When did they tear down the Riviera in Las Vegas?
The Riviera Hotel and Casino, once a beacon of glitz and glamour in the heart of Las Vegas, met its demise on May 31, 2015. This iconic hotel, which had been a staple on the Strip since its opening in 1955, was a testament to the city’s golden era of hospitality. The Riviera’s final days were marked by a mix of nostalgia and controversy, as it became the latest victim of the city’s relentless march of progress.
The Riviera’s storied history began when it was purchased by the Las Vegas Hotel Association in 1955. It quickly became a favorite among gamblers and celebrities, thanks to its luxurious accommodations and prime location on the Strip. Over the years, the hotel hosted numerous famous events, including the world championship boxing matches and the wedding of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu.
However, as the years passed, the Riviera began to show its age. The hotel’s facilities were outdated, and it struggled to compete with the newer, more luxurious properties that were popping up on the Strip. In 2014, the Las Vegas Hotel Association announced that the Riviera would be demolished to make way for a new, mixed-use development.
The decision to tear down the Riviera sparked a wave of controversy among Las Vegas locals and fans of the hotel. Many argued that the Riviera was an important part of the city’s history and should have been preserved. However, the hotel’s owners maintained that the project would bring new life to the area and create jobs for the local community.
The demolition of the Riviera was a solemn occasion, as many Las Vegans gathered to pay their respects to the hotel that had once been a symbol of the city’s golden age. The Riviera’s final moments were marked by a sense of loss, as the iconic sign was removed and the once majestic hotel was reduced to rubble.
Today, the site of the Riviera is a testament to Las Vegas’ ability to reinvent itself. The new mixed-use development, which includes a luxury hotel, residential units, and retail space, is set to open in the coming years. While the Riviera may no longer stand, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who visited the hotel and the stories that it has inspired.
