Iconic Vegas Hotel Officially Closed to Make Way for MLB Stadium

The Las Vegas Strip has been home to plenty of iconic resorts over the years. The Tropicana Las Vegas, first opened in 1957, was a go-to hotel for stars like Elizabeth Taylor, the Rat Pack, and even James Bond in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever. But after nearly 70 years, the lights at the Tropicana have gone dark as it faces demolition to make way for a new state-of-the-art baseball stadium. 

It’s all a part of the plan to bring the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas, which follows the same move the NFL’s Raiders did from Oakland to Las Vegas a few years ago. The proposed new stadium, which is estimated to cost upwards of $1.5 billion, is set to open in time for the 2028 season. 

“[It is] a truly innovative and bold design while ensuring an unmatched fan experience,” the Athletics’ primary owner and managing partner John Fisher said of the ballpark in a statement. “We hope to add to the dynamic atmosphere and liveliness of the Las Vegas Strip, creating a welcoming environment for all of Southern Nevada.”

Related: Las Vegas Is Getting a New Massive Dome-Like Venue

The yet-to-be-named venue will be built on the footprint of the old Tropicana, which checked out its final guest on April 2; by noon, the business was done for good and chains were placed on the doors of the casino, according to The Associated Press. The casino itself has quite a storied history and connection to organized crime. In the 1960s and ’70s, mobsters were skimming millions of dollars from Las Vegas casinos including the Tropicana. 

With new sports teams and massive new venues like the Sphere opening up, it’s clear that Las Vegas—in particular its skyline—is in the midst of quite a transformation.