KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasFunds Needed to Preserve La Concha Lobby

Funds Needed to Preserve La Concha Lobby

The lobby of the La Concha Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is listed as one of the eleven most endangered historic sites in Nevada. Non-profit group Preserve Nevada says the La Concha will be demolished unless they and other preservationists rescue it.

The hotel closed in 2003 after property owner Edward Doumani sold the land to a condominium developer. But Doumani, along with the Neon Museum and Preserve Nevada have plans to move the lobby of the old hotel to the neon bone yard with hopes that it will become the lobby of the Neon Museum.

The move is expected to cost an estimated $300,000 and time is running out to raise the money because the condo developers are ready to break ground.

Dale Ward, with Flagship Construction, said, "This is such a unique building. You just can't pick it up, put it on a dolly and haul it off. You have to worry about the building wanting to flex and crack It's more like a big eggshell that you're trying to keep in place."

Edward Doumani, La Concha owner, said, "I think it will stay as a historical reference of what Las Vegas use to be and I hope what we do now will be as estetically beautiful for the future of Las Vegas."

Barbara Molasky, with the Neon Museum, said, "They are getting ready to get the area ready for their condominium and hotel project, and the Doumani family has been so incredibly supportive and has pushed this back as far as they could. I believe we have weeks to come up with the funds."

The mid-century modern hotel opened back in 1961 and was designed by famous African American architect Paul Revere Williams.

The Old Spanish Trail has also been listed as one of the most endangered sites in Nevada.