Sands Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Version 6, Bella Ladies V-Neck

Description

The Sands Hotel and Casino was a landmark establishment on the Las Vegas Strip, operating from December 5, 1952, until its closure on June 30, 1996. Designed by architect Wayne McAllister, it featured a notable 56-foot sign and was the seventh resort to open on the Strip, quickly becoming a hub for entertainment and high society. Initially opened by Jake Freedman, the Sands featured 200 rooms and a casino that attracted both tourists and high rollers. The hotel gained prominence when crime figures like Meyer Lansky and Doc Stacher acquired shares, drawing Frank Sinatra to perform there in October 1953. Sinatra’s performances, along with those of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., the famed Rat Pack, and others, solidified the Sands’ reputation as a premier entertainment venue. In 1960, the classic film Ocean’s 11 was filmed at the hotel, further cementing its iconic status. In 1967, Howard Hughes purchased the Sands for $14.6 million and expanded it with a 500-room tower. By the late 1980s, the Sands faced stiff competition from newer, more luxurious resorts. In 1989, Sheldon Adelson and his partners acquired the Sands for $110 million. They introduced the Sands Expo and Convention Center in 1990, aiming to transform Las Vegas into a convention destination. Despite these efforts, the Sands struggled to compete with newer properties. In 1996, Adelson decided to demolish the Sands to make way for The Venetian, a $1.5 billion resort modeled after Venice, Italy. The Sands was imploded on November 26, 1996, and The Venetian opened in its place in 1999.