Sands Hotel
The Sands Hotel and Casino officially opened on December 15, 1952. It was developed by a group of investors led by Jake Freedman, a Texas hotelier, and built on a former piece of land that once housed a nightclub called the LaRue Restaurant.
The Sands was designed to be one of the most luxurious hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. It featured 200 rooms, a casino, a showroom, and a pool, along with its signature neon sign.
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Frank Sinatra was one of the first major stars to perform at the Sands, starting in 1953. His performances attracted large audiences and helped elevate the Sands' status. The hotel's showroom, the Copa Room, became famous for its glamorous shows and star-studded audiences. It was here the Rat Pack performed their legendary acts.
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In 1967, billionaire Howard Hughes purchased the Sands for $14.6 million as part of his extensive investment in Las Vegas and began significant renovations and expansions. The hotel expanded its facilities to include more rooms, a convention center, and additional entertainment venues, enhancing its appeal to a broader audience.
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By the 1980s, the Sands faced increasing competition from newer and larger resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel struggled to maintain its prominence amid the rapidly changing landscape of Las Vegas. In 1988, the Sands was sold to Sheldon Adelson and his partners with plans to replace it with a new, larger resort. The Sands Hotel and Casino officially closed on June 30, 1996, and was demolished on November 26, 1996.
The site of the Sands was redeveloped into The Venetian, a luxury hotel and casino inspired by the city of Venice, Italy. The Venetian opened on May 3, 1999.
