LAS VEGAS – The Tropicana Hotel and Casino, a staple of the Las Vegas Strip since its opening in 1957, was brought down in a dramatic implosion early Wednesday morning. Known as the “Tiffany of the Strip,” the resort earned fame through its lavish entertainment, including the celebrated showgirl revue Folies Bergere and performances by renowned jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong.
After nearly 70 years of operation, the Tropicana’s Paradise Tower and Club Tower were reduced to rubble in approximately 22 seconds using over 2,000 pounds of explosives, marking the first such event in Las Vegas in nearly a decade. The space will now be utilized for a new stadium for the Athletics, the Major League Baseball team relocating from Oakland, California.
Arik Knowles, the Tropicana’s general manager and vice president of hospitality, addressed attendees, stating, “Let’s not think of it as an ending, but as the beginning of something even greater.”
The implosion was accompanied by a spectacular display featuring 555 drones and fireworks, choreographed to music from Las Vegas legends like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The drones created images including the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign and the Athletics logo.
Due to safety regulations, there were no public viewing areas for the event, but an invite-only gathering attracted around 500 guests. Nearby hotels saw a surge in room rates, with Mandalay Bay hosting a watch party that charged rates starting at $699 for the night, a stark contrast to lower rates typical for the area.
Steve Crupi, a former TV news reporter known for covering significant Las Vegas implosions, shared his perspective on the allure of such events. “There’s something magical about implosions,” he remarked, emphasizing the combination of precision and artistry involved.
Historically, Las Vegas has leveraged explosive demolitions to draw tourists. As early as the 1950s, the city promoted events related to atomic tourism.
Implosions have become a hallmark of the Las Vegas landscape, with past demolitions including iconic properties like the Dunes, Stardust, and Riviera. Mark Loizeaux, president of Controlled Demolition, Inc., meticulously executed the Tropicana’s implosion, which included preemptive measures to minimize dust and traffic disruption.
With the Tropicana’s demolition, Las Vegas braces for further transformation. The area is set to host a state-of-the-art $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat indoor stadium and a new casino resort, marking the city’s ongoing evolution toward becoming a sports hub. Bally’s Corporation, alongside the Athletics, plans to finalize details for the resort, with the ballpark aiming for a debut in the 2028 MLB season.
Soohyung Kim, chairman of Bally’s, acknowledged the Tropicana’s rich history but emphasized the city’s drive for continuous growth, stating, “It understands that in order to remain the tourism capital of America… it needs to keep building and growing.”