Tropicana Started New Era Of First-Class Resort Living

Release date: March 21, 2007  /  Print This     RSS    

The Tropicana Hotel grand opening on April 4, 1957 marked the beginning of a new era in first-class resort living. From the moment of groundbreaking, the plush desert resort became the unchallenged "Tiffany of the Strip," a metaphor first used by the Saturday Evening Post to describe the atmosphere of serene elegance conspicuously present throughout the hotel.

World famous from the day it opened, the palatial $15 million 300-room complex sat on more than 17-acres of manicured lawns and gardens. The hotel was designed in a "Y" shape to maximize efficiency. More than one employee per guest was provided to assure that patrons received prompt service.

The "crème de la crème" of society's most affluent families thronged to the Tropicana, located on the remote southern end of Highway 91, known worldwide today as the "Las Vegas Strip."

Inside the magnificent hotel was Las Vegas' most lavish showroom, the Theatre Restaurant, later called the Fountain Theatre. Celebrities and stargazers alike filled the showroom to capacity as headliner Eddie Fisher entertained the 500 opening night guests.

Unlike many other Strip properties, the Tropicana was designed and built as a luxury resort hotel with a casino, not as a casino with incidental rooms.

A sparkling 60-foot fountain, later recognized as a Las Vegas landmark, sat in the center of a brilliant pool measuring 110 feet in diameter.

Unmatched by any hotel in the West, the Tropicana was spacious. Formal gardens, landscaped then at a staggering $80,000, surrounded a scalloped-edged Olympic-size swimming pool in the center courtyard. Tastefully appointed guest rooms with individual lanais looked out across the lush, tropical setting.

Two years later, in 1959, an additional 150-room wing was added. Also that year, in an attempt to attract crowds from farther down the Strip, Tropicana entertainment director Lou Walters brought the famed “Folies Bergere” direct from Paris as the main showroom production. The spectacular extravaganza was an immediate success and now, decades later, the Folies continues to play before capacity crowds and to critical acclaim.

By 1961 the 18-hole Tropicana Golf Course and Country Club was opened, and the following year, an additional 116-room wing was added, surrounding the swimming pool and gardens.

To further expand the entertainment facilities in anticipation of increased business, the Blue Room Lounge was introduced in 1965, becoming the "home" of such personalities as Guy Lombardo, Al Hirt, Julie London, Count Basie, Joe Williams, Pete Fountain and Roger Williams.

Eight years later, in 1973, a new facility, the 1,150-seat Superstar Theatre, was constructed to answer the need for a larger showroom. Designed to the specifications of Sammy Davis Jr., it became his showcase, as well as other Strip performers for the next two years. Mitzi Gaynor opened the room and was followed by the likes of Ann Margret, Jack Benny, Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Diller, the Osmonds, Peggy Fleming, Lou Rawls and Vikki Carr. In 1975, the Tropicana dropped its headliner policy and reopened the Superstar Theatre under a new name, the Tiffany Theatre, now the official U.S. home of the world-famous “Folies Bergere.”

September 1978 marked the first-phase opening of the $25 million 600-room Tiffany (now the Paradise) Tower, a gleaming white 22-story structure with 45 luxurious suites.

The Tropicana was acquired by Ramada Inns, Inc. in December 1979. Decorated in the European motif of Art Nouveau, the elegance and beauty of the new Tropicana was dazzling. Architect-designer Tony DeVroude designed what one might regard as one of the most magnificent casinos in the world, at the time.

The leaded stained glass ceiling, running across the length of the main casino floor, is valued in excess of one million dollars. More than four thousand square feet of actual leaded glass is contained in the ceiling and its end panels. Johnson Studios of Pasadena, California created the effect, patterned after the ceiling that existed in the Hibernia Bank of San Francisco in the 1880s, and which was originally designed by the great-grandfather of the present owner of the Pasadena firm.

The designers ran into some rather unique problems in completing the ceiling. A hotel the size of the Tropicana has massive air-conditioning, heating and other mechanical systems that cause what engineers call "building vibrations." Though they cannot be detected by the naked eye, these movements made normal installation of the glass ceiling impossible. It took more than seven months to devise a system that allowed the ceiling to be suspended vibration-free on pneumatic shock absorbers. The ceiling remains stationary and the building vibrates around it. Sound was also a problem. Acoustical engineers were concerned that if the dome was too low, it would amplify casino sounds to an unacceptable level. The dome was finally raised from the original plans so that all sounds now peak 13 1/2 feet above floor level.

Swirls of brass railing and polished marble floors surrounded the casino, the front desk registration area and the now defunct opulent Atrium Shopping Plaza. Even the carpeting in the Tropicana Hotel was so unique in design that the British and European press called it the most important technical event in the manufacture of carpet in this century. All 55,000 square feet of the material were loomed in Kidderminster, England, the only place that had the needed looms present. No United States manufacturer could have loomed this carpeting since that particular kind of equipment was destroyed in this country at the turn of the century.

As late as the summer of 1984 this famed resort sprawled across 34 acres, and featured five outstanding restaurants, exclusive shops and chic boutiques. A 55,000 square-foot sports complex housed eight indoor tennis courts, five racquetball/handball courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a country club with an 18-hole championship golf course.

In November 1985, a groundbreaking signaled the conversion to "The Island of Las Vegas" concept, including a breathtaking five-acre water park and the new 22-story Island Tower with 806 luxury rooms and suites.

In 1989, Aztar Corporation, a publicly held company, was formed to operate the former Gaming Group of Ramada Inc. The new company operates five major properties: the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada; Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Ramada Express Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada; Casino Aztar in Caruthersville, Missouri; and Casino Aztar in Evansville, Indiana.

The Tropicana's outer island, completed in 1991, brought its tropical theme to the edge of the famed Las Vegas Strip. The outer island featured two 35 ft. tall Aku Aku gods, weighing 300,000 pounds each; a Polynesian long house with tiki carvings (all done by hand); a unique sound system featuring in-ground speakers; a large tiki called Kalanui, the "God of Money"; and tropical landscaping.

In 1993, the Tropicana created the "Wildlife Walk," which consisted of nine habitats on the walkway linking the Paradise and Island towers. A variety of parrots, cockatoos, finches and lovebirds and other wildlife inhabited these fascinating exhibits. African-crowned Cranes and Mandarin Ducks were also introduced to the five-acre garden and pool area.

In 1994, the pedestrian skywalk system was completed, linking all four corners of the intersections of Tropicana Avenue and the fabulous Strip.

In 1996, the Tropicana added a new look to its entrance, along with a $1.4 million Baccarat room, premium slot area, and Atrium Lounge. In April of 1997, the Tropicana debuted an updated version of the Folies Bergere and a new afternoon magic show, "The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas" complete with white Bengal tigers. Also added were a new Asian gaming room & noodle bar, and such fantastic new dining choices as Savanna restaurant, Pietro’s intimate gourmet room and a new Chinese restaurant, Golden Dynasty.

In 1998, the Paradise Tower rooms underwent a 3.5 million-dollar renovation. In 1999, the Island Tower rooms underwent a 2.5 million-dollar renovation that included new carpet for all public areas and convention space. The Tropicana also introduced the new Celebration Lounge, formerly the Atrium Lounge, that features live entertainment nightly, and the Harbor Bar, featuring singing bartenders and more than 150 different margaritas. 1999 also marked the birth of the Casino Legends Hall of Fame, a 5,000 square-foot museum dedicated to the ever-changing history of gaming and entertainment in Nevada, and the adjacent Legends Deli, with specialties named appropriately after Las Vegas legends. In that same year was also the grand opening of the Crystal Room, a new private gaming area for the hotel’s premium players.

When the Tropicana entered the new millennium, many exciting changes to the property occurred. Among those changes was the debut of the 18th edition of “Folies Bergere,” the show that continues to dazzle audiences after more than 40 years. In the Summer of 2000, the Tropics Lounge was remodeled and became home to “The Birdman of Las Vegas” and “T. Fox & The Fox City Show.”

In 2001, the Tropicana unveiled the unique “Showgirl Spin and Win,” an exciting game hosted by a showgirl and an emcee that gave customers the chance to win up to $1,000 a day. That same year, another promotion launched allowing visitors the chance to win a free Mustang and other exciting prizes by taking a “Free Pull” on one of two designated slot machines. Additionally in 2001, the “Folies Bergere,” introduced a brand-new finale to the show, which awed audiences and received critical acclaim.

“The Magic of Rick Thomas,” one of the most successful afternoon shows in Las Vegas history began its sixth year of performances at the Tropicana in 2002. The Tuscany Italian Café also premiered, featuring an authentic Italian menu and Chef Salvatore Scatturo’s delicious family recipes.

“The Tropicana Bird Show featuring Tiana Carroll” opened in January of 2003 with a talented avian cast and high-energy bird trainer, Tiana Carroll. The “Folies Bergere” also introduced four brand new scenes to the show, making the longest running production show in the history of the United States even sexier than before.

Cigars smokers found a special place for them at the Tropicana in May of 2004 when the Havana Hideaway opened its doors.

“Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur” opened at the Tiffany Theater in March 2005. The fast-paced afternoon show features comedy, audience participation, stunning dance routines and, of course, breath-taking illusions. Audience members get an up-close and personal look at the Bengal Tigers, a pure white snow tiger and a black African leopard during Arthur’s performances at the Tropicana. The exciting show uses a variety of exotic animals and the largest number of big cats ever to appear in an afternoon Las Vegas show.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition opened in March 2005 in the Tropicana Exhibition Center. The highly popular exhibit was extended twice and then brought back again in 2006 for another run, with all new artifacts. Moving through the galleries, guests experience the disaster through the eyes of the doomed ship’s passengers. The exhibit included details on the Titanic’s construction, it’s sinking and modern-day recovery efforts.

Responding to the huge resurgence in Poker’s popularity, the Tropicana opened an all-new Poker Room. At the six tables, varied stakes make Texas Hold’Em available for all guests, from experienced players to novices. The Poker Room opened in April 2006.

Bodies: The Exhibition opened at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in June 2006 giving visitors the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of the human body. Meticulously dissected, and preserved using an innovative process, visitors gain a deep understanding of their own organs and systems.

That same month, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition returned to the Tropicana with redesigned displays created for Las Vegas, including recreations of the Grand Staircase and Outer Promenade Deck and 320 artifacts salvaged from the wreck.

In January 2007, Wimar Tahoe Inc, doing business as Columbia Entertainment, acquired the Tropicana when it merged with and into the property’s former owner Aztar Corporation for $2.1 billion.

Currently, the Tropicana Las Vegas is a Tropicana Entertainment property.