Local News

Actions

Tropicana implosion marks the end of an era on the Las Vegas Strip

This is a look at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino just hours before the scheduled implosion
Tropicana
Posted
and last updated

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The highly anticipated implosion of the Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino hit the ground Tuesday night.

You can watch the full show here

Full show: Tropicana implosion marks the end of an era on the Las Vegas Strip

The 67-year-old hotel-casino sitting on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue joined the list of 13 Las Vegas hotels that were imploded between 1993 and 2016.

Trop 1
trop 2.jpeg
trop 9.jpeg
trop 7.jpeg

The demolition sequence started with the Paradise Tower followed by the Club Tower.

Public Safety

There were no public viewing areas of the implosion due to safety restrictions.

For your safety, The Las Vegas Metro Police Department is closing roads in the surrounding areas of the Tropicana starting at 11 p.m. Reno Avenue from Frank Sinatra to Koval will also be closed.

Road Closures
Expect road closures Tuesday night into Wednesday morning

LVMPD expects roads to reopen by 6 a.m. on Oct. 9.

Final goodbyes to the Tropicana hotel-casino

This drone video shows what the Tropicana looked like a week before implosion

Starting from 2:05 a.m. to 2:20 a.m., a number of representatives are set to take the mic to reflect on the historic hotel and its legacy in Las Vegas.

  • Bally's Corporation Chairman, Soo Kim
  • Tropicana Las Vegas General Manager and Vice President of Hospitality, Arik Knowles
  • Sr. Project Manager of GGG Demolition, Vince Gutierrez and President of Controlled Demolition, Inc., Mark Loizeaux
  • Chief Executive Officer and President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Steve Hill
  • Clark County Commissioner, Jim Gibson
  • CEO and Creative Director of Fireworks by Grucci Inc., Phil Grucci

Knowles said this moment is bittersweet, but the legacy of the building will live on.

Reflecting back on the Tropicana and its legacy

Two Folies Bergeres showgirls, Sheri Mirault and Teri Thorndike, also stopped by to reflect on their memories of the Tropicana.

Folies Bergeres showgirls share their Tropicana memories

Former Channel 13 meteorologist Kevin Janison joined us to share how he felt the Tropicana fit into the city's history.

Former Channel 13 meteorologist shares his thoughts on Tropicana's place in Las Vegas history

Kim said this moment in Las Vegas history represents more than just the next chapter— 'it's the evolution of the Strip, where legend meets innovation to create something truly unforgettable.'

The Tropicana Las Vegas was one of the original pioneers of the Strip, setting the stage for the vibrant, larger-than-life entertainment destination we know and love today.

While highlighting the memorable moments, Kim will also look ahead to the plans the implosion will allow for in Las Vegas.

The land is set to be transformed into a new Las Vegas ballpark for the Oakland Athletics. The ballpark will take up about nine acres— with a resort on-site planned by Bally's and Gaming and Leisure Properties.

a 1
a 2
a 3
a4

Show to kick off implosion

Starting at 2:30 a.m., a show will be put on by Fireworks by Grucci— the company responsible for many shows on the Strip.

555 drones are planned to be up in the sky accompanying a fireworks display that is expected to last roughly seven minutes.

Actual implosion

At approximately 2:37 a.m., the button will be pressed for the implosion of the Tropicana. Officials are estimating the implosion to take 22 seconds.

History of the Tropicana

The Tropicana is a hotel casino with a storied past. Channel 13's Tricia Kean sat down with two local historians to talk about the Tropicana's ties to the mob, Hollywood legends, jazz greats and glamorous showgirls.

Take a look back at the storied past of the Tropicana Las Vegas

How the implosion will work

Controlled Demolition Inc. and GGG Demolition are the two companies in charge of the implosion. President and owner of Controlled Demolition, Inc., Mark Loizeaux, said a lot of preparation has gone into the moment of destruction.

In a concrete structure like the Club Tower, we’re dealing with sticks of dynamite like you see in the cartoons.

"You'll hear 'bang, bang, bang'— nothing happens— that's the initiation system going off. Then 'boom, boom, boom'— those are the charges going off and that's when the structure starts to move," Loizeaux said.

After the fireworks show, he said a button would be pushed to set off both explosions— making both buildings drop almost simultaneously.

Controlled Demolition, Inc. has brought down 35 buildings in Clark County since 1993— notable projects like the Dunes North Tower, Frontier, Hacienda, Stardust and Riviera.

Watch all of Las Vegas' hotel implosions from 1993 to 2016

Watch all of Las Vegas' hotel implosions from 1993 to 2016

Memorable Experiences at the Tropicana

Channel 13's Abel Garcia spoke to a few locals near the site Tuesday afternoon to hear their thoughts on the upcoming implosion.

Local reaction on the upcoming implosion of the Tropicana

Channel 13's Ryan Ketcham also spoke to a UCLA graduate whose first casino experience was in the Tropicana. He said while it's sad to see this historic hotel go, he has accepted its fate.

First casino experience

What happens with everything inside the Tropicana

If you were wondering where the prized items inside the Tropicana go, you are in the right place.

Las Vegas Magician, Murray SawChuck, is preserving some pieces of its history for his home. Channel 13's Shakeria Hawkins spoke to him about how he plans to keep the hotel's legacy alive.

What's happening with pieces of artwork from the Tropicana?

What comes next?

Channel 13 is following what comes after the implosion.

Check back for updates on ktnv.com