Sundance Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Triblend Tee

Description

The Sundance Hotel & Casino stood at 301 Fremont Street in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas, opening its doors on July 2, 1980. Developed on land owned by Moe Dalitz, a prominent figure in organized crime, the property was envisioned as a plush, modern competitor to the gritty, nickel-slot venues that had long dominated the Fremont corridor. With around 650 rooms, the hotel quickly became a sleek symbol of the revitalization happening in downtown Vegas, offering a cleaner, more upscale environment compared to its neighbors. A second tower, completed in 1981, briefly made the Sundance the tallest building in Nevada. Despite its ambitious start, the hotel’s ownership and management structure soon became heavily regulated. Dalitz was blocked from direct casino operations by the Nevada Gaming Commission, leading to management being handled by his associates, Al Sachs and Herb Tobman, who also ran Stardust and Fremont casinos. In 1983, both men came under scrutiny and faced license suspension amid allegations of skimming at the Stardust. Dalitz attempted to take control but handed over gaming operations in July 1984 to veteran operator Jackie Gaughan while the property was readied for sale. By 1987, the Sundance was sold to Lincoln Management Inc. (later Fitzgeralds Gaming) and underwent a renovation, reopening as Fitzgeralds Hotel & Casino in March 1988. The story of the Sundance remains a snapshot of a pivotal moment in Las Vegas history. Today, the property is home to The D Las Vegas, a mainstay of the Fremont Street area.