Frontier Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Bella Ladies V-Neck

Description

The property that held The Frontier had a convoluted history that exists to this day. It started life as Pair O’ Dice casino and dance club (1931 – 1941). It was sold and renamed Hotel Last Frontier (1942 – 1955). From there it became New Frontier (1955-1965) and then The Frontier (1967 – 1998) and finally reverting to New Frontier (1998 – 2007). This bio deals with The Frontier — let’s jump right in. Warren Bayley, owner of the then New Frontier Hotel, died in 1964, leading to the closure and eventual demolition of the property for redevelopment. Bankers Life acquired Frontier Properties in 1965 and leased it to Vegas Frontier Inc., with plans to construct a larger resort on the site. Construction began in 1966, overseen by Friedman, and involved notable investors such as Steve Wynn. The brand-new Frontier Hotel and Casino, financed partially with mob money, opened in 1967 with 650 hotel rooms, entertainment venues, and a distinctive ‘F’ logo and sign designed by Bill Clark. State gaming regulators scrutinized some individuals involved in the project, resulting in Howard Hughes purchasing the Frontier in late 1967. Following Hughes’s death, the Frontier underwent a renovation in 1978 and later sold to Margaret Elardi in 1988. Elardi focused on attracting low-budget clientele to the Frontier, offering limited amenities compared to newer Las Vegas megaresorts. Phil Ruffin reached a deal to purchase the Frontier for $167 million in 1997, agreeing to a union contract to conclude a strike that had been ongoing for years. Before his acquisition, the Nevada Gaming Control Board considered revoking the Frontier’s gaming license due to its conduct during the strike. Ruffin’s purchase, completed in 1998, ended one of the longest strikes in U. S. history, lasting 2,325 days. Around 300 striking workers returned to their jobs, and they received nearly $5 million in back-pay and contributions. The resolution was celebrated with an event attended by 3,000 people. In 2018, Wynn Resorts purchased the land of the now demolished hotel and casino, as well as four adjacent acres for $336 million to build a new casino resort called Wynn West. The new resort would be directly across the street from Wynn’s existing properties, Wynn and Encore. However, after Steve Wynn resigned amid sexual assault allegations, plans for Wynn West were shelved. In 2024, the county extended permits, allowing Wynn until April 2026 to start construction on a new project with additional casino space and a hotel tower with 1,100 rooms.