Riviera in Las Vegas rumored to be sold and torn down for expansion of Las Vegas Convention Center

Even though I dislike what the Rivera became you can't deny it's history. This was one of the original casino/hotels that was robbed in the 1960 movie Ocean's Eleven along with the Sahara, Sands, Flamingo and Desert Inn. The Rivera opened in 1955 so that certainly gives it iconic status. When I first visited Las Vegas in the mid seventies the Rivera was still a high roller casino and took big black chip action. It was also used in the filming of the movie Casino. Now it is nothing more than an aging flea joint.

Rumors are running rampant that the Riviera is on the chopping block and will be sold to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority in a cash deal to make way for more convention space. Multiple news outlets report that the sale will be official soon.

The casino, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is home to R Steak & Seafood, Banana Leaf Cafe and Wicked Vicky Tavern, along with a food court with Angelina's, Big Burger, Cheese Steaks Etc, India Masala, La Salsa, Quiznos and Wok Express.

The Riviera sits on 26.36 acres of land that extends from Las Vegas Boulevard to Paradise Road.

The Las Vegas Sun reports that the LVCVA expansion is part of a $2.3 billion Las Vegas Global Business District strategy that the organization enacted two years ago.

“According to those familiar with the transaction, the purchase of the Riviera from its current owner, lending company Starwood Capital Group, would lead to the closing of the hotel as early as May. The LVCVA would then order the demolition of the building by the end of June and clear way for a new convention center project expanding the authority footprint on Paradise Road,” the Las Vegas Sun reports.

The Riviera went into bankruptcy in 2010. The resort and its 2,100 hotel rooms, an 110,000-square-foot casino and convention space have been on the market since then.

You know the history is great there, I used to play there in the 80's along with The Desert Inn. Actually the RIV tried to bring in some big Asian hosts and put about a 1/2 dozen to 8 baccarat tables with red ropes around them in from of the main cashier, a baccarat pit sort of. Problem is, the players started wining for a few weeks pretty heavy and the RIV cut it out! Their steak house was also old school and great. I remember seeing Andrew Dice Clay there in late 2013, front row (got picked on but I stood up and made a big scene!) Fun!!!! Too bad, the old school places could be something special but......

For those of us that played in these old school places, the thing is---we did old school things, antics and actions that were-well, just plain old school. From jumping on top of a big baccarat table to picking up a shoe and slamming it down. Hundreds of other things that would never be tolerated or allowed these days. We also have more of the grind and the statistical players these days rather than the 'let's all go out to Vegas and have a good time' crowd. We used to dress up to go out and we used to love the aura of everything that AC and Vegas had. But all that has changed, really changed......

Good riddance!

Quote:

For those of us that played We used to dress up to go out and we used to love the aura of everything that AC and Vegas had. But all that has changed, really changed......

You're so right. Now people go out on the town dressed like the just washed their car. I remember seeing a documentary on Sinatra where the narrator said that he always wore slacks--he didn't own a pair of jeans.

Quote: JackStraw8004

“According to those familiar with the transaction, the purchase of the Riviera from its current owner, lending company Starwood Capital Group, would lead to the closing of the hotel as early as May. The LVCVA would then order the demolition of the building by the end of June and clear way for a new convention center project expanding the authority footprint on Paradise Road,” the Las Vegas Sun reports.

Wow! That soon?

I play in a very large chess tournament each year at the Riviera, The National Open. This year's event is scheduled for June 18-21. This tournament usually attracts 600-800 players.

This place is a bit dumpy however they have had some good stuff over the years so im sad to see it go.

Excellent, another top shelf Las Vegas casino implosion.

implosions

I always got great comps at the Riviera before
the invention of players cards. Just tell
the pit you wanted a buffet, and he'd give
you one. A pack of smokes, a breakfast in
the cafe. But that was 1982, times have
changed..

That reminds me, didn't they have a bowl of individual cigarettes at the blackjack tables 40+ years ago? And wasn't it common back then for the cocktail waitresses to bring a complimentary pack of cigarettes to a casino patron upon request? (Wholesale, cigarettes only cost about 30 cents a pack in 1970.)

If they do tear down the Riv, I wonder what will become of the Crazy Girls bronze sculpture that adorns the casino entrance? The artwork of Las Vegas must be preserved!

I got lucky on their loss rebate promo they had a couple years ago. I heard some people got screwed and were told they didn't play the right machines. I hit a w2 early, and so left happily :)

If they implode it, then I'd be up to watch. I've yet to witness a good Las Vegas implosion. Who is up to joining me?

Quote: Wizard

If they implode it, then I'd be up to watch. I've yet to witness a good Las Vegas implosion. Who is up to joining me?

I've never witnessed one either, and I'd like to, but it would depend upon the date.

Quote: EdCollins

I've never witnessed one either, and I'd like to, but it would depend upon the date.

Let's all keep an eye on the news about it. Lots of times they like to keep them quiet, probably to minimize the crowd. I didn't know about the Clarion until after it happened, for example.

Quote: Las Vegas Sun article quoted by JackStraw8004

"...the purchase of the Riviera from its current owner ... would lead to the closing of the hotel as early as May. The LVCVA would then order the demolition of the building by the end of June and ...."

Quote: Wizard

If they implode it, then I'd be up to watch. I've yet to witness a good Las Vegas implosion. Who is up to joining me?

Wizard, I think you need to demonstrate just how much influence you have in Las Vegas by getting this implosion scheduled during the period of the WoV 2015 Spring Fling in mid-May.

;-)

Riviera was the home of GLOW, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling

That's a shame, I was definitely going to play there again whether there were any offers or not. I really liked the vibe in that place, fun Craps table.

They actually did have a pretty sharp thing going with their baccarat/Asian pit and the hosts they brought in. But it fizzled out!

Quote: slyther

Riviera was the home of GLOW, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling

GLOW kicked ass, I would watch it when it was on. Like Saturdays or Sundays at noon or the like. They had Mount Fiji on the good side and Matilda the Hun on the bad side but I don't think I ever saw them fought. The bad lady did splash Al Bundy once though.

Then you had the Russian team, the Spanish team. I remember once there was a fight between the All American Team and some like savages or something. One of the girls popped her elbow and you could see it coming out it was crazy.

Then they had that one song at the start and the "fanmail" segment. Those were funny.

I remember on Kickstarter some guy raised money for the History of GLOW or something. I think I will go check that out and see what became of it.

Thanks for the heads up on the Riviera. My chess tournament is indeed being relocated:

The 50th Anniversary National Open and the Las Vegas International Chess Festival are moving to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. The Riviera Hotel will close on May 4th, shortly after her 60th anniversary. We want to thank the many members of the Riviera Staff who have helped to make this tournament great.

The Westgate (formerly the Las Vegas Hilton) will be a great new location, with plenty of convention space and amenities. It is just behind where the Riviera is now, and offers great access to the Strip with an onsite Las Vegas Monorail station. We are looking forward to a spectacular 50th anniversary. The same low room rates are available to chess players: $69/night ($89 Friday & Saturday).

If you already have a reservation at the Riviera you don’t need to change it: reservations and deposits for our group will be transferred to the Westgate automatically. More details will be posted at http://www.VegasChessFestival.com as they become available.

Alan Losoff, Janelle Losoff, Chris Bird
2015 Las Vegas International Chess Festival Organizing Committee