www.leavinglv.net/stardust.html
With such a sordid history, how could we ever forget her? This resort embodied mobster mentality of skimming, scamming, and knockin' em off. Her history has so many twists and turns that her story was even made into the 1995 movie CASINO staring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. She offered one of the first Vegas topless reviews, the first home of magicians and Vegas staples Seigfried and Roy, a sports book every casino built after would mimic, and top notch dining, accommodation, and service.
The towers came down at 2:33 am The fireworks show was wonderful, the crowd was large, and it was VERY nice meeting so many of you, and also seeing some familiar faces. I only wish that they had kept the towers lit as they fell. Quite surreal after witnessing the implosion, and then being immersed in a complete haze. Anyone with video from different angles, or perhaps brighter, please email me! After spending so much time at the Stardust, both with friends drinking and having a good time, at the Terrace Bar in the summer enjoying the pool, and all these months of documenting her demise, I feel like I'm preparing for the execution of a dear friend. People with no sense of history or human connection to these sites won't understand, but it's really awesome to go through my guestbook and receive all of these emails from people who can empathize. The explosives are set, the spotlights (yes spotlights, she'll be lit up one last time), and the fireworks are all ready. They await the countdown and detonation that will bring an end to an era, sort of. That came when the casino and sports book were bulldozed, but ya know...
The entire resort now lies in ruin, with only the old Royal Nevada rooms remaining to be demolished. The pools and spas are rubble, the cabanas are collapsed, and entire lot looks very sad. And right smack in the middle of it, the two towers stand alone and redied for Tuesday morning.
The parking garage would have been the best view, but unfortunately, it's gone. Email me privately and let me know where you'll be and if you'll be taking pictures or videos! For those who haven't heard, this is turning into quite an event, fireworks and all. But, as always, respect the demolition crew and the cops and be orderly and observe the restriction areas, and if you're asked to move, just move.
All demolition on the towers is complete and the tarps have been set for the explosives. Now they're just working on clearing debris and finishing the Royal Nevada section. Looking through the doors of the south entrance, you can see that there's nothing left inside but debris.
The Royal Nevada wing is also just a shell, the entire space is rubble, save for the exterior walls and facade. The bungalows and original Royal Nevada rooms are well underway. The date for the implosion is drawing closer, less than two weeks. I've posted a night shot of the view I'll be seeing when the tower comes down. Haven't had confirmation yet of whether both towers will go at the same time.
This past week has been focussing on clearing debris from past progress. I stopped by to take a couple pictures from the road, and also got a picture of the old jetsonian letters from the sign, in boneyard #1.
As opposed to rumors that the sign will be going in the neon museum downtown, it's pieces will actually be going to sit in the boneyard. Lots of people are emailing me asking if there's going to be a meeting of people who view this site for the implosion on the 12th. In other news, this week I anticipate the rest of the front facade and building will be gone, with work on the Royal Nevada wing of the hotel, including the bungalows and cabanas, being undertaken next week.
The site suffered a small fire between then and today, and the smoke has blackened the side of the 9-story tower, which continues to be demolished. The porte cohere and the casino floor behind it were still intact, and the tower read "TARDUST". By the time I made it back after work, to see if they had gotten anywhere with the sign, the entire valet/main entrance had been collapsed and demolition had spread farther through the casino section. As well, all of the letters on the tower had been removed. The letters on the south side of the sign are coming down one by one, and now rumors has it that the sign will go to sit in one of the boneyards, rather than find a place in the neon museum on Fremont Street. I'm still awaiting a response from the neon museum, among others. The marquee sign on the north end of the property has been removed. I've heard a few rumors, but I'd rather confirm them than spread them. Anyway, if anyone else out there is taking pictures, please send some along!
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