Las Vegas - Stardust and Frontier Flashback

Prior to the implosion of The Stardust hotel buildings, many of the surrounding structures were razed. This photo shows The Frontier as seen from The Stardust before The Stardust was imploded. Now both are gone.

Stardust Las Vegas And The 4 Slice Toaster

I've got current stuff, but part of the joy of this blog is that I am not a dedicated news source. I am a vibe.

This is from the final breakfast buffet at The Stardust, (final for me, as well as the hotel). Tuesday 31 October 2006. The next morning, was the close of The Stardust.

We can see that I had french toast with syrup, bacon, sausage, some kind of potatoes, and white toast. Which leads me to the unique thing about the breakfast buffet at The Stardust. If you wanted toast, you made it yourself in their 4 slice toaster.

If you are into toast as I am, being able to control the toaster is very important. Toast which sits in steam bins awaiting your arrival is not toast. It is something which was toast, and is becoming steamed bread.

I miss that toaster.

Las Vegas - Stardust Auction Flashback

Today is the auction of The New Frontier (see the post prior to this one for details). As mentioned, there have not been any signs at The New Frontier which advertise that an auction is taking place. You either "know" that The New Frontier is having an auction today, or you do not.

Not advertising the auction of The Frontier, on the property of The Frontier, differs from how the auction of The Stardust, just up the block, was handled less than a year ago.

At The Stardust, various banners and signs were put up which promoted the auction. And it was the very same company which was handling the auction.

Perhaps Great American feels that they have enough salvage type businesses on a list created from those who purchased at The Stardust auction.

Echelon Place Las Vegas

Stardust ends. Echelon Place begins.

Las Vegas - Stardust Sign Base Cut Down

The base of The Stardust sign has been taken down. Prior to the implosion in March 2007, the main section of the sign (the famous neon top) was removed. Since then, the still considerably large base remained; it's two vertical arms (which no longer held a sign at the top) rising far above the construction site fence.

"Oh, that's where The Stardust was."

Very often, these sort of signs remain standing for quite a while - (many years in some cases) even though no building remains.

The El Rancho sign was removed a few weeks ago, years after the place disappeared. [The second El Rancho, to be clear.] Turnberry Place had for some time hung a banner over the sign, until a wind storm took it off, revealing the El Rancho sign beneath. Now it is gone altogether.

A very noteworthy sign remains at the south end of The Strip. The sign for the Glass Pool Inn. It's on the same side as the defunct Klondike, just a little north. Some of the movie Leaving Las Vegas was filmed there. All that remains is the sign.

I understand that in the 70s, the famous Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada sign was dark. It was turned off. The owner of The Klondike took it upon himself to repair and pay to have the Welcome sign turned on.

Now it is The Klondike which is dark, and the Welcome sign is lit and visited every day and night.

The relative speed with which The Stardust sign has been taken completely down is soon going to be surpassed by the construction of Echelon Place.

In the accompanying photos, the difference in The Stardust sign from last week to this week can be seen.

Las Vegas - Stardust Buffet Has Closed

The new 24/7 magazine is out (June 2007). They have finally removed The Stardust from their buffet listing.

The final Stardust buffet (Coco Palms Buffet at The Stardust) was at the end of October 2006. The Stardust closed altogether 1 November 2006. On 13 March 2007 The Stardust was imploded.

24/7 is a free magazine so you can't complain. Much like with this blog.

For tourists I think 24/7 is an especially nice magazine as it is only 3 by 4 inches, or so, and can be carrried along easily. Maybe they should call it 3x4 instead of 24/7.

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As souvenirs the full size free magazines they stick in your hotel room are nicer than 24/7. Functionally though, 24/7 is better; especially in the heat.

Anything larger (like a full size magazine) quickly becomes unnecessary weight and is quickly thrown overboard.

Cameras, water, magazines/guides, cell phone, wallet. It's the magazine that gets ditched.

For the record, the cover of the June issue of 24/7 is advertising Picasso's Ceramics at the Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art. (At least that was the particular version of cover I obtained.)

Las Vegas - Stardust Relic

Short on time today. Here is a shot looking past the remains of the Stardust sign. This was the main entrance, the main driveway, but now without the building in the way, Palace Station can be seen in the distance. The absence of The Stardust has also liberated the Rio and the Palms, to be seen; at least until construction of Echelon Place once again limits the view.

Stardust - Street Photographer Social Skills

Like night and day.

Just as I am getting used to seeing The Stardust as an uncolorful gutted framework, it is going to be imploded. Seeing nothing there will be a little unsettling. However not nearly as unsettling as some of the (alcohol induced-?) banter which sometimes comes my way as I am in the street engaged in taking pictures.

A few weeks ago, I had my camera on a tripod, and clearly pointing at the top of The Stratosphere hotel. Yet I was asked what I was taking a picture of. The barrel of the camera could not have been mistaken as pointing at anything else.

When the Westward Ho closed, there were signs outside with information pertaining to the closure. It was a sunny afternoon and I took a picture of the sign. A very drunk man with a bottle in hand asked me incredulously why I was taking a picture of "that sign." I told him that it was because I was a drunk and asked him why he had that bottle in his hand. He then asked if I would like him to take my picture with the sign.

Last night I photographed The Stardust again; (because I won't be able to ever again in little more than two days). An inebriated oddball had questions about a barber and some other nonsense.

Do you see the unique social skills which go into being a good street photographer?

Las Vegas - The Stardust Closed 4 Months Ago

At midday on Wednesday 1 November 2006 The Legendary Stardust Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, closed forever. Today marks the 4 month anniversary of the closing. Close enough to remember details of the inside well. Far enough that the implosion is from what I have heard, 12 days away.

7 Things Missed About The Stardust Hotel And Casino In Las Vegas

Seven things that will be missed about The Stardust Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas.

1-Good parking and road access. Never feeling "stuck" inside a garage.

2-A sports book with a "serious" feel. A SPORTS BOOK.

3-Interacting with employees who had a sense of history and pride in their job. More so than many others in Las Vegas.

4-A casino floor that had levels (minor as they were, the steps/ramps did give a feel that one was going from area to area rather than just being in a large room)...the casino floor was travelable.

5-The wonderful and comfortable seating in the hotel lobby.

6-The excitement of reaching the sports book side, after a long walk through the more animated areas.

7-The fantastic experience of exiting through the sports book doors, at night, and seeing off to the right the three sided Stardust advertisement sign turning -- this was a genuine Las Vegas experience.

Stardust - 436 Hours

3000 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, Nevada

There are 436 hours until The Stardust implosion, (scheduled for 0200 Monday 12 March 2007).

Ground level demolition is not complete, but soon will be. The famous Stardust sign from the center entrance at Las Vegas Blvd. has been removed in sections, and now sits on the ground. The main entrance is no more. Only the south facade remains, while crews perform clean up on the west side.

More to come.

Five Places To Visit In Las Vegas

Five Places To Visit In Las Vegas

Changes often occur unusually quickly in Las Vegas. When people visit Las Vegas for the first time, they often visit the major new places, and go back home. Some time later, those who become more interested in Las Vegas may develop a desire to visit places which existed on their first trip, but alas are no more. This is a very common experience. It has happened to me, and to many people with whom I have spoken.

Two things which are almost certain about a first trip to Las Vegas are:

1-You will not have enough time.
2-Everything will appear closer than it is.

This leads to comments such as:

a) We didn't get to...(insert name of place not visited)
b)I am tired of walking

I can not imagine someone visiting Las Vegas who would not want to check out the New York New York Hotel. It is an incredible place inside and out, and must be visited. However, let me also point out that there are places which may well not be here the next time you come. And if you wind up being interested in Las Vegas enough to come and visit a second time, then you undoubtedly will have some thoughts of places which you had the opportunity to visit, but not sense enough to visit.

This is very easy to understand. The new places, The Venetian, New York New York, and others, are all so obviously incredible, that a smaller older place such as The New Frontier (which is not very new) does not compete well for a newcomers attention. In order that you may one day not wish that you could go back in time, here is a list of places which may or may not be at risk of being due for a "significant change."

1-The Stardust - The Legendary Stardust closed on 1 November 2006. The ground level buildings have almost all been razed. As I write this, the sign is being taken down. Both hotel buildings have been gutted, and windows removed. It is a skeleton, and is scheduled to be imploded at 0200 on 12 March 2007.

There are major, new places nearby. As wonderful as they may be in their own right, it is quite possible that all that some of the new places will ever be, will never reach the level of all that The Stardust has ever been. Do not miss taking a look at this legend. What is left of it will disappear very soon, and if you are reading this after 12 March 2007, I suppose that it is gone.

2-The New Frontier. Not that you would confuse it with a different Frontier. This is a rather old place on The Strip. The sign might be the oldest on The Strip. It is next to The Stardust, so you can certainly visit both at the same time. There have been several rumors of The New Frontier closing. It stands to reason that sooner or later a small place like this will seek to make something larger on their valuable property.

3-The Riviera. No news here, but it is an older place, and is probably worth a visit.

4-The Las Vegas Hilton. This is the Star Trek themed casino (it is very well done). They have The Star Trek Experience which you must see to believe. As this Las Vegas hotel is off The Strip many people do not make it there. Recently I have heard a rumor that the site may be redeveloped in a year or two. The Las Vegas Hilton is a long block away from The Riviera (up the block from the main entrance of Circus Circus).

5-Circus Circus. I have heard nothing about Circus Circus closing - but it is an older place (with new parts as well) and it would be unfortunate to visit Las Vegas and not experience Circus Circus. It is a true original oddity, and worth a visit.