VEGAS
ALADDIN - The
Vegas Aladdin opened on
April 1, 1966, with flower petals pouring from the ceiling and
onto guests as they entered the hall. One guest was
composer-pianist Warren Richards. The opening entertainment
included comedian Jackie Mason, the "Jet Set Revue," a musical
review that showcased The Three Cheers and the Petite Rockette
Dancers in the Bagdad Theatre.
Planet Hollywood Las
Vegas is a casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
The resort was formerly known as The Aladdin. Starwood Hotels
& Resorts Worldwide is rebranding the hotel as a Sheraton
Hotel and will operate the hotel portion of the project.
Planet Hollywood rebranded and operates the rest of the
property under the Planet Hollywood brand.
The property is owned by OpBiz, which is a partnership of
Robert Earl, Bay Harbour Management and Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide.
Prell introduced an innovative main showroom policy by
offering three completely different shows twice nightly with
no cover or minimum charges.
The Aladdin contained a 9-hole golf course.
A little more than a year after it was opened, the Aladdin was
host to Elvis and Priscilla Presley's wedding.
In August of 1969, the Aladdin completed a $750,000 makeover
including renovations to the Sinbad Lounge, which became
enclosed and leveled above the casino floor with Arabic motif.
Also
in 1969, Parvin Dohrmann Corporation took over the Aladdin,
and in 1972, using the name Recrion Corporation, sold it to
Sam Diamond, St. Louis politician Peter Webbe, Sorkis Webbe,
and Richard Daly for the price of just $5 million. Under the
Webbes, a $60 million face lift was conducted, including the
addition of a 19-story tower and the new 7,500 seat Performing
Arts Center replacing the golf course, which was $4 million
over budget.
A $250,000 porte-cochere continued the tower's arabesques. The
Aladdin also added a new $300,000 140-foot blockbuster sign
with little neon, huge attraction panels and none of the
arabesque of the Aladdin's original sign.
The Aladdin had a grand re-opening in 1976 with singer Neil
Diamond being paid $750,000 for two shows.
Wayne Newton was a part owner from 1980 to 1982.
The Aladdin closed on November 25, 1997. On April 27, 1998,
and the entire resort was imploded, except for the Aladdin
Theatre, to make way for the construction of an entirely new
casino.
Facts |