Our hometown is often called the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” because of all it has to offer in sports, nightlife, gambling, and entertainment. But less well known is the distinctive and evolving architectural landscape that supports all of those activities. The architecture of Las Vegas is as exciting as any other aspect of the city, from the days of neon signs to the flashy facades and the contemporary and deluxe resorts.
Many people think of neon signs when they think of Las Vegas architecture. Las Vegas started using neon signs as early as the 1920s to draw tourists and create a magical atmosphere in the desert. Hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues were covered with these bright displays, which turned the busy night streets of the city into day. As technology has improved, many of the neon signs of old have been replaced with large video screens. The Neon Museum on Las Vegas Blvd just north of Fremont Street is a great place to go see some of the old architectural marvels of our city’s history.
As the neon signs decreased in Las Vegas, a string of massive resorts began to rise, each becoming their own billboard. Huge resorts like the Bellagio, Venetian, and Wynn are truly architectural wonders that combine a variety of styles, from the Italian Renaissance to contemporary luxury. The Las Vegas Strip provides a treat for architectural fans thanks to the resorts’ spectacular interior designs, gardens, and water features, all of which frequently act as destinations in and of themselves.
Las Vegas is not only known for these massive resorts but also for its assortment of themed buildings and replicas of famous places from across the globe. Replicas of the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Egyptian pyramids, the Arc de Triomphe and many more can all be found across the city. These themed buildings and features add to Las Vegas’ distinctive charm and give visitors the chance to take a virtual global tour in a single vacation.
Sports arenas have become another distinctive feature of the Las Vegas architectural landscape. Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, was completed in 2020 just across from the Strip and its distinct shape and color have earned it the nickname of the “Death Star.” T-Mobile Arena, the home of the 2023 Stanley Cup winning Vegas Golden Knights, opened in 2016 and its golden exterior blends in both with the desert surroundings and the Strip itself. The Formula 1 Paddock building under construction on Harmon and Koval is another example of sports related architecture in the city. Recent discussions about the possibility of a baseball stadium at the site of the Tropicana will only further build out the sports architecture in Las Vegas.
The architecture of Las Vegas is a testament to the ever changing field of entertainment architectural design. From the old styles of Fremont Street to the newest mega-resorts on the Strip, the city is a living gallery to the architectural trends of the history of the city. With the recent addition of Resorts World, a soon to be opening Fountainbleu, and even strong rumors of a guitar shaped hotel to be built by Hard Rock International, it’s apparent that Las Vegas will continue to remain a hot spot for architecture lovers. This is a feature of our city we can all be proud of and one that will continue to keep Las Vegas as one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world.
Comments are closed.