Vol. 3, No. 1, 2007 Page 2
STARDUST HOTEL
The Stardust closed its doors on November
1,2006 to make way for Echelon Place, a $4
billion megaresort that Boyd Gaming will
begin building in June 2007.
The Stardust opened in 1958 as a place of legend at the time being the largest resort hotel in the world with 1,000 rooms and Nevada’s biggest casino. During its heyday, the Stardust’s restaurants, clubs and bars were among the most popular in town. Its “Lido de Paris” show was one of the first in Las Vegas to feature topless dancers and Siegfried & Roy got their start in that show.
Bill Boyd, Chairman and Chief Operating
Officer of Boyd Gaming was present at the
closing stating, “Well, it’s a lot more
emotional than I thought it would be. It’s
difficult to say goodbye to all of the great
employees and loyal customers.
There are a lot of people who made
the Stardust what it is.”
At the time of the announcement that the Stardust
would close, 111 employees had worked there for at
least 30 years. “I haven’t heard that specific number,
but I believe it,” Boyd said. “We have been here for
23 years (when Boyd purchased the property) and I
know there were many people who had been
with the Stardust for many years even then. We
have placed as many as we can (in other Boyd properties), and
quite a few have retired rather than work anywhere but the
Stardust.”
The Stardust, in its negotiations with the unions, agreed to
a great severance package for its employees which set the
standards in going forward when other Hotel/Casinos close to
make room for new projects. They also guaranteed hiring
priority to the former employees when Echelon Place opens.
The closure of the Stardust marks the end of one era as it
opens the exciting beginning of another. Las Vegas isn’t losing an
old friend as much as it is making room for new ones.