Rivera casino las vegas
A factual history of the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Review its 1955 opening, mob connections, appearances in films like Casino, and its final 2016 implosion.
History of the Rivera Hotel and Casino A Lost Las Vegas Landmark ================================================================
To comprehend the final chapter of the iconic property at 2901 South Boulevard, analyze the period following its 2010 bankruptcy filing until its final day of operation on May 4, 2015. This period highlights its economic struggle against the mega-resorts dominating the southern and central sections of the corridor. The purchase for $182.5 million by the Convention and Visitors Authority, preceding its methodical 2016 demolition, concluded a sixty-year presence as a northern anchor of the famous thoroughfare.
Its mark on popular culture is cemented through cinema. The structure served as the primary backdrop for the fictional Tangiers in a celebrated 1995 crime drama and also featured prominently in the original 1960 version of a famous heist film. The establishment's early reputation was built by its headliners, which included Liberace as the opening act and Dean Martin, who performed regularly and briefly held a minority ownership stake.
Opened on April 20, 1955, the property was the very first high-rise tower to appear on the main Boulevard, a distinction that set a template for development for decades. Its initial nine-story structure, financed partly by figures connected to Miami and organized crime, represented the pinnacle of resort design for its time. This physical scale, while impressive for the mid-1950s, explains its subsequent inability to compete with the sprawling complexes built at the turn of the century.
Riviera Hotel & Casino Las Vegas: A Historical Guide
To witness the property's authentic atmosphere, view its depiction in the 1995 film Casino, where it served as a stand-in for the fictional Tangiers. This cinematic role captured the establishment's final era of classic Sin City grandeur before its closure. For a glimpse of its early days, find scenes from the original Ocean's 11 (1960), which prominently displays its unique exterior architecture.
The hotel opened on April 20, 1955, as the first high-rise resort on the Strip, a nine-story structure that towered over its neighbors. Its premiere headliner was Liberace, who commanded a then-unprecedented salary of $50,000 per week. Despite a glamorous opening, the business declared bankruptcy just three months later, setting a pattern of financial struggles and ownership changes.
Management linked to organized crime figures from across the United States controlled the gambling parlor for decades, a history that cemented its reputation. Dean Martin held a minority ownership interest for a short time and performed in its showroom. https://cresuscasino366.casino hosted numerous iconic performers, including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Dolly Parton.
The property became famous for its long-running productions. The cabaret show Crazy Girls ran for over 20 years, known for its bronze sculpture of the performers' posteriors which tourists often rubbed for good luck. Another notable production was the aquatic spectacle Splash, a fixture for two decades.
The resort’s final chapter began in 2015 when the Convention and Visitors Authority acquired the site for $182.5 million for an expansion of its district. The Monaco tower was imploded on June 14, 2016, with the Monte Carlo tower following on August 16, 2016. Its 60-year history on the famous boulevard officially ended, clearing the land for future development.
A Chronicle of the Headliners and Signature Shows
Liberace inaugurated the showroom on April 20, 1955, with a contract guaranteeing him $50,000 per week, an unprecedented salary that set the standard for premier performers in the city. Early in her career, Barbra Streisand served as his opening act, a detail that illustrates the venue’s role in showcasing future legends. The establishment consistently secured top-tier talent, defining its entertainment identity from its first night of operation.
Long-running production shows formed the backbone of the entertainment schedule. “Splash,” an aquatic spectacular, ran for over two decades, featuring synchronized swimmers, divers, and its famous finale–a motorcycle stunt rider inside a steel globe. Simultaneously, “An Evening at La Cage” broke ground as a prominent female impersonator revue, starring Frank Marino and enjoying a 20-year run that influenced Numerous drag productions on the Strip.
Dean Martin became a fixture, performing regularly in the main showroom through the 1960s and 70s. His presence solidified the resort's reputation for classic American entertainment. In the early 1990s, Frank Sinatra signed a multi-year engagement, bringing his iconic act to the property and reigniting its classic glamour. Comedians like Joan Rivers and a young Eddie Murphy also held successful residencies, diversifying the stages beyond musical acts.
The topless revue “Crazy Girls” became a Sin City institution, running for nearly 30 years. What distinguished this show was its focus on choreographed dance numbers and its branding, which included a famous bronze statue of the performers' backsides. This statue became a standalone photo opportunity for tourists on the boulevard, cementing the show's place in local pop culture.
Pinpointing the Riviera's Role in Famous Movies
The original 1960 “Ocean's 11” most prominently features the famed establishment; it was one of the five targeted properties in the heist. The film captured its iconic marquee and extensive interior gaming floor, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
- Casino (1995): Martin Scorsese used the property's interiors as the primary stand-in for the fictional Tangiers. Its classic architecture perfectly matched the 1970s setting, with the porte-cochère and main entrance appearing in multiple key sequences.
- Diamonds Are Forever (1971): The James Bond film utilized the structure's distinct exterior to represent the fictional Circus Circus establishment.
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997): Key blackjack scenes featuring Mike Myers and Robert Wagner were filmed directly on the gambling hall's floor.
- The Hangover (2009): While known for another resort, this comedy filmed the “Best Little Chapel” convention scenes inside the now-demolished complex's conference facilities.
- 21 (2008): The MIT card-counting drama shot scenes with the student team on its gaming floor. The location offered a more traditional backdrop compared to contemporary entertainment complexes.
- Go (1999): The crime comedy's segments set in the desert entertainment capital feature interior shots of the property, including its restaurants and gaming areas.
The property's final on-screen appearance before its 2016 demolition was in “Jason Bourne,” where it is visible during a chaotic chase sequence along the main boulevard of the entertainment capital.
What Stands on the Former Riviera Grounds Today
The ground where the famed hotel once stood is now occupied by the West Hall of the city's Convention Center. Following the 2016 demolition, the parcel was redeveloped into a $1 billion, 1.4-million-square-foot expansion for the exhibition complex, which opened in 2021. A significant portion, 600,000 square feet, is column-free exhibition floor.
The northern section of the former property has been converted into the Diamond Lot, an expansive outdoor exhibition and parking space. Event attendees can travel between the West Hall and the older South, Central, and North halls using the Convention Center Loop, an underground transit system that employs automated electric vehicles to move people through dedicated tunnels.