LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The seconds ticked away early Wednesday morning until the husk of the Tropicana Las Vegas resort, deserted since its April 2024 closing date, would meet a final and spectacular end, bringing to a close the era of the 67-year-old structure once a bastion for visitors from across the country.
The Las Vegas classic was set to come down in style with a seven-minute celebration involving 550 drones and 150 “pyrodrones” counting down to the controlled demolition of the resort originally erected in 1957.
Phil Grucci, CEO and president of Fireworks by Grucci, previewed the celebration ahead of the demolition, revealing that the show will feature images of the Tropicana logo, the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, and a tribute to the Athletics franchise, whose proposed $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat ballpark could open in the footprint of the former Tropicana in time for the 2028 season.
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A’s Vegas Ballpark Rendering 1 – Design by BIG – Image by Negativ -
A’s Vegas Ballpark Rendering 4 – Design by BIG – Image by Negativ -
A’s Vegas Ballpark Rendering 3 – Design by BIG – Image by Negativ -
A’s Vegas Ballpark Rendering 2 – Design by BIG – Image by Negativ
What else will occupy the 35-acre site, aside from the 9-acre stadium, is a mystery. In July, Bally’s, the company that controlled most of the site, entered into a merger agreement with its top stockholder, Standard General.
A total of 917,400 square feet will be imploded with the use of nearly 2,200 pounds of explosives. The demolition sequence will begin with the implosion of the 23-story Paradise Tower and end with the implosion of the 23-story Club Tower. It’s expected both buildings will collapse within 22 seconds after the implosion button is pressed, according to the Bally’s Corporation news release.
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Tropicana Las Vegas opened in 1957. (Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
Tropicana Las Vegas prior to the grand opening. It was the only property at the Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Blvd. intersection. (Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
Promotional billboard for the Tropicana. (Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
Eddie Fisher, Eddie Cantor and Sammy David Jr. (Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
(Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
Tropicana’s Folies Bergere was the longest running show in Las Vegas history. It ran for nearly 50 years. (Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
(Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
Aerial View of the Tropicana. (Credit: Bally’s Corporation) -
The Tropicana is slated to be imploded on Oct. 9, 2024. (Credit: Bally’s Corporation)
A historic presence on the Las Vegas Strip, the iconic resort served as Michael Corleone’s Las Vegas casino business in the 1972 film “The Godfather” and hosted a stay in the entertainment capital of the world for James Bond, portrayed by Sean Connery in 1971’s “Diamonds Are Forever.”
ALSO WATCH: A video history of Las Vegas implosions
Wednesday morning’s implosion will be the first since 2016, when The Riviera was imploded in two separately controlled demolitions, one on June 14 and the other on Aug. 16. Other long-gone Las Vegas hotels include The New Frontier, The Stardust Resort and Casino, Castaways Hotel and Casino, Boardwalk Hotel and Casino, Bourbon Street Hotel and Casino, Desert Inn, El Rancho, Aladdin, Hacienda, Sands, Landmark, and The Dunes.