Tahoe Biltmore Explained

Tahoe Biltmore
Coordinates:39.2284°N -120.0045°W
Address:5 State Route 28, Crystal Bay, Nevada, U.S.
Date Opened:June 30, 1948
Date Closed:April 30, 2022
Rooms:113
Space Gaming:10398square feet
Owner:EKN Development Group (since 2021)
Names Pre:Cal Neva Biltmore (1953–1956)
Nevada Lodge (1958–1986)
Renovations:1953, 1958, 1986–87, 1993, 1997

The Tahoe Biltmore is a closed hotel and casino in Crystal Bay, Nevada. It opened on June 30, 1948, after several years of delayed construction, a result of design changes and rising costs. Upon opening, the Tahoe Biltmore encountered further financial problems. It closed after a year, and would later change ownership and names several times.

In 1953, it reopened under new owners as the Cal Neva Biltmore. Three years later, the property was sold again and reverted to its original name. In 1957, it was sold to casino owner Lincoln Fitzgerald, who renamed it the Nevada Lodge a year later. Another ownership change took place in 1986, when the Tahoe Biltmore name was revived once again.

In its final years, the Tahoe Biltmore had a 10398square feet casino and 113 rooms, including cottages. EKN Development Group purchased the property in 2021, with plans for redevelopment. The Tahoe Biltmore closed on April 30, 2022, and demolition of its main building is expected around early 2025, following delays. EKN intends to replace the Tahoe Biltmore with a Waldorf Astoria hotel, expected to open in 2028.

History

Early years

Construction of the Tahoe Biltmore was underway by the end of 1945, with an opening expected the following year.[1] Despite its name, the property was not associated with the Bowman-Biltmore Hotels chain. The project's ownership group included Harry Brody and Harold Wyatt, both Reno casino owners,[1] and Nathan Blumenfeld,[2] a San Francisco theater owner.

The Tahoe Biltmore was designed by California architect Bernard G. Nobler. The property's opening was delayed, and construction was stopped at the end of 1946, leading to a lawsuit filed by contractors over unpaid work.[3] [4] It was alleged that the project's budget continually increased as a result of design changes, rising from an initial estimate of $250,000.[5]

Completed at a cost of $1.5 million,[6] the Tahoe Biltmore eventually opened on June 30, 1948.[7] [8] [9] It consisted of a four-story structure, which included 38 rooms.[10] Blumenfeld was originally licensed to operate the casino, along with Sam Lewis and Nola Hahn, both of Los Angeles.[6] [11] Sam Termini took over casino operations in 1949. It was later learned that gangster Charles Binaggio, the godfather to Termini, had planned to invest heavily in the Tahoe Biltmore and make it "the biggest gambling joint west of the Rockies," although this did not pan out.[12]

After its opening, the property encountered additional financial problems,[13] with its furnisher demanding either the return of leased items or $38,000 representing outstanding payments.[14] [15] The Tahoe Biltmore closed in September 1949, with the items returned and the property entering bankruptcy later that year.[16] [17] Remaining assets, including mattresses and liquor, were court-ordered to go on sale in 1950.[18] The property's failure was blamed on its limited number of rooms and competition from the nearby Cal Neva.[19]

The Tahoe Biltmore's primary creditors were the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) and Anglo California National Bank.[20] [21] In 1951, the RFC began advertising the hotel-casino for sale,[22] although the agency rejected several early bids because they were deemed too low.[23] A year later, the property was sold in a bidding war for $225,000. Hotel operator Joseph Greenbach prevailed against three other bidders, including Sanford Adler, operator of the Cal Neva.[24] [25] At the end of 1952, Adler took over the Tahoe Biltmore through a lease with Greenbach.[26] [27]

Name changes and renovations

Following renovations,[28] Adler and other partners reopened the property in 1953, as the Cal Neva Biltmore.[29] It now included the addition of six cottage buildings, half of them being one-story and the other half being two stories, adding a total of 44 new units.

Four young men, in the advertising industry, purchased the hotel-casino in 1956, and restored the Tahoe Biltmore name.[30] A year later, the property went into bankruptcy again,[31] and was sold to Lincoln Fitzgerald, a Reno casino owner.[32] [33] Fitzgerald remodeled and enlarged the hotel-casino, and reopened it on July 4, 1958, as the Nevada Lodge. It now featured 114 rooms.[34] [35] Fitzgerald also acquired an adjacent casino, Joby's Monte Carlo, which opened several years earlier.[36] Located just west, the Monte Carlo structure was incorporated into the Nevada Lodge. The hotel-casino would become known for its roadside sign, consisting of a log tripod which supports wooden slats that include signage, advertising various amenities.[37] Added in 1962, the sign became a familiar sight for motorists arriving from California.[38]

A two-year expansion project was finished in 1963, adding more casino space and a theater lounge.[39] Vive Les Girls, a Parisian production featuring showgirls, was produced by Frederic Apcar and ran during the 1960s.[40] [41] [42] The property would also go on to offer entertainment from performers such as Phyllis Diller,[43] Helen O'Connell, Dick Martin and Dan Rowan, Soupy Sales, Regis Philbin, and Rudy Vallée.[44] The casino was purportedly haunted by the ghost of a showgirl named Mary, who died in a car accident during the 1960s.[38] [45] [46]

Fitzgerald died in 1981,[47] and his wife Meta took over the Nevada Lodge.[48] In 1986, it was sold for $8 million to a group who owned the Crystal Bay Club casino across the street. The group also included part-owners of the Onslow hotel-casino in Reno. Under the new ownership, the Tahoe Biltmore name was revived once again. The property received minor renovations, including new paint and lighting.[49] Further renovations were carried out in 1987, at a cost of $4 million.[50] [51] [52] A new cafe was built in 1993, replacing the Monte Carlo structure.[53] A $500,000 hotel renovation concluded in 1997.[54]

Redevelopment

In 2007, the Tahoe Biltmore was sold to Boulder Bay LLC for $28 million.[55] A year later, the company announced plans to demolish the Tahoe Biltmore and replace it with Boulder Bay, a new casino resort with 366 rooms and condominiums. The proposal received mixed reactions from local residents. Although the aging property was viewed by some as rundown, others were worried that its replacement was too large and would negatively lead to population growth, including an increase in traffic.[56] [57] The permitting process for the Boulder Bay resort was lengthy, eventually being approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in 2011.[58] The project was ultimately canceled as a result of financing issues.[59]

In 2021, the Tahoe Biltmore was sold to EKN Development Group for $56 million. Like the previous owner, EKN planned to redevelop the land.[59] The Tahoe Biltmore closed on April 30, 2022.[38] At the time, the property included 113 rooms and a 10398square feet casino with 100 slot machines.[59] [60] It was popular among locals,[61] especially for its $1.99 breakfast.[62] [63]

Later in 2022, EKN partnered with Hilton Hotels to build a Waldorf Astoria hotel on the land, with the opening expected in 2027. To be known as Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe, the project would include 76 rooms, 61 residential units, and a casino.[64] This project has also received criticism for its size and potential impact on traffic.[65]

Work on the Waldorf Astoria project was set to begin in 2023. The start of construction was delayed by removal of asbestos in the Tahoe Biltmore's cottages,[66] which were eventually demolished in 2023.[67] [68] The main hotel-casino building contained more asbestos than anticipated. It was left standing as the last of the Tahoe Biltmore structures to be demolished.[69]

In 2024, EKN defaulted on an $82 million payment owed to an investor in the redevelopment project, pushing the start of construction to 2025 and the opening to 2028.[70] Site preparations, including road and utility work, continued despite the default.[71] The Tahoe Biltmore soon entered foreclosure, with an auction scheduled for October 2024.[72] This was canceled after the default notice was rescinded, giving EKN time to restructure its debt and proceed with redevelopment.[73] [74] The main hotel-casino structure is expected to be demolished around early 2025.[69]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Hotel Under Way At Lake Tahoe . Reno Evening Gazette . November 29, 1945 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Hotel Records Involved in Suit . Reno Evening Gazette . January 28, 1946 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  3. News: Suit Filed Over Work on Tahoe Hotel . Oroville Mercury Register . April 9, 1947 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  4. News: Wants Receiver For Tahoe Hotel . Reno Evening Gazette . April 10, 1947 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  5. News: Seek to End Involved Suit Over Resort . Reno Evening Gazette . October 22, 1947 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  6. News: Swanky Tahoe Resort Is In Operation . The Sacramento Bee . July 6, 1948 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  7. News: Tahoe Resort Opens June 30 . Reno Evening Gazette . June 24, 1948 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  8. News: Gaming Kings Of Lake Tahoe Plan Strategy . The Sacramento Union . July 1, 1948 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription . Sam Lewis of the Tahoe Biltmore on the north end of the lake, which had its grand opening last night [...].
  9. News: Tahoe Biltmore Opens for the Trade in Super de Luxe Style . San Francisco Examiner . July 5, 1948 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  10. News: Tahoe Biltmore Put on Block . Reno Evening Gazette . November 5, 1951 . November 7, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  11. News: Four Tahoe Clubs Get Temporary Gambling Permits . Reno Evening Gazette . May 29, 1948 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  12. News: Binaggio Name Linked With Tahoe Biltmore . Nevada State Journal . November 16, 1951 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  13. News: $404,000 Tahoe Biltmore Has $700,000 Debts . Nevada State Journal . February 22, 1950 . November 7, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  14. News: Lake Resort Facing Suit; $38,000 Asked . Nevada State Journal . August 25, 1949 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  15. News: Furnisher Sues Resort at Lake . Reno Evening Gazette . August 25, 1949 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  16. News: Tahoe Biltmore Closes Its Doors . Nevada State Journal . September 9, 1949 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  17. News: Tahoe Biltmore Judged Bankrupt . Las Vegas Review-Journal . December 31, 1949 . November 9, 2024 . subscription.
  18. News: Tahoe Resort Is Placed On Sale By Court Order . The Sacramento Bee . July 20, 1950 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  19. News: Tahoe Biltmore Hotel At Calneva Is Put On Block . The Sacramento Bee . August 15, 1952 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  20. News: Laxity in Prosecution Of Tax Cases Charged . San Francisco Examiner . November 15, 1950 . November 7, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  21. News: Tahoe Biltmore Bid Request Reveals Loan Agency Role . San Francisco Examiner . November 1, 1950 . November 7, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  22. News: RFC Advertises Bankrupt Tahoe Biltmore Hotel . Nevada State Journal . October 31, 1951 . November 7, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  23. News: Four File For Purchase of Tahoe Biltmore . The Union . August 16, 1952 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  24. News: Competitor Offers Highest Bid For Tahoe Biltmore . The Sacramento Bee . August 16, 1952 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  25. News: Tahoe's Hotel Biltmore Sold . San Francisco Examiner . September 13, 1952 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  26. News: Adler Pays $350,000 for Tahoe-Biltmore . Nevada State Journal . October 16, 1952 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  27. News: Tahoe Biltmore Casino Leased by LA. Man . Los Angeles Times . October 17, 1952 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  28. News: Former Kern Hotel Manager in Visit . The Bakersfield Californian . April 29, 1953 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  29. News: Nevada Board Grants Gambling Licenses To 45 . The Sacramento Bee . April 15, 1953 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  30. News: Ad Men Buy Hotel . San Francisco Examiner . July 16, 1956 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  31. News: Tahoe Biltmore Sale Is Halted . Vallejo Times-Herald . February 16, 1957 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  32. News: Nevada Club Sole Bidder Tahoe-Biltmore . Reno Evening Gazette . July 25, 1957 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  33. News: Tahoe Biltmore Sale Approved . Reno Evening Gazette . August 29, 1957 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  34. News: Tahoe Biltmore Remodelling Set . Reno Evening Gazette . March 5, 1958 . November 9, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  35. News: Nevada Lodge In Tahoe Debut . San Francisco Examiner . July 3, 1958 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  36. News: Monte Carlo Opens . Reno Evening Gazette . June 25, 1955 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  37. Book: Mires, Peter . Lake Tahoe's Rustic Architecture . 2016 . Arcadia Publishing . 978-1-4396-5678-5 . November 9, 2024.
  38. News: Pridgen . Andrew . 'Another victim in the slow death of Tahoe': The Biltmore prepares to shut its doors for good . November 10, 2024 . SFGate . April 16, 2022.
  39. News: 'Les Girls' Opens Nevada Lodge Room . San Francisco Examiner . July 17, 1963 . November 9, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  40. News: New 'Les Girls' At Nevada Lodge . San Francisco Examiner . June 14, 1964 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  41. News: 'Vive les Girls' At Nevada Lodge . San Francisco Examiner . June 27, 1965 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  42. News: 'Vive Les Girls' Opens At Tahoe's Nevada Lodge . Nevada State Journal . June 17, 1967 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  43. News: Voyles . Susan . Tahoe Biltmore polishes its appearance . Reno Gazette-Journal . September 12, 1986 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  44. News: New owners plan rebirth of the Biltmore . Reno Gazette-Journal . July 9, 1987 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  45. News: Adams . Ken . The Tahoe Biltmore is going away and so are its ghosts . November 10, 2024 . CDC Gaming . March 20, 2022.
  46. News: Anderson . Kayla . From haunted tales to eyebrow-raising myths, Tahoe has plenty of spooky stories . November 10, 2024 . Sierra Sun . October 31, 2022.
  47. News: O'Driscoll . Patrick . Noted gaming pioneer dies . Reno Evening Gazette . April 18, 1981 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  48. News: Tahoe gears up for big summer season . Reno Gazette-Journal . May 26, 1986 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  49. News: Gaming panel OKs revival of Tahoe Biltmore . Reno Gazette-Journal . May 23, 1986 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  50. News: Tahoe Biltmore reprises glamour, elegance . Reno Gazette-Journal . July 22, 1987 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  51. News: Biltmore Lodge in reopening . Las Vegas Review-Journal . July 23, 1987 . November 9, 2024 . subscription.
  52. News: The Biltmore throws a bash . Reno Gazette-Journal . July 23, 1987 . November 8, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  53. Web site: Cultural Resources Study and Evaluations for the Tahoe Biltmore . . November 10, 2024 . 2, 16–17, 19–20, 29–32, 34–37 . May 2009.
  54. News: Tahoe Biltmore finishes remodeling . Reno Gazette-Journal . May 29, 1997 . November 4, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  55. News: Hall . Zack . Tahoe casino properties bought . Reno Gazette-Journal . June 29, 2007 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  56. News: Delong . Jeff . Some wary of Biltmore plan . Reno Gazette-Journal . April 21, 2008 . November 9, 2024 . Newspapers.com.
  57. News: Plans for Boulder Bay incite concerns . The Modesto Bee . September 12, 2010 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  58. News: TRPA approves Tahoe Biltmore redevelopment plan . Reno Gazette-Journal . April 28, 2011 . November 10, 2024 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  59. News: Landmark Lake Tahoe casino bought, renovation planned . November 10, 2024 . The Mercury News . Associated Press . October 13, 2021.
  60. Web site: Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data). March 6, 2018. . 9. June 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232017/https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428. dead.
  61. News: Hidalgo . Jason . 'I'm gonna cry like a baby': Tahoe Biltmore to hold one final goodbye after 76 years . November 10, 2024 . Reno Gazette Journal . April 22, 2022.
  62. News: Dowd . Katie . Developer buys 75-year-old Tahoe Biltmore hotel . November 10, 2024 . SFGate . October 17, 2021.
  63. News: Slotemaker . Zachary . Tahoe Biltmore to close next month after 76 years of service . November 10, 2024 . KRNV . March 10, 2022.
  64. News: Bindman . Ariana . Former Tahoe Biltmore site slated to become luxurious Waldorf Astoria hotel . November 10, 2024 . SFGate . December 7, 2022.
  65. News: Meny . Josh . Stalled Waldorf project stokes environmental concerns among Tahoe residents . November 10, 2024 . KTVN . April 17, 2024.
  66. News: Pridgen . Andrew . Despite delays, wrecking ball coming soon for the Tahoe Biltmore . November 10, 2024 . SFGate . January 14, 2024.
  67. News: Tahoe Biltmore demolition to start soon for Waldorf Astoria project . November 10, 2024 . Reno Gazette Journal . August 10, 2023 . subscription.
  68. News: Tahoe Biltmore project begins financial restructuring . November 10, 2024 . Tahoe Daily Tribune . April 15, 2024.
  69. News: Segal . Eli . What's the boarded-up casino along Lake Tahoe? . November 10, 2024 . Las Vegas Review-Journal . October 21, 2024.
  70. News: Pridgen . Andrew . Historic Tahoe hotel spared wrecking ball as project goes into default . November 10, 2024 . SFGate . April 10, 2024.
  71. News: Barraza . Paris . Tahoe Biltmore Lodge may be sold at auction after developer defaulted in April . November 10, 2024 . Reno Gazette Journal . September 26, 2024.
  72. News: Brown Davis . Julie . Shock filing shows historic Tahoe casino in foreclosure, will be auctioned . November 10, 2024 . SFGate . September 24, 2024.
  73. News: Developer: Notice of Default rescinded for Tahoe Biltmore . November 10, 2024 . Record Courier . October 12, 2024.
  74. News: Brown Davis . Julie . Tahoe developers narrowly avoid foreclosure on Waldorf Astoria project . November 10, 2024 . SFGate . October 16, 2024.

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