Desert Inn

Desert Inn. Opened in 1950, it was the fifth major resort on the burgeoning Las Vegas Strip and quickly distinguished itself as a premier destination for high-stakes gambling and luxury accommodations. Founded by Wilbur Clark, the property was renowned for its lavish country club, golf course, and sophisticated clientele, setting a new standard for Las Vegas resorts. Its history is deeply intertwined with the city's transformation, involving famed figures like Howard Hughes and Moe Dalitz, before its eventual closure and redevelopment by Steve Wynn.

History

The development was spearheaded by Wilbur Clark, who envisioned a luxurious resort that would attract a wealthy, exclusive clientele, securing initial financing from Moe Dalitz and other investors with ties to Cleveland and Detroit. Upon its opening in 1950, it immediately became a social hub for celebrities and high rollers, famously hosting guests like President John F. Kennedy and Frank Sinatra. In 1967, reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes purchased the property from Dalitz's group, marking his entry into the Las Vegas casino industry and his subsequent acquisition of several other major properties, including the Frontier Hotel and Casino and the Sands Hotel and Casino. Under the ownership of Hughes's Summa Corporation, it operated for decades before being sold to Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 1993, and later to Steve Wynn in 2000.

Architecture and design

The original design was the work of noted architect Wayne McAllister, who created a distinctive Mid-century modern style with a low-rise, sprawling layout that emphasized spaciousness and integration with the desert landscape. Its signature feature was the 200-foot tall "D.I." sign, a classic example of Googie architecture and neon design that became an iconic landmark on the Las Vegas Strip. The interior featured lavish decor, with the famed Monte Carlo Room showroom hosting major entertainment acts, and the property was one of the first to include a championship-level golf course and the Desert Inn Country Club, enhancing its resort appeal. Later renovations under various owners updated its facilities, but it retained its reputation for elegance and exclusivity compared to the more thematic resorts that emerged on the Strip.

Notable events and operations

The casino was a pivotal venue for high-stakes gambling, with its baccarat and craps pits regularly frequented by international gamblers and members of the jet set. It hosted numerous prestigious events, including the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions from 1953 to 1966, which brought stars like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus to its golf course. The Monte Carlo Room was a top showroom, featuring legendary performers such as Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Liberace throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Its operations were also notable for the 1967 sale to Howard Hughes, a transaction conducted entirely from his penthouse suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel, which dramatically altered the ownership landscape of Las Vegas.

In popular culture

The resort has been featured or referenced in several films and television series, often symbolizing the classic era of Las Vegas sophistication. It appears in the 1960 film Ocean's 11, starring the Rat Pack, and is mentioned in the 1995 film Casino, which depicts the city's underworld connections. The property is also referenced in episodes of the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which is set in Las Vegas. Furthermore, its purchase by Howard Hughes has been dramatized in biographical projects like the 2004 film The Aviator, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Closure and redevelopment

The property was purchased by casino magnate Steve Wynn in 2000 with the specific intent of redeveloping the valuable land it occupied on the Las Vegas Strip. It was closed on August 28, 2000, with a final fireworks display, and the original buildings, including the Desert Inn Country Club, were imploded in 2001. Wynn constructed the Wynn Las Vegas resort on the site, which opened in 2005, and its sister property, Encore Las Vegas, opened adjacent to it in 2008. The golf course land was later used for the development of the Wynn Golf Club and the Las Vegas Convention Center expansion, marking a complete transformation of the historic location.

Category:Defunct hotels in Nevada Category:Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip Category:Buildings and structures in Paradise, Nevada