Riviera (hotel and casino) explained

Casino:Riviera
Location:Winchester, Nevada
Pushpin Map:United States Las Vegas Strip#Nevada
Address:2901 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Rooms:2,075
Date Opened:April 20, 1955
Space Gaming:103800square feet
Shows:An Evening at La Cage (1985–2009)
Crazy Girls (1987–2015)
Splash (1985–2006)
Owner:Riviera Holdings (1993–2015)
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (2015–16)
License Holder:Paragon Gaming (2013–2015)
Casino Type:Land-based
Renovations:1960, 1966, 1975, 1977, 1988-1990, 1999, 2012
Coordinates:36.135°N -115.162°W
Architect:Roy France and Son, Welton Becket, Harold Levitt, Martin Stern Jr.

The Riviera (colloquially, "the Riv") was a hotel and casino on the northern Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada.[1] It opened on April 20, 1955, and included a nine-story hotel featuring 291 rooms. The Riviera was the first skyscraper in the Las Vegas Valley, and was the area's tallest building until 1956. Various hotel additions would be made in later years, including a 12-story tower in 1966, a 17-story tower in 1975, and a 24-story tower in 1988. By the time of its closure in 2015, the resort included a 103800square feet casino and 2,075 rooms.

In 1973, the Riviera was sold to businessman Meshulam Riklis, who owned it for the next two decades. The Riviera filed for bankruptcy in 1983, and targeted a middle-class demographic from that point on, which helped the property thrive. Changes included the addition of a Burger King in 1984, making the Riviera the first Strip property to feature a fast-food restaurant.

The Riviera emerged from bankruptcy in 1985, but filed again in 1991, amid an expansion project which went over budget. The property emerged in 1993, under the new ownership of Riviera Holdings Corporation. The property's convention space was expanded in the late 1990s, which helped keep the resort profitable. The Riviera was also host to a variety of live entertainment, including female impersonator Frank Marino (1985–2009) and a topless revue known as Crazy Girls (1987–2015).

In February 2015, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) purchased the 26acres Riviera, at a cost of $191 million. The agency had plans to demolish the resort for a major expansion of its nearby Las Vegas Convention Center. The Riviera closed on May 4, 2015, and demolition was underway a year later. The 24-story tower was imploded on June 14, 2016, followed by the 12- and 17-story towers on August 16, 2016. The LVCVA's plans for the property changed after it acquired other nearby acreage. The new convention space was built on the Riviera's eastern portion, while 10acres along the Strip were put up for sale in 2019.

History

Development

The Riviera was originally known as the Casa Blanca prior to the start of construction. It was proposed by a group of businessmen, mostly from Miami Beach, who applied for a gaming license in December 1952.[2] Among the group members was William "Lefty Clark" Bischoff, who previously ran casino operations in Detroit.[3] Bischoff was to hold a 40-percent interest in the Casa Blanca. However, he had been identified a few years earlier, during the Kefauver Committee hearings, as having ties to organized crime. He subsequently withdrew his name from the group's license application.[4] [5]

Two other investors, Miami contractor Julius Gaines and Hollywood producer Lewis Merman, also withdrew because of concern over their affiliation with Charles Tourine, who had a criminal record.[6] [7] Samuel Cohen, a Miami businessman, joined the Casa Blanca project in early 1953 as a financier.[8] [9] [10] He was later identified as a member of Miami's S & G gambling syndicate and would be removed from the project as well, although rumors persisted that he secretly maintained an involvement.[11]

A new list of prospective owners, eliminating all but two of the original investors, was submitted to the Nevada Tax Commission in July 1953. The group, at that time, consisted of eight partners.[12] Among them were brothers David and Myer Gensburg,[13] and brothers Harpo and Gummo Marx. The group was granted a gaming license in September 1953.[14]

The Riviera was built along the northern Las Vegas Strip, at a cost of $8.5 million.[15] Construction began in May 1954.[16] The project was designed by Roy France and Son, an architecture firm based in Miami Beach,[17] with J. Maher Weller as associate architect. The general contractor was Taylor Construction Company, also of Miami.[18] [19]

Early years

The Riviera opened on April 20, 1955, and included a nine-story hotel tower. Its debut coincided with that of two other Strip resorts, the Dunes and the Royal Nevada, prompting concerns that Las Vegas had been overbuilt with hotels.[20] [21] Mob fixer Sidney Korshak played a major role in the property's management.[22] Law enforcement agencies suspected that he represented the Chicago Outfit's interest in the Riviera, and was responsible for skimming the casino's revenue and delivering the proceeds to Chicago. This, combined with poor management by the inexperienced Miami group, resulted in significant financial losses for the Riviera.[23]

A group of former Flamingo Hotel managers, led by Gus Greenbaum, soon took over operation of the Riviera, leasing it from the ownership group.[24] [25] Greenbaum had recently retired, and it was widely suspected that he was coerced to return to work by threats from Chicago mob boss Tony Accardo.[26] [27] Among Greenbaum's staff was entertainment director William Nelson, who was soon discovered to be mob informer Willie Bioff, leading to his murder in November 1955.[27]

Greenbaum's drug and gambling addictions led to his embezzling from the casino. In December 1958, he and his wife were murdered in their Phoenix, Arizona home, reportedly on the orders of either Meyer Lansky or Accardo.[28] Ben Goffstein took Greenbaum's place as president.[29] In 1960, the Riviera purchased a 15-percent interest held by the estate of Greenbaum, which retained a 17-percent stake after the sale.[30] The estate's remaining interest was bought a year later.[31] Sid Wyman, a Las Vegas casino executive, also decided to sell his interest back to the Riviera.[32] [33]

Expansion and owner changes

Several hotel expansions would take place, including the addition of a 12-story tower in 1966. Two years later, the Riviera was purchased by a new group, which included bankers E. Parry Thomas and Jerome Mack. The group also consisted of investors tied to the Parvin-Dohrmann Corp., which owned the Aladdin, Stardust, and Fremont casinos.[34] In 1969, a deal was made to sell the Riviera to Parvin-Dohrmann,[35] but the sale was blocked by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, due to the company's previous failure to report a change of ownership.

Edward Torres was among the new ownership group and managed resort operations.[36] [37] Dean Martin was hired in 1969 to perform in the casino's showroom, and was given a 10% interest in the Riviera.[38] Martin left in 1972, after Torres refused his request to cut his performance schedule from two nightly shows to one; the Riviera bought back his shares.[39]

In 1973, the Riviera was purchased for $60 million by AITS Inc., a Boston-based travel company controlled by Meshulam Riklis and Isidore Becker.[40] [41] [42] Riklis was majority owner, while Becker would later serve as president of the property.[43] A 17-story tower was added in 1975.

The Riviera eventually suffered financial problems in part because of the early 1980s recession, and also due to competition from new casinos in Atlantic City, where gambling had been legalized.[44] The property filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1983.[45] [46] Riklis pledged money to keep the Riviera in operation, and replaced Becker with Jeffrey Silver to turn the business around.[47] [48] [49] Silver began shifting the Riviera's marketing focus away from high rollers, and towards middle- and working-class gamblers.[49] [50] The property emerged from bankruptcy in 1985.[50]

The Riviera underwent an expansion from 1988 to 1990, which included a neon billboard facade along the Strip. The resort was evacuated when a three-alarm fire occurred during 1989, in a new casino area that was under construction. Lumber had ignited due to sparks from a welder's torch, and the fire caused $3.5 million in damage. It was confined to the new addition, although smoke blackened the property's original hotel tower.[51] [52]

Aside from the new casino space, the expansion project also added a 24-story tower. There were plans to eventually add a 43-story tower and an indoor amusement park,[53] although these never materialized; the prior expansion work had gone significantly over budget, leading the parent company to file again for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1991.[54] [55] The business emerged in 1993 as Riviera Holdings Corporation, owned by the previous secured creditors. Riklis was no longer involved with the property.[56]

In 1997, businessman Allen Paulson agreed to acquire the Riviera,[57] [58] but backed out of the deal a year later, stating that adequate financial information had not been disclosed. Riviera Holdings sued him in response, and the case was settled in 1999.[59] [60]

Final years

Despite its age and financial problems, the Riviera would remain popular as a middle-class property through the 2000s, especially in contrast to newer megaresorts being built on the Strip. Riviera Holdings opened a Colorado location, the Riviera Black Hawk, in 2000, owning it for more than a decade. The company considered expanding the brand elsewhere as well.[61] [62]

Prospective buyers for the Las Vegas location became more frequent in the 2000s, as development of the nearby Wynn resort was expected to help revitalize the northern Strip.[63] [64] [65] In 2003, Italian investor Fabrizio Boccardi made an offer for Riviera Holdings, which rejected his bid.[63] [66] By that time, businessman Donald Trump had bought a 10-percent stake in the company, prompting speculation that he would take over the resort.[63] However, Trump simply viewed the property as an investment, and bought into the company only to acquire a Nevada gaming license for potential projects in the future. He sold his shares in 2004.[64] [67] [68] The company D. E. Shaw, one of the largest shareholders in Riviera Holdings, made a buyout offer later that year, but was also rejected.[69] A group of businessmen, including Barry Sternlicht and Neil Bluhm,[70] [71] [72] agreed to buy into the company in 2005,[73] with plans to renovate the Riviera.[74] [75] The buyout ultimately failed,[76] as D. E. Shaw opposed the group's $426 million offer, finding it too low.[77] [78]

In 2005, the Riviera celebrated its 50th anniversary, a rare milestone for Strip properties. According to Michael Green, a professor at the College of Southern Nevada, the Riviera's "survival is one of the most interesting parts of its story, just because 50 years later it's still there and geographically it's on a part of the Strip that hasn't done as well as the part south of The Mirage." Hal Rothman, a history professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said of the Riviera: "It never quite had the pizzazz of the Sands with the Rat Pack. There was never a moment when it was a signature property. It was a good, solid hotel, but it was never the leader of the pack."

The Riviera began targeting customers disappointed by the closure of nearby casinos, such as the Westward Ho in 2005, and the Stardust in 2006.[79] However, the closure of these properties, and that of the New Frontier in 2007, further reduced visitation to the northern Strip. The Riviera was expected to benefit from two nearby projects, Echelon Place and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, but construction on both had been suspended by the end of 2009, due to the Great Recession.[80] Visitation to the area was further reduced a few years later, following the temporary closure of the Sahara.

Riviera Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010,[81] [82] and emerged the following year through a deal with Sternlicht and other investors. His company, Starwood Capital Group, gained a 75-percent interest in Riviera Holdings, while local casino owner Derek Stevens owned 21 percent.[83] Following Starwood's takeover, prospective buyers continued to look at the Riviera, but were turned off by the amount of money needed to renovate it in line with modern resorts. David A. Siegel was among those who considered a purchase, but found the property to be "a dump," instead buying the nearby LVH resort. Various renovations were launched across the property and underway by 2012. Amid continued financial losses, Paragon Gaming was hired to take over casino operations in 2013,[84] [85] while Riviera Holdings remained as owner.[86]

Closure and demolition

In February 2013, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced plans for a major expansion of its nearby Las Vegas Convention Center.[87] On February 20, 2015, the LVCVA voted to purchase the resort from Riviera Holdings for $191 million, taking ownership immediately. The agency planned to demolish the resort to help make way for the new convention space. In the meantime, the Riviera was leased back to Paragon Gaming for the remainder of its operational history.[86] [88] The sale came less than two weeks after rumors emerged about the LVCVA acquiring the Riviera. The resort had 1,000 employees.[89]

The Riviera closed shortly after 12:00 p.m. on May 4, 2015,[90] [91] two weeks following its 60th anniversary.[92] An on-site liquidation sale began later that month,[93] [94] with more than 1 million items available for purchase. Some of the Riviera's slot machines were sold to Stevens, who placed them in his two downtown properties: The D and the Golden Gate.[90] [95]

Petitions to save the Riviera were launched via Change.org and with the county,[96] although these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Architecture critic Alan Hess was among those in favor of preservation, suggesting that portions of the resort be incorporated into the redevelopment project.[97] Kristen Peterson of Las Vegas Weekly lamented the Riviera's closure, noting its historic status and design features such as "tiered chandeliers, excessive mirror-paneling and a carpet pattern that could only be the direct kin of '70s television."[98]

John L. Smith of the Las Vegas Review-Journal opined that the Riviera "generated a certain kind of history that ought to be remembered, but I'm not sure its notorious tenure qualifies it for a spot on the National Register of Historic Places."[99] Singer Pia Zadora, who was married to Riklis during his ownership of the Riviera, said of the property: "At the risk of sounding crass, everyone is so upset and distraught about it being torn down, but I think it should have been imploded awhile ago. Either imploded or refurbished. This is not to negate all the memories and all the wonderful stuff that was there, but it just lived too long in a way."[100] Jim Murren, the CEO of MGM Resorts, said that "the days of (the Riviera's) benefit to Las Vegas are long gone," stating that expansion of the convention center "would be very beneficial to the neighborhood."

In response to the petition efforts, the LVCVA noted an economic impact analysis which found that a failure to demolish the Riviera would cost the local economy $15 billion over a 30-year period. The LVCVA had initially hoped to have the Riviera demolished during 2015,[101] although time had to be spent testing for hazardous construction materials such as asbestos.[96] [102] The demolition process began on April 18, 2016, with the removal of hazardous materials.[103] This was followed by demolition of various low-rise structures,[104] [105] [106] which required the use of excavators.[103] Consideration had been given to retaining the Riviera's parking garages, but it was later determined that keeping them would not be beneficial, due to their locations on the site.[107] After demolition started, contaminated soil was discovered on the property's north side, near four underground diesel fuel storage tanks. Nearly 10,000 tons of contaminated soil had to be removed.[108] [109]

By the time of its closure, the Riviera had multiple hotel structures, including several ranging from 12 to 24 stories. Due to the sprawling layout of the Riviera's buildings, a two-phase implosion was scheduled months apart for several of the hotel towers.[110] The implosion work was conducted by Controlled Demolition, Inc.,[103] which handled previous implosions in Las Vegas.[111]

The 24-story Monaco Tower was imploded on June 14, 2016,[112] at 2:37 a.m. Implosions have been popular events in Las Vegas since the 1990s,[113] and the Monaco Tower marked the first resort implosion to occur on the Strip since the New Frontier in 2007.[114] Dignitaries and many spectators came to view the implosion, which was preceded by a fireworks show.[115]

After the implosion, excavators were used to demolish the casino floor and the earliest hotel towers; the 1955 building was the oldest resort structure on the Strip.[103] [116]

The second implosion covered several structures: the 17-story Monte Carlo Tower, the 12-story Mediterranean South tower, and the billboard facade.[116] Asbestos had been discovered in the Monte Carlo Tower,[117] [118] which made its demolition more difficult than that of the Monaco Tower. Before being imploded, the building had to be wrapped in plastic, allowing workers to safely chisel away its stucco exterior without spreading the asbestos. The tower's interior also needed to be cleared of asbestos.[119] This removal process increased demolition costs by $5 million,[107] putting the total at more than $40 million.[120] [121]

The second implosion took place on August 16, 2016, at 2:30 a.m.[122] [123] It was a low-key event, conducted with no fanfare and attracting a few hundred spectators.[124] [125]

Redevelopment

In its final years, the Riviera occupied 26acres,[126] extending east from Las Vegas Boulevard to Paradise Road.[127] By November 2016, the site had been paved over with a convention center parking lot, which also served as outdoor exhibition space.[108] [128] The convention center expansion, known as the West Hall, began construction in January 2018, occupying the eastern portion of the former Riviera land.[129] [130] Later that year,[131] [132] the LVCVA acquired other nearby acreage which would be used for parking and outdoor exhibits moving forward. As a result, the agency put 10 acres of the Riviera site up for sale in 2019. The land is located along the Strip, at the southeast corner of Elvis Presley Boulevard.[133] [134] [135]

In 2021, an agreement was reached to sell the property to Claudio Fischer, a Chilean real estate developer who had built several casino resorts in South America.[136] [137] Fischer would purchase the site for $120 million,[138] and intended to build a casino resort with a 50-story hotel tower.[139] However, he backed out of the deal in 2023, citing the continual rise of interest rates in the U.S.[139] [140] Later that year, a deal was announced to sell the property to Brett Torino and Paul Kanavos for $125 million.[141] [142] The two had previously developed retail projects along the Strip such as 63,[142] and were also part of the group that sought to buy Riviera Holdings in 2006.[70] [77]

Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which had recently opened just north of the Riviera site, announced in June 2024 that it would purchase 5 of the 10 acres, with Torino and Kanavos retaining the western half that fronts the Strip. Fontainebleau would pay $112.5 million for the east half, to be used for future development.[143] [144] On their portion of the land, Torino and Kanavos have considered a retail and entertainment complex, possibly with a non-gaming hotel.[141] [145] The LVCVA's sale of both parcels is expected to close by November 2024.[146]

Features

The property and several of its facilities, such as the Monaco tower, were named in reference to the French Riviera, but the theme did not extend to the resort's architectural design.[147] [148]

Hotel

The Riviera originally opened with a nine-story hotel tower, and a connected two-story structure which extended south of it, for a total of 291 rooms.[149] It was the first skyscraper in the Las Vegas Valley,[150] [151] and was the area's tallest building until the opening of the Fremont Hotel and Casino in 1956.[152] [153]

Several hotel expansions would take place in the decades to come.[154] [155] The first expansion was announced in 1959.[156] Designed by Los Angeles architect Welton Beckett, the project included 114 new rooms, added through a six-story addition built atop the two-story structure.[157] It was finished in 1960.[158] These towers were extended further south with a 12-story addition, completed in 1966. The $6 million tower was designed by Harold W. Levitt with Ernest W. Le Duc and William H. Farwell as consulting architects.[159] It added 220 rooms.[160] [161] The original tower and the two newer additions would become known, respectively, as the Mediterranean North and Mediterranean South towers.[162] [163]

The $20 million East Tower, with 300 rooms, was added in 1975. The 17-story project was designed by architect Martin Stern Jr., with interior work by Yates and Silverman of Los Angeles.[164] [165] This addition later became known as the Monte Carlo Tower.[166]

Low-rise additions, known as the Lanai rooms, had been completed in 1962. These were designed by Julius Gabriele,[167] [168] and would later be replaced by two new towers.[158] The six-story San Remo Tower was constructed in 1977, by the Del E. Webb Corporation.[169] The 24-story Monaco Tower opened in 1988, and featured 1,000 rooms.[170] By the time of its closure, the Riviera had 2,075 rooms.[171]

Casino

The Riviera's casino originally opened with 116 slot machines.[172] In 1990, it was expanded to the sidewalk along the Strip with a 70000square feet addition, opened on the former parking lot. The property's gaming space was increased to approximately 125000square feet,[173] reputedly making it the largest casino in the world, although this figure was disputed by the new Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, which claimed to be the largest with 120000square feet.[174] [175]

In continued efforts to attract a budget-conscious demographic,[176] [177] a casino addition known as Nickel Town was added to the Riviera in 1997.[178] [179] [180] The 10000square feet area had more than 300 slots, most of them nickel machines.[181]

The sportsbook was remodeled in 2011, and included the addition of a walk-up betting window along the Strip.[182] [183] The casino also added bingo to set it apart from other resorts on the Strip, an area where the game had been absent since 2007.[184] [185] New slot machines were also added, and the poker room was updated as well.[186] In its final years, the total gaming space measured 103800square feet, including the 12000square feet sportsbook. The casino had nearly 1,000 slot machines during that time.[187] [188]

Restaurants

The Riviera featured various dining options, including the Ristorante Italiano, added in 1977.[189] Another restaurant, Kady's Coffee Shop, was named after Riklis' daughter and opened in 1986.[190] While Silver was serving as chief executive in 1984, he added a Burger King franchise inside the Riviera, making it the first Strip resort to feature a fast food chain outlet; this move inspired the phrase "Burger King Revolution" to refer to the broader trend of Las Vegas casinos catering to middle-class customers.[191] Other fast-food options were added in a food court addition, opened in 1990.[192] [193] The resort also had a low-priced buffet, which closed after many years in 2013, unable to compete with its upscale competitors. It was the cheapest buffet on the Strip at the time of its closure, charging less than $15 a person.[194] [195]

Neon signage

Upon opening, the Riviera featured a simple roadside sign along the Strip, replaced by a larger sign two years later.[196] In 1966, a taller sign was added along the Strip. By 1990, it had been moved to the rear of the property along Paradise Road, making way for the casino expansion.[158]

The circular billboard was added in 1989, and was accompanied by a block-long facade. Both of these faced the Strip, and consisted of mirrored panels and neon signage for various property features, such as restaurants and entertainment. The facade work was designed by Nikita Zukov, along with Marge Williams of Federal Sign.[197] [198] [199]

A steel sculpture was added to the Riviera's northwest corner in the late 1990s, as part of the Nickel Town addition. The sculpture featured three steel poles pointed outward, resembling fountain water. The poles were covered in neon lighting and had an advertising screen wrapped around them.[197]

The sign along Paradise Road was removed in 2016, following the Riviera's closure.[200] Neon letters from the billboard facade, spelling out "Riviera", were acquired by Will Durham, a Reno collector of neon signs.[201] [202] Other signage from the facade, as well as another "Riviera" sign from the property's east entrance, were donated to the city's Neon Museum.[203] [204] [205]

Other features

A convention center was added in 1968,[161] and a major expansion began 30 years later.[180] [206] [207] This helped the Riviera stay competitive in the 2000s, with the property hosting numerous groups and events each year.[208] [209]

In 1984, the Riviera set up a walk of fame on its sidewalk along the Strip. It consisted of concrete slabs featuring handprints from celebrities, including boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, and singers Dolly Parton and Michael Jackson. The walk of fame was short-lived and eventually removed. Jackson's slab and others were stored in the Riviera basement for the next two decades, before being raffled off to gamblers. In 2012, Jackson's slab was placed at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.[210]

Tennis courts were added near the pool area in 1972. A second pool had been added to the rooftop of the 1990 casino expansion, but it was soon drained and left abandoned after it began leaking onto the gaming floor.[211] [212]

Live entertainment

Liberace provided the Riviera's opening-night entertainment,[213] [214] while actress Joan Crawford mingled with guests.[215] Liberace was paid $50,000 a week to perform at the Riviera, a record salary for Las Vegas entertainers at the time. The resort included a dinner theatre known as the Clover Room, seating 550 people.[216] It was renamed the Versailles Theatre in 1960.[217] [218] The property also included the Starlight Lounge.[219]

Several entertainers made their Las Vegas debut at the Riviera, including Orson Welles in 1956,[220] Barbra Streisand (as opening act for Liberace) in 1963,[221] [222] and Engelbert Humperdinck in 1969. Other notable entertainers throughout the Riviera's history included Ed Sullivan, Red Skelton, Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Eddie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds,[223] Tony Orlando,[224] Bobby Vinton,[225] Charo,[226] [227] Harry Belafonte,[228] Liza Minnelli,[229] Ricci Martin,[230] and Shecky Greene.[231] [232] [233]

In 1967, singer Ann-Margret signed an entertainment contract with the Riviera,[234] and also married Roger Smith there.[235] Five years later, actress Olivia Hussey and Dean Paul Martin (son of Dean Martin) would also hold their wedding at the resort.[236]

Sam Distefano was the resort's head of entertainment during the 1980s, and eventually teamed up comedians Bob Hope and George Burns for their first performance together.[237] [238] Future actor Steve Schirripa worked as entertainment director during the 1990s.

Singer Frank Sinatra performed at the Riviera several times in the early 1990s.[239] After his performances, he would stay in a high roller suite in the Monte Carlo Tower, which was redesigned to his liking. Following his death in 1998, the hotel dedicated the room in his honor, renaming it the Frank Sinatra Suite.[240] [241] [242]

Primary shows

The Riviera debuted several long-running shows in the 1980s, while under the ownership of Riklis.[243] Among them was Splash, which debuted in June 1985. It was directed, produced and choreographed by Jeff Kutash. The show included dancers,[244] motorcycle stunts,[245] and a 20,000-gallon tank for swimming performances.[244] [246] For the sake of variety, the show's entertainment lineup was subject to frequent changes.[247]

Splash underwent a $5 million revamp in 1995, and was rebranded as Splash II,[246] [248] a name it would retain for several years. Kutash departed the production in 1996, and Riklis would later become its owner and producer.[249] The tank was removed in 1999, replaced with a surface for ice-skating performances.[246] [250] [251] Kutash returned in 2005 and revamped the show once more, in honor of its 20th anniversary.[252] [253] Splash ended its run in September 2006.[254]

Another show, titled An Evening at La Cage, debuted in September 1985.[255] [256] It featured a cast of female impersonators who portrayed various celebrities, such as Cher and Diana Ross.[257] Frank Marino starred as the show's headliner with his impersonation of Joan Rivers.[256] [257] The show was produced by Norbert Aleman, and ran until February 2009.[258]

Aleman also produced another Riviera show, a topless revue known as Crazy Girls,[259] [260] which debuted in September 1987.[261] One of its early performers was transgender showgirl Jahna Steele.[262] [263] [264] A prominent advertising photo of the dancers was shot in 1994. It featured the dancers dressed in G-strings and lined up with their backs to the camera, bearing their buttocks. The photo was used on billboards and taxicabs, despite objections from some elected officials who found the image too risqué.[265] [266]

In 1997, a bronze sculpture of the dancers was unveiled at the Riviera's entrance along the Strip, commemorating the show's 10th anniversary. It was created by sculptor Michael Conine over the course of nearly a year.[267] [268] [269] The National Organization for Women objected to the sculpture, deeming it sexually explicit. In response, Conine said, "Nudity has been in art since the beginning. Using the female nude in art is nothing new."[270] The sculpture became a popular tourist attraction, with visitors often rubbing the buttocks for good luck, wearing them down to a shine.[271] [272] [273] Crazy Girls closed along with the Riviera in May 2015. The show and its sculpture were relocated to the Planet Hollywood resort on the Strip,[274] [275] where they remained until 2021.[273]

New venues and final years

Budd Friedman opened a comedy club at the Riviera in 1986, part of his Improv chain. After a nine-year run, the venue was rebranded as the Riviera Comedy Club.[276] [277] It continued to operate until the property's closure,[278] becoming one of the longest-operating comedy venues in Las Vegas.[279] Other venues would be added to the Riviera over the years, such as the 3,500-seat Royale Pavilion, opened in 1999 as part of the convention space expansion.[280] [281]

Le Bistro Theatre opened in 2002; it was previously a lounge which offered free entertainment.[282] In its early years as a paid venue, it was leased to singer Marlene Ricci, a protege of Sinatra. Aside from performing there,[283] Ricci also subleased the space to other productions.[284] [285] Among these were tribute shows to Sinatra and Neil Diamond,[286] the latter starring impersonator Jay White.[285] [287] Another tribute show was Barbra & Frank: The Concert That Never Was, dedicated to Streisand and Sinatra. It opened at the Le Bistro Theatre in 2005, and ran for several years.[288] [289] [290]

Ice: Direct From Russia opened in the Versailles Theatre in 2007, replacing Splash. The show primarily featured ice-skaters, in addition to acrobats and clowns.[291] [292] It ran until 2009. In need of repairs, the Versailles Theatre also closed that year and never reopened. Plans to renovate the venue were announced at the end of 2014, but were soon scrapped after the Riviera was sold to the LVCVA.[293] [294] [295]

Pat DiNizio, founding member of the band The Smithereens, opened his show Confessions of a Rock Star in 2011.[279] [296] Magician Jan Rouven opened the following year,[297] in the Starlight Theater.[298] In 2013, Red Mercury Entertainment was hired to manage several venues at the Riviera.[299] [300] Within a year, the company launched a male revue known as Men: The Experience,[301] as well as shows dedicated to the doo-wop and Motown genres.[302] Pawn Shop Live! also debuted in 2014, as a spoof of the locally based television program Pawn Stars, with input from the cast. Shortly after debuting, the show was revamped to scale back on the spoof aspect. Despite the changes, the show proved to be short-lived, closing four months after its initial opening.[302] [303]

George Bugatti and Denise Rose were the last singers to perform at the Riviera, doing so on April 25, 2015.[304] [305] [306] Crazy Girls ended its run on May 1, 2015,[307] and the comedy club closed the night before the rest of the property.[308]

In popular culture

The Riviera was often chosen as a shooting location due to its history and recognition as a landmark.[309] [310] It was a major location for the 1995 film Casino, standing in as the fictional Tangiers.[311] Because the film is set in the 1970s and 1980s, the filmmakers needed a property with an appearance matching the time period. The Riviera fulfilled this requirement, and filming took place throughout the resort, most prominently on the casino floor.[309]

After its closure, the Riviera was lit up again in February 2016 and used for the film Jason Bourne, released later that year. Because the Riviera was already set for demolition, the filmmakers were allowed to shoot a scene in which a SWAT truck crashes through its front entrance.[312] Producer Frank Marshall said, "I have always wanted to take a building that was going to be demolished and use that in the movie. So we helped destroy the Riviera."[313] A portion of the interior was decorated to make it appear as a functioning casino floor, based on photos taken prior to the closure. Jason Bourne would be the last film shot at the Riviera.[314]

Other films had also used the resort as a shooting location:

The Riviera also made television appearances. The game show Hollywood Squares taped its final syndicated season there, from 1980 to 1981.[330] Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (1986–1990) also shot at the resort.[331] [332] In addition, the Riviera appeared in a 1998 episode of Chicago Hope,[333] [334] and episodes of Ghost Adventures in 2012 and 2016.[335] [336]

Sports

The Riviera occasionally hosted boxing matches in the 1980s,[337] [338] such as the first match between Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks on September 21, 1985.[339] Spinks won in an upset on a unanimous decision, winning Holmes's International Boxing Federation heavyweight championship, and preventing Holmes from tying Rocky Marciano's undefeated 49–0 record.

In 1994, the Riviera was the host of the practice field for the short lived Las Vegas Posse of the Canadian Football League during the league's brief U.S. expansion. Built on a former parking lot on Riviera property, the Posse practiced on a smaller-than-regulation field (only 70 yards long) where a sign read "Field of ImPOSSEable Dreams." The team folded after the 1994 season.[340] [341] [342]

From the 1990s onward, the Riviera also hosted many pool (pocket billiards) tournaments,[343] [344] from organizations such as the Valley National 8-Ball Association,[345] [346] [347] the Billiard Congress of America,[348] and the American Cuesports Alliance.[349] The American Poolplayers Association held annual events at the resort from 1993 until its closure.[350] [351] The 2015 APA National Singles Championships were the last event to ever be held at the Riviera.[352]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2901 S Las Vegas Blvd . ClarkCountyData. October 14, 2016. March 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180329184211/http://clarkcountydata.com/property/id/xW6EcMTxf.
  2. News: Florida Resort Operators Seek Nevada License . Nevada State Journal . December 19, 1952 . January 23, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  3. News: McCormick . Ken . And Whatever Happened to–Lefty Clark? . February 1, 2024 . Detroit Free Press . April 14, 1957 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  4. News: Willie Bischoff To Apply For Gaming Permit . Reno Evening Gazette . December 19, 1952 . January 23, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  5. News: Express Doubt Full Story of Hotel Is Told . Reno Evening Gazette . April 13, 1953 . January 23, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  6. News: Casa Blanca Petition Gets Close Scrutiny . Nevada State Journal . April 14, 1953 . January 23, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  7. News: Action on Drew Application for License Delayed . Reno Evening Gazette . August 19, 1953 . January 23, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  8. News: Lefty Clark Seen Rising In Rackets . The Miami Herald . January 22, 1953 . February 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  9. News: Gamblers Renew Plea for Stateline Permit . Nevada State Journal . March 3, 1953 . February 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  10. News: Hotel Financier Sues Promoters . Nevada State Journal . October 17, 1954 . February 1, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  11. News: Beach men granted Nevada casino OKs. Miami Daily News. March 3, 1955. Milt Sosin. Newspapers.com . subscription.
  12. News: Casa Blanca on Vegas Strip Gets Go-Ahead . San Bernardino County Sun . Associated Press . May 4, 1954 . January 24, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  13. News: Coast Gamblers Ask Strip License . Reno Evening Gazette . July 3, 1953 . January 23, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  14. News: Vegas Strip Resort Hotels Get Licenses . Reno Evening Gazette . September 22, 1953 . January 23, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  15. News: Greenspun . Brian . As in 1955, the old gives way to the new . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . May 3, 2015.
  16. News: Plans Move Forward for New Strip Hotel . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 23, 1954 . February 1, 2024 . subscription.
  17. News: New Vegas Hotel Is Beach Project . The Miami Herald . May 15, 1955 . January 24, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  18. News: Scale Models Prove Useful to Architects and Builders . The Miami Herald . September 19, 1954 . January 24, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  19. News: Riviera Hotel In Las Vegas To Rival Fontainebleau In Florida . The Evening Sun . February 1, 1955 . January 24, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  20. News: New Las Vegas Resorts Reported Barely Surviving . The Courier . September 11, 1955 . January 25, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  21. News: Friess . Steve . Boom cycle . January 25, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . June 26, 2008.
  22. Web site: Tosches . Nick . The Man Who Kept The Secrets . Vanity Fair . February 1, 2024 . April 6, 1997.
  23. News: 5 Miamians Lose Las Vegas Hotel, Maybe Shirts, Too . The Miami Herald . August 19, 1955 . January 24, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  24. News: Clark County's Riviera Hotel changes hands. Nevada State Journal. Reno, NV. UP. July 28, 1955.
  25. News: Finances of Riviera are under scrutiny. Nevada State Journal. Reno, NV. UP. October 27, 1955.
  26. Southern Italians and Eastern European Jews: Cautious Cooperation in Las Vegas Casinos, 1940-1967. Alan Balboni. 163. Nevada Historical Society Quarterly. Fall 1995. 2015-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141634/http://nsla.nevadaculture.org/statepubs/epubs/210777-1995-3Fall.pdf. 2015-04-02.
  27. Book: Supermob: How Sidney Korshak and His Criminal Associates Became America's Hidden Power Brokers. Gus Russo. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. 2008. 143–144, 209–16. 978-1-59691-898-6.
  28. The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes by Michael Newton, Checkmark Books (August 2004)
  29. News: Goffstein To Quit Riviera . Nevada State Journal . December 22, 1962 . January 25, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  30. News: Original Investors In Holiday Hotel To Sell Back Stock . Nevada State Journal . July 7, 1960 . January 25, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  31. News: Gaming Licenses Granted to 14 . Nevada State Journal . June 21, 1961 . January 25, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  32. News: Las Vegas Luxury Hotel Owners Seek Quick Cash . Nevada State Journal . July 20, 1960 . January 25, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  33. News: Gaming Commission Would Clarify Power Over Personnel of Casinos . Reno Evening Gazette . October 19, 1960 . January 25, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  34. News: Combination may now be right for full Las Vegas potential. Greeley Daily Tribune. Greeley, CO. Philip Greer. Washington Post. May 30, 1969.
  35. News: Swiss firm sells stock as ordered. Nevada State Journal. April 24, 1969. UPI.
  36. News: Commission Action Roundup . Reno Evening Gazette . July 31, 1968 . February 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  37. News: Business Briefs . Nevada State Journal . February 2, 1975 . February 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  38. News: Dean Martin in show hassle. Billboard. March 4, 1972. Google Books.
  39. News: Levitan . Corey . Lost Vegas . February 2, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . October 12, 2008.
  40. News: Las Vegas Riviera sale approved. Redlands Daily Facts. Redlands, CA. UPI. September 20, 1973.
  41. News: Giant firm lost 3 buildings here. Marlo Barnhart. The Daily Mail. Hagerstown, MD. April 8, 1976.
  42. News: Smith . John L. . Nearly forgotten, Riklis owned Riviera, helped create junk-bond financing that reinvented LV . February 2, 2024 . CDC Gaming Reports . January 31, 2019.
  43. News: Borders . Myram . Riviera Hotel President Isidore Becker said Wednesday he does... . February 2, 2024 . UPI . June 22, 1983.
  44. News: Hiltzik . Michael a . A Borrowed Empire . February 2, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . August 17, 1986.
  45. News: Riviera Chapter 11. New York Times. AP. August 26, 1983. .
  46. News: Gaming officials act to protect Riviera's employees . Nevada State Journal . August 26, 1983 . January 25, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  47. News: Financial Problems Doom Dunes Sale. The Press of Atlantic City . August 28, 1983 . February 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  48. News: House Cleaning Time At The Riviera Hotel . The Press of Atlantic City . September 11, 1983 . February 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  49. News: Fast food invades Riviera hotel as Vegas seeks middle class. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Al Martinez. L.A. Times-Washington Post News Service. April 27, 1984.
  50. News: Kristof . Nicholas D. . Vegas Courts Low Rollers . January 25, 2024 . The New York Times . November 28, 1985.
  51. News: Fire forces evacuations at Riviera casino-hotel . January 26, 2024 . UPI . September 7, 1989.
  52. News: Fire Hits Vegas Hotel . January 26, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . September 7, 1989.
  53. News: Riviera starts to build Pavilion . Daily Press . August 31, 1990 . January 26, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  54. News: Casino exits Chap. 11. The Star-Ledger. Newark, NJ. July 2, 1993. AP. NewsBank.
  55. News: Company News; Riviera Hotel . January 26, 2024 . The New York Times . December 19, 1991.
  56. News: Newberg . Katelyn . Ex-owner of Las Vegas' Riviera, Meshulam Riklis, dies at 95 . January 26, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 27, 2019.
  57. News: Ex-Cigar owner looks to purchase Riviera . January 27, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . May 16, 1997.
  58. News: Berns . Dave . Paulson buys Riviera, Four Queens . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 17, 1997 . https://web.archive.org/web/19991011153013/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Sep-17-Wed-1997/business/6076268.html . October 11, 1999.
  59. News: Strow . David . Riviera settles merger lawsuit . January 27, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . October 14, 1999.
  60. News: Hogan . Jan . Casino executive Paulson, 78, dies . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 21, 2000 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030708052407/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jul-21-Fri-2000/news/14012788.html . July 8, 2003.
  61. News: Simpson . Jeff . Riviera Holdings pleased with new Colorado casino . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 9, 2000 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010510022554/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Feb-09-Wed-2000/business/12925856.html . May 10, 2001.
  62. News: Benston . Liz . Vegas company envisions a new Riviera in Missouri . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . August 23, 2002.
  63. News: Benston . Liz . Riviera stock rises on buyout offer . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . April 3, 2003.
  64. News: Jones . Chris . Riviera execs believe that better times about to land . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 10, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041106142020/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jun-10-Thu-2004/business/24071020.html . November 6, 2004.
  65. News: Stutz . Howard . Riviera shares rising fast . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 28, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041230020411/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Dec-28-Tue-2004/business/25555503.html . December 30, 2004.
  66. News: Benston . Liz . Riviera drops poison pill . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . July 23, 2003.
  67. News: Trump's Riviera investment advances . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . February 4, 2004.
  68. News: Donald Trump sells stake in Vegas company . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . April 12, 2004.
  69. News: Smith . Rod . Another buyer emerges to make offer for Riviera Holdings . Las Vegas Review-Journal . August 21, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050122154252/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Aug-21-Sat-2004/business/24590356.html . January 22, 2005.
  70. News: Jones . Chris . After lots of talks, Riviera sold . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 7, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060408153502/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Apr-07-Fri-2006/business/6743241.html . April 8, 2006.
  71. News: Benston . Liz . Rebirth of the Riviera? . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . January 17, 2006.
  72. News: Stutz . Howard . Talks get Riv revved anew . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 25, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060420044013/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-25-Sat-2006/business/6541450.html . April 20, 2006.
  73. News: Stutz . Howard . Investors make play for shares of Riviera . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 30, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060101034702/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Dec-30-Fri-2005/business/5127581.html . January 1, 2006.
  74. News: Riviera buyers envision nostalgia theme . Las Vegas Business Press . April 6, 2006 . January 30, 2024 . subscription.
  75. News: McKee . David . A tale of two Strip casinos . Las Vegas Business Press . April 24, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060428081413/http://www.lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2006/04/24/news/news01.txt . April 28, 2006.
  76. News: Would-be Riviera buyers playing it cool . Las Vegas Business Press . December 11, 2006 . January 30, 2024 . subscription.
  77. News: Smith . Rod . New offer emerges for Riviera . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 12, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060418164948/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Apr-12-Wed-2006/business/6819956.html . April 18, 2006.
  78. News: Major Shareholder of Riviera Vows to Vote Against Takeover . January 28, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . April 13, 2006.
  79. News: Spillman . Benjamin . Riviera shifts tactics, aims for customers . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 2, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080705135337/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-02-Thu-2006/business/10573755.html . July 5, 2008.
  80. News: Sieroty . Chris . Riviera on Strip to get $20 million to $30 million makeover . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 17, 2012.
  81. News: Owner of Riviera Black Hawk Casino files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy . January 28, 2024 . The Denver Post . July 13, 2010.
  82. News: Green . Steve . Starwood Capital involved in takeover of bankrupt Riviera . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . July 13, 2010.
  83. News: Sieroty . Chris . Riviera Holdings sells Colorado casino for $76 million . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 30, 2011.
  84. News: Komenda . Ed . Staff shake-up at the Riviera: CEO fired in move called 'amicable' . February 3, 2024 . VegasInc . June 21, 2013.
  85. News: Komenda . Ed . Company reviving Vegas' Riviera wins control board OK . February 3, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 10, 2014.
  86. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Stutz . Howard . In historic vote, LVCVA approves purchase of Riviera . January 29, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 20, 2015.
  87. News: Carroll . Laura . Las Vegas Convention Center set for $2.5 billion upgrade . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 26, 2013.
  88. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Stutz . Howard . Riviera to be demolished for Las Vegas convention center expansion . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 17, 2015.
  89. News: DeSilva . Kristen . Riviera announces closure date, time on Las Vegas Strip . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 12, 2015.
  90. News: Morris . J. D. . 'Thank you for 60 wonderful years': Guests, employees say farewell to the Riviera . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . May 5, 2015.
  91. News: De La Cruz . Kimberly . Velotta . Richard N. . Riviera ends 60 years on Strip, closes for good . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 4, 2015.
  92. News: Griggs . Brandon . Fabled Las Vegas casino closes after 60 years . January 31, 2024 . CNN . May 5, 2015.
  93. News: Local firm to liquidate Riviera Hotel Casino . January 31, 2024 . Journal-News . April 15, 2015.
  94. News: De La Cruz . Kimberly . Sinatra's still a big hit in the twilight of the Riviera . February 2, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 13, 2015.
  95. News: Kudialis . Chris . Casino owner Stevens buys up Riviera slot machines, other equipment . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 7, 2015.
  96. News: Velotta . Richard . Petition filed with county wants to stop Riviera demolition . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 18, 2016.
  97. News: Peterson . Kristen . Losing our history: To implode or to not implode on the Las Vegas Strip . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Weekly . September 2, 2015.
  98. News: Peterson . Kristen . Dear Riviera, you're breaking my heart . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Weekly . February 25, 2015.
  99. News: Smith . John L. . Riviera worth remembering, but building should be history . January 29, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 19, 2016.
  100. News: Weatherford . Mike . Separating Riviera sentiment from reality . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 3, 2015.
  101. News: Velotta . Richard N. . LVCVA committee votes to demolish Riviera . January 29, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 28, 2015.
  102. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Bringing down the Riv part of giant puzzle . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . October 19, 2015.
  103. Web site: Schlosser . Alexa . Inside the Demolition of Las Vegas's Riviera Hotel and Casino . For Construction Pros . January 31, 2024 . November 17, 2016.
  104. News: Velotta . Richard N. . LVCVA: Not demolishing Riviera could cost area economy $15.8 billion over 30 years . January 29, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 10, 2016.
  105. News: Demolition proceeds at Riviera . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 23, 2016.
  106. News: Demolition crews bring down Riviera's parking garage . January 31, 2024 . KLAS . May 12, 2016.
  107. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Two tower implosions in separate months proposed to take down Riviera . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 29, 2016.
  108. News: Velotta . Richard N. . LVCVA approves $1.6M for more work on former Riviera site . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 8, 2016.
  109. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Cost to prepare Riviera site for exhibition space, parking rises by $1.6M . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 5, 2016.
  110. News: Curtis . Anthony . Las Vegas: Riviera to be demolished this summer . January 31, 2024 . USA Today . April 29, 2016.
  111. News: Anderson . Ric . Las Vegas: 'The implosions capital of the world' . February 3, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . May 4, 2015.
  112. News: Munks . Jamie . De La Cruz . Kimberly . Riviera implosion goes off without a hitch . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 15, 2016.
  113. News: Przybys . John . Watching buildings fall on the Strip another excuse to party . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 12, 2016.
  114. News: Jones . Jay . Las Vegas gets ready to blow up famed Riviera hotel-casino . January 31, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . June 10, 2016.
  115. News: Barker . Aaron . Riviera's first implosion brings down Monaco tower . Fox . June 14, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160615121239/http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/32214299/rivieras-first-implosion-brings-down-monaco-tower . June 15, 2016.
  116. Web site: Abell-Shepard . Austin . Cashed Out Casino . YouTube . January 31, 2024 . August 13, 2017 . 29:00–39:00.
  117. Web site: Riviera to be demolished in June, August. Jarvis. Katherine. Lazara. Gina. KTNV-TV. April 12, 2016. April 17, 2016.
  118. News: Burke . Michael . Las Vegas to implode hotel tower at Riviera resort . January 31, 2024 . USA Today . June 14, 2016.
  119. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Final tower of Riviera coming down Tuesday morning . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . August 13, 2016.
  120. News: More of the Riviera comes down . January 31, 2024 . KTNV . May 25, 2016.
  121. News: McKee . David . Riviera: Now they tell us!; Paddy Power's bad electoral bet . February 3, 2024 . Las Vegas Advisor . November 10, 2016.
  122. News: Final Riviera tower imploded, closing chapter of Las Vegas history. Las Vegas Sun. Jackie Valley. August 16, 2016. 2016-08-16.
  123. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Last of Riviera reduced to rubble on Las Vegas Strip . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . August 16, 2016.
  124. News: Jones . Jay . Rubble, rubble, toil and trouble: Riviera's second set of towers comes down . January 31, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . August 16, 2016.
  125. News: Curtis . Anthony . Las Vegas: King Kong's rise will follow Riviera's demise . January 31, 2024 . USA Today . August 26, 2016.
  126. News: Stutz . Howard . No decision, no thanks; Riviera stock sinks . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 9, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060203031001/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Nov-09-Wed-2005/business/4210368.html . February 3, 2006.
  127. Web site: Stapleton . Susan . Legendary Riviera Casino Almost Certain To Bite the Dust . Eater . January 31, 2024 . February 13, 2015.
  128. News: Morris . J. D. . Riviera site to be empty lot by early 2017 . February 1, 2024 . VegasInc . October 13, 2015.
  129. News: Gillan . Jeff . Billion dollar Las Vegas Convention Center expansion 45 percent complete . February 1, 2024 . KSNV . August 20, 2019.
  130. News: Wargo . Buck . LVCVA approves $120 million sale of former Riviera site . February 1, 2024 . CDC Gaming Reports . October 12, 2021.
  131. News: Segall . Eli . LVCVA to buy north Las Vegas Strip land for almost $50M . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 11, 2018.
  132. News: Velotta . Richard N. . LVCVA board nearing deal to sell 10 acres at former Riviera site . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . October 11, 2021.
  133. News: Velotta . Richard N. . LVCVA to sell 10 acres of former Riviera site . October 15, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 21, 2019.
  134. News: Segall . Eli . LVCVA puts 10 acres of the former Riviera site up for sale . October 15, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 27, 2019.
  135. News: Haas . Greg . Piece of Riviera site on Las Vegas Strip sold for $120 million . October 15, 2021 . KLAS . October 12, 2021.
  136. News: Velotta . Richard N. . $120M sale of Strip-front property approved . October 15, 2021 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . October 12, 2021.
  137. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Chilean real estate millionaire targets Strip . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 13, 2022.
  138. News: Horwath . Bryan . New resort planned for old Riviera property on north Strip . October 15, 2021 . Las Vegas Sun . October 12, 2021.
  139. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Chilean developer cancels $120M deal to build Strip hotel-casino . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 3, 2023.
  140. News: Velotta . Richard N. . LVCVA moves on after deal to build Strip resort fails . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 15, 2023.
  141. News: Velotta . Richard N. . LVCVA's 10-acre Strip parcel sold for $125M . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . March 15, 2023.
  142. News: Velotta . Richard N. . Board approves spending $6.5M to prepare former Riviera site for development . February 1, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . November 14, 2023.
  143. News: Edgemon . Erin . Fontainebleau developer to buy more Strip land for $112.5M . June 8, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 7, 2024.
  144. News: Seeman . Matthew . Fontainebleau Las Vegas seeks to buy land at former Riviera site . June 8, 2024 . KSNV . June 7, 2024.
  145. News: Garcia . Abel . LVCVA sells land north of the Strip for new retail complex, hotel . February 1, 2024 . KTNV . March 14, 2023.
  146. News: Ross . McKenna . New sale agreement at Riviera site approved . June 20, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 11, 2024.
  147. News: Morris . J. D. . Tourism authority plans to buy, tear down the historic Riviera . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . February 17, 2015.
  148. News: Friess . Steve . Underappreciated and emotionally resonant, the Riviera will die the way it lived . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Weekly . April 29, 2015.
  149. Book: Hess, Alan . Viva Las Vegas: After-Hours Architecture . 1993 . Chronicle Books . 978-0-8118-0111-9 . 55 . January 30, 2024.
  150. News: This Photo . The Baytown Sun . January 20, 1955 . February 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  151. News: New Hotel Opening Set . Evening Star . April 10, 1955 . February 3, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  152. News: History Timeline . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun.
  153. News: Is Las Vegas Going Broke? . The Pittsburgh Press . February 11, 1956 . January 31, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  154. News: 10 Years Old, Riviera Plans $3-Million Wing . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 22, 1965 . February 1, 2024 . subscription.
  155. Web site: Riviera property overview . Imgur . January 30, 2024 . September 27, 2022.
  156. News: Riviera Sale Plans Scrapped; Plan Expansion . Reno Evening Gazette . Associated Press . August 5, 1959 . January 26, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  157. News: Six-Story Project: Addition Scheduled for Las Vegas Hotel . Los Angeles Times . November 15, 1959 . January 26, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  158. Web site: Riviera timeline . Vintage Las Vegas . February 1, 2024.
  159. News: $6 Million Vegas Hotel Wing Added . Anaheim Bulletin . October 29, 1966 . January 26, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  160. News: Jack Wasserman . The Vancouver Sun . September 23, 1966 . January 31, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  161. News: 'Flagship' of Las Vegas . Los Angeles Evening Citizen News . April 5, 1968 . January 26, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  162. Web site: Room Details . Riviera Hotel . https://web.archive.org/web/20070114121751/http://www.rivierahotel.com/roomsreservations_roomdetails.html . January 14, 2007.
  163. Web site: Property map . Riviera Hotel . https://web.archive.org/web/20020616165102/http://rivierahotel.com/bigmap.html . June 16, 2002.
  164. News: New Hotel Tower Near Completion in Las Vegas . Los Angeles Times . September 21, 1975 . January 26, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  165. News: Riviera Completes Tower . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 24, 1975 . January 26, 2024 . subscription.
  166. Web site: Photograph of a rendering of the Riviera Hotel Monte Carlo tower addition (Las Vegas), circa 1974. University of Nevada, Las Vegas . January 30, 2024.
  167. News: Attends Ground Breaking . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 26, 1962 . January 26, 2024 . subscription.
  168. News: Riviera Hotel To Open New Lanai Rooms July 4 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 30, 1962 . January 26, 2024 . subscription.
  169. Web site: Contracting Wins Two Bids In Las Vegas, Nevada . The Webb Spinner . September–October 1977. 2018-09-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20180916022646/https://delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1975-1978.pdf. 2.
  170. News: Lady Luck starts work on 400 room tower . The Press of Atlantic City . June 5, 1988 . January 26, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  171. News: Smith . John L. . Longtime employees helped make memories at the Riviera . January 31, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . May 5, 2015.
  172. Book: Papa, Paul W. . Discovering Vintage Las Vegas: A Guide to the City's Timeless Shops, Restaurants, Casinos, & More . 2014 . Rowman & Littlefield . 978-1-4930-1398-2 . 27 . February 3, 2024.
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  200. News: Clarke . Norm . Riviera Boulevard to be renamed Elvis Presley Way . January 28, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 22, 2016.
  201. News: Higdon . Mike . The neon museum Reno deserves . January 28, 2024 . USA Today . March 25, 2016.
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  206. News: Riviera Holdings Corp. chairman dies . January 26, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 19, 2010.
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  237. News: Barnes . Mike . Sam Distefano, Talent Exec for Hugh Hefner and Meshulam Riklis, Dies at 88 . February 2, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . April 15, 2015.
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  251. News: Paskevich . Michael . New theme has Riviera's 'Splash' frozen in time . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 4, 2000 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010414023608/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Feb-04-Fri-2000/weekly/12873797.html . April 14, 2001.
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  254. News: Clarke . Norm . Riviera's 'Splash' coming to end . Las Vegas Review-Journal . September 23, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071215021403/http://www.reviewjournal.com:80/lvrj_home/2006/Sep-23-Sat-2006/news/9827739.html . December 15, 2007.
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  331. News: Lawrence . Christopher . A look back at Vegas wrestling show 'GLOW' before Netflix debut . February 2, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . June 21, 2017.
  332. News: Moon Reed . C. . Why'd the lights dim? The Las Vegas mystery behind the demise of G.L.O.W. . February 2, 2024 . Las Vegas Weekly . July 18, 2017.
  333. News: Cling . Carol . 'Chicago Hope' set for Las Vegas visit . Las Vegas Review-Journal . January 26, 1999 . https://web.archive.org/web/19990219190325/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Jan-26-Mon-1998/lifestyles/6829405.html . February 19, 1999.
  334. News: Cling . Carol . 'Chicago Hope' prepares to wrap up Las Vegas stay . Las Vegas Review-Journal . February 2, 1999 . https://web.archive.org/web/20000914210615/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Feb-02-Mon-1998/lifestyles/6871922.html . September 14, 2000.
  335. Web site: Ghost Adventures: Return to the Riviera . Travel Channel . February 2, 2024.
  336. News: 'Ghost Adventures' visits Rivieria hotel-casino . February 2, 2024 . KTNV . October 1, 2015.
  337. News: Downey . Mike . Whatever happens in Vegas gets blown to bits in Vegas? . January 31, 2024 . CNN . May 1, 2015.
  338. News: Gustkey . Earl . The Money Wars in Boxing: Las Vegas Hotels Find the Stakes Are High in Fight Game . January 29, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . April 5, 1987.
  339. News: Holmes-Spinks To Battle In Vegas . Lebanon Daily News . July 18, 1985 . February 2, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  340. News: Cutting Them Off With the Pass . February 2, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . August 22, 1994.
  341. Web site: Lefko . Perry . The Bizarre Story of the Las Vegas Posse and the CFL's Stint in Sin City . Vice . February 2, 2024 . June 22, 2017.
  342. Web site: Fitz-Gerald . Sean . From tiger pee to 'O Christmas Tree,' 10 bizarre stories from the CFL . The Athletic . February 2, 2024 . April 16, 2020.
  343. News: Graham . Tim . Billiards: Shootout at Riviera . February 3, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . August 9, 1996.
  344. News: Pool at the Riviera . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 30, 1999 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010910070038/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Jul-30-Fri-1999/weekly/11643317.html . September 10, 2001.
  345. News: Saewitz . Mike . Balancing briefs, billiards . February 3, 2024 . Sarasota Herald-Tribune . May 30, 2004.
  346. News: Rueda . Jim . On a run . February 3, 2024 . Mankato Free Press . July 2, 2006.
  347. News: Brown . Kathy . Ahead of the 8-ball: Local woman earns international pool crown at Las Vegas . February 3, 2024 . Gillette News Record . June 4, 2008.
  348. News: Sorensen . Joe . Pair of pool teams earn trip to Vegas nationals . February 3, 2024 . Staten Island Advance . June 9, 2011.
  349. Web site: Cream Rises to the Top at the ACS Nationals in Las Vegas . AzBilliards . February 3, 2024 . June 22, 2009.
  350. News: Morris . J. D. . 'Thank you for 60 wonderful years': Guests, employees say farewell to the Riviera . January 30, 2024 . Las Vegas Sun . May 5, 2015.
  351. News: Barnes . Jim . Poolplayers Association ready, willing to toast right sponsors . February 3, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . August 12, 2022.
  352. Web site: APA National Singles Championships Close Riviera Out in Style . AzBilliards . February 3, 2024 . May 8, 2015.

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