, although backup generators provided enough power for some of the casino to remain operational. The sign

1050-411: A half-billion-dollar project in the middle of one of the worst neighborhoods." On August 29, 1993, around midnight, hundreds of customers at Vegas World were evacuated when the half-finished tower caught on fire. No one was hurt. The cause of the fire was never determined. Parts of the tower were blackened, but the fire caused no structural damage. The tower is made of concrete and steel. The fire delayed

1155-503: A later date. A three-piece statue, created by local artists, was installed at the resort's front entrance in April 2019. The statue consists of three stainless steel figures staring at the tower. They range in height from nine to 15 feet, with the tallest one pointing at the tower. Blake Sartini , the chairman and CEO of Golden Entertainment, said the statue was a symbol of the resort's new branding. Two areas for live entertainment – one on

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1260-567: A lawsuit brought by former Stratosphere shareholders, and the company prevailed in a lawsuit brought by bondholders of the resort. Icahn's purchase received final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission in August 1998, and the Stratosphere exited bankruptcy two months later. Icahn planned $ 100 million in improvements, including the completion of the additional hotel rooms. However, he inherited various lawsuits when he purchased

1365-424: A shooter hits a two at the dice tables, it's ' snake-eyes ,' a loser. No twos, no lose." The casino featured the world's first quarter-million and million-dollar slot machine jackpots, as well as the "world's largest Big Six wheel ", which measured 50 to 60 feet in diameter and required an electric motor to spin. The casino also featured " crapless craps ", and a blackjack variation known as double exposure 21 that

1470-566: A team. In 1989, Allen & Rossi signed a "lifetime deal" to perform at Vegas World. Zsa Zsa Gabor was the headliner at Vegas World's Galaxy Showroom for a six-day period from December 1990 to January 1991. It had been two decades since Gabor had performed in Las Vegas. Allen and Rossi's comedy show at Vegas World ended in 1993. During the 1990s, Vegas World's showroom featured an Elvis Presley impersonation show, titled Memories of Elvis and starring E.P. King. In 1980, Vegas World

1575-728: The CN Tower in Toronto . Stupak's vision for the project was inspired by the Sydney Tower in Australia, where he once lived. In April 1990, the city council approved Stupak's tower, despite objections from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which said it was 200 feet (61 m) too tall. Nellis Air Force Base also opposed the tower. Stupak later said that "all sorts of people out there opposed"

1680-686: The Las Vegas Advisor opined that Vegas World was "one of the most bizarre casinos in the city's history", and wrote that its buffet, The Moon Rock, was "infamous for being among the worst in town." Author Jeff Burbank wrote that Vegas World was one of Las Vegas' "strangest and most outlandish hotel-casinos ever", calling it "a reflection" of Stupak and stating that its casino interior was "the weirdest in town" because of its outer space theme. The Sacramento Bee called it "the tackiest of tacky Vegas hotels". The Rocky Mountain News also called it

1785-563: The Las Vegas Strip , in a seedy part of the city. The land was occupied by the Todkill/Bill Hayden Lincoln Mercury car dealership , and was purchased by Stupak at a cost of $ 218,000, with money he raised himself and from his father's friends. On March 31, 1974, he opened a small casino called Bob Stupak's World Famous Million-Dollar Historic Gambling Museum and Casino. Stupak said, "The name

1890-567: The Las Vegas Valley are the sites of more than 160 high-rises , 42 of which stand taller than 400 feet (122 m). The tallest structure in the city is the Strat tower, which rises 1,149 feet (350 m) just north of the Las Vegas Strip . The tower is also the tallest observation tower in the United States. However, the Strat is not considered a building because the vast majority of

1995-514: The Nevada Gaming Commission filed a complaint against Stupak, alleging that he fraudulently promised customers vacation packages for Vegas World that consisted of free trips, gifts and complimentary gaming tokens. In February 1991, Stupak settled the complaint and was fined $ 125,000 by the Nevada Gaming Commission. Stupak continued to run newspaper advertisements for "free Las Vegas vacations" at Vegas World. Later that year,

2100-472: The "wacky capital of tackiness". During the mid-1980s and into the 1990s, Vegas World featured a show starring a Frank Sinatra impersonator, titled Reflections of Sinatra. Vegas World's Galaxy Theatre, with seating for 1,330 people, opened on May 27, 1988. In October 1988, the comedy duo of Allen & Rossi filmed a television special inside the Galaxy Theater to mark their 25th anniversary as

2205-521: The Aztec Inn settled with the Stratosphere and agreed to sell its parking lot. Separately, the Stratosphere agreed to provide free rent and relocation expenses to approximately 140 residents in a nearby area of Meadows Village that was cleared for an eventual expansion of the resort. An additional hotel tower had been planned for the land, directly north of the resort; 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) were already occupied by several businesses, and this portion of

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2310-556: The Las Vegas Strip, despite being located 1,200 feet north of it. At first, Vegas World suffered, only making $ 7 million in revenue its first year. However, at its peak, Vegas World made $ 100 million a year in gambling revenues. In 1983, Stupak began an expansion of Vegas World, which included the addition of a 25-story hotel tower that was finished a year later, for a total of 400 rooms. The hotel's second and thirteenth floors were not labeled as such; Stupak explained, "When

2415-596: The Nevada Consumer Affairs Division met with the gaming commission to discuss the legality of the advertisements, following the earlier complaint. The gaming commission launched an investigation to determine if Stupak broke his earlier settlement deal; Stupak said the advertisements were legal. In those advertisements, Stupak requested a $ 396 check from customers in exchange for a three-day, two-night stay at Vegas World. Customers would also receive $ 400 in cash, and other benefits. In 1989, Stupak

2520-530: The Stratosphere and Vegas World by acquiring shares in Stupak's Stratosphere Corporation. In September 1994, Stupak rehired 36 hotel maids who had been fired for wearing union buttons on their clothing during an ongoing dispute between Stupak and a local union. Stratosphere Corporation, a subsidiary of Grand Casinos, completed its purchase of Vegas World in November 1994, for approximately $ 51 million. As part of

2625-850: The Stratosphere and interest in the tower's observation deck and roller coaster. Because of the low revenue, Stratosphere Corporation was removed from the NASDAQ in April 1997, though the stock continued to be traded through the OTC Bulletin Board . A new reorganization plan was submitted that would cancel all existing stock, thereby excluding shareholders' right to buy stock in a restructured company. In June 1997, corporate raider and businessman Carl Icahn purchased 20 percent of mortgage bonds in Stratosphere Corporation, while Berman and other investors in Stratosphere Corporation sold off their shares. Grand Casinos remained as

2730-674: The Stratosphere in 2017, and additional renovations began in 2018, continuing into 2020. The resort was rebranded as The Strat on January 22, 2020. In 1974, Bob Stupak opened a small casino in Las Vegas known as Bob Stupak's World Famous Million-Dollar Historic Gambling Museum and Casino, north of the Las Vegas Strip on land previously occupied by the Todkill/Bill Hayden Lincoln Mercury Dealership. The casino burned down two months later, and Stupak opened his Vegas World hotel and casino on

2835-545: The Stratosphere was a resort, believing it to be merely an observation tower. The renovations were aimed at raising awareness of the resort amenities. Renovations were underway later in 2018. A new gaming pit was debuted, and 300 rooms were renovated, among other changes. On February 1, 2019, plans were announced to rename the resort as The Strat, a common nickname among local residents. The transition to The Strat began with two commercials aired locally two days later, during Super Bowl LIII . The name change would become official at

2940-431: The Stratosphere was transferred to Icahn's new company, American Casino & Entertainment Properties (ACEP). Refurbishments were underway on its sign, porte-cochère , and valet area. The resort also opened a topless pool area on the hotel's 25th floor known as Beach Club 25, later renamed Radius. The Beach Club 25 area had previously served as the resort's original pool, until the 2001 renovation. The topless pool concept

3045-462: The Stratosphere, and construction would not resume until such issues were resolved. In the years after Icahn took over, Stupak sometimes visited the Stratosphere's Top of the World restaurant but was otherwise uninterested in the resort. In 2001, Stupak said that he felt prouder when he opened his earlier casinos on the site in 1974 and 1979. Stupak stated his biggest disappointment with the Stratosphere

3150-444: The Stratosphere. Many managers were fired and replaced under the new ownership, despite earlier assurances that such jobs would be safe from termination. Some employees complained about the firing of their managers, which occurred following the 2007–2008 financial crisis in the United States. Other employees stated that the fired managers were inept or stealing money from the casino, and that they showed favoritism among workers. Under

3255-516: The Stratosphere. However, the Sahara reopened as the SLS Las Vegas in 2014, and the Stratosphere was expected to benefit from the increased visitation in the area. A British man became the 40 millionth visitor to the tower on April 21, 2014, and received a $ 2,500 prize package. In September 2014, a man, under the influence of drugs, crashed his pickup truck through the resort's front entrance and

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3360-520: The Stratosphere. We have to save the shareholders. You have a duty, a fiduciary duty. I'm reminding you to do this." Stupak went on to say, "They lost more money than I ever heard of. So what did they do? They surrendered. They surrendered and left town." Stupak was also critical of Stratosphere Corporation for refusing to meet with him to discuss his own proposal for reorganization. A day after announcing his video, Stupak decided to shelve its airing, stating that he had already caught people's interest. He said

3465-458: The Strip and other resorts. Marketing was also limited, as Berman initially believed the tower had generated enough publicity on its own. The unfinished facilities were another factor in the resort's low revenue. Stratosphere Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1997, and businessman Carl Icahn purchased the resort in 1998. Icahn had the remaining hotel rooms finished in 2001 as part of

3570-504: The Top of the World restaurant, and other areas. A major aspect of the project was the renovation of 909 hotel rooms, out of 2,427. Other renovations continued into 2012, and included the addition of a new poker room. For years, the Stratosphere sat alone as the sole resort in the area. The only other nearby resort, the Sahara , closed in 2011, causing a significant drop in pedestrian traffic for

3675-485: The accident, it was like nobody had anything negative to say about it." During 1994, crews erected a crane—taller than the earlier one—that allowed them to continue work on the tower. The 75-ton crane was 400 feet (120 m) tall and was installed over four days. Removal of the crane began in October 1995, with the use of a second crane. Dismantling the crane was one of the most significant challenges for those working on

3780-444: The bankruptcy filing, Berman had intended to make the resort profitable. Stupak had called Berman "the best casino operator in the world," but later said of Grand Casinos' operation of the resort, "They just weren't up to it." The resort continued to perform poorly during early 1997, in part because of competition with the recently opened New York-New York resort. Rainy and windy weather was another factor, reducing pedestrian traffic to

3885-408: The board when proposals such as Icahn's are being reviewed. I think it's difficult when your company has a proposal and another company is offering a better proposal." In August 1997, Stupak made a plan to regain control of the Stratosphere by purchasing $ 1 million in mortgage notes. He also planned to air a half-hour video in which he criticized the board members who resigned, saying, "We have to save

3990-458: The building was suspended in mid-2009. Following numerous delays, the building opened in late 2023. This list ranks completed and topped out skyscrapers in Las Vegas that stand at least 400 feet (122 m) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details, but does not include antenna masts. An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings. The "Year" column indicates

4095-467: The casino and its retail mall, the Tower Shops . The new facilities were opened in mid-2001. The casino floor was brightened and the resort's buffet was expanded as part of the renovation project. Icahn planned for the Stratosphere to target value-conscious visitors. Focusing on this demographic, Icahn turned the Stratosphere into a profitable business. The hotel's room rates were among the lowest for

4200-490: The casino floor and one in the former space of a lounge – were being added in June 2019, along with a new slot machine lounge. "STRAT" signage was installed in August 2019, and renovations on the south end of the casino floor were completed that year. Other renovations have included the resort's exterior and landscaping. The Strat also installed drone detection technology, alerting the property whenever illegal drones are flown near

4305-625: The casino's walls. The fire was believed to have been caused by an air conditioner. Stupak's insurance company, the San Francisco-based Fireman's Fund American Insurance Company, suspected Stupak of arson and filed a suit against him in June 1975, alleging that he burned down his casino to collect insurance money of $ 300,000. The insurance company eventually settled the claim. After the fire, Stupak managed to persuade Valley Bank to lend him more than $ 1 million to complete what would be known as Vegas World. Groundbreaking

The Strat - Misplaced Pages Continue

4410-405: The center of the casino, featured a couple riding a dolphin set upon a bronze globe. The Stratosphere had seven restaurants, and the top of the tower contained two thrill rides. Stupak said, "Anybody can build a tower. But if you build a tower and put a roller coaster on top—now, that's Las Vegatizing." The Stratosphere was projected to attract at least 5.5 million visitors in its first year. Around

4515-662: The city is the World Jewelry Center, which is planned for construction in Downtown Las Vegas . The 815-foot (248 m) tower is part of a proposal to construct a hub for the world's jewelry industry, across from World Market Center Las Vegas . The tallest building under construction in Las Vegas is the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which has also been the tallest building in the city since its topping out in November 2008; construction on

4620-441: The city's 40 tallest skyscrapers, 39 were completed after 1997. As of 2012, the skyline of Las Vegas is ranked 66th in the world and 18th in the United States with 176 completed high-rises. In what is being dubbed a " Manhattanization wave", there are over 30 skyscrapers that are proposed, approved or under construction in the city that are planned to rise over 400 feet (122 m) in height. The tallest building approved for

4725-407: The company. He was one of the corporation's nine directors, and would not oversee the company's daily operations. Shortly before its opening, several daredevils expressed interest in performing stunts from the top of the tower, but they were declined for safety reasons. Smoke in the tower's pod restaurant forced an evacuation of workers on April 25, 1996, days before the opening. The smoke came from

4830-449: The completion of the tower. To continue construction, Grand Casinos announced plans in November 1993 to purchase 33% of the Stratosphere and Vegas World by acquiring shares in Stupak's Stratosphere Corporation. Grand Casinos, owned by Stupak's poker friend Lyle Berman , ultimately purchased a 43% stake in the resort. As construction continued in April 1994, the tower was over 700 feet (210 m) tall. That month, Stupak announced that he

4935-409: The construction to ensure structural integrity. The tower was built directly north of the Las Vegas Strip and south of downtown Las Vegas , in an area known as Meadows Village, a crime-ridden neighborhood nicknamed Naked City . Shortly before its opening, a Stratosphere spokesman said, "We hope Stratosphere will be the catalyst that spurs redevelopment" in the area, while acknowledging, "We plunked down

5040-467: The country in which pilots were temporarily blinded by laser lights. In June 1994, the city rejected Stupak's new height proposal but allowed him to go up to 1,149 feet (350 m), higher than the 1,012 feet (308 m) he had originally proposed. The tower was ultimately built out to the city's maximum height, though the FAA still considered it a hazard. Grand Casinos completed its purchase of Vegas World at

5145-507: The deal, the company leased the property to Stupak until its closure. Vegas World closed on February 1, 1995, for remodeling in order to be integrated into the Stratosphere resort. A majority of Vegas World's final customers consisted of people redeeming their vacation packages. Vegas World's two hotel towers, consisting of 932 rooms, were renovated to become part of the Stratosphere resort, which opened in April 1996. Stupak later said that he felt prouder when he opened his earlier casinos on

5250-539: The effects of the Great Recession, although other aspects of the property performed well. In June 2017, Golden Entertainment agreed to purchase ACEP. Golden Entertainment's $ 850 million purchase of the company, including the Stratosphere, was completed in October 2017. In March 2018, Golden Entertainment announced plans for a $ 140 million renovation of the Stratosphere that would be completed over three phases. According to management, some people were unaware that

5355-483: The end of 1994, and the hotel-casino closed on February 1, 1995, for remodeling to be integrated into the resort. Vegas World's two hotel towers, consisting of 932 rooms, were renovated to become part of the Stratosphere. A month after the closure, Stratosphere Corporation began selling bonds worth $ 203 million. The company hoped to raise money to finish the tower and pay Stupak the $ 50.8 million purchase price for Vegas World. Stupak's critics did not believe he could complete

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5460-455: The event with singer Phyllis McGuire . Other attendees included Nevada governor Bob Miller and Las Vegas mayor Jan Laverty Jones . Media from around the world attended the event, which was broadcast live by CNBC as well as television stations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. A six-minute fireworks show, costing $ 50,000, began at 10:30 p.m. Doors in the tower's pod had been left partially open to accommodate television camera cables, and smoke from

5565-428: The fireworks filled the pod and set off fire alarms, resulting in the shutdown of elevators and stranding hundreds of VIP guests. The $ 550 million complex featured 354,000 sq ft (32,900 m), including 140,000 sq ft (13,000 m) of entertainment and shopping space. A 97,000 sq ft (9,000 m) casino was part of the resort's first phase, which also included 1,500 hotel rooms. The hotel

5670-568: The first 90 days after opening; his position was to be evaluated after that. Stupak's statue was removed after he resigned and displayed in a gambling museum at the Tropicana hotel-casino. In August 1996, Leroy's established a temporary race and sports book in an effort to bring in more gamblers. The resort's second phase was halted later that month for financial reasons; the additional hotel building consisted of an unfinished 15-story structure of concrete and rebar. There had also been plans for

5775-471: The land was to be seized through eminent domain, but three property owners fought the seizure in a court battle that lasted into the next decade. The proposed expansion never took place. The Stratosphere was expected to employ 3,000 people, and began hiring for the remaining 2,400 employees in March 1996, a month before the opening. At the time, Stupak was the chairman of Stratosphere Corporation and owned 17% of

5880-432: The largest shareholder in the resort. In July 1997, Icahn announced plans to sell shares in his company, American Real Estate Partners , to raise money to purchase the Stratosphere entirely. Icahn announced a new reorganization plan that was viewed more favorably than the latest one proposed by Grand Casinos. Berman and other board members of Stratosphere Corporation resigned, with Berman saying, "Grand wants to avoid being on

5985-412: The new ownership, employees were given stricter work guidelines to follow, which was met with mixed reactions from workers and gamblers. Polly Esther's closed at the end of 2008. As a result of the ensuing Great Recession , the Stratosphere laid off workers in 2009, and continued to struggle into 2010. A $ 20 million renovation project began in 2010. Improvements were made to the casino, the main entrance,

6090-504: The official mailing address for the unincorporated places of Paradise , Winchester , and Spring Valley , and as such the distinction between the city and the surrounding communities is often not apparent. This lists buildings that are approved or proposed in the Las Vegas Valley and are planned to rise at least 100 meters (328 ft). This lists buildings that once held the title of tallest building in Las Vegas as well as

6195-420: The opening, which had been planned for August 1994, by eight weeks. Stupak said the tower's first phase would still be ready in time with an accelerated construction schedule. A large crane atop the tower, used for construction, was also damaged in the fire. The next month, high winds prevented the scheduled dismantling of the crane, a process expected to take two days. After the fire, Stupak had trouble financing

6300-489: The ordinance, considering it a poorly drawn measure aimed specifically at stopping Stupak's project. In February 1990, Stupak unveiled his revised plans for a $ 50 million, 1,012-foot (308 m) observation tower with a top floor that would include a revolving restaurant and four penthouse suites. It would be the tallest structure in Las Vegas and in Nevada . The tower was designed by architect Ned Baldwin, who also worked on

6405-475: The past four decades, with memorabilia dating back to the 1970s. In April 2007, Icahn announced that he would sell ACEP and its properties, including the Stratosphere, to a Goldman Sachs affiliate known as Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds. The sale included 17 acres of adjacent, undeveloped land. Whitehall completed its purchase in February 2008, and the company planned to spend $ 25 million on improvements to

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6510-441: The pod's fifth-floor kitchen, one floor above the restaurant, due to a faulty ventilator in the air-flow duct system. The pod contained four tanks with 32,000 gallons of water for firefighters in the event of a fire, but they were not needed. A film crew followed Stupak all day leading up to the opening. More than 8,000 VIP guests visited the resort for a premiere party on April 29, hours before its midnight opening. Stupak attended

6615-440: The resort continued to operate. Existing shares in the company were canceled, and shareholders instead were given the right to buy stock in the company after its restructuring. Shareholders were upset by the plan, and some had already filed a class action lawsuit against Stratosphere Corporation and Grand Casinos, alleging deceit. In February 1997, people who had bought the vacation packages also sued Stupak and Grand Casinos. Before

6720-399: The revitalized downtown and the mega-resorts of the Strip was another reason for its financial problems. In addition, customer visitation to the tower was lower than expected, and many people did not stay to gamble in the casino. The casino was poorly designed, according to managers, as visitors to the tower were able to avoid the casino floor entirely. Berman said that weak marketing was also

6825-425: The roof of the 25-story hotel tower. Koko then jumped and successfully landed on a 22-foot-high, 2,000-pound air bag that was custom-made for the occasion at a cost of $ 45,000. Koko became the new holder of the world "high fall" record, previously set by Dar Robinson . Inside Vegas World following the stunt, Koko received $ 1 million in cash from Stupak, as part of a deal they made. It was the highest price ever paid for

6930-475: The same property in 1979. Stupak's concept for the Stratosphere began as a plan to construct a 1,012-foot (308 m) neon sign tower for Vegas World. In October 1989, Stupak submitted plans to the city for the approval of the neon sign tower, which would stand four times taller than the hotel. A few days later, he withdrew his plans to allow time for a revised version of the tower that would include an elevator leading up to an observation deck . Stupak, who wanted

7035-469: The second quarter of 2020. Half of the resort's 2,427 hotel rooms had been remodeled, and future renovations would also take place on the remaining rooms. The 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m) casino, considered dark before, was remodeled with a new color scheme and an open layout. A new William Hill sports book was also added. Vegas World Vegas World was a space -themed casino and hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada . It

7140-570: The site in 1974 and 1979. Vegas World featured an extensive collection of space-themed memorabilia such as rocket sculptures, as well as a replica of the Apollo Lunar Module and a life-sized astronaut that both hung from the ceiling. The hotel featured a spaceport -themed check-in lobby, while other parts of the hotel featured mirrored walls and ceilings in a black interior that was accompanied by stars and plastic columns filled with bubbling, colored liquid. The hotel also featured what

7245-469: The time of its opening, financial analysts were optimistic about its financial prospects. Revenue for the first five weeks was lower than expected. Stratosphere Corporation attributed the low results to the resort being partly unfinished, and said it would borrow $ 48.5 million from Grand Casinos to finance enhancements to the property, including the completion of the 1,000 additional rooms and the opening of unfinished retail shops. The resort's location away from

7350-472: The time, it set a record in The Guinness Book of Records for the world's largest mural. One of the murals featured an astronaut gambling in space. After its closure, much of Vegas World's space memorabilia wound up in a collection of various items owned by Lonnie Hammargren , a local collector and former Lieutenant Governor of Nevada , who was also an aspiring astronaut. Anthony Curtis of

7455-418: The tower daily. The resort had 2,200 employees. Construction of the unfinished hotel tower resumed on April 14, 2000. The tower, with 24 stories, was topped off on November 2, 2000. The $ 65 million project included 1,002 rooms, a 67,000 sq ft (6,200 m) pool and recreation area, and a coffee shop. Excluding the new tower, the hotel had 1,444 rooms. The new project was meant to improve business at

7560-488: The tower had to be shut down whenever winds reached 35 miles per hour. Stupak, who had already planned to move on to other projects, resigned as chairman less than three months after the opening, leaving Berman in charge. Explaining his departure, Stupak cited disagreements with a majority of the board members, saying that Grand Casinos executives ignored his advice and that he lacked influence considering his job title. Grand Casinos had agreed to keep Stupak as chairman only for

7665-431: The tower in August 1993, during construction. Stupak then had difficulty acquiring funds to finish the tower. To complete the project, he partnered with Grand Casinos , owned by his poker friend Lyle Berman . The tower was originally proposed with a height of 1,012 ft (308 m). But in 1994, Stupak considered extending the height to 1,825 ft (556 m), seeking the title of tallest free-standing structure in

7770-535: The tower is not habitable. The tallest building in Las Vegas is the Fontainebleau Las Vegas , which rises 735 feet (224 m) and was topped out in November 2008. This building remained unfinished for several years due to the late-2000s recession and opened in December 2023. The second tallest habitable building in the city is the 59-story Resorts World , which rises 673 feet (205 m) and

7875-622: The tower to become a local landmark, said, "What I'm trying to do for Las Vegas is what the Eiffel Tower did for Paris , what the Empire State Building did for New York , what the Seattle Space Needle did for Seattle ." Stupak's plans received widespread opposition, including from Las Vegas city staff, who drafted an ordinance that would have limited signs to 35 feet. The Las Vegas City Council rejected

7980-426: The tower would be an aviation hazard, but its developers argued that the height would make it a major tourist attraction. Stupak and Grand Casinos developed a laser light show for the tower in case the city rejected the new height. A lawyer for the project said, "If we can't have the world's tallest tower, we'll have the world's most beautiful tower." The FAA also opposed the laser show, citing previous incidents around

8085-535: The tower, adding, "If it wasn't for the courage of the council, it would have never been built." Critics later called the project the "eighth blunder of the world" and "Stupak's shaft." In October 1991, the city approved the tower's base and shaft; the pod atop the tower had yet to be approved. At the time, Stupak was trying to obtain financing for the now-$ 100 million project and was also under investigation by gaming officials over allegations that he used deceptive advertising to lure customers to Vegas World. The project

8190-403: The tower, in part because of his controversial promotional tactics at Vegas World. Critics had also believed that completion would be unlikely after the 1993 fire and the FAA's opposition. After a 1995 motorcycle accident left Stupak in a coma for 12 days, he said the controversy and "all the complaining" about the tower stopped: "There were people who didn't like the tower, this and that, but after

8295-421: The tower. The resort was officially renamed The Strat during a celebration held on January 22, 2020. Among the attendees to the event were Nevada governor Steve Sisolak , congresswoman Dina Titus , Sammy Hagar , Guy Fieri , and Rick Springfield . Renovations were largely finished at the time, with the exception of a self-check-in area and remodeling that was scheduled to begin on the casino's north side during

8400-409: The tower. The tower pod's unique design and its limited space required construction crews to carefully plan the installation of the second crane, which weighed 30 tons. The second crane lowered pieces of the original crane to the ground, and then lifted a seven-ton derrick into place, allowing workers to carry down sections of the second crane. The derrick was then disassembled by hand, and workers used

8505-465: The video was no longer necessary and that the timing no longer felt right. In October 1997, Grand Casinos confirmed that it would have no further involvement in the Stratosphere and its reorganization. The Stratosphere owed $ 313 million to creditors . Icahn's reorganization plan was approved, and Stupak settled the lawsuit concerning vacation packages. Older shares in the Stratosphere were canceled. Lakes Gaming , formerly Grand Casinos, would later settle

8610-519: The world's largest exterior sign. Vegas World closed on February 1, 1995, to be remodeled and integrated into Stupak's new project, the Stratosphere . Vegas World's two hotel towers were renovated for use as the Stratosphere's hotel. In the early 1970s, Bob Stupak purchased 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) of land at 2000 South Las Vegas Boulevard, located north of the Sahara Hotel and Casino and

8715-414: The world. The Federal Aviation Administration opposed the new height, and the city ultimately rejected it, but allowed Stupak to go as high as 1,149 ft (350 m). Vegas World closed on February 1, 1995, and its hotel towers were remodeled to serve as the hotel for the Stratosphere. New hotel towers were built to accompany the existing buildings. The observation tower, which cost $ 70 million to build,

8820-521: The year in which a building was completed. Freestanding observation towers, while not habitable buildings, are included for comparison purposes, but not ranked. Many Las Vegas skyscrapers are located on the Las Vegas Strip , the majority of which is located outside the Las Vegas city limits. This list includes all skyscrapers which are included within the city limits of Las Vegas and the surrounding communities which use Las Vegas as an official address. The United States Postal Service uses "Las Vegas, NV" as

8925-405: Was topped off on November 4, 1995. The $ 550 million Stratosphere complex opened on April 30, 1996. Parts of the resort were unfinished at the time, including a hotel tower and sections of the shopping mall. The Stratosphere was built in a crime-ridden neighborhood known as Naked City . The resort struggled financially during its first year for a number of reasons, including its location away from

9030-479: Was about 10 feet longer than the casino." The casino featured 15 slot machines, including a quarter slot that offered a $ 250,000 jackpot and a nickel slot that advertised a $ 50,000 payout. The casino also featured various memorabilia, including antique slot machines, a gambling chip collection, and photographs of former gambling figures such as Bugsy Siegel . The casino's floors and walls were papered with $ 1 bills that were covered by plastic. The casino also featured

9135-427: Was added in 1984, and a new wing was added to the tower in 1990, for a total of 932 rooms. In 1984, stuntman Dan Koko set two world records for separate stunts in which he jumped from the rooftop of Vegas World's 25-story hotel tower. Vegas World featured the world's first quarter-million and million-dollar slot-machine jackpots, as well as the world's largest mural , the world's largest Big Six wheel , and reputedly

9240-467: Was arrested. In 2015, the Stratosphere launched an advertising campaign targeting its middle-class clientele, while criticizing high-priced Strip resorts. The Stratosphere celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016. At the time, the resort had 1,600 employees. Most of its clientele consisted of tourists from southern California, as well as international locations such as Canada, Germany, and Great Britain. The resort's gaming revenue had yet to fully recover from

9345-504: Was claimed to be genuine Moon rocks (approximately the size of rice grains), which Stupak somehow obtained from the Nicaraguan government. Vegas World was also known for having $ 1 million in cash on display in the casino. During the 1980s, artists Robert Barnett Newman (an original member of The Motels ) and Paul Whitehead created various space-themed murals on Vegas World's two hotel towers, measuring 25 and 10 stories high. At

9450-401: Was closed for improvements to make it longer and faster. Nevertheless, the Stratosphere continued to struggle. In January 1997, the resort announced that it could no longer afford to honor thousands of prepaid vacation packages. Stratosphere Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy later that month after missing a $ 14.5 million interest payment to bondholders. Under the reorganization plan,

9555-408: Was completed in 2021. Beginning in the 1960s, high-rise hotels began to become more concentrated on the Las Vegas Strip. The first high-rise hotel and casino resort to rise higher than 492 feet (150 m) was the 529-foot (161 m) New York-New York Hotel & Casino , completed in 1997. Las Vegas entered into a skyscraper-building boom in the late 1990s that has continued to the present; of

9660-561: Was considering an 813-foot (248 m) extension of the tower's height, which would bring it to 1,825 feet (556 m), beating the CN Tower by 10 feet (3.0 m) and making the Stratosphere the tallest structure in the world . This new height was opposed by the FAA, the Airline Pilots Association , and McCarran International Airport , on the grounds that it would force changes in air traffic patterns. The FAA said

9765-478: Was demolished to make room for the resort's 4,500-space parking garage. In 1994, officials from the Stratosphere project—north of the Aztec Inn motel-casino—agreed with the city's Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency to have the Aztec Inn's parking lot condemned through eminent domain and turned over to the Stratosphere. The Aztec Inn opposed the agreement, and in 1995 a judge ruled it unconstitutional. By April 1996,

9870-542: Was expected to open on May 7. Another 1,000 hotel rooms were expected to be finished in November as part of the second phase. The resort had 3,100 employees. The casino had 2,600 slot machines and was decorated with a world's fair theme and bright colors. The casino was divided into three sections, each with its own international theme. The hotel included a bronze statue of Stupak, which he disliked and never approved, saying, "They spent $ 100,000 more for that statue than I spent to open my first place in 1974." Another statue, in

9975-830: Was featured in a segment on CBS' 60 Minutes program. It was briefly featured in the 1984 film Las Vegas Caper , as well as the 1985 film Fever Pitch . It was also used prominently for NBC's television series Crime Story , with many of the show's interior scenes being shot there. By 1988, Vegas World had been featured again on 60 Minutes , and had also appeared on The Merv Griffin Show and Ripley's Believe It or Not! . In August 1989, scenes were shot inside Vegas World for Queen of Diamonds , directed by experimental film maker Nina Menkes . List of tallest buildings in Las Vegas The city of Las Vegas , Nevada and its surrounding unincorporated communities in

10080-405: Was introduced in 1979. Double exposure 21 became a popular game at many other Las Vegas casinos following its introduction at Vegas World. As of 1980, Vegas World was the only casino in the world to offer triple odds craps. The casino was also considered innovative for offering no-limit wagering and gambling coupons. In addition, Vegas World offered automobiles as jackpot prizes, a concept that

10185-530: Was introduced to appeal to the Stratosphere's European visitors, and to attract a younger demographic that had become increasingly common in Las Vegas. The topless pool area operates in addition to a separate, non-topless pool on the hotel's eighth floor. Like other resorts, the Stratosphere was particularly popular in 2006 and 2007, before the Great Recession . A retro-themed nightclub, named Polly Esther's, opened in March 2007. It featured themes based on

10290-426: Was later used in other casinos. On May 19, 1984, a stuntman named Dan Koko set the world "fire fall" record when he jumped off the hotel's roof as part of a stunt, plummeting 250 feet while wearing a flame-resistant suit that had been set on fire. Koko performed another stunt on August 30, 1984, in which he climbed atop a small platform, 326 feet above the ground and positioned on a 90-foot scaffolding , located on

10395-455: Was not being able to have it built out to 1,825 feet. He said, "I don't want to be the guy who built a tall tower in Las Vegas. I want to be the guy who built the tallest structure in the world." In 1999, ownership switched to American Real Estate Partners, and Icahn remained as the controlling investor. A new 5,000 sq ft (460 m) sportsbook was added that year. Revenue saw improvement in 2000, and approximately 8,000 people visited

10500-520: Was now planned to include the "world's first indoor African lion's park", consisting of a jungle habitat at the tower base; this feature was eventually scrapped. Groundbreaking for the project, known as the Stratosphere Tower, took place on November 5, 1991. The start of construction had yet to be announced for the tower, which was still opposed by the FAA. Construction of the $ 32 million tower began in February 1992, on property adjacent to Vegas World. Multiple architectural and engineering firms monitored

10605-491: Was owned and operated by Bob Stupak , and was also signed as Bob Stupak's Vegas World . Stupak initially opened a small casino, Bob Stupak's World Famous Million-Dollar Historic Gambling Museum and Casino , on the property in 1974, but it was destroyed in a fire later that year. Stupak later opened Vegas World on July 13, 1979, on the same property. Vegas World opened with a 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m ) casino, and 90 hotel rooms in an eight-story tower. A 25-story tower

10710-431: Was part of a $ 1.4 million multimedia marketing campaign, and the plan was initially successful. The resort lost $ 254 million during 1996, but revenue improved during the final three months of the year thanks to the marketing program, which focused on gaming rather than the observation tower. In addition, admission prices for the tower and its rides were reduced. A roller coaster atop the tower was considered underwhelming, and

10815-593: Was planning a new 1,012-foot neon sign tower for Vegas World. The idea eventually evolved into the Stratosphere observation tower , approved by the Las Vegas City Council in 1990. At the time, Vegas World was the largest personally owned casino resort in the world. A new wing was added to the 25-story hotel tower that year. Construction of the Stratosphere began in February 1992, on property adjacent to Vegas World. On August 29, 1993, around midnight, hundreds of customers evacuated Vegas World when

10920-517: Was restored early the next morning, but loose wires sparked onto the roof and caused a fire. Vegas World was evacuated with the exception of the bottom four floors. Two dozen firefighters responded to the fire. Evacuated guests were allowed to return to their rooms after approximately a half-hour. A crew from Young Electric Sign Company removed the wrecked sign later that morning. During the late 1980s, Stupak advertised Vegas World vacation packages through national magazines and mail. In October 1990,

11025-451: Was scheduled to begin on June 22, 1978, on the same property occupied by Stupak's previous casino. Stupak opened the space-themed Vegas World on July 13, 1979, with 90 hotel rooms in an eight-story tower, and a 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m ) casino. Construction cost $ 7 million. Vegas World debuted with the slogan, "The Sky's the Limit". Stupak considered Vegas World to be part of

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