Palace Station
Aerial view of Palace Station in 2010
Location Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Address 2411 West Sahara Avenue
Opening dateJuly 1, 1976 (1976-07-01)
No. of rooms575
Total gaming space84,000 sq ft (7,800 m2)
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerStation Casinos
Previous namesThe Casino (1976–77)
Bingo Palace (1977–1984)
Renovated in1977, 1983–84, 1990–91, 2016–2019
Coordinates36°8′30″N 115°10′29″W / 36.14167°N 115.17472°W / 36.14167; -115.17472
Websitepalacestation.sclv.com

Palace Station is a hotel and casino located in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Station Casinos, and is the company's oldest property. It includes an 84,000 sq ft (7,800 m2) casino and 575 rooms. Palace Station originally opened as The Casino on July 1, 1976, attached to the Mini Price motel. It was expanded and renamed a year later as Bingo Palace. The ownership group included Frank Fertitta Jr., who bought out his partners in 1979.

Bingo Palace was expanded further and renamed Palace Station in 1984. The motel was purchased by Fertitta the following year, becoming part of Palace Station, and a 21-story hotel tower opened in 1991. A $192 million renovation took place from November 2016 to March 2019, and included demolition of the original motel structure.

History

Palace Station originally opened on July 1, 1976, as The Casino,[1][2][3] a 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) gambling hall attached to the Mini Price Motor Inn. The Casino was built in an off-Strip location beside Interstate 15, where few observers expected it to succeed.[4][5] It was soon expanded by 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) and renamed Bingo Palace,[6] with the grand opening celebrated on June 30, 1977.[7][8] The casino was the first in the Las Vegas Valley to target a clientele of local residents, with offerings like giveaways, cheap buffets and bingo.[9][10] It thrived,[11] and other locals casinos followed in later years, including Sam's Town (1979) and the Gold Coast (1986).[9]

Carl Thomas, an executive of Argent Corporation, was among the original owners.[12][13] Frank Fertitta Jr. bought a 10-percent interest in July 1977.[14][15] He became vice president and director of the Bingo Palace later that year.[16] In 1979, Thomas was under investigation for allegedly aiding mobsters in a skimming operation. Fertitta bought out his partners, including Thomas and two others, later that year.[17][18][19]

A $10 million renovation and expansion was underway in 1983, and a contest was held to select a new name,[20] as Fertitta wanted to emphasize that the casino offered more than bingo.[21] Approximately 26,000 contest entries were made over a three-week period.[22] The winning name, Palace Station, was submitted by a keno runner at Bingo Palace.[20] Fertitta liked the name because it retained "Palace" while also reflecting the property's new train station/railroad theme. The name change became official on January 1, 1984.[21][23] A grand opening ceremony was held on April 6, featuring Governor Richard Bryan and the historic locomotive Inyo.[24][25] A train-themed neon sign, measuring 126 feet (38 m) wide and high, was constructed for Palace Station.[26]

In 1985, Fertitta purchased the adjoining 465-room motel and rebranded it as part of Palace Station, allowing the casino to now target tourists as well.[27][28] A $60 million expansion began five years later, and included 22,000 sq ft (2,000 m2) in new casino space, as well as a parking garage. The project also included a 21-story hotel tower;[29][30][23] it began construction on July 9, 1990,[31][32] and was topped off that November.[33][34] The expanded casino and three floors in the tower opened a month later, with the remainder of rooms expected to be finished in mid-1991.[35]

In 1993, Palace Station filed to become a public corporation known as Station Casinos,[36][37] which has gone on to open numerous other hotel-casinos throughout the Las Vegas Valley, starting in 1994 with Boulder Station.[38]

In 1998, a 67-year-old woman won the largest slot machine jackpot in history at Palace Station: $27 million.[39][40]

In 2016, employees narrowly rejected unionization efforts by the Culinary Workers Union and Bartenders Union, by a vote of 266 to 262. The vote was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Culinary challenged the results, accusing Station of influencing its workers to vote against unionization by giving them raises just before the election.[41] The union filed a complaint with the NLRB, and Palace Station agreed to settle in 2017,[42][43] although a contract was never finalized.[44]

A $192 million renovation began in November 2016,[45][46][47] and was completed in March 2019.[45] It was the property's first major renovation since 1991.[22] Palace Station remained open during the project, which included the removal of the train theme in favor of a modern design.[48][49] Eight faux locomotives on the front of the building were removed,[48][50][26] and one was donated to the city's Neon Museum, along with a Palace Station neon sign measuring 50 feet (15 m) long.[50][26][51] The 126-foot Palace Station sign was removed during 2018, marking the end of the train theme.[26] A grand re-opening celebration, including a fireworks show, was held on September 1, 2018.[47][52][53]

Incidents

A roof collapse and fire occurred on July 20, 1999,[54] both during heavy rainfall.[55][56][57] The roof collapse occurred over an area of the casino floor around 2:00 a.m., unleashing a wave of water on gamblers. Several hours later, a four-alarm fire began on a decorative exterior facade, located along the tower's 21st floor.[55][56][58] More than 75 firefighters responded, although their 150-foot ladder could not reach the blaze. Instead, they had to break open hotel-room windows on the 20th floor and spray the fire from there.[55][58]

The fire forced the evacuation of 2,200 guests,[55][58] and caused extensive damage to the tower exterior.[55] The facade contained a lighting circuit, and investigators believed the fire started because the circuit was either struck by lightning, or because rainwater got into its wiring and caused a short circuit.[56] The hotel remained open up to the 15th floor,[59] and other floors were reopened soon thereafter. The casino floor was partially reopened a day after the incidents, along with several restaurants.[56][60] The total cost of damage for both incidents was between $12 million and $14 million. The damaged portion of the casino reopened four months later.[61]

Various robberies have occurred at Palace Station throughout its history,[62] the most prominent being a 2007 robbery led by O. J. Simpson,[63][64][65] which occurred at the property's motel structure.[66][67]

Features

Palace Station includes an 84,000 sq ft (7,800 m2) casino.[68] The hotel tower is 21 stories,[56][60] and has 575 rooms.[46] The tower had brought the total room count to more than 1,000,[29][58] including rooms in the original two-story motel. The latter, with approximately 447 rooms, was demolished in 2017 for new property features and future expansion.[50][69][70]

In 2001, the Las Vegas Valley's population included 100,000 Asian residents. Palace Station began marketing to this demographic by introducing a gaming pit that featured blackjack, baccarat, and pai gow, all popular among Asian gamblers.[71][72] The property continues to remain popular among this group.[72][73]

The casino once included the Sound Trax lounge, which featured classic rock tribute bands. In 2001, the space was converted into the Laugh Trax comedy club,[74][75] later named the Bonkerz Comedy Club.[76][77] In 2010, Louie Anderson became Palace Station's headlining entertainer,[78] performing there until 2013.[79]

In 2001, Palace Station opened an Irish pub and restaurant.[80] The casino also included a popular long-time restaurant known as the Broiler.[81] The 2016–2019 renovation included a new bingo room,[82][49] an expanded casino floor,[83] and a Regal Cinemas movie theater.[52][84] The project also added several new restaurants,[49][45] including Boathouse Asian Eatery.[85][86] The buffet was also relocated from the second floor to the main casino floor.[86][87][88] Tacos & Taquila, a popular Mexican restaurant that closed on the Strip in 2018, briefly operated at Palace Station from 2022 to 2023.[89][90]

References

  1. ↑ "The Casino Opening". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 4, 1976. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Palace Station Hotel & Casino forges ahead as Las Vegas landmark". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 15, 1996. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  3. ↑ Hawley, Tom (June 29, 2016). "Video Vault | Station Casinos' start in 1976 was modest bingo parlor". KSNV. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  4. ↑ Powers, Ashley (August 23, 2009). "Frank Fertitta Jr. dies at 70; pioneer of Las Vegas' neighborhood casinos". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  5. ↑ "The making of a Palace west of I-15". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 28, 1991. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Bingo Palace coming soon". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 24, 1977. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Las Vegas sees 'bang up' Fourth". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 30, 1977. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Grand Opening". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 1, 1977. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Benston, Liz (December 23, 2005). "Neighborhood Draw". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  10. ↑ Snedeker, Lisa (December 19, 2001). "Las Vegas gambling empire catering to locals with bingo, parking spaces". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  11. ↑ Simich, Jerry L.; Wright, Thomas C. (2005). The Peoples of Las Vegas: One City, Many Faces. University of Nevada Press. pp. 155–156. ISBN 978-0-87417-616-2. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  12. ↑ "MGM Notes Sale Approved". Nevada State Journal. June 18, 1976. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Argent exec resigns". Reno Evening Gazette. Associated Press. January 4, 1977. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Board backs Dunes fiscal officer proposal". Reno Evening Gazette. Associated Press. July 14, 1977. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Gaming commission approves plans for Gold Dust West". Reno Evening Gazette. Associated Press. July 22, 1977. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Commissioners delay action in license suspension". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 10, 1977. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  17. ↑ Dahlberg, Tim (August 23, 1979). "Carl Thomas faces gaming board action". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Vegas casino owner loses licenses". Reno Evening Gazette. Associated Press. August 24, 1979. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Casino". Evansville Courier and Press. March 23, 1994. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. 1 2 "Las Vegan renames Bingo Palace". Las Vegas Review-Journal. December 9, 1983. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Bingo Palace making changes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 1, 1984. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  22. 1 2 Prince, Todd (March 23, 2017). "Long-time train theme pulling away from Palace Station in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  23. 1 2 Gottdiener, Mark; Collins, Claudia; Dickens, David R. (January 10, 2000). Las Vegas: The Social Production of an All-American City. Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 204–205. ISBN 978-1-57718-137-8. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  24. ↑ "New casino to hold grand opening". Los Angeles Times. March 25, 1984. ProQuest 153755851.  – via ProQuest (subscription required) . Alternate link via Newspapers.com
  25. ↑ "Palace Station to showcase first phase of expansion". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 5, 1984. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Akers, Mick (April 30, 2018). "Dismantling of Palace Station sign signals the end of a theme". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Local casino going after tourist gambling dollars". Los Angeles Times. December 22, 1985. ProQuest 154554551.  – via ProQuest (subscription required) . Alternate link via Newspapers.com
  28. ↑ "Palace Station owner buys inn". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 21, 1985. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  29. 1 2 "Palace Station plans to put new casino, high-rise on tourist track". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 3, 1990. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Palace Station expanding". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 19, 1990. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Photograph: Palace Station". Las Vegas Sun. July 9, 1990. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Palace Station begins building 22-story tower". The Arizona Republic. July 15, 1990. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "Palace Station tops off new tower". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 12, 1990. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Palace Station undergoes renovation". Los Angeles Times. November 25, 1990. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ "Palace Station facilities opened". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 13, 1991. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  36. ↑ Palermo, Dave (February 26, 1993). "Palace Station wants to go public". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  37. ↑ Krane, Elliot (March 7, 1993). "Palace Station applies to go public as Station Casino". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ Goldberg, Delen (October 18, 2011). "300 rooms at Boulder Station renovated". VegasInc.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  39. ↑ "After 23 Years of Play, Slots Pay Her $27 Million". Los Angeles Times. November 17, 1998. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  40. ↑ Marriott, Michel (December 17, 1998). "Luck, Be a Microchip Tonight". The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  41. ↑ Velotta, Richard N. (October 17, 2016). "Palace Station employees narrowly defeat Culinary union vote". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  42. ↑ Moore, Thomas (March 14, 2017). "Deal sets stage for Palace Station workers to unionize". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  43. ↑ Velotta, Richard N. (March 15, 2017). "Culinary to begin bargaining talks with Palace Station". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  44. ↑ Schulz, Bailey (September 23, 2020). "Workers at a 2nd Station Casinos resort want out of Culinary union". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  45. 1 2 3 Mancini, Al (February 13, 2019). "Palace Station in Las Vegas set to open Brass Fork cafe". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  46. 1 2 Radke, Brock (March 8, 2018). "Don't sleep on Palace Station's massive upgrade". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  47. 1 2 Hart, Gabby (September 1, 2018). "Palace Station celebrates grand re-opening after $192 million in renovations". KSNV. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  48. 1 2 Moore, Thomas (March 21, 2017). "Train leaving the Station: Railroad theme jettisoned in Palace Station's renovation". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  49. 1 2 3 Velotta, Richard N. (June 20, 2018). "Palace Station's $192M upgrade expands casino, adds restaurants". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  50. 1 2 3 Moore, Thomas (July 25, 2017). "Upgrades at Palace Station could include convention center". VegasInc.com. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  51. ↑ Umholtz, Katelyn (June 23, 2017). "Palace Station's train and sign unveiled at Neon Museum". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  52. 1 2 Curtis, Anthony (September 1, 2018). "Palace Station makeover unveiled". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  53. ↑ "Grand Reopening of Palace Station". Las Vegas Sun. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  54. ↑ Hawley, Tom (July 17, 2019). "Video Vault | Summer storm leads to near-disaster at Palace Station". KSNV. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 Zekan, Karen (July 20, 1998). "Officials say lightning likely cause of Palace Station blaze". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  56. 1 2 3 4 5 Zekan, Karen (July 21, 1998). "Damage assessed as Palace reopens". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Palace Station Fire: Executives brace for aftermath". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 21, 1998. Archived from the original on September 14, 2000.
  58. 1 2 3 4 Schoenmann, Joe (July 21, 1998). "Weather a suspect in Palace Station fire". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 14, 2000.
  59. ↑ "Palace Station damaged by rain, fire". Las Vegas Sun. July 20, 1998. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  60. 1 2 Schoenmann, Joe; Berns, Dave (July 22, 1998). "Officials assess damage at Palace Station". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 14, 2000.
  61. ↑ "Palace Station opens repaired casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 13, 1998. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  62. ↑ Retrieved November 17, 2023:
  63. ↑ Friess, Steve (September 14, 2007). "Sports Memorabilia Dealer Implicates O.J. Simpson in Hotel Room Robbery". The New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  64. ↑ "Oh, look, it's Palace Station again". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 23, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  65. ↑ Friess, Steve (September 24, 2008). "Simpson Trial Gets Full-Scale Model of Crime Scene". The New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  66. ↑ Arseniuk, Melissa (September 19, 2008). "O.J. Simpson jurors taken on secret field trip to Palace Station". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  67. ↑ Curtis, Anthony (July 23, 2017). "Palace Station rooms made notorious by Simpson razed". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)". Nevada Gaming Control Board. March 6, 2018. p. 7. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  69. ↑ "Excellence in Safety Award: Palace Station Phase 1B". Engineering News-Record. November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  70. ↑ Roeben, Scott (July 12, 2017). "O.J. Simpson's Vegas Crime Scene Being Demolished at Palace Station". Casino.org. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  71. ↑ Gorman, Tom (March 14, 2001). "Nevada Jumps 66.3% in 10 Years, Census Shows". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  72. 1 2 Benston, Liz (October 13, 2005). "Locals casinos aim for Asian gamblers". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  73. ↑ Montero, David (October 15, 2018). "Lucky Dragon casino was supposed to be a Vegas hot spot for Asians. Two years later, it's going up for auction". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  74. ↑ Weatherford, Mike (April 24, 2001). "Palace Station going for laughs with new comedy club". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 19, 2001.
  75. ↑ Fink, Jerry (June 15, 2001). "These days the joke is on Palace Station". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  76. ↑ Katsilometes, John (April 24, 2009). "Star-crossed Turner gives Vegas one more shot at the Hilton's Shimmer Cabaret". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  77. ↑ Fink, Jerry (April 29, 2009). "Improv theater in new setting, not that it matters". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  78. ↑ Weatherford, Mike (September 9, 2010). "Louie Anderson feels like he's finally home with headliner gig at Palace Station". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  79. ↑ Weatherford, Mike (March 7, 2013). "Louie Anderson makes 'Splash' too late for Palace Station show". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  80. ↑ White, Ken (December 19, 2001). "Palace Station goes for Emerald Isle authenticity with new Irish pub". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 11, 2003.
  81. ↑ "Power Dining: Surf and turf is the order of the day at the Broiler". Las Vegas Business Press. June 18, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  82. ↑ Velotta, Richard N. (April 27, 2017). "New bingo room to debut Friday night at Palace Station". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  83. ↑ Akers, Mick (June 21, 2018). "Photos: Palace Station's 2-year modernization project is almost done. Here's a look". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  84. ↑ Gartner, Jordan (December 18, 2018). "Luxury movie theater opens at Palace Station hotel-casino". KTNV-TV. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  85. ↑ Knapp-Rinella, Heidi (July 27, 2018). "Boathouse Asian Eatery opens Monday at Palace Station". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  86. 1 2 Knapp-Rinella, Heidi (August 8, 2018). "New seafood restaurant, new buffet open at Palace Station". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  87. ↑ Mancini, Al (July 17, 2018). "Palace Station opens new Feast Buffet". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  88. ↑ Jones, Jay (August 22, 2018). "The inexpensive all-you-can-eat Las Vegas buffet deliciously lives on at Palace Station". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  89. ↑ Knapp-Rinella, Heidi (September 14, 2021). "A Mexican favorite on the Strip to reopen at Palace Station". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  90. ↑ Wright, Johnathan L. (August 31, 2023). "This Mexican restaurant moved off Strip after 10 years. Its new location is closing after 16 months". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
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