The name Xanadu in Las Vegas is most famously associated with the proposed Xanadu Hotel and Casino project, which was never built. However, there were other projects and concepts associated with the name Xanadu that emerged over time, though they also often faded before becoming fully realized. The name Xanadu itself evokes imagery of grandeur and extravagance, which may explain why it was an appealing moniker for several other Las Vegas development efforts.
1. Xanadu Hotel and Casino (Original Concept)
As discussed earlier, the original Xanadu Hotel and Casino was proposed in 1975 for a 48.6-acre plot located on Las Vegas Boulevard South. This ambitious $150 million development was to feature a 1,755-room hotel and casino, designed by architects Berton Charles Severson and Brian Walter Webb. Despite being approved by county commissioners and garnering significant attention, the project was ultimately abandoned due to economic instability and market conditions in the mid-1970s. The land remained vacant for many years, only to be developed later into the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in 1990.
2. Xanadu Theme and Design Influences in Other Las Vegas Resorts
While the original Xanadu project was never realized, its bold pyramid design and grand atrium concept did influence other landmark resorts in Las Vegas. The most notable of these is the Luxor Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1993. The Luxor’s striking pyramid shape and expansive interior spaces owe much to the initial vision for the Xanadu, particularly its idea of an open, awe-inspiring atrium and pyramid structure.
Another example is The Mirage, which opened in 1989. Though it does not directly borrow from the Xanadu pyramid design, its expansive public spaces and dramatic architecture reflect the kind of grandeur that was envisioned for Xanadu. Many of the design elements proposed for Xanadu were later incorporated into other resorts as Las Vegas evolved into a more family-friendly and visually impressive city.
3. Xanadu Name in Pop Culture and Other Developments
Beyond the original hotel project, the name Xanadu has also been used in other Las Vegas-themed projects or businesses, particularly in media and entertainment. For example, the name Xanadu appeared in various shows and films related to Las Vegas and its hyperreal environment of fantasy and extravagance, often invoking the idea of an opulent, almost mythical destination. However, these instances are not tied to actual physical developments in the city.
While the original Xanadu Hotel and Casino project remains one of the most famous unbuilt resorts in Las Vegas, its legacy lives on through the architectural and conceptual influence it left on the Strip. Other resorts, most notably the Luxor, adopted similar elements from Xanadu’s design, such as the pyramid shape and expansive interiors. Though the name Xanadu itself was not used for other major Las Vegas resorts, its association with grandeur and innovation has left an indelible mark on the city’s ever-changing landscape.
If you’re interested in more in-depth information about the Xanadu Hotel’s proposed design, its architects, and how it influenced other Las Vegas projects, resources such as the UNLV Special Collections can offer detailed archival material.
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