Fiesta Rancho Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Triblend Tee

Description

The Fiesta Rancho, originally known simply as Fiesta, opened on December 14, 1994, making it the first hotel-casino to debut in North Las Vegas. Developed by the Maloof family, it launched with 100 rooms and a modest 25,000-square-foot casino on the northeast corner of North Rancho Drive and Lake Mead Boulevard. Quickly embraced by residents, the resort expanded in 1995, adding an extra 50,000 square feet that included a sportsbook drive-through, a revamped buffet, and more gaming space. A larger renovation in 1999—a $26 million project—introduced a food court, parking garage, and additional casino areas, raising its gaming floor to about 70,000 square feet and increasing slot and video poker offerings to nearly 2,000 machines. At the time, it earned the playful moniker “Royal Flush Capital of the World”, having paid out tens of thousands of royal flushes through its video poker machines. In 2001, Station Casinos acquired the property and renamed it Fiesta Rancho, aligning it with its sister property, Fiesta Henderson. Under Station’s ownership, the resort continued to cater to locals, featuring multiple eateries—including Garduño’s Mexican restaurant, a buffet, Big Ern’s BBQ, and a Denny’s—plus amenities like the Pepsi SoBe Ice Arena and solid gaming offerings. Despite its longstanding popularity among residents, Fiesta Rancho struggled post‑COVID‑19. The resort closed in March 2020, initially due to pandemic restrictions, and remained closed as locals shifted to nearby options. In 2022, Station announced the property would be demolished, alongside its North Las Vegas sister property, Texas Station, aiming to prevent future competition. For over two decades, Fiesta Rancho was a cornerstone for locals seeking affordable entertainment and hospitality away from the hectic Strip. Its legacy endures in memories, awards—such as “Best Video Poker,” “Best Bingo,” and more—and emerging visions for community-focused redevelopment in its place. Demolition began in 2023, though the ice arena was left standing. Plans emerged to redevelop the site into a mixed-use project—Hylo Park—with a new hotel, retail space, and fieldhouse, with construction expected to span into late 2025.