The Strat

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox building

The StratTemplate:Efn (formerly the Stratosphere) is a hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. It includes a Template:Convert observation tower, the tallest in the United States. It is also the second-tallest observation tower in the Western Hemisphere, surpassed only by the CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario. The top of the tower includes a revolving restaurant, lounges, observation decks, and several thrill rides. The hotel and casino are at the base of the tower, and the resort also includes a showroom and a shopping mall. The Strat is within city limits on Las Vegas Boulevard, just north of the Las Vegas Strip. The resort is sometimes considered a Strip property, but Clark County does not officially recognize it as such, saying the Strip does not extend into the city.

Part of the property was previously occupied by Vegas World, a hotel and casino Bob Stupak opened in 1979. A decade after its opening, Stupak announced plans for a giant neon sign for Vegas World, to be built on adjacent property. The idea soon evolved into an observation tower with a rooftop restaurant. Construction of the Stratosphere Tower began in 1992. A fire of unknown origin occurred on the tower in August 1993, during construction. Stupak then had difficulty acquiring funds to finish the tower. To complete the project, he partnered with Grand Casinos, owned by his poker friend Lyle Berman.

The tower was originally proposed with a height of Template:Convert. But in 1994, Stupak considered extending the height to Template:Convert, seeking the title of tallest free-standing structure in the world. The Federal Aviation Administration opposed the new height, and the city ultimately rejected it, but allowed Stupak to go as high as Template:Convert. Vegas World closed on February 1, 1995, and its hotel towers were remodeled to serve as the hotel for the Stratosphere. New hotel towers were built to accompany the existing buildings. The observation tower, which cost $70 million to build, was topped off on November 4, 1995.

The $550 million Stratosphere complex opened on April 30, 1996. Parts of the resort were unfinished at the time, including a hotel tower and sections of the shopping mall. The Stratosphere was built in a crime-ridden neighborhood known as Naked City. The resort struggled financially during its first year for a number of reasons, including its location away from the Strip and other resorts. Marketing was also limited, as Berman initially believed the tower had generated enough publicity on its own. The unfinished facilities were another factor in the resort's low revenue.

Stratosphere Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1997, and businessman Carl Icahn purchased the resort in 1998. Icahn had the remaining hotel rooms finished in 2001 as part of a $65 million renovation project. The resort became profitable under his ownership by targeting value-conscious visitors. In 2004, ownership was transferred to Icahn's company, American Casino & Entertainment Properties (ACEP). Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds purchased ACEP and the Stratosphere in 2008. Two years later, ACEP carried out a $20 million renovation that included remodeling the hotel rooms. Other renovations continued into 2012. Golden Entertainment purchased ACEP and the Stratosphere in 2017, and additional renovations began in 2018, continuing into 2020. The resort was rebranded as The Strat on January 22, 2020.

History

Template:Main In 1974, Bob Stupak opened a small casino in Las Vegas known as Bob Stupak's World Famous Million-Dollar Historic Gambling Museum and Casino, north of the Las Vegas Strip on land previously occupied by the Todkill/Bill Hayden Lincoln Mercury Dealership.<ref name="Strip">Template:Cite web</ref> The casino burned down two months later,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Stupak opened his Vegas World hotel and casino on the same property in 1979.<ref name=May01/>

Conception

Stupak's concept for the Stratosphere began as a plan to construct a Template:Convert neon sign tower for Vegas World. In October 1989, Stupak submitted plans to the city for the approval of the neon sign tower, which would stand four times taller than the hotel. A few days later, he withdrew his plans to allow time for a revised version of the tower that would include an elevator leading up to an observation deck. Stupak, who wanted the tower to become a local landmark, said, "What I'm trying to do for Las Vegas is what the Eiffel Tower did for Paris, what the Empire State Building did for New York, what the Seattle Space Needle did for Seattle."<ref name="Landmark">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Sign">Template:Cite news</ref> Stupak's plans received widespread opposition,<ref name=Towers/> including from Las Vegas city staff, who drafted an ordinance that would have limited signs to 35 feet.<ref name=Landmark/> The Las Vegas City Council rejected the ordinance, considering it a poorly drawn measure aimed specifically at stopping Stupak's project.<ref name=Sign/>

File:StupakAndTowerModel.jpg
Stupak discussing the project, Template:Circa 1990

In February 1990, Stupak unveiled his revised plans for a $50 million, Template:Convert observation tower with a top floor that would include a revolving restaurant and four penthouse suites. It would be the tallest structure in Las Vegas and in Nevada.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The tower was designed by architect Ned Baldwin, who also worked on the CN Tower in Toronto.<ref name=Breakfast>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Stupak's vision for the project was inspired by the Sydney Tower in Australia, where he once lived.<ref name=WSJ/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In April 1990, the city council approved Stupak's tower, despite objections from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which said it was Template:Convert too tall.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nellis Air Force Base also opposed the tower. Stupak later said that "all sorts of people out there opposed" the tower, adding, "If it wasn't for the courage of the council, it would have never been built."<ref name=May01/> Critics later called the project the "eighth blunder of the world" and "Stupak's shaft."<ref name=Gaudiness/><ref name=NewKind/>

In October 1991, the city approved the tower's base and shaft; the pod atop the tower had yet to be approved. At the time, Stupak was trying to obtain financing for the now-$100 million project and was also under investigation by gaming officials over allegations that he used deceptive advertising to lure customers to Vegas World.<ref name="Daily">Template:Cite web</ref> The project was now planned to include the "world's first indoor African lion's park",<ref name=Daily/> consisting of a jungle habitat at the tower base;<ref name=Breaks/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> this feature was eventually scrapped.

Groundbreaking for the project, known as the Stratosphere Tower, took place on November 5, 1991.<ref name=Breaks/> The start of construction had yet to be announced for the tower, which was still opposed by the FAA.<ref name="Breaks">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Construction

Construction of the $32 million tower began in February 1992, on property adjacent to Vegas World.<ref name="BattleCreek">Template:Cite news</ref> Multiple architectural and engineering firms monitored the construction to ensure structural integrity.<ref name=Gaudiness/> The tower was built directly north of the Las Vegas Strip<ref name="North">Template:Cite web</ref> and south of downtown Las Vegas,<ref name="May01">Template:Cite web</ref> in an area known as Meadows Village, a crime-ridden neighborhood nicknamed Naked City.<ref name="Mean">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Legacy>Template:Cite news</ref> Shortly before its opening, a Stratosphere spokesman said, "We hope Stratosphere will be the catalyst that spurs redevelopment" in the area, while acknowledging, "We plunked down a half-billion-dollar project in the middle of one of the worst neighborhoods."<ref name=Mean/>

On August 29, 1993, around midnight, hundreds of customers at Vegas World were evacuated when the half-finished tower caught on fire. No one was hurt.<ref name=BattleCreek/><ref name="Rained">Template:Cite web</ref> The cause of the fire was never determined.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Parts of the tower were blackened, but the fire caused no structural damage. The tower is made of concrete and steel.<ref name=Gaudiness>Template:Cite news</ref> The fire delayed the opening, which had been planned for August 1994, by eight weeks. Stupak said the tower's first phase would still be ready in time with an accelerated construction schedule.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A large crane atop the tower, used for construction, was also damaged in the fire.<ref name=Rained/><ref name="Winds">Template:Cite news</ref> The next month, high winds prevented the scheduled dismantling of the crane, a process expected to take two days.<ref name=Winds/>

Template:Multiple image After the fire,<ref name=Rave/> Stupak had trouble financing the completion of the tower.<ref name=May01/> To continue construction,<ref name=Rave/> Grand Casinos announced plans in November 1993 to purchase 33% of the Stratosphere and Vegas World by acquiring shares in Stupak's Stratosphere Corporation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Grand Casinos, owned by Stupak's poker friend Lyle Berman, ultimately purchased a 43% stake in the resort.<ref name=Rave/>

As construction continued in April 1994, the tower was over Template:Convert tall. That month, Stupak announced that he was considering an Template:Convert extension of the tower's height, which would bring it to Template:Convert, beating the CN Tower by Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and making the Stratosphere the tallest structure in the world.<ref name=AP94/> This new height was opposed by the FAA, the Airline Pilots Association, and McCarran International Airport, on the grounds that it would force changes in air traffic patterns.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The FAA said the tower would be an aviation hazard, but its developers argued that the height would make it a major tourist attraction.<ref name=AP94>Template:Cite news</ref>

Stupak and Grand Casinos developed a laser light show for the tower in case the city rejected the new height. A lawyer for the project said, "If we can't have the world's tallest tower, we'll have the world's most beautiful tower."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The FAA also opposed the laser show, citing previous incidents around the country in which pilots were temporarily blinded by laser lights.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June 1994, the city rejected Stupak's new height proposal but allowed him to go up to Template:Convert, higher than the Template:Convert he had originally proposed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The tower was ultimately built out to the city's maximum height, though the FAA still considered it a hazard.<ref name=FAA/>

Template:Multiple image Grand Casinos completed its purchase of Vegas World at the end of 1994,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the hotel-casino closed on February 1, 1995, for remodeling to be integrated into the resort.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Vegas World's two hotel towers,<ref name=RecNet/> consisting of 932 rooms,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> were renovated to become part of the Stratosphere.<ref name="RecNet">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Gaudiness/> A month after the closure, Stratosphere Corporation began selling bonds worth $203 million. The company hoped to raise money to finish the tower and pay Stupak the $50.8 million purchase price for Vegas World.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Stupak's critics did not believe he could complete the tower, in part because of his controversial promotional tactics at Vegas World.<ref name=Towers/><ref name="Silences">Template:Cite web</ref> Critics had also believed that completion would be unlikely after the 1993 fire and the FAA's opposition.<ref name=AP95/> After a 1995 motorcycle accident left Stupak in a coma for 12 days, he said the controversy and "all the complaining" about the tower stopped: "There were people who didn't like the tower, this and that, but after the accident, it was like nobody had anything negative to say about it."<ref name=May01/>

During 1994, crews erected a crane—taller than the earlier one—that allowed them to continue work on the tower. The 75-ton crane was Template:Convert tall and was installed over four days. Removal of the crane began in October 1995, with the use of a second crane. Dismantling the crane was one of the most significant challenges for those working on the tower. The tower pod's unique design and its limited space required construction crews to carefully plan the installation of the second crane, which weighed 30 tons. The second crane lowered pieces of the original crane to the ground, and then lifted a seven-ton derrick into place, allowing workers to carry down sections of the second crane. The derrick was then disassembled by hand, and workers used a construction elevator to bring down the pieces. The complex and risky process was expected to take nearly two months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The tower was topped off with a ceremony on November 4, 1995. A helicopter was used to lift two Template:Convert steel frames to the top. Six workers, strapped to the tower, helped guide the final sections into place.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=AP95>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Years before the Stratosphere's opening, a three-block neighborhood of houses in Meadows Village was demolished to make room for the resort's 4,500-space parking garage.<ref name=Mean/> In 1994,<ref name=LVS-Apr96/> officials from the Stratosphere project—north of the Aztec Inn motel-casino<ref name=Beacon/>—agreed with the city's Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency to have the Aztec Inn's parking lot condemned through eminent domain and turned over to the Stratosphere.<ref name="LVS-Apr96">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="LVRJ-Mar97">Template:Cite web</ref> The Aztec Inn opposed the agreement,<ref name=LVS-Apr96/> and in 1995 a judge ruled it unconstitutional.<ref name=LVRJ-Mar97/><ref name=LVS-Apr96/> By April 1996, the Aztec Inn settled with the Stratosphere and agreed to sell its parking lot.<ref name=LVS-Apr96/>

Separately, the Stratosphere agreed to provide free rent and relocation expenses to approximately 140 residents in a nearby area of Meadows Village that was cleared for an eventual expansion of the resort.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Mean/> An additional hotel tower had been planned for the land, directly north of the resort; Template:Convert were already occupied by several businesses, and this portion of the land was to be seized through eminent domain, but three property owners fought the seizure in a court battle that lasted into the next decade. The proposed expansion never took place.<ref>Template:Ubl</ref>

Opening

The Stratosphere was expected to employ 3,000 people, and began hiring for the remaining 2,400 employees in March 1996, a month before the opening.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the time, Stupak was the chairman of Stratosphere Corporation and owned 17% of the company. He was one of the corporation's nine directors, and would not oversee the company's daily operations.<ref name="Problem">Template:Cite web</ref>

Shortly before its opening, several daredevils expressed interest in performing stunts from the top of the tower, but they were declined for safety reasons.<ref name="Build">Template:Cite web</ref> Smoke in the tower's pod restaurant forced an evacuation of workers on April 25, 1996, days before the opening. The smoke came from the pod's fifth-floor kitchen, one floor above the restaurant, due to a faulty ventilator in the air-flow duct system. The pod contained four tanks with 32,000 gallons of water for firefighters in the event of a fire, but they were not needed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A film crew followed Stupak all day leading up to the opening.<ref name=May01/> More than 8,000 VIP guests visited the resort for a premiere party on April 29, hours before its midnight opening. Stupak attended the event with singer Phyllis McGuire. Other attendees included Nevada governor Bob Miller and Las Vegas mayor Jan Laverty Jones.<ref name=Rave/><ref name=Silences/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Opening>Template:Cite web</ref> Media from around the world attended the event,<ref name=May01/> which was broadcast live by CNBC as well as television stations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.<ref name=Rave/> A six-minute fireworks show, costing $50,000, began at 10:30 p.m.<ref name="Rave">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Silences/> Doors in the tower's pod had been left partially open to accommodate television camera cables, and smoke from the fireworks filled the pod and set off fire alarms, resulting in the shutdown of elevators and stranding hundreds of VIP guests.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The $550 million complex featured Template:Convert,<ref name=Towers/> including Template:Convert of entertainment and shopping space.<ref name="SF">Template:Cite news</ref> A Template:Convert casino was part of the resort's first phase, which also included 1,500 hotel rooms. The hotel was expected to open on May 7.<ref name="Towers">Template:Cite web</ref> Another 1,000 hotel rooms were expected to be finished in November<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as part of the second phase.<ref name=Halts/>

The resort had 3,100 employees.<ref name=Rave/> The casino had 2,600 slot machines and was decorated with a world's fair theme and bright colors.<ref name=SF/> The casino was divided into three sections, each with its own international theme.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The hotel included a bronze statue of Stupak, which he disliked and never approved, saying, "They spent $100,000 more for that statue than I spent to open my first place in 1974."<ref name=May01/> Another statue, in the center of the casino, featured a couple riding a dolphin set upon a bronze globe.<ref name=SF/> The Stratosphere had seven restaurants,<ref name=LAT-1996/> and the top of the tower contained two thrill rides.<ref name=Deals/> Stupak said, "Anybody can build a tower. But if you build a tower and put a roller coaster on top—now, that's Las Vegatizing."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Financial problems

The Stratosphere was projected to attract at least 5.5 million visitors in its first year.<ref name="Figures">Template:Cite web</ref> Around the time of its opening, financial analysts were optimistic about its financial prospects.<ref name=Towers/><ref name=WSJ/> Revenue for the first five weeks was lower than expected. Stratosphere Corporation attributed the low results to the resort being partly unfinished, and said it would borrow $48.5 million from Grand Casinos to finance enhancements to the property, including the completion of the 1,000 additional rooms and the opening of unfinished retail shops.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The resort's location away from the revitalized downtown and the mega-resorts of the Strip was another reason for its financial problems.<ref name=Hype/>

In addition, customer visitation to the tower was lower than expected, and many people did not stay to gamble in the casino.<ref name=Hype>Template:Cite news</ref> The casino was poorly designed, according to managers,<ref name=IcahnTower/> as visitors to the tower were able to avoid the casino floor entirely.<ref name=Hype/> Berman said that weak marketing was also a factor in the poor revenue.<ref name=Tootall>Template:Cite news</ref> Because the tower had already received so much publicity, Berman decided that a full marketing campaign was unnecessary.<ref name=WSJ/> In the months after its opening, the resort continued to suffer financially.<ref name=May01/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The unfinished hotel contained fewer rooms than most Las Vegas resorts, and occupancy was significantly below average for such a property.<ref name=WSJ/> Another issue was that the two rides atop the tower had to be shut down whenever winds reached 35 miles per hour.<ref name=Greenberg/>

Stupak, who had already planned to move on to other projects,<ref name=Silences/> resigned as chairman less than three months after the opening, leaving Berman in charge.<ref name=May01/> Explaining his departure, Stupak cited disagreements with a majority of the board members,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> saying that Grand Casinos executives ignored his advice and that he lacked influence considering his job title. Grand Casinos had agreed to keep Stupak as chairman only for the first 90 days after opening; his position was to be evaluated after that.<ref name=WSJ/> Stupak's statue was removed after he resigned<ref name=May01/><ref name=WSJ/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and displayed in a gambling museum at the Tropicana hotel-casino.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In August 1996, Leroy's established a temporary race and sports book in an effort to bring in more gamblers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The resort's second phase was halted later that month for financial reasons;<ref name=LAT-1996>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Halts">Template:Cite news</ref> the additional hotel building consisted of an unfinished 15-story structure of concrete and rebar.<ref name=Retailers/> There had also been plans for a $30 million aquarium attraction, measuring Template:Convert and set to open in 1997,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but this never materialized.<ref name=Retailers/>

Within six months of the opening, stock prices in Grand Casinos and Stratosphere Corporation dropped 50% and 80% respectively,<ref name=WSJ>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the resort laid off 400 employees.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In an effort to attract more gamblers, the casino began offering favorable odds and returns on its table games and slots.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The effort was part of a $1.4 million multimedia marketing campaign, and the plan was initially successful.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Files>Template:Cite news</ref> The resort lost $254 million during 1996, but revenue improved during the final three months of the year thanks to the marketing program,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which focused on gaming rather than the observation tower.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In addition, admission prices for the tower and its rides were reduced. A roller coaster atop the tower was considered underwhelming, and was closed for improvements to make it longer and faster.<ref name=Hype/>

Nevertheless, the Stratosphere continued to struggle. In January 1997, the resort announced that it could no longer afford to honor thousands of prepaid vacation packages.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Stratosphere Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy later that month<ref name=Files/> after missing a $14.5 million interest payment to bondholders.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Under the reorganization plan, the resort continued to operate.<ref name=Files/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Existing shares in the company were canceled, and shareholders instead were given the right to buy stock in the company after its restructuring. Shareholders were upset by the plan, and some had already filed a class action lawsuit against Stratosphere Corporation and Grand Casinos, alleging deceit.<ref name=Tootall/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In February 1997, people who had bought the vacation packages also sued Stupak and Grand Casinos.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Before the bankruptcy filing, Berman had intended to make the resort profitable.<ref name=May01/> Stupak had called Berman "the best casino operator in the world,"<ref name=Problem/><ref name=WSJ/> but later said of Grand Casinos' operation of the resort, "They just weren't up to it."<ref name=May01/> The resort continued to perform poorly during early 1997, in part because of competition with the recently opened New York-New York resort. Rainy and windy weather was another factor, reducing pedestrian traffic to the Stratosphere and interest in the tower's observation deck and roller coaster.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Because of the low revenue, Stratosphere Corporation was removed from the NASDAQ in April 1997,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> though the stock continued to be traded through the OTC Bulletin Board.<ref name=Wilen>Template:Cite news</ref> A new reorganization plan was submitted that would cancel all existing stock, thereby excluding shareholders' right to buy stock in a restructured company.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Carl Icahn ownership

In June 1997, corporate raider and businessman Carl Icahn purchased 20 percent of mortgage bonds in Stratosphere Corporation,<ref name=IcahnTower>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> while Berman and other investors in Stratosphere Corporation sold off their shares. Grand Casinos remained as the largest shareholder in the resort.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 1997, Icahn announced plans to sell shares in his company, American Real Estate Partners, to raise money to purchase the Stratosphere entirely.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Icahn announced a new reorganization plan that was viewed more favorably than the latest one proposed by Grand Casinos. Berman and other board members of Stratosphere Corporation resigned, with Berman saying, "Grand wants to avoid being on the board when proposals such as Icahn's are being reviewed. I think it's difficult when your company has a proposal and another company is offering a better proposal."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In August 1997, Stupak made a plan to regain control of the Stratosphere by purchasing $1 million in mortgage notes. He also planned to air a half-hour video in which he criticized the board members who resigned, saying, "We have to save the Stratosphere. We have to save the shareholders. You have a duty, a fiduciary duty. I'm reminding you to do this." Stupak went on to say, "They lost more money than I ever heard of. So what did they do? They surrendered. They surrendered and left town." Stupak was also critical of Stratosphere Corporation for refusing to meet with him to discuss his own proposal for reorganization.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A day after announcing his video, Stupak decided to shelve its airing, stating that he had already caught people's interest. He said the video was no longer necessary and that the timing no longer felt right.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 1997, Grand Casinos confirmed that it would have no further involvement in the Stratosphere and its reorganization.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Stratosphere Las Vegas hotel towers in 2017, cropped photo.jpg
The property's hotel towers in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> See here for notes about each structure.

The Stratosphere owed $313 million to creditors.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Icahn's reorganization plan was approved, and Stupak settled the lawsuit concerning vacation packages.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Older shares in the Stratosphere were canceled.<ref name=Wilen/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Lakes Gaming, formerly Grand Casinos, would later settle a lawsuit brought by former Stratosphere shareholders, and the company prevailed in a lawsuit brought by bondholders of the resort.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Icahn's purchase received final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission in August 1998,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Vogel>Template:Cite news</ref> and the Stratosphere exited bankruptcy two months later.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Icahn planned $100 million in improvements, including the completion of the additional hotel rooms.<ref name=Vogel/> However, he inherited various lawsuits when he purchased the Stratosphere, and construction would not resume until such issues were resolved.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In the years after Icahn took over, Stupak sometimes visited the Stratosphere's Top of the World restaurant but was otherwise uninterested in the resort. In 2001, Stupak said that he felt prouder when he opened his earlier casinos on the site in 1974 and 1979. Stupak stated his biggest disappointment with the Stratosphere was not being able to have it built out to 1,825 feet.<ref name=May01/> He said, "I don't want to be the guy who built a tall tower in Las Vegas. I want to be the guy who built the tallest structure in the world."<ref name=NewKind/>

In 1999, ownership switched to American Real Estate Partners, and Icahn remained as the controlling investor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A new Template:Convert sportsbook was added that year.<ref name=Sportsbook/> Revenue saw improvement in 2000, and approximately 8,000 people visited the tower daily. The resort had 2,200 employees.<ref name=At5/>

File:SwimmingPoolLVJuly07.jpg
Eighth-floor pool area in 2007

Construction of the unfinished hotel tower resumed on April 14, 2000.<ref name=Pounce/> The tower, with 24 stories, was topped off on November 2, 2000.<ref name="Second">Template:Cite news</ref> The $65 million project included 1,002 rooms, a Template:Convert pool and recreation area, and a coffee shop. Excluding the new tower, the hotel had 1,444 rooms. The new project was meant to improve business at the casino and its retail mall, the Tower Shops.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The new facilities were opened in mid-2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=DealMaker>Template:Cite news</ref> The casino floor was brightened and the resort's buffet was expanded as part of the renovation project.<ref name=At5>Template:Cite news</ref>

Icahn planned for the Stratosphere to target value-conscious visitors.<ref name=Pounce>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=At5/> Focusing on this demographic, Icahn turned the Stratosphere into a profitable business.<ref name=Eye/> The hotel's room rates were among the lowest for a Las Vegas resort.<ref name=DealMaker/> The casino's poker room was closed in early 2001, as it was not a significant source of revenue, and it conflicted with the renovation plans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2001, the tower was temporarily closed following the September 11 attacks, out of concern that it could be a target for terrorists.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2003, several additions were being considered, including a convention center, a nightclub, and an indoor go-cart track.<ref name=Eye/> In 2004, ownership of the Stratosphere was transferred to Icahn's new company, American Casino & Entertainment Properties (ACEP). Refurbishments were underway on its sign, porte-cochère, and valet area.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The resort also opened a topless pool area on the hotel's 25th floor known as Beach Club 25,<ref name=Topless1>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Topless2>Template:Cite news</ref> later renamed Radius.<ref name=20Things/> The Beach Club 25 area had previously served as the resort's original pool, until the 2001 renovation. The topless pool concept was introduced to appeal to the Stratosphere's European visitors, and to attract a younger demographic that had become increasingly common in Las Vegas.<ref name=Topless1/><ref name=Topless2/> The topless pool area operates in addition to a separate, non-topless pool on the hotel's eighth floor.<ref name=20Things/>

Like other resorts, the Stratosphere was particularly popular in 2006 and 2007, before the 2008 financial crisis.<ref name=LVRJ-2016>Template:Cite news</ref> A retro-themed nightclub, named Polly Esther's, opened in March 2007. It featured themes based on the past four decades, with memorabilia dating back to the 1970s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2008 sale and renovations

Template:Multiple image In April 2007, Icahn announced that he would sell ACEP and its properties, including the Stratosphere, to a Goldman Sachs affiliate known as Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds. The sale included 17 acres of adjacent, undeveloped land.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Whitehall completed its purchase in February 2008,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the company planned to spend $25 million on improvements to the Stratosphere.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Many managers were fired and replaced under the new ownership, despite earlier assurances that such jobs would be safe from termination. Some employees complained about the firing of their managers, which occurred following the 2008 financial crisis in the United States. Other employees stated that the fired managers were inept or stealing money from the casino, and that they showed favoritism among workers. Under the new ownership, employees were given stricter work guidelines to follow, which was met with mixed reactions from workers and gamblers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Polly Esther's closed at the end of 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As a result of the ensuing Great Recession, the Stratosphere laid off workers in 2009,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and continued to struggle into 2010.<ref name=SkyJump/>

A $20 million renovation project began in 2010. Improvements were made to the casino, the main entrance, the Top of the World restaurant, and other areas.<ref name=Undergoes/><ref name=SkyJump>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A major aspect of the project was the renovation of 909 hotel rooms, out of 2,427.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=LA-2010>Template:Cite news</ref> Other renovations continued into 2012,<ref name=Beacon>Template:Cite news</ref> and included the addition of a new poker room.<ref name=Revamped/>

For years, the Stratosphere sat alone as the sole resort in the area. The only other nearby resort, the Sahara, closed in 2011, causing a significant drop in pedestrian traffic for the Stratosphere. However, the Sahara reopened as the SLS Las Vegas in 2014, and the Stratosphere was expected to benefit from the increased visitation in the area.<ref name=Identity>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A British man became the 40 millionth visitor to the tower on April 21, 2014, and received a $2,500 prize package.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2014, a man, under the influence of drugs, crashed his pickup truck through the resort's front entrance and was arrested.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2015, the Stratosphere launched an advertising campaign targeting its middle-class clientele, while criticizing high-priced Strip resorts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Stratosphere celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016.<ref name=LVRJ-2016/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Aging/> At the time, the resort had 1,600 employees. Most of its clientele consisted of tourists from southern California, as well as international locations such as Canada, Germany, and Great Britain. The resort's gaming revenue had yet to fully recover from the effects of the Great Recession, although other aspects of the property performed well.<ref name=LVRJ-2016/>

Golden Entertainment

In June 2017, Golden Entertainment agreed to purchase ACEP.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Golden Entertainment's $850 million purchase of the company, including the Stratosphere, was completed in October 2017.<ref name="reviewjournal.com">Template:Cite web</ref> In March 2018, Golden Entertainment announced plans for a $140 million renovation of the Stratosphere that would be completed over three phases.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to management, some people were unaware that the Stratosphere was a resort, believing it to be merely an observation tower. The renovations were aimed at raising awareness of the resort amenities. Renovations were underway later in 2018. A new gaming pit was debuted, and 300 rooms were renovated, among other changes.<ref name=Feldberg/>

On February 1, 2019, plans were announced to rename the resort as The Strat,<ref name="Press">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Philly">Template:Cite news</ref> a common nickname among local residents.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The transition to The Strat began with two commercials aired locally two days later, during Super Bowl LIII.<ref name=Philly/><ref name="Klas">Template:Cite news</ref> The name change would become official at a later date.<ref name=Klas/>

A three-piece statue, created by local artists, was installed at the resort's front entrance in April 2019. The statue consists of three stainless steel figures staring at the tower. They range in height from nine to 15 feet, with the tallest one pointing at the tower. Blake Sartini, the chairman and CEO of Golden Entertainment, said the statue was a symbol of the resort's new branding.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Strat hotel (2020).jpg
The Strat's main entrance in April 2020 during its temporary COVID-19 closure

Two areas for live entertainment – one on the casino floor and one in the former space of a lounge – were being added in June 2019,<ref name="Kat2019">Template:Cite news</ref> along with a new slot machine lounge.<ref name="Schulz">Template:Cite news</ref> "STRAT" signage was installed in August 2019,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and renovations on the south end of the casino floor were completed that year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Other renovations have included the resort's exterior and landscaping.<ref name=Velotta>Template:Cite news</ref> The Strat also installed drone detection technology, alerting the property whenever illegal drones are flown near the tower.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The resort was officially renamed The Strat during a celebration held on January 22, 2020. Among the attendees to the event were Nevada governor Steve Sisolak, congresswoman Dina Titus, Sammy Hagar, Guy Fieri, and Rick Springfield.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Renovations were largely finished at the time, with the exception of a self-check-in area and remodeling that was scheduled to begin on the casino's north side during the second quarter of 2020. Half of the resort's 2,427 hotel rooms had been remodeled, and future renovations would also take place on the remaining rooms. The Template:Convert casino, considered dark before, was remodeled with a new color scheme and an open layout. A new William Hill sports book was also added.<ref name=Schulz2>Template:Cite news</ref>

The renovations, including four new restaurants, were designed to retain customers who usually only visited the pod area.<ref name=Klas/><ref name=Schulz2/> The renovation was also intended to help the property compete against nearby rivals, including the renovated Sahara and two upcoming properties: Resorts World (2021) and Fontainebleau (2023).<ref name=Schulz/> Another renovation, focusing on 537 rooms and the pool area, was completed in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Property overview

File:Over LV - panoramio.jpg
The Stratosphere in 2004, with the Strip visible in the upper right half

The hotel and casino facilities are located at the base of the observation tower.<ref name=Breakfast/> The Strat's location, in regard to the Las Vegas Strip, has been debated.<ref name=LA-2018>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Miller2019>Template:Cite news</ref> Although the Stratosphere was considered north of the Strip at the time of its 1996 opening, it advertised itself as being on the Strip, with the slogan, "We define the top of the Strip."<ref name=North/> Frank Riolo, the CEO of AREP, said in 2011, "It's not Downtown, it's not the Strip and it's not a locals property. We try to run it as a hybrid."<ref name=Identity/>

Tourists and some local residents consider the Strat to be part of the Strip, which would make it the only Strip resort within city limits.<ref name=LA-2018/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Clark County considers the Strat to be several blocks north of the Strip. According to the county, the Strip does not officially extend into city limits. Golden Entertainment nonetheless advertises the resort as a Strip property,<ref name=Kat2019/><ref name=LA-2018/><ref name=Miller2019/> as did its predecessor, Stratosphere builder Bob Stupak.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Clear

Observation tower

File:Western-towers.png
• CN Tower, Toronto
• Willis Tower (formerly Sears), Chicago
• Stratosphere, Las Vegas
• Space Needle, Seattle

The resort was named after the stratosphere in Earth's atmosphere, as a reference to the height of the tower.<ref name=Pane>Template:Cite news</ref> At Template:Convert, it is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the second-tallest in the Western Hemisphere, surpassed only by the CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario. It is the tallest tower west of the Mississippi River,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Eye>Template:Cite news</ref> and also the tallest structure in Las Vegas and in the state of Nevada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Because the tower is not fully habitable, it is not considered a building,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Because of its visibility, the tower serves as a visual aid for some motorists in the Las Vegas Valley.<ref name=20Things/><ref name=Feldberg/> The tower also presents problems for air traffic controllers, who have to guide certain planes to avoid the structure.<ref name=FAA>Template:Cite news</ref>

The tower is a popular draw for tourists,<ref name=LVRJ-2016/> and is a notable part of the Las Vegas skyline.<ref name=Legacy/><ref name=Pane/> The top of the tower has two observation decks and a restaurant known as "Top of the World", in addition to lounges,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Undergoes>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=LA-2010/><ref name=Revamped>Template:Cite news</ref> four thrill rides,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and a wedding chapel.<ref name=20Things/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> An indoor observation deck is located on the 108th floor, while stairs lead to an outdoor deck on the 109th floor, both providing wraparound views of the Las Vegas Valley. The indoor deck was remodeled in 2019.<ref name="KTNV">Template:Cite news</ref>

The tower elevators, among the fastest in the world, travel at a speed of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The tower also includes 1,455 steps leading up to the 108th floor, which rises Template:Convert.<ref name=20Things>Template:Cite news</ref> Since 2009, the tower has hosted a fundraising event called Scale the Strat, which benefits the American Lung Association. Hundreds of people compete each year in the stair-racing event, in which individual participants race to the top of the tower for the best time, separated from each other by one-minute intervals.<ref>Retrieved 2020-12-22:Template:Ubl</ref> Aside from the races, the stairs are otherwise closed to the public.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Vegas Strip viewed from the STRAT.jpg
The Las Vegas Strip as viewed from the Strat observation tower, 2025

The tower cost $70 million to construct.<ref name=Mean/> It weighs approximately 50,000 tons and has nearly Template:Convert of reinforced steel bars.<ref name=Klein>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=SF/> The tower's pod includes the restaurant and contains 12 stories. The exterior of the pod has one and a half miles of criss-crossed fiber-optic cable with lights which alternate between eight different colors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A Template:Convert needle<ref name=SF/> located on top of the pod consists of a Template:Convert steel-beam frame with an internal ladder. Atop the needle frame are two four-inch beams which are laid out horizontally to form an "X".<ref name=Build/> A special rig for window washers is situated around the pod windows.<ref name=Pane/> In 2005, local jazz station KOAS 105.7 (FM) installed an antenna at the top of the tower, becoming the first station to do so.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> KVGS 107.9 (FM) also has an antenna atop the tower.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Stratosphere by night.jpg
The tower pod and needle at night

During the design and construction phase, four fire inspectors were assigned to the project to ensure that it would be fire-safe. The tower was built with three emergency generators.<ref name=Mosley>Template:Cite web</ref> At the time of opening, the pod included two concrete-banded bunker floors, located beneath its three wedding chapels.<ref name=SF/> The bunker was built on the two lowest floors of the pod, as smoke rises. In the case of a fire, the tower's elevators would be used for evacuation of the pod, unlike most buildings in which stairs would be used instead.<ref name=Mosley/>

The base of the tower starts with three legs made of concrete, each weighing approximately Template:Convert and rising Template:Convert, before meeting to form a center. From there, the tower rises further before reaching the start of the pod, at approximately Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The east tower leg was reportedly built at a crooked angle, due to a measurement mix-up.<ref name=WSJ/><ref name=5Things/> Two decades after its opening, a resort executive said, "We didn't own the property when it was built, and cannot verify this." He noted that an engineering firm made periodic inspections to ensure structural integrity.<ref name=5Things>Template:Cite news</ref>

During its construction, the tower won several negative awards from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which named it as the "Las Vegas event you are tired of hearing about," the "worst Las Vegas eyesore," and the "community's biggest embarrassment."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was also voted worst casino theme in 1997, and worst attraction four years later.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2006, readers of the newspaper named the Stratosphere as the ugliest building in Las Vegas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Five people, bypassing security measures, have committed suicide by jumping from the tower's observation area, between 2000 and 2007.<ref>Template:Ubl</ref> Additional suicides from jumping occurred in 2014 and 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Attractions

Template:Multiple image Rides at the Strat include:

A previous ride, a roller coaster called the High Roller, opened with the resort in 1996. It rode around the top of the tower pod.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Twist>Template:Cite news</ref> It closed on December 30, 2005, and was dismantled.<ref name=LVM/> The ride was considered underwhelming and was poorly received in comparison to the other rides. However, it was a financial success and attracted nearly 4 million riders by the time of its closure.<ref name=Twist/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At Template:Convert,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it was the second highest ride in the world and the highest roller coaster.<ref name="LVM">Template:Cite web</ref>

Strat-O-Fair, a Template:Convert midway themed after the 1963 World's fair, opened at the base of the tower in June 2000. Among its attractions were bumper cars and a Ferris wheel, measuring 45 feet in diameter.<ref>Retrieved 2021-01-24:Template:Ubl</ref>

In 2024, the Strat opened Atomic Golf, a four-story Template:Convert golf entertainment facility.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The project, which cost $75 million, includes 103 hitting bays and several bars.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was built on seven acres – located directly north of the resort – that were leased out to developer Flite Golf & Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Unbuilt rides

Two rides were proposed for the tower but were never built.<ref name=Resurrect/><ref name=Whaley-2004/> As the resort opened in 1996, there were plans to add a $6 million "King Kong" ride, also known as "Belly of the Beast". Riders would be placed in the stomach of a giant mechanical gorilla that would scale the Stratosphere tower. The ride would carry a total of 48 people and would go halfway up the tower.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Schumacher>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Scraps>Template:Cite news</ref> On its way down, the ride would drop several feet at a time, to give riders the sensation of falling.<ref name=Klein/><ref name=Greenberg>Template:Cite news</ref> The ride's opening was delayed in May 1996, because design and engineering work took longer than expected.<ref name=Schumacher/> The project was canceled two months later. A Stratosphere spokesman said, "It was determined to be not feasible and we couldn't be sure it would be an exciting ride. It was an engineering challenge, to say the least."<ref name=Scraps/> The ride had been scheduled to open later in 1996.<ref name=Schumacher/>

The second ride was proposed in 2001,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> acting as a $20 million roller coaster that would transport riders over Las Vegas Boulevard. A 740-foot tower would be built next to the Stratosphere tower, and the roller coaster would travel down this new tower before going up a 416-foot tower on the opposite side of the street.<ref name=Resurrect>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Monkey>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Moller1/> Area residents were opposed to the ride, citing concerns about its impact on housing values and the quality of life.<ref name=Resurrect/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Residents were concerned about noise and traffic that would occur in the area if the ride were built, although the resort denied that noise would be an issue.<ref name=Monkey/> Nevada Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani said the ride would make the neighborhood look like a carnival.<ref name=Neighbors/>

The Stratosphere stated that the new ride was necessary to compete against the nearby Adventuredome, as well as a NASCAR attraction at the Sahara resort.<ref name=Monkey/> The earlier King Kong ride had received city approval in 1996, with no expiration, and resort executives suggested that they may revive that project if the Las Vegas City Council were to reject the new roller coaster proposal. Residents were also opposed to the King Kong ride.<ref name=Resurrect/> In response to the opposition, the Stratosphere suggested that it may withdraw financial support for the Las Vegas Monorail project, which would connect downtown with the Las Vegas Strip.<ref name=Neighbors>Template:Cite news</ref> The roller coaster ride failed to get the support of the city council, and the Stratosphere withdrew its financing of $250,000 for the monorail project, which would have had a stop at the resort.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A scaled-back, slower version of the roller coaster ride was proposed in 2002,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but it was also denied approval. The Stratosphere took legal action in an effort to get the ride built, but the resort lost its challenges in court.<ref name=Moller1>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Whaley-2004>Template:Cite news</ref>

Restaurants

File:Roxie's Diner at the Stratosphere.jpg
Roxy's Diner in 2011

Top of the World is a revolving restaurant,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> taking about 80 minutes to complete a full rotation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It is located on the 106th floor of the tower,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> providing overhead views of the Las Vegas Valley.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The resort has had numerous other restaurants,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> including a buffet,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Undergoes/> and a steakhouse known as McCall's Heartland Grill.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Roxy's Diner had operated since the resort's opening.<ref name=Opening/><ref name=Feldberg>Template:Cite web</ref> It eventually closed in 2018, replaced by the Strat Café.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A snack bar, 108 Eats, opened on the 108th floor observation deck in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> PT's, a local chain of bar-restaurants owned by Golden Entertainment,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> opened a location at the Strat in 2020, under the name PT's Wings & Sports.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Clear

Tower Shops

The Tower Shops is a mall on the second level. The elevators that lead up to the observation decks are only accessible in the mall.<ref name=Rising/> DeBartolo Realty Corporation, which owned a 50-percent interest in the Tower Shops, was acquired by Simon Property Group in March 1996, forming Simon DeBartolo Group.<ref name=Retailers/> The Tower Shops were a joint venture between Simon DeBartolo Group and Gordon Group, under the name Strato-Retail.<ref name="Headache">Template:Cite news</ref> The Stratosphere leased the retail space to Strato-Retail, which then subleased it to retail tenants.<ref name=Sued/>

File:Stratosphere shopping mall, Las Vegas (2008).jpg
Tower Shops in 2008

When the Stratosphere opened in April 1996, its retail area was still largely under construction and consisted only of vendor carts spread across three areas with their own theme: Chinese, French, and Manhattan.<ref name=SF/> The mall was built by Missouri construction company McCarthy, which was finishing the first phase in May 1996.<ref name="Rising">Template:Cite news</ref> Because of the resort's financial problems, the next phase of the Tower Shops was halted in August 1996,<ref name=Halts/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> leaving the mall with Template:Convert of retail space.<ref name=NewShops/><ref name=Headache/> The second phase, scheduled for completion in December 1996, would have increased the mall to Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The second phase would have included a Rainforest Cafe as its main anchor tenant.<ref name=Retailers/><ref name=Headache/> A Kids Quest child-care center was also planned as part of the second phase.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Retailers/>

As of February 1997, the mall had 32 of 45 stores opened, with the remainder expected to open by the end of the second quarter. The mall had approximately 300 employees.<ref name="NewShops">Template:Cite web</ref> As of October 1997, there were 36 stores, including a clothing store owned by Las Vegas mayor Jan Jones,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> who also owned shares in Grand Casinos.<ref name=Jones/> Approximately 85 percent of the retail space was occupied, and 98 percent was leased.<ref name="Jones">Template:Cite web</ref>

By 1998, retailers in the Tower Shops were experiencing financial difficulties and lack of customer traffic, which the retailers blamed on the resort's unfinished facilities.<ref name="Retailers">Template:Cite news</ref> Strato-Retail filed suits against several of the mall's retailers, alleging non-payment of rent. Two retailers that were locked in for expensive, long-term leases filed suits against Strato-Retail.<ref name=Retailers/><ref name="Sued">Template:Cite news</ref> As of March 1999, the Stratosphere planned to add a new escalator which the resort said would lead up to the casino's showroom. However, Strato-Retail sued Stratosphere Corporation, alleging that the escalator would hinder business to the Tower Shops by allowing visitors to bypass the mall on their way to the top of the observation tower. The resort denied that the escalator could be used to access the tower.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Strato-Retail won a permanent injunction against the escalator's construction.<ref name=Take-Over/>

In 2000, Stratosphere Corporation purchased the mall from Strato-Retail for $12.5 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Headache/><ref name="Take-Over">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2004, the Tower Shops had Template:Convert of retail space, which was approximately 90 percent leased. That year, the mall announced plans for an additional Template:Convert of retail space.<ref name=Shubinski/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The expansion would occupy undeveloped space that was meant for the Tower Shops' originally planned second phase.<ref name="Shubinski">Template:Cite news</ref> At the time, the mall had approximately 50 stores and 15 retail carts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Live entertainment

At its opening, the Stratosphere included the 700-seat Broadway showroom,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and a 300-seat lounge called the Images Cabaret, which also hosted performers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Stratosphere opened along with a celebrity impersonator show known as American Superstars, which initially ran in the lounge.<ref name=Weatherford2011/><ref name=Superstars>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Danny Gans also had a residency, which took place in the showroom.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Gans' contract expired at the end of 1996, and he moved on to the Rio resort, after disagreements with the Stratosphere. Gans had wanted more advertising from the Stratosphere for his show, although the resort was financially unable to do so. The resort, meanwhile, wanted Gans to perform more often, which he declined to do.<ref name=Rio/> Following his departure, American Superstars moved into the showroom.<ref name=Weatherford2011/><ref name=Rio>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

A small-scale afternoon show, Viva Las Vegas, opened in the Broadway showroom in October 1996, in an effort to improve the resort's finances. The show had previously run for five years at the Sands Hotel and Casino, until its closing earlier in 1996.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Hypnotist Marshall Sylver opened a show in the Images Cabaret in 1997.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Two years later, Images Cabaret was relocated elsewhere in the resort, as the original location was replaced by the new sports book.<ref name=Sportsbook>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Celestia tent at The Strat in Las Vegas.jpg
Overhead view of the Celestia tent

As of 2001, Viva Las Vegas was the longest continuously running afternoon show in Las Vegas history.<ref name=At5/> An outdoor stage, called the Outdoor Events Center, opened later that year. Built in the form of a grandstand, it offered seating for approximately 3,600 people. As an alternative to larger venues, the Outdoor Events Center offered low-priced events, which included boxing matches and musical performances.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2004, the resort's Theater of the Stars showroom launched a topless vampire-themed show by Tim Molyneux called Bite, featuring rock and roll music.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Viva Las Vegas closed in December 2006.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

American Superstars closed in March 2011, as the producers and resort came to a mutual decision to end the show after a 15-year run. It was one of the longest-running shows in Las Vegas history.<ref name=Superstars/><ref name=Weatherford2011>Template:Cite news</ref> Later that year, singer Frankie Moreno signed a two-year residency.<ref name=Kats2011>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Theater of the Stars showroom was renovated under the direction of Moreno,<ref name=Beacon/><ref name=Kats2011/> and was renamed as the Stratosphere Showroom.<ref name=Moreno>Template:Cite news</ref> Tommy Ward was Moreno's opening act for nine-months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bite ended its run in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

David Perrico, with the band Pop Evolution, signed in 2013 for a monthly show.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Claire Sinclair, a Playboy Playmate, starred in a burlesque musical show titled Pin Up, which launched in 2013 and ran for four years.<ref>Retrieved 2020-12-22:Template:Ubl</ref> Moreno signed an extension and eventually concluded his residency at the end of 2014.<ref name=Moreno/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By 2016, the resort had begun offering a Michael Jackson tribute show called MJ Live.<ref name=Aging>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Strat added an acrobatic show, Celestia, in June 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The show was performed inside a Template:Convert tent located outside the Strat.<ref name=Schulz2/> Celestia closed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A year later, plans were underway to renovate the Strat's 600-seat theater. The resort partnered with SPI Entertainment and hoped to make the resort a well-known destination for live entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Illusionist Xavier Mortimer opened a magic show on July 1, 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Another magic show, by mentalist Banachek, was opened a month later,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> along with a glow-in-the-dark dance show by iLuminate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A concert residency by Sammy Hagar took place later in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Rouge, a show featuring topless dancers, debuted the following year.<ref>Retrieved 2023-03-08:Template:Ubl</ref>

See also

Template:Portal

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

Further reading

Template:Commons category

Template:Las Vegas casinos Template:Las Vegas hotels Template:Las Vegas skyscrapers Template:Las Vegas Strip Template:Las Vegas Valley Template:Supertall Template:Golden Entertainment

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