Random Vegas
Downtown Fremont Street was permanently closed to automobile traffic on September 7th, 1994 in anticipation of the Fremont Street Experience (sincitytalk.com)
Twitpic of the week
This, to me, as if it wasn’t already, confirms that the Vegas skyline is the coolest on the planet.
It also epitomizes just how awesome it would be to live in Vegas.
As you gaze past all the standard types of buildings and high rises in the skyline, you see a fuckin pyramid with a beam that stretches into the sky.
Oh and just off right, a medieval castle.
I think what properties like Aria, Bally’s and the soon to be Park MGM don’t get is there is nothing memorable about them.
Sure they may be cool for those who already love the city but they aren’t making people go “I have to go see that”.
They aren’t the kind of things you dream about.
The kind of things that create a mythological atmosphere all around you like Caesars, Paris, Luxor and the likes do.
If you think Vegas would be as popular as it is today if they offered everything they do now in standard buildings like Wynn, Bellagio and Flamingo, you’re kidding yourself.
If that’s the case, then why were they struggling when Atlantic City opened and didn’t reclaim their position as the #1 gambling market in the Western Hemisphere until after the Mirage was opened?
@scottswigart’s picture, shared by @lasvegaslocally, shows us is subconsciously, you know themes are what makes Vegas special because when you look at this picture, your eyes instinctively move past all the other buildings not as awe inspiring as themed exteriors of Luxor, Excalibur and to a lesser extent, MGM and Mandalay.
That’s not saying all the properties should be themes but be aware, when you start talking about detheming and kick around the idea of doing that to Excalibur, know that you are talking about taking everything that is special about Vegas and making it like every place else.
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