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)
James Adducci bet $85k on Tiger Woods to win the Masters. He collected his $1.19M from William Hill sports bet in the SLS today. (Mat Luschek /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
Reno businessman plans $100M investment to revitalize SLS. Alex Meruelo will invest to revitalize the SLS Las Vegas after the Nevada Gaming Commission approved his acquisition. Meruelo told the commission Thursday that he would be able to make the property profitable by investing in the upgrades and redesign. “The capital investment is something that will make a dramatic impact. Things are already turning around, and I am very optimistic,” he said.
Reno businessman plans $100M investment to revitalize SLS. Alex Meruelo will invest to revitalize the SLS Las Vegas after the Nevada Gaming Commission approved his acquisition. Meruelo told the commission Thursday that he would be able to make the property profitable by investing in the upgrades and redesign. “The capital investment is something that will make a dramatic impact. Things are already turning around, and I am very optimistic,” he said.
