KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasDesert Inn Implosion
Desert Inn implosion, 2001
Ron Lynn, Clark County building officer
(Nov. 16) -- The Desert Inn has been part of the Las Vegas Strip for more than 50 years and just after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, it came crashing down.
Two hundred and thirty three pounds of explosives were strategically placed to bring the building down to make room for the second phase of the new Wynn Resort.
On Monday, Ron Lynn, Clark County building officer, said, "The building will have been emptied out of all combustible material and analyzed as far as structure integrity. Part of intention is to have as little explosives as possible to keep it as safe as possible."
Built in 1950, the Desert Inn was one of only five properties on the Strip at that time.
Las Vegas set the stage for making large-scale productions out of casino implosions. But the 1996 Sands implosion was relatively low-key. The Sands was quietly blown up overnight on December 15th, 1996. The Sands, which opened in 1952, was the "place to be" for performers like the Rat Pack.
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The history of the Desert Inn hotel dates back to 1950 when it first opened its doors. At that time, only four other hotels were open along the Las Vegas Strip. More>>
The Desert Inn has been a fixture on the Las Vegas Strip for decades. But Tuesday morning, the South Tower came down to make way for a new hotel-casino owned and operated by Wynn. More>>
