By Denise Sullivan
The Stratosphere
Las Vegas Hotel & Casino features the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest free-standing observation tower in the
United States, with a restaurant that rotates continuously to give diners a panoramic view of the city. It has undergone several ownership changes since the idea was conceived in 1995, most recently being sold to Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds in 2008.
Bob Stupak's Vision
Vegas World owner Bob Stupak originally planned the Stratosphere Hotel's observation tower to be the tallest building in the world at a height of 1,800 feet, but it would have interfered with flights out of the Las Vegas airport at that height. The design was eventually scaled down to the current height of 1,149 feet.
Construction Problems
There was a major fire during construction in 1993 that damaged the main tower and caused significant delays. The Vegas World casino next door also suffered fire damage and was closed as a result.
Financing Issues
Developer Bob Stupak originally intended to fund the entire Stratosphere Hotel project himself, but was forced to take on Grand Casinos as an equity partner in 1995 in order to complete the construction. A public corporation was formed, which eventually went bankrupt shortly after the Stratosphere opened for business.
Thrill Rides
The first thrill ride installed atop the Stratosphere Hotel's observation deck was the High Roller, the highest roller coaster in the world. It was closed in 2005 to make room for the Insanity attraction, which holds the riders out over the side of the observation tower at 900 feet and then spins around at 40 miles per hour.
Finding a Niche
The Stratosphere Hotel's location at the far north end of the Las Vegas Strip made it difficult to attract walk-up traffic. Eventually, the resort embraced its proximity to downtown Las Vegas, lowered prices and added interesting variations to its casino games to attract local gamblers.
About the Author:
Denise Sullivan has been a professional writer for over four years after a long career in business. Her areas of expertise are business, law, gaming, home renovations, gardening, sports and exercise. She is also a tennis and golf enthusiast and enjoys traveling the Western states.
