RIVIERA HOTEL & CASINO

 

The Riviera was the seventh casino to open on the strip. It was designed to emulate the luxurious casinos of the Mediterranean - a departure from the more standard and staid designs of the existing casinos. The hotel's nine stories made it the first high-rise building on the Strip and when it opened in April 1955, Liberace was paid $50,000 per week to be the headliner. (That's a lot of rhinestones) Money was no object in the construction of the hotel and casino, but eventually somebody has to pay the bill. The Riviera was soon in deep financial trouble as investors were about $4 million in debt while more and casinos opened up around them.

They were "rescued" by Gus Greenbaum and the Chicago Mafia who took over and started to turn a profit. (The Mafia later thanked Gus by slitting his throat). Since then, the Riviera has changed hands several times. It seems that each owner added something or changed the look of the casino, but one thing has stayed the same -   The Riviera is still one of the most elegant casinos on the Strip.  

    Rooms are exquisitely decorated with mahogany furniture, beautiful drapes and all the amenities that are standard in an upscale Vegas hotel. The sheer size of the gaming floor makes it notable too. At 125,00-sq feet, the Riviera has one of the largest casino floors in the world. Another unusual feature of the casino is that it has a wall of windows that lets sunlight in. Clocks are still taboo, but at least you'll know whether it's day or night. (If you care)