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.
Leave a Reply