DOCSLIB.ORG

Las Vegas [email protected]

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Las Vegas Ndeaner@Lasvegasnevada.Gov Welcome to the Webinar! If your sound is not functioning properly, or you cannot hear anything on your headset, then please dial into the conference line while watching this webinar: Number: (360) 347-7895 Code: 9595115788# 1 Neon Museum: A Mid-Century Case Study Moderator: Robert Chattel Chattel, Inc. Introduction Introduction Advocacy & Project Momentum Nancy Deaner Director Office of Cultural Affairs City of Las Vegas [email protected] 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Feasibility & Technical Challenges Mel Green Structural Engineer Melvyn Green & Associates, Inc. [email protected] 16 La Concha – On Las Vegas Strip Great building of Las Vegas Tradition Important architectural gem How to move it to the Neon Museum site? Project restraints Project Review, Research and Documentation Shane Swerdlow Project Manager Chattel, Inc. [email protected] 43 Section 106 Review Research Research Design Development Design Development Design Development Design Development Design Development Design Development The Role of the SHPO Mara Thiessen Jones Architectural Historian State Historic Preservation Office [email protected] 53 Fourth Ward School (Virginia City NHL) 54 Pioneer Theater (Reno) 55 Past Commission for Cultural Affairs (CCA) Project Locations 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 Antonio Morelli House NRHP (Las Vegas) 64 65 La Concha Motel Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority 66 La Concha Photo courtesy of the Nevada State Museum 67 La Concha Motel 68 Photographer J. Florian Mitchell 69 70 Ongoing Partnerships & Museum Management Danielle Kelly Executive Director & CEO The Neon Museum, Las Vegas [email protected] 71 Attendance FY12 20,927 total Photo Shoots [PERCENTA GE] Tours [PERCENTA GE] Tours 18,602 Photo Shoots 2,325 26 Staff Members 10 Full-Time 16 Part Time 30 Volunteers Attendance FY12 Attendance FY 13 20,927 total 38,561 total Photo Photo Shoots Events Education Shoots [PERCENTA [PERCENTA [PERCENTA [PERCENT GE] GE] GE] AGE] Tours Tours [PERCENT [PERCENTA AGE] GE] Tours 36,377 Photo Shoots 880 Tours 18,602 Photo Shoots 2,325 Events 1092 Education 212 Attendance FY14 70,954 total Events Education [PERCENTAGE] [PERCENTAGE] Photo Shoots [PERCENTAGE] Tours [PERCENTAGE] Tours 64736 Photo Shoots 1759 Events 3435 Education 1024 Social Media (as of July 2014) Facebook: 25,350 page likes 1,500 talking about the page 25,000 people reached last week 5,000 new likes in the last 2 months Twitter: 2,480 followers Percent of positive tweets- 99% 500 retweets Many local businesses are sharing or retweeting our stories. Instagram: 5,230 followers #neonmuseum - 6,370 photos #neonboneyard - 3,430 photos Neon museum location tags - 2,500 photos Average likes on photos - 280 likes Klout score is steady at 70 Visitor Profile (since October 2012) 109,515 total attendance Nevada [PERCENTAGE] United States [PERCENTAGE] International [PERCENTAGE] California [PERCENTAGE] Nevada International California Greater United States FY14 Revenue Diversification Breakdown $1,618,935.42 Total (excluding donations, memberships, etc.) Retail [PERCENTAGE] Events [PERCENTAGE] Photo Shoots [PERCENTAGE] Tours [PERCENTAGE] Tours $1,158,733.52 Photo Shoots $165,557 Events $91,649.50 Retail $202,995.40 FY14 Total Income $1,837,130.23 FY14 Net Income $118,748.20 Earned Income: 95% of Total Income Future Goals: Diversify income to expand Donor/Endowed/Membership revenues. SPECIAL THANKS FOR HELPING THE PROJECT SUCCEED Richard Avilla Mayor Oscar Goodman Senator Richard Bryan Steve Houchens Caesar’s Foundation Mayor Jan Jones Jorge Cervantes The Las Vegas Centennial Committee The City of Las Vegas The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Rusty Coleman Bill Marion Suzanne Couture Barbara Molasky Elizabeth Dickey Courtney Mooney Donna Engellenner The Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs Betsy Fretwell The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office Brad Friedmutter The Nevada State Legislature Patrick Gaffey Scenic Byways Program Andy Glennie Richard Segerblom Mayor Carolyn Goodman The Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act Richard Hooker Eric Strain Ron James Roger Thomas Yorgo Kagafas Sam Tolman Cathie Kelly Dorothy Wright Keyser Foundation Frank Wright Pat Klenk 91 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Minutes BOARD of MUSEUMS and HISTORY June 19, 2015
    Minutes BOARD OF MUSEUMS AND HISTORY June 19, 2015 Location University of Nevada Mathewson – IGT Knowledge Center Room KC 110 1164 N. Virginia Street Reno, NV 89503 With a video link to * Nevada Department of Environmental Protection Red Rock Conference Room Suite 230 2030 E. Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89119 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS EXCUSED Robert Stoldal, Chairman Pete Dubé Bryan Allison Alicia Barber Sarah Cowie Renee Diamond Doris Dwyer Daniel Markoff Robert Ostrovsky Janice Pine Seth Schorr DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES STAFF PRESENT Claudia Vecchio, Director, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Felicia Archer, Public Information Officer, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Peter Barton, Administrator, Division of Museums and History Henna Rasul, Senior Deputy Attorney General, Attorney General’s Office Greg Corbin, Director, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City Jim Barmore, Director, Nevada State Museum, Carson City Dennis McBride, Director, Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas * Sheryln Hayes-Zorn, Acting Director, Nevada Historical Society Karyn deDufour, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, State Historic Preservation Office Jim Bertolini, Historic Preservation Specialist II, State Historic Preservation Office Carrie Edlefsen, Administrative Services Officer II, Division of Museums and History Lauri Brown, Administrative Assistant IV, Division of Museums and History GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE Michael Bertrand, Bertrand & Associates, LLC Kathy Flanagan, Las Vegas Valley Water District/Springs Preserve Robert Chattel, La Concha Motel, Clark County, Las Vegas 1 Maurice White, Board Member, Nevada State Prison Preservation Society Brian Hutchins, Counsel, Nevada State Prison Preservation Society Glen Whorton, President, Nevada State Prison Preservation Society Tom Porada, Vice President, Nevada State Prison Preservation Society Ricki Barlow, Las Vegas City Councilman Joseph Mitchell, Branch No.
    [Show full text]
  • Scouted an Inadvertent Archive from the Search for a Cinematic Vegas Catherine Borg
    Number 31 February 2015 Center for Gaming Research Occasional Paper Series University Libraries University of Nevada, Las Vegas Scouted An Inadvertent Archive from the Search for a Cinematic Vegas Catherine Borg ABSTRACT: This paper highlights the transformation of materials within the Mancuso Collection from utilitarian location scouting materials in the service of a film to historical record of the Vegas valley in 1994-95. Destined for disposal, these displaced artifacts are also an important record and reminder of the hidden labor and creative output of the many people who contribute to cultural products. Keywords: Las Vegas; location scouting; Casino; appropriation art; archive Preferred Citation: Catherine Borg. “Scouted: An Inadvertent Archive from the Search for a Cinematic Vegas.” Occasional Paper Series, 31. Las Vegas: Center for Gaming Research, 2015. The Mancuso Collection in UNLV’s Special Collec- takably to evoke nostalgia for an earlier era and present tions contains photographs that were taken and arranged a cinematic 1970s Vegas. Like the shards of a fractured by the location scouts for the movie Casino. Their im- mirror, this archive of pictures reflect the complexity of ages document places photographed in the mid-1990s the landscape where they were taken -- quintessential and considered as stand-in locations for a fictionalized “Las Vegas” recedes in the daylight and vantage point of narrative based on actual events -- many erased or sig- the 24/7 back-lot of daily life. Destined for disposal, these nificantly altered since then. From the distance of two displaced artifacts from the “culture industrial complex” decades they, like many photographs, allow us in essence instead are an inadvertent but important record of the to “see” time.
    [Show full text]
  • Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl Sees Its Allotment of Public Tickets Gone Nearly a Month Earlier Than the Previous Record Set in 2006 to Mark a Third-Straight Sellout
    LAS VEGAS BOWL 2016 MEDIA GUIDE A UNIQUE BLEND OF EXCITEMENT ian attraction at Bellagio. The world-famous Fountains of Bellagio will speak to your heart as opera, classical and whimsical musical selections are carefully choreo- graphed with the movements of more than 1,000 water- emitting devices. Next stop: Paris. Take an elevator ride to the observation deck atop the 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas for a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley. For decades, Las Vegas has occupied a singular place in America’s cultural spectrum. Showgirls and neon lights are some of the most familiar emblems of Las Vegas’ culture, but they are only part of the story. In recent years, Las Vegas has secured its place on the cultural map. Visitors can immerse themselves in the cultural offerings that are unique to the destination, de- livering a well-rounded dose of art and culture. Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s colorful, public artwork Seven Magic Mountains is a two-year exhibition located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, which features seven towering dayglow totems comprised of painted, locally- sourced boulders. Each “mountain” is over 30 feet high to exhibit the presence of color and expression in the There are countless “excuses” for making a trip to Las feet, 2-story welcome center features indoor and out- Vegas, from the amazing entertainment, to the world- door observation decks, meetings and event space and desert of the Ivanpah Valley. class dining, shopping and golf, to the sizzling nightlife much more. Creating a city-wide art gallery, artists from around that only Vegas delivers.
    [Show full text]
  • Historic Preservation. Updated July 2014. MLA 6Th Edition. Paul Revere Williams Project
    Historic Preservation. Updated July 2014. MLA 6th edition. Paul Revere Williams Project. Art Museum of the University of Memphis. "$1.1 Million Donated to Community Theater (Lear Theater)." Reno Gazette-Journal (1997): 1. "2004 Eleven most endangered (La Concha." Preserve Nevada. 2008. 5/6/2008 <http://preservenevada.unlv.edu>. Abercrombie, Brooke, and Irmina Kobylko. "Where Williams Walked: Pasadena Architect James V. Coane Leaves an Invisible Footprint on His Renovation of a 1928 Spanish Colonial Estate Designed by Los Angeles' Renowned Architect to the Stars." Pasadena Weekly April 1 2009: 5. 4/28/09 <http://pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/wh...>. "African-American Historical Site may Face the Wrecking Ball." The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.46 (2004/2005): 52. "Ambassador Hotel Saga Ends: LA Conservancy Moves on." Forum News: National Trust for Historic Preservation XIV.5 (2008): 8. "Ambassador Hotel Updates." Los Angeles Conservancy: Preservation Issues.February (2004): 1/30/2008. google. 1/30/2008 <http://www.laconservancy.org/issues/ambassador-dec.php4>. Anderson, Lisa. "Historic Preservation--Las Vegas Style: A Masterpiece of Motel Architecture from the Era of the Rat Pack is being Preserved (La Concha)." Chicago Tribune December 21 2006. Gale: General OneFile Print. 4/24/2009 <http://find.galegroup.com>. "Los Angeles Airport Theme Building is Designated Landmark." Historic Preservation News 33.3 (1993): 4. "Los Angeles' Newest Historic-Cultural Monuments (Castera 2007)." City of Los Angles, Department of City Planning. Office of Historic Resources 2.1 (2008): 5-6. "Los Angeles' Newest Historic-Cultural Monuments (St. Philip HCM 988)." City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning: Office of Historic Resources.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Weekly Planner : the Las Vegas Strip (1967): Vintage Topo Map Cover Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    2020 WEEKLY PLANNER : THE LAS VEGAS STRIP (1967): VINTAGE TOPO MAP COVER PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Noon Sun Handy Books | 58 pages | 23 Feb 2019 | Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp Print Us | 9781797864778 | English | none 2020 Weekly Planner : The Las Vegas Strip (1967): Vintage Topo Map Cover PDF Book These maps should help you find your way around town. Atlanta Motor Speedway. Our Tools Compare two cities Use our city comparison tool to analyze and compare two cities. What items are prohibited inside the gates? Today the Neon Museum has a visitor center inside the retro lobby of the former La Concha Motel and a 2-acre display yard known as the Boneyard. Mesquite 4. This tool will help you find ideal meeting places between points, as well as the "travel radius" of a single point using different transportation modes. In its heyday, Atomic Liquors had a local clientele bolstered by regular visits from celebrities looking to avoid the attention they attracted on the Strip or Downtown Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Monorail operates along a 3. Assuming both cars consistently run their "Dialed-In" times every run, the Race is now won or lost based on the driver's reaction times! Take the escalator to the parking garage and follow the Monorail sign outside through the automatic doors. In most classes, a burnout precedes every run down the drag strip. Texas Motor Speedway. Retrieved December 28, What features are popular in which type of homes? Can I bring a cooler to the race? Las Vegas Free Maps! Fremont Casino :. If you want to get a feel for Old Las Vegas and the and the real roots of the city, you need to head Downtown to Fremont Street.
    [Show full text]
  • Photo Contest Brings Exposure Las Vegas Ranked Among Top Cities for Young Artists
    Volume V, 2011 Photo Contest Brings Exposure Capture Downtown!, a photo competition designed to focus attention on and create greater awareness about downtown Las Vegas’ assets and evolution, is currently being held. Entries will be accepted from both amateurs and professionals — though they will compete in different categories — through Aug. 15. Photo enthusiasts who are 21 years or older are encouraged to make digital submissions in three categories: Lifestyle: Everyday life/work/play in downtown Stars: Interesting people who live or work downtown Icons: Downtown landmarks, neon signs and historic buildings Las Vegas Ranked Among Top Cities for Young Artists A jury of professional photographers will select the winners, with prizes being awarded for first, second and In declaring the city one of the top destinations for third place in each of the three categories. Winning emerging young artists, FLAVORWIRE, a website photos will be exhibited during an Oct. 12 presentation offering cultural news and critiques, recently at the Historic Fifth Street School and other advised: “Crawl away…from the uber-glitter of the downtown locations, as well as in a special downtown Vegas Strip for a much more down to earth view of section produced by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Sin City. Good old Fremont Street, the Vegas of yesteryear, is back and better than ever, harboring There is no cost to enter. For details, visit: creatives from all walks of life.” Downtown’s www.downtownlasvegasalliance.com/capturedowntown Emergency Arts at 520 Fremont St., which combines The Beat Coffeehouse and artists’ The contest is being sponsored by the city of Las studio galleries under one roof, gets prominent Vegas, the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency, the mention in this online assessment.
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Bibliography. Updated July 2014. MLA 6Th Edition. Paul Revere Williams Project
    Complete Bibliography. Updated July 2014. MLA 6th edition. Paul Revere Williams Project. Art Museum of the University of Memphis. "$1.1 Million Donated to Community Theater (Lear Theater)." Reno Gazette-Journal (1997): 1. "$2 Million Design: Linde Building." Jet (1958): 17. "$400,000 Estate Property Sold (Landis)." Los Angeles Times March 21 1971: I 19. "$55,000 Residence to be Constructed (Frank R. Woods)." Los Angeles Times July 25 1937, sec. E1:. "$56,000,000 Las Vegas Hotel Will Open Today (Royal Nevada Hotel)." Los Angeles Times April 19 1955: 26. "$6,500,000 Luxury Apartment-Hotel to Go Up." Los Angeles Examiner August 30 1953, sec. C 4: c4. "$7.5 Million Project Will Preview Today (Seaview)." Los Angeles Times January 31 1960, sec. VI 4:. "$7.7 Million Permits Issued in West L.A. (Linde Medical)." Los Angeles Times October 12 1960, sec. B1:. "10,000 Visit New Whittier Tract (Layne Manor)." Los Angeles Times May 1 1949, sec. E3:. "12-Story Medical Center Framework Completed (Linde Medical)." Los Angeles Times March 19 1961, sec. I 6:. "13th Annual Conclave of Builders Will be Held at Hampton, Va." The New York Age February 13 1937, sec. 2:. "14 Renamed to Commissions." Los Angeles Times July 7 1956, sec. A1:. "143-Dwelling Tract Opened (Paramount Grove Homes)." Los Angeles Times February 13 1949, sec. e3:. "1849-1949 Centennial Edition." The Palisadian Friday, June 17 1949, sec. complete issue:. The 1938 Book of Small Houses (California House and Garden Exhibition). Ed. Architectural Forum. 1938th ed. New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1937.
    [Show full text]
  • Bundy Lawsuit Addresses Public Land Ownership
    Small Business PAC Trump allies want Economy adds 201K jobs endorses Laxalt Congress to find in August, unemployment for Governor anonymous op-ed author holds at 3.9 percent PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 Volume 20, Issue 29 September 12-18, 2018 lasvegastribune.com Bundy lawsuit addresses public land ownership By Thomas Mitchell Bundy and his sons are noto- and founder of Judicial Watch, and A civil lawsuit filed on behalf of rious for the 2014 armed standoff Craig Mueller, who earlier this Bunkerville rancher Cliven Bundy with Bureau of Land Management year lost a primary bid for attorney in state district court asks the court agents who attempted to confiscate general — cites court cases, U.S. to declare that the public land on his cattle for his failure to pay $1 and Nevada constitutional history, which Bundy grazes his cattle is million in grazing fees and fines the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo owned by Nevada and Clark Coun- over two decades. Federal crimi- in which Mexico ceded much of ty, not the federal government. nal charges against the remaining the West to the United States and The chances of success are most defendants in that case were dis- legislative proclamations. likely slim and none, but the suit missed when the judge ruled the The suit notes the state Legisla- raises some salient points about the prosecution failed to turn over ture has never consented to allow power of the federal bureaucracy potentially exculpatory evidence the U.S. government to own more to hold sway over more than 85 to the defendants.
    [Show full text]
  • Las Vegas, Nv 89110 Carl’S Jr
    CARLS JR. - SINGLE TENANT NNN LEASE INVESTMENT 5091 E. BONANZA RD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89110 CARL’S JR. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 03 Investment Summary 04 Retail Aerial 05 Lease Summary 06 Retail Aerial 07 Rent Schedule 08 Site Plan 09 About the Brand 10 Location Overview CONTACT INFORMATION Brian Brockman (702) 887-1886 [email protected] 02 5091 E. BONANZA RD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89110 CARL’S JR. INVESTMENT SUMMARY Tenant Carl’s Jr. $3,120,000 $45.12 Street Address 5091 E. Bonanza Rd $ List Price Rent / SF City Las Vegas State NV 5.00% 3,458 SF Zip 89110 % Cap Rate GLA GLA 3,458 SF Lot Size 0.49 AC $156,000 0.49 AC Year Built 1983 $ NOI Lot Size Triple-Net (NNN) Investment - Excellent 1031 Candidate - This Carl’s Jr. operates on a Triple-Net (NNN) lease with tenant responsible for maintenance, insurance & taxes, providing the landlord with an almost zero maintenance asset, being responsible solely for replacement of foundation and structural supports. Ample Rent Growth - 10% Increases Every 5 Years - The lease features 10% rental increases every 5 years, providing the landlord the benefit of a strong hedge against inflation. Long-Term Lease with Two (2), 5-Year Options to Extend - Tenant recently proved their long-term commitment to this location when renewing the lease for an additional 10 years, with two (2), 5-year options to extend. Lease Backed by 33-Unit Operator - The lease is fully backed by BTO investments, who owns and operates 33 Carl’s Jr. locations across the Las Vegas Market.
    [Show full text]
  • January 2014
    FORUMA Monthly Publication of the Las Vegas Chapter of The American Institute of Architects January 2013 New Year - New Look - New Feature Member Spotlight IAMAIA LV Jennifer Turchin, AIA AIA+2030 Paul R. Williams, FAIA Call for Entries Change Your World! Architect To The Stars Unbuilt Design Awards Page 9 Page 13 Page 5 ON THE COVER The AIA Las Vegas Chapter is fortunate to have a membership of talented architects, associates and allied members. These are members whose personal commitment to elevating the profession and to improving their communities make them fine examples of what architecture is all about. Beginning with this January issue of the FORUM newsletter, we will take the opportunity to recognize and salute one of them each month. In this way we hope to acknowledge the contributions they are making to Chapter and the profession and to inform and inspire others through their example. IAMAIA LV SPOTLIGHT JENNIFER TURCHIN, NCARB, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Jennifer currently serves as the Chair of the newly re-organized AIA COTE Committee and is leading the Chapter’s efforts to present the 2014 AIA+2030 Professional Series. She is immediate past presi- dent of the Nevada Chapter of the USGBC and an active member of many other civic and community organizations. A Montana native who moved to Las Vegas in 2004, upon completing graduate school at Montana State University in Boze- man, Montana, she is passionate about sustainability and incorporates that into her architecture and her personal life. As senior consultant for Sellen Sustainability, Jennifer is passionate about the role education plays in empowering project teams to create effective and meaningful change.
    [Show full text]
  • Supreme Court Upholds President's Travel
    City of Las Vegas employees Supreme Court rules Harley stunner spikes retaliate against states can require online tension with Trump Las Vegas Tribune sellers to collect sales tax over trade policy PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 Volume 20, Issue 18 June 27-July 3, 2018 lasvegastribune.com Supreme Court upholds President’s travel ban By Lydia Wheeler PXOWLDJHQF\UHYLHZ³WKDWHQWU\ The Hill of the covered aliens would be The Supreme Court in a 5-4 detrimental to the national interest,” ruling on Tuesday upheld President Roberts wrote in the opinion. 7UXPS·VEDQRQQDWLRQDOVIURPÀYH Justices Anthony Kennedy, Muslim-majority countries from Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito entering the United States. and Neil Gorsuch joined Roberts In a majority opinion authored in the majority, with liberal Jus- by Chief Justice John Roberts, the tices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, court said the president has broad Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader discretion under immigration law Ginsburg dissenting. to suspend the entry of people into The president immediately took the United States. to Twitter to announce the news. “The president lawfully exer- “SUPREME COURT UP- cised that discretion based on his HOLDS TRUMP TRAVEL BAN. ÀQGLQJV³IROORZLQJDZRUOGZLGH Wow!” he tweeted. The decision is a significant victory for Trump, who issued the My Point ÀUVWWUDYHOEDQ³ZKLFKGHWUDFWRUV of View (See Travel Ban, Page 3) By Rolando Larraz When Lou Toomin is looking Can a Nevada law pass for someone to have lunch with he always comes to me because he knows that I feel sorry for him, and even if I do not order anything to eat, I have an ice cream or a glass constitutional muster? of iced tea.
    [Show full text]
  • Accomm 6550-8 Ch05.F 2/26/02 2:56 PM Page 13
    6550-8 Ch05.F 2/26/02 2:56 PM Page 12 accomm 6550-8 Ch05.F 2/26/02 2:56 PM Page 13 odations1 Nowhere else on earth will you find another skyline like that of Las Vegas Boulevard South— otherwise known as the Strip. 6550-8 Ch05.F 2/26/02 2:56 PM Page 14 14 A Disney-esque Arthurian castle abuts an Egyptian pyramid and the Statue of Liberty. A Caribbean pirate lair stares down Venice’s Saint Mark’s Square. Truly, Las Vegas has shoul- dered aside Hollywood as America’s Dream Factory. Histo- rian Michael Ventura calls Las Vegas “the last great mythic city that Western civilization will ever create”; art critic Robert Hughes calls Las Vegas “a work of art: bad art, but art nonetheless.” The extravagant pleasure palaces lining the Strip make a bold, brash architectural statement, with devel- opers increasingly crowing about architectural integrity and authenticity. Replica landmarks are meticulously built to scale, whether half-size (the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel), full (the Venetian’s Doge’s Palace), or oversized (Luxor’s Sphinx). To paraphrase Shakespeare’s words about another immortal temptress: “Age does not wither nor custom stale her infinite variety.” In Las Vegas, the hotel business is a staggering success story. The city has a total room inventory of 125,000, nearly twice that of New York. The five properties at the intersection of Tropicana and the Strip alone contain more rooms than all of San Francisco. Yet the Strip has an amazing hotel occupancy INTRODUCTION level of 89.1 to 90.3 percent.
    [Show full text]