Tropicana Las Vegas: A Historic End and New Beginnings on the Strip

LAS VEGAS – The Tropicana, a storied icon on the Las Vegas Strip, met its end in a dramatic implosion, marking a significant chapter in the city’s ongoing evolution. The hotel-casino, which first opened its doors in 1957, was brought down in the early hours of Wednesday morning through a meticulously planned demolition using over 2,000 pounds of explosives.

Known as the “Tiffany of the Strip” for its luxury and performances, including jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, the Tropicana stood tall for nearly seven decades. Yet, it took less than 30 seconds to bring it down, making room for the ambitious new development of a baseball stadium for the relocating Athletics, formerly of Oakland, California. “Let’s not think of it as an ending, but as the beginning of something even greater,” remarked Arik Knowles, general manager of the Tropicana, during a private viewing event.

The demolition event itself was kept out of public reach due to safety measures, but approximately 500 guests were invited to a private spectacle that included a 555-drone light show and fireworks. In the absence of public viewing areas, hotel rates surged, with nearby properties like Mandalay Bay seeing prices rise significantly as eager spectators flocked to the city.

Steve Crupi, a former television news reporter renowned for covering Las Vegas implosions, captured the public’s fascination: “There’s something magical about implosions…it really is just more than an act of demolition. It’s a work of art.” This sentiment echoes the city’s history of transforming casino demolitions into spectacles, dating back to significant events like the Dunes’ implosion in 1993, orchestrated by mogul Steve Wynn.

The Tropicana was the last of its kind from the city’s mob era, tied historically to organized crime figures like Frank Costello. Since its opening, it had become a venue steeped in Vegas lore, graced by the presence of the legendary Rat Pack and showgirls, until it succumbed to the evolving landscape of Las Vegas.

Plans now move forward for a new era on the site. Bally’s Corporation, in partnership with the Athletics, has announced intentions to develop a $1.5 billion stadium and corresponding casino resort, slated to host its first games in 2028. This development is part of Las Vegas’s efforts to reinvent itself yet again, transitioning into a hub for sports entertainment.

Geoff Schumacher of the Mob Museum remarked on Las Vegas’s penchant for dramatic change: “What Las Vegas has done, in classic Las Vegas style…there was a sense that destruction at that magnitude was worth witnessing.” The Tropicana’s fall marks not just an end but sets the stage for Las Vegas’s latest reinvention, maintaining its status as a leading tourism and entertainment destination.