Category: The hotel

The Xanadu Hotel and Casino: A Vision of Grandeur That Never Came to Life

In the history of Las Vegas’ iconic development, few projects are as captivating as the Xanadu Hotel and Casino. Despite being one of the most ambitious plans for a new resort in the mid-1970s, Xanadu never made it off the drawing board, yet its proposed design and legacy have continued to shape the city’s evolution. The Xanadu was to rise at 3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South, the exact location where the Excalibur Hotel and Casino stands today. This proposed 1,755-room hotel and casino was designed to revolutionize the southern part of the Las Vegas Strip, offering a futuristic aesthetic with an impressive pyramid and atrium design.

While Xanadu itself was never built, it remains an important part of Las Vegas’ architectural history. In this article, we will explore the vision behind Xanadu, its designers, and the architectural elements that influenced future resort developments on the Strip.

The Vision for Xanadu

The Xanadu Hotel and Casino was conceived as a large-scale, $150-million development that would cater to both high rollers and families, combining lavish accommodations with world-class entertainment. This proposed resort would have been a hallmark of the rapidly changing landscape of Las Vegas in the 1970s. At the time, Las Vegas was expanding beyond its roots as a haven for gambling and adult entertainment into a more family-friendly and glamorous destination for a wide range of tourists. This transformation was part of a broader effort by developers to diversify the city’s offerings and attract a new type of visitor.

The Xanadu Hotel was designed to stand out with a striking visual aesthetic. Its location on Las Vegas Boulevard, in the southern part of the Strip, made it a prime piece of real estate for ambitious development. The area was still considered underdeveloped when the project was proposed, making it the perfect opportunity to capitalize on the Strip’s potential for growth. The Xanadu would have been positioned to fill this void with cutting-edge architecture and large-scale amenities, offering a blend of luxury and futuristic design that would have made it one of the most recognizable hotels on the Strip.

The Architects: Berton Charles Severson and Brian Walter Webb

The conceptual rendering of the Xanadu’s exterior, drawn on parchment, is one of the key artifacts associated with the proposed resort. The architects behind the vision of Xanadu were Berton Charles Severson and Brian Walter Webb, both of whom were well-regarded figures in the field of architectural design. They brought their expertise and a shared vision for something truly innovative to the project. The design they created was bold and modern, with elements that had never been seen before in Las Vegas, such as the expansive atrium and the eye-catching pyramid structure.

Severson and Webb’s design for Xanadu combined traditional luxury with an avant-garde flair, drawing inspiration from contemporary trends in architecture while also pushing boundaries. The pyramid, a major element of the design, was meant to symbolize the grandeur of the resort and would have housed the hotel’s rooms and other facilities, making it both a visual and practical centerpiece. The atrium concept was another groundbreaking feature, serving as the resort’s central space, where guests could experience the hotel and casino in an open, expansive environment.

The two architects sought to create a space that was not only functional but also visually spectacular, one that would resonate with the modern spirit of the 1970s while setting new standards for the resort and casino industry. Their efforts reflected an understanding of Las Vegas’ future direction: a city that needed to evolve from a gambling mecca into an entertainment capital capable of attracting a broader audience.

Why Xanadu Was Never Built

Despite the grandeur of the Xanadu design and the excitement surrounding its proposal, construction never began. There were multiple factors that contributed to the failure of the Xanadu project, with the economic environment of the 1970s playing a significant role. During the 1970s, Las Vegas was going through a period of economic fluctuations, which included an oil crisis and a slowing of tourism growth. Financing for large-scale development projects became more difficult to secure, and investors were often reluctant to commit to untested or risky ventures.

The Xanadu project also faced stiff competition from other developments on the Strip. Developers were scrambling to build large, flashy resorts that would capture the attention of both tourists and media outlets. The hotel and casino industry was maturing, and the market was becoming saturated with new resorts that were being constructed at a rapid pace. These factors likely made it difficult for Xanadu’s backers to secure the necessary financial support to move forward with construction.

In the end, the land on which Xanadu was to be built remained vacant for many years, and in 1990, the Excalibur Hotel and Casino was constructed on the same site. The Excalibur, which opened to great fanfare, borrowed elements of the Xanadu design, albeit in a much more commercially viable form. The theme of a grand, larger-than-life resort remained central to the development, but the design changed drastically from what was originally envisioned for Xanadu. The Excalibur, with its medieval castle theme, symbolized a shift in Las Vegas resort design, which continued to evolve in the years following the failed Xanadu project.

The Influence of Xanadu on Future Las Vegas Designs

While Xanadu was never built, its conceptual design had a lasting impact on Las Vegas resort architecture. Many of the ideas that Severson and Webb proposed for Xanadu can be seen in the designs of later developments on the Strip, most notably the Luxor Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1993. The Luxor, designed by architect Veldon Simpson, features the same iconic pyramid shape that was central to Xanadu’s vision. The Luxor’s design, with its massive pyramid and dramatic interior spaces, echoes the original grandeur of Xanadu’s proposed look.

Additionally, the concept of large, open atriums would also find a home in subsequent resorts. The Mirage, which opened in 1989, featured a grand atrium as part of its design, and the notion of expansive public spaces became a signature element of many future developments in Las Vegas. While these projects diverged in theme and execution, the foundational ideas that Severson and Webb explored in the Xanadu project—such as bold, eye-catching architectural forms and large, open interior spaces—shaped the development of the modern Las Vegas resort.

The Xanadu Hotel and Casino may never have been built, but its legacy endures as an important part of Las Vegas’ architectural history. The vision for the Xanadu, with its bold pyramid design and expansive atrium, set the stage for future developments that would reshape the city’s skyline. Although economic conditions and market factors prevented the Xanadu project from becoming a reality, the ideas it introduced can still be seen in many of the iconic resorts that followed. As a result, the Xanadu remains a tantalizing “what might have been” in the ongoing story of Las Vegas’ rise as a global resort and entertainment destination.

For anyone interested in delving deeper into the history of Xanadu and its place in Las Vegas’ architectural evolution, the conceptual renderings and archives are available through collections such as those at UNLV Special Collections【9†source】【11†source】.

In the mid-1970s, Las Vegas was experiencing a period of explosive growth, driven by the development of new casinos, lavish resorts, and innovative entertainment. One of the most ambitious projects proposed during this time was the Xanadu Resort Casino, a $150-million, 1,755-room resort that promised to reshape the southern end of the famed Las Vegas Strip. Its groundbreaking design, visionary scale, and the sheer ambition behind the project made it one of the most eagerly anticipated developments of the era. Yet, despite its lofty goals and extensive planning, Xanadu never materialized. The site where it was supposed to rise would eventually become home to the Excalibur, but the echoes of the Xanadu project can still be seen in the designs of future Las Vegas landmarks.

The Vision: A Monumental Resort Casino

The Xanadu Resort Casino was conceived as a grand, cutting-edge development to be situated at the southwest corner of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard—prime real estate that was ripe for development in 1975. The location was pivotal in the context of the Strip’s expansion. At that time, the southern part of the Strip was seen as an underdeveloped area compared to the more bustling northern stretch. With vast, open spaces and the potential to attract major resort traffic, the Xanadu project was set to capitalize on this opportunity to redefine the Las Vegas experience.

The proposed resort was nothing short of extraordinary. With an estimated cost of $150 million, Xanadu was to feature a massive 1,755-room hotel and casino, a monumental size for its time. Its bold design concept set it apart from other resort developments, with visionary architects and designers aiming to create a space that was both modern and opulent, a fusion of high-end luxury and entertainment innovation.

The Role of Howard Downes and the Land Deal

The land on which Xanadu was to be built was owned by Howard Downes, a Florida-based real estate investor. Downes purchased the 48.6-acre parcel of land, which had previously been earmarked for a twin hotel to the Tropicana by county commissioners in 1973. The county’s approval for such a development helped to pave the way for Xanadu’s early ambitions, as it offered a ready-made opportunity to build something of significant scale.

Though the parcel of land had already been secured, the Xanadu project was far from guaranteed. The Las Vegas real estate market was competitive, and other developers were vying for prime spots on the Strip. However, the Xanadu developers were able to push ahead, thanks in part to the backing of Howard Downes and the strategic location of the property. The vision was set in motion, with detailed plans drawn up to begin construction as soon as possible.

The Architectural Design: The Pyramid and Atrium Concept

One of the most striking aspects of the Xanadu Resort Casino was its bold, futuristic architectural design. The project was led by architect Martin Stern Jr., a highly regarded figure in the world of casino and hotel design in Las Vegas. Stern’s work on the Xanadu project was inspired by some of the most cutting-edge design trends of the 1970s. The resort was to feature a distinctive pyramid-shaped structure and a grand atrium, combining futuristic, space-age aesthetics with the opulence that defined Las Vegas at the time.

The design was a marvel, with plans for a towering pyramid at the center of the resort. The pyramid concept was an early example of the grandeur and larger-than-life ambition that would characterize future Las Vegas landmarks. Stern envisioned the pyramid as a bold symbol for the resort, a dramatic statement of both luxury and entertainment that would draw visitors from around the world.

The atrium was another key feature of the design. It was planned to be a sprawling, open space that would serve as the central gathering point of the casino and hotel. The atrium concept was in keeping with the open, expansive designs that were gaining popularity during the 1970s. Stern’s design would have created an airy, inviting environment where guests could move freely from one area of the resort to another while taking in the lavish surroundings.

A Futuristic Dream with No Foundation

Despite the grand plans, the Xanadu Resort Casino project never broke ground. Multiple factors contributed to the project’s cancellation, but perhaps the most significant was the changing financial climate and the competitive nature of the Las Vegas real estate market. As the 1970s drew to a close, a series of economic pressures and shifts in market demand forced many ambitious development projects to be reevaluated or abandoned altogether.

For the Xanadu project, these challenges proved insurmountable. Although the land had been secured and the designs approved, the financial backing needed to bring such an ambitious resort to life was ultimately not realized. By the early 1980s, the project was officially scrapped, and the land remained vacant for years.

Legacy: Echoes of Xanadu in Las Vegas

Though Xanadu itself was never built, elements of its groundbreaking design would go on to inspire some of Las Vegas’s most iconic resorts. Many of the concepts first explored in the Xanadu project would later be adapted and realized in other major casino resorts that followed.

The pyramid shape, which was to be the centerpiece of Xanadu, found its home in the Luxor Hotel, which opened in 1993. The Luxor’s design, featuring a massive pyramid that houses the hotel’s rooms and casino, echoes the original vision of Xanadu. Additionally, the concept of a grand atrium, central to the Xanadu project, would be echoed in the design of The Mirage, which opened in 1989, and the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, which debuted in 1990.

The grand, open spaces and innovative architecture that were central to the Xanadu project influenced the way future resorts were designed in Las Vegas. Casinos and hotels in the decades that followed embraced similar large-scale, immersive design philosophies, combining visual grandeur with a sense of openness and accessibility.

The Xanadu Resort Casino stands as a testament to the ambitious spirit that has always defined Las Vegas. Though it never came to fruition, the project captured the imagination of developers, architects, and the public alike. The vision of a massive pyramid-shaped resort with a grand atrium was a bold statement about the direction the city was heading—one that was defined by larger-than-life projects and an ever-growing appetite for innovation.

While Xanadu itself may have never been built, its legacy lives on in the design of some of the most iconic resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. The cancellation of the Xanadu project did not mark the end of grand visions for Las Vegas—it simply served as a reminder of the city’s ability to dream big, whether those dreams ultimately come to life or not. The Xanadu project remains a fascinating chapter in the history of Las Vegas development, a reminder of the ambitions and possibilities of a city that is always looking forward to the next great adventure.

The Xanadu Hotel: A Las Vegas Dream That Never Came True

The Xanadu Hotel and Casino, a proposed resort in Las Vegas, stands as one of the most ambitious projects in the city’s history that never came to fruition. Though the project was never built, it has remained a significant piece of Las Vegas lore, embodying the city’s daring approach to large-scale developments and bold architectural concepts. The Xanadu, conceived in the 1970s, was intended to become a signature destination on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, but despite all its potential, it was abandoned before construction even began. In this article, we will dive into the story behind Xanadu, from its conception to its eventual cancellation, and its lingering influence on future developments in the city.

The Vision for XanaduAdd New Post

In 1975, the idea of Xanadu was born when developers sought to capitalize on a 48.6-acre plot of land at 3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South, a location that today is home to the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. The area was considered prime real estate, poised for major development at the time. The Xanadu project was set to feature a $150-million, 1,755-room hotel and casino, making it one of the largest resorts on the Strip at the time. Its design and scale signaled the ambition to push Las Vegas into a new era of grandeur and excess.

The architectural vision behind Xanadu was spearheaded by Berton Charles Severson and Brian Walter Webb, two architects who were tasked with creating something that would rival the Strip’s existing landmarks. Their design for the Xanadu was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a massive pyramid structure that would house the hotel rooms. At its core was a grand atrium, a concept that would later become a hallmark of many Las Vegas resorts. This open, expansive interior space was meant to be a visual and functional centerpiece, linking the hotel with the casino and other amenities, and creating a sense of openness and scale.

The Xanadu was to be more than just another hotel and casino—it was to be a statement of luxury and modernity. The resort was expected to cater to a wide variety of guests, including both high rollers and families, offering upscale accommodations, entertainment, and dining experiences. It was part of the growing trend in Las Vegas to move beyond its gambling roots and into a more diversified entertainment and hospitality hub, appealing to a broader audience.

The Architects and Design

The design of the Xanadu was groundbreaking. The pyramid shape was a symbol of grandeur, something that would later become a hallmark of other resorts on the Strip, most notably the Luxor Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1993. The use of an atrium as the central feature of the resort was another innovative concept. This design element aimed to create a sense of space, both functional and dramatic, with guests being able to walk through vast open areas, admiring the resort’s scale.

Severson and Webb’s vision also included detailed considerations for the site’s landscaping and the overall ambiance of the resort. It was designed to make a powerful statement about the future of Las Vegas, a city that was moving away from its gritty, old-school image to something more refined and forward-thinking. The project’s original material—parchment sketches and detailed renderings—highlighted the grandiosity and attention to detail that the architects envisioned for Xanadu.

Why Xanadu Was Never Built

Despite its bold design and the excitement surrounding the project, Xanadu was never built. A combination of economic and financial factors led to the project’s abandonment. In the mid-1970s, Las Vegas was still in the midst of a period of economic instability, influenced by the energy crisis and a slowdown in tourism. These economic conditions made it difficult to secure financing for large-scale developments, and the Xanadu project struggled to find the financial backing needed to move forward.

Another factor in the project’s demise was the changing landscape of the Las Vegas Strip. By the time Xanadu was proposed, the market was already saturated with large resorts that had been built in the previous decade. The MGM Grand Hotel and the Caesars Palace, both iconic properties, were already drawing significant crowds. Additionally, developers were focusing on different types of themes and concepts that resonated more with tourists, such as the fantasy world of Excalibur, the ancient Egyptian grandeur of the Luxor, and the tropical paradise of The Mirage. As a result, Xanadu’s vision seemed to be an idea ahead of its time, or perhaps simply not a commercially viable one, given the market’s direction.

By the late 1980s, the land on which Xanadu was supposed to rise had remained undeveloped. In 1990, the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, with its medieval castle theme, opened on the site, replacing Xanadu’s ambitious pyramid design with a more whimsical but still large-scale vision. The Excalibur, with its own extravagant architecture and massive size, became a defining landmark of the southern Strip, although it took a different thematic approach than what was originally planned for Xanadu.

The Influence of Xanadu

Though Xanadu never saw the light of day, its conceptual design had a profound influence on future developments in Las Vegas. The pyramid shape that was so central to Xanadu’s design would later become a key feature of the Luxor Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1993 and remains one of the most iconic structures on the Strip. The Luxor’s design directly echoed the Xanadu vision, with its soaring pyramid structure and bold use of space.

Moreover, the idea of the atrium as the central feature of a resort became a recurring theme in many subsequent Las Vegas developments. The Mirage, which opened in 1989, featured an expansive atrium as part of its design, further popularizing the concept of open, airy spaces that allowed guests to experience the full grandeur of a resort without feeling confined.

In many ways, while Xanadu never materialized, the design ideas proposed in its conceptual sketches—especially the dramatic use of architecture to create awe and wonder—found new life in the projects that followed. Its vision of a massive, open resort that would serve as both a hotel and entertainment center set the stage for Las Vegas to continue its evolution as a global resort destination.

The Xanadu Hotel and Casino is one of the great “what might have been” stories of Las Vegas development. Despite its failure to materialize, the project represents the daring spirit of the city’s architectural history and its constant drive for innovation. The boldness of its design, coupled with its ambition to redefine the Las Vegas Strip, left an indelible mark on the city’s development, influencing future resorts and shaping the direction of the Strip for years to come. Although Xanadu will forever be remembered as a vision that never reached its full potential, its legacy lives on in the iconic designs that followed it. The grandeur of the Xanadu, from its pyramid and atrium to its audacious scope, remains a fascinating part of the story of Las Vegas.

For those intrigued by the original vision for Xanadu, conceptual renderings and design documents are housed at the UNLV Special Collections, offering a glimpse into a Las Vegas dream that almost was.

The Xanadu project, which was proposed in 1975 for a prime location on the Las Vegas Strip, never came to fruition but remains an intriguing chapter in the city’s resort history. The ambitious plan for this $150-million, 1755-room resort casino was to be located at the southwest corner of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, an area considered ripe for development at the time. The property, spanning 48.6 acres, had previously been earmarked for a twin hotel to the Tropicana in 1973, which added to the site’s initial appeal.

The Xanadu project was championed by Howard Downes, a Florida-based developer, who owned the land. It involved the expertise of Martin Stern Jr., a prominent architect whose previous work had shaped several iconic Las Vegas landmarks. Stern was tasked with designing the resort’s striking hotel and casino, which featured an ambitious pyramid and atrium design. Though this design did not materialize for Xanadu, elements of it would later appear in other notable projects, such as the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, the Mirage, and the Luxor in Las Vegas

Despite having received approval from county commissioners and being situated on an open, prime site, construction on Xanadu never began. Factors contributing to the abandonment of the project are not entirely clear, but such ambitious ventures in Las Vegas often faced challenges, including financing hurdles and shifting market conditions. The plot where Xanadu was supposed to rise eventually became home to the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1990.

The Xanadu proposal was part of a larger trend in the 1970s where Las Vegas sought to reinvent itself, shifting from a city known primarily for its mob ties and gaming to a family-friendly resort destination with large, themed hotels and entertainment options. While Xanadu itself did not come to life, its vision played a role in shaping the direction for the iconic structures that followed. The design ideas for the pyramid shape, the atrium space, and the massive scale were later incorporated into Las Vegas projects, especially in the designs of the Luxor and Mirage, two resorts that revolutionized the Strip.

The Xanadu project remains a fascinating example of how architectural and development trends shape the Las Vegas landscape. Though it never materialized, the ideas that defined Xanadu had a lasting influence, shaping not just the Strip but the broader landscape of large resort casinos in the U.S. For those interested in a deeper dive into the proposed Xanadu project and the cultural context of Las Vegas resort design, the Dreaming the Skyline collection at UNLV Special Collections offers a wealth of archival material.