The 32-foot-tall marshmallow-like structure was torn down Tuesday night, as part of owner Alex Meruelo’s re-branding of SLS Las Vegas, but the statue did not go down without a bang. The hotel is going back to its original name and will officially become Sahara Las Vegas on Thursday, with ongoing changes to the resort happening through 2020. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Owner Alex Meruelo announced during a special event at the SLS Las Vegas that the hotel-casino will become Sahara Las Vegas in its next iteration. Meruelo said $150 million dollars will be spent to renovate the current property. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
SLS Las Vegas used to be the Sahara, which opened in 1952 as a $5.5 million, Moroccan-themed resort 1959: A convention hall on the north side of the Sahara is added as well as a 127-foot sign. 1959: Comedian Don Rickles makes the first of many appearances in the Casbar lounge. George Burns also appears in the Casbar lounge. 1961: Del Webb acquires the Sahara through a stock transaction involving 1.5 million shares in the Del Webb Corp. valued at about $12 million. The Sahara adds a $5 million, 24-story skyscraper with 400 rooms, bringing its total to more than 800. 1964: Stan Irwin, the Sahara entertainment director, brings The Beatles to Las Vegas. They perform at the Las Vegas Convention Center and stay at the hotel. 1982: Paul Lowden buys the Sahara for $50 million. 1988: A 26-story tower is added, bringing the room total to 1,500. Lowden expands the casino area and opens a new race and sports book. 1995: Bill Bennett buys the Sahara for $193 million, including 39 acres west of the Strip. 2007: SBE Entertainment and Stockbridge Real Estate buy the Sahara for between $300 million and $400 million. 2011: The Sahara closes 2017: The Meruelo Group announces it had agreed to buy the struggling SLS Las Vegas from Stockbridge Capital Group
A pedestrian was hospitalized Monday morning after being hit by a pickup on East Sahara. Police said “a subject” was crossing the street and was struck by a vehicle traveling westbound on Sahara at Commercial Center. Westbound Sahara remained closed. Crime scene tape blocked off the area and a red pickup sat next to debris and a pair of shoes in front of a bus stop. Police did not have any information on the pedestrian’s condition. Officers do not think the driver was impaired.
1. A propaganda video posted on social media by an Islamic State group features brief footage of the Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas police are treating it as a credible threat, even though the short clip was determined to be from 2015. In wake of the Manchester bombings, and the upcoming holiday weekend, police are stepping up patrols and surveillance on the Strip, downtown and at local community events.
2. A notorious pimp who kidnapped and forced a teenager into prostitution died this weekend in prison. Robert Sharpe III was found unresponsive in his cell Thursday evening and was later pronounced dead Saturday night. Sharpe, was sentenced a year ago to life without parole, and the cause of death has yet to be determined.
3. The SLS Las Vegas has sold to Alex Meruelo and Meruelo Group for an undisclosed amount from Stockbridge Capital Partners. The companies said Tuesday, the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017. The SLS Las Vegas was formerly known as the Sahara before reopening in 2014 after a $415 million upgrade.
The Beatles arrived in Las Vegas on Aug. 20, 1964, played at Las Vegas Convention Center and rested at the Sahara. Beatlemania ensued.(courtesy Las Vegas News Bureau)
