Knowing that the Las Vegas Strip actually exists slightly outside of the Las Vegas city limits makes you either a gaming industry veteran, a casino aficionado, or pretty fun at parties – but knowing where Las Vegas’ next successful development will be takes a lot more than just looking at a map. The Strip technically lies within the unincorporated towns of both Winchester and Paradise, is 4.2 miles long and has been recognized as both a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, for having at least two of these six distinct “intrinsic qualities:” archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, or scenic importance. We could argue that The Strip’s many appearances in iconic films and television series certainly give it pop-cultural relevance, while the mafia gave it some history, the casinos and shows brought in many forms of recreation, the architecture and scenic elements change dramatically from property to property and, when it comes to nature, the botanical gardens at the Bellagio must surely count. An All-American road must also have unique elements that do not exist elsewhere in the country, which therefore make them tourist locations unto themselves. When it comes to tourism, the Strip needs no introduction.
However, the Las Vegas Strip was not the first area of the city, or its local unincorporated townships, to feature gambling, neon lights or shows. Downtown Las Vegas (or “old Las Vegas”) is only a 10-minute drive north of The Strip, if you believe the sign outside of the Sahara, which openly mocks The Strat with its proclamation: “The Strip Starts Here.” Downtown was the original hotspot in Sin City, where it all started. Now, Downtown and The Fremont Street Experience, which opened in 1995, have made a comeback; however, there was a period of time when the area was a secondary character in the Las Vegas story. The success of The Strip forced all the glamour, and many of the tourists, just south of Downtown. Back in 1941 it was a complete gamble for Thomas Hull to open El Rancho Vegas out in the desert, but he thought he’d bring in a new crowd by capturing those driving from Los Angeles to the city. The success of that property, and its all-you-can-eat buffet, became inspirations for many others that sprung up along the same highway, and later became The Las Vegas Strip.
The Strip currently boasts 38 hotels: if you count its newest Fontainebleau; include The Strat; consider Aria and Vdara two separate hotels; give the same treatment to The Venetian and The Palazzo; and to Mandalay Bay and The Delano; as well as include the less famous Aztec Inn, Ahern hotel and Convention Center and Oyo Hotel & Casino. Downtown Las Vegas is also home to at least 10 recognizable hotels and casinos from its first, the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, to its latest, Circa Resort & Casino.
With both locations already highly saturated, and highly competitive, where should the next hypothetical Hull look to start a brand-new area? Could ‘Sin City’ limits ever be expanded to create a third, successful spot?
North
North of the Strip, Downtown has been revitalized by the four-block Fremont Street experience, including: the world’s largest LED canopy of 2.1 million lights that puts on free shows each evening, the Slotzilla zipline, many free concerts and block parties, as well as properties like The Plaza, The D and Circa, which either renovated or opened within the last 10 years. Downtown Las Vegas went from a train depot in the early 1900s, to a gambling center in 1905, to economic downturn by the 60s, to a ‘hidden gem’ or ‘must do’ today, depending on who you ask. There’s also a Neon Museum and Mob Museum, even though the mafia was more involved in constructing the casinos on The Strip.
North of Downtown, however, lies the Nellis Air Force Base, the Las Vegas Premium North outlets, the Punk Rock Museum, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Haunted Museum. North Las Vegas is home to nearly 230,000 people. The benefits of adding a new casino or mega resort further north of Downtown, though, don’t seem to add up. Many residential and school districts, as well as manufacturing warehouses and distribution centers, make up the area. Gaming venues like Cannery Casino, Dotty’s Casino and Jackpot Joanies are available for players in the north, but they may be described best as ‘locals casinos’ rather than expected to have much tourist draw.
Summerlin
Summerlin sits in the western rim on the edge of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area. The location is known for its 30% green space and over 250 parks, and is partly within the city limits of Las Vegas. At one point, it was voted the best master-planned community in America. While Summerlin has three major resort casinos – JW Marriot Las Vegas & Rampart Casino, Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa and Suncoast Hotel & and Casino – it is also home to several notable people within the gaming and surrounding entertainment industry including: Station Casinos CEO Frank Fertitta III, Magicians David Copperfield and Pen Jillette, Morton Restaurant Group founder Michale Morton, Celebrity Chef Julian Serrano and UFC President Dana White. Late Sands Chairman & CEO Sheldon Adelson was also a notable resident of Summerlin. This could make the area more of a home away from such peformers’, chefs’ and CEOs’ other ‘homes’ (so to speak) at casinos Downtown or on The Strip.
Henderson
This city, about 16 miles southeast of Downtown, is the second-most populous city in Nevada. The Henderson Multigenerational Facility is a large entertainment complex without the same focuses of a casino, but the area (like most in Nevada) does already have a few casino resorts to choose from, including M Resort, Green Valley Ranch and Sunset Stations. Unlike the convenience of Downtown or The Strip, though, it would take around four and a half hours to walk past all three. The area also has three age-restricted senior citizen communities, which would put the residents all at legal gambling age, but possibly not within the demographic looking for a new entertainment and party district.
South
South of the Strip, past Mandalay Bay and The Delano, there are a few major golf courses, the Harry Reid International Airport, a Skyzone trampoline park, the Las Vegas South Premium Outlets and, seemingly, a lot more desert. Just 15 minutes south of the airport is sometimes referred to as “cowboy country,” and is actually part of Paradise, and might be one of the least-visited areas when it comes to tourists. But it does boast a Hilton Vacation Club Resort, South Point Hotel Casino & Spa, the Residence Inn, a Hampton Inn and The Aquarium at Silverton Casino. The Southern Highlands community also has three freeway access points. Perhaps a potential casino with a convention center could also really attract a certain type of visitor who will discuss and make business deals on the two nearby golf courses.
Where to?
Hull unwittingly constructed the first casino on the Las Vegas Strip by opening his location in the middle of a desert, yet in an area of heavy traffic. The idea of building where there is open space, yet proximity to an airport, sounds like it could be today’s equivalent move.
However, the success that El Rancho Vegas experienced could have come from many factors other than its location. An enticing buffet, a welcoming staff, great treatment of its loyal customers, the types of games on offer, the pricing available, the overall vibe and that aforementioned level of convenience are all still factors in consideration when gamblers choose where to stay and play today. What we have learned from watching both Downtown, and especially The Strip, develop is that what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily need to stay in Vegas. Anywhere in Nevada can be either a gambler’s or tourist’s ‘paradise’ and any operator with a concept that matches its surrounding community, and with both the dedication and capital necessary to realize it, can build a casino somewhere in the desert of Nevada and attract a whole new crowd.
