Iconic Las Vegas landmark Tropicana bid a final farewell overnight by way of a highly anticipated implosion at 2:30am local time.
Coming some 67 years after its opening in 1957, the occasion – streamed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and broadcast live on local television given the absence of public viewing areas for safety reasons – will see the iconic casino make way for a new Major League Baseball stadium with the Oakland Athletics to relocate from 2028.
“The Tropicana Las Vegas was one of the original pioneers of the Strip, setting the stage for the vibrant, larger-than-life entertainment destination we know and love today,” said Bally’s Corporation Chairman Soo Kim in a statement.
“It’s fitting that this iconic site now represents the future of Las Vegas as we look forward to welcoming Major League Baseball, the Athletics, and an exciting new entertainment complex. This moment in Las Vegas history represents more than just the next chapter – it’s the evolution of the Strip, where legend meets innovation to create something truly unforgettable.”
The implosion saw a total of 917,400 square feet across Tropicana’s two towers demolished thanks to 2,290 pounds (1,040kg) of explosives, connected by 22,000 feet of detonating cord.
Opened in 1957 by businessman Ben Jaffe, Tropicana Las Vegas was once deemed the height of luxury – home to the city’s high rollers and celebrities and favorite hang-out of the “Rat Pack”, comprising the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
It was, until its implosion, also one of the last remaining mob-era casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
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