{{short description|Historic casino hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada}} {{for|the unfinished project|Dunes Hotel and Casino (Atlantic City)}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}} {{Infobox Casino | casino = Dunes | theme = Arabian | logo = | logo_size = | image = Dunes Hotel.jpg | image_size = 260px | image_caption = The Dunes and Oasis Casino in 1983, 10 years before their demolition, seen from Flamingo Road | address = 3650 Las Vegas Boulevard South<ref name=Tumbles/> | location = Paradise, Nevada | pushpin_map = United States Las Vegas Strip#Nevada#USA | coordinates = {{coord|36|06|47|N|115|10|35|W|region:US-NV_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | date_opened ={{start date|1955|05|23}} | names_pre = | date_closed = {{Start date and age|1993|01|26}} | casino_type = Land-based | owner = Masao Nangaku (1987–1992)<br /> Mirage Resorts (1992–1994) | architect =John Replogle and Robert Dorr Jr. (1955)<br>Milton Schwartz (1964–65 additions)<br>Maxwell Starkman (1979 hotel addition) | rooms = 194 (as of 1955)<br/>960 (1965)<br/>1,282 (1979) | space_gaming = | attractions = Emerald Green golf course | notable_restaurants =Sultan's Table<br/>Dome of the Sea<br/>Top O' the Strip | renovations = 1960–61, 1964–65, 1971, 1978–79, 1982, 1986 | website = |shows=''Minsky's Follies''<br/>''Vive Les Girls''<br/>''Casino de Paris''}}
The '''Dunes'''{{efn|Also known as the '''Dunes Hotel'''<ref name=Scheduled/><ref name=Titan/> or '''Dunes Hotel and Country Club'''.<ref name=variety/>}} was a hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It opened on May 23, 1955, as the tenth resort on the Strip. It was initially owned by a group of businessmen from out of state, but failed to prosper under their management. It also opened during a period of declining tourism, coinciding with an overabundance of hotel rooms on the Strip. A few months after the opening, management was taken over by the operators of the Sands resort, also on the Strip. This group failed to improve business and relinquished control less than six months later.
Businessman Major Riddle turned business around after taking over operations in 1956. He was involved with the resort until his death in 1980. He had several partners, including Sid Wyman, who worked for the Dunes from 1961 until his death in 1978. Mafia attorney Morris Shenker joined in 1975, following one of the most extensive routine investigations ever conducted by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Dunes had frequent connections with Mafia figures, some of whom were alleged to have hidden ownership in the resort, and state officials were concerned about Shenker's association with such figures.
In 1957, the Dunes debuted Las Vegas' first topless show, ''Minsky Goes to Paris'', prompting other resorts to follow suit. Two other successful shows, by Frederic Apcar, would later debut at the Dunes. The resort also offered amenities such as the Emerald Green golf course, which opened in 1964. The Dunes was one of two Strip resorts to include a golf course, the other one being the Desert Inn. The Emerald Green was the longest course in Nevada, at 7,240 yards.
The Dunes opened with 194 rooms, while a 21-story tower brought the total to 960. The tower was among the tallest buildings in Nevada, and was opened in 1965. By this time, the resort also had the tallest free-standing sign in the world, rising {{convert|181|ft|m}}. Several popular restaurants were also added in the 1960s, including the underwater-themed Dome of the Sea, and the Top O' the Strip, located at the top of the hotel tower. Another tower, 17 stories in height, was opened in 1979, giving the resort a total of 1,282 rooms. The Dunes added a second gaming facility, the '''Oasis Casino''', in 1982.
The Dunes experienced financial problems in the 1980s, and had many prospective buyers during this time, including businessman Steve Wynn. Japanese investor Masao Nangaku eventually bought the resort in 1987, at a cost of $157 million. Nangaku intended to renovate and expand the Dunes, although his plans were derailed by an unusually lengthy control board investigation, which dissuaded financiers. Wynn's company, Mirage Resorts, bought the Dunes in November 1992, paying $75 million. Plans were announced to replace it with a lake resort.
The Dunes closed on January 26, 1993. The original North Tower was imploded on October 27, 1993, during a highly publicized ceremony which helped promote Wynn's new Treasure Island resort, located about a mile north. The demolition event garnered 200,000 spectators. The newer South Tower was imploded on July 20, 1994, without the fanfare of the first implosion; it attracted 3,000 spectators. Wynn's new resort, Bellagio, eventually opened on the former Dunes site in 1998.
==History== The Dunes was initially owned by a group of businessmen that included Robert Rice of Beverly Hills, James A. Sullivan of Rhode Island, Milton Gettinger of New York, and Alfred Gottesman, a wealthy theater operator in Florida.<ref>{{cite news |title=Four Applicants Get License For New Vegas Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79169708/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=United Press |date=April 1, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref name=Prelim/><ref name=Sac/> Rice and Gottesman were new to the gaming industry.<ref name=Prelim/> The group proposed the project, originally called the Araby, in July 1953.<ref>{{cite news |title=Strip Operation License Sought |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148479177/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=July 31, 1953 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Action on Drew Application for License Delayed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148479356/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=August 19, 1953 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was later renamed the Vegas Plaza,<ref name=Prelim>{{cite news |title=Four Men Given Preliminary O.K. For Vegas Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/75076043/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=January 20, 1954 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas Plaza Gaming Permit Is Reaffirmed |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Vegas+Plaza%22+%22Reaffirmed%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 5, 1954 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and then Hotel Deauville.<ref>{{cite news |title=Construction of 8th Strip Hotel Set to Start June 1 |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Construction+of+8th+Strip+Hotel+Set+to+Start+June+1%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 23, 1954 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Groundbreaking took place on June 22, 1954, with the resort now known as the Dunes.<ref name=GroundIs>{{cite news |title=Ground Is Broken For Dunes Hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Ground%20Is%20Broken%20For%20Dunes%20Hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 22, 1954 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Sac>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Bares Plans For 8th Luxury Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/617595582/ |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=June 22, 1954 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was built by the Los Angeles-based McNeil Construction Company, which spent 11 months working on the resort.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel To Open Here On April 1st |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20Hotel%20To%20Open%20Here%20On%20April%201st%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 14, 1954 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The Dunes opened on May 23, 1955, as the tenth resort on the Las Vegas Strip.<ref>{{cite news |title=Opening of Dunes Hotel is scheduled for May 23 |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Opening+of+Dunes+Hotel+is+scheduled+for+May+23%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 10, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=LA-55/><ref>{{cite news |title=Coming-Out Party in Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/693840307/ |work=Los Angeles Mirror |date=May 23, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The opening attracted many celebrities, including Cesar Romero, Spike Jones, and Rita Moreno.<ref name=LA-55/> Gottesman and Sullivan were majority stockholders, and also served as 50-50 partners in the operation of the casino.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tax Commission Ponders Deal Of Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149666860/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 1, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cliff Jones Figures Oddly in Hotel Deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79169667/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=March 31, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=License Granted New Vegas Resort |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149668572/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 2, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Businessman Kirk Kerkorian bought a three-percent interest a couple months after the opening,<ref>{{cite news |title=License Action Confirmed by Control Board |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148581439/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=July 29, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> marking his first Las Vegas investment.<ref>{{cite web |last=King |first=Danny |title=Obituary: Kirk Kerkorian, a Vegas pioneer |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Obituary-Kirk-Kerkorian-a-Vegas-pioneer |website=Travel Weekly |access-date=September 24, 2022 |date=June 2, 2015}}</ref>
The Dunes was one of four new Las Vegas resorts to open within a six-week period, resulting in financial trouble for each of them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Royal Nevada Might Survive; New Financial Crisis Is Weathered |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79193549/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=December 22, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Friess |first=Steve |title=Boom cycle |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jun/26/boom-cycle/ |access-date=September 16, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 26, 2008}}</ref> The Las Vegas Valley had been overbuilt with hotel rooms during a time of lessened demand,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Zook |first1=Lynn |last2=Burke |first2=Carey |last3=Sandquist |first3=Allen |title=Las Vegas: 1905-1965 |date=2009 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4396-2310-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FANYM2cJ-54C&dq=%22royal+nevada%22&pg=PT142 |access-date=September 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Becker |first=Bill |title=Will Golden Bubble Burst? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149644455/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=United Press |date=January 14, 1956 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=Moehring>{{cite book |last=Moehring |first=Eugene P. |title=Resort City In The Sunbelt, Second Edition: Las Vegas, 1930-2000 |date=2016 |publisher=University of Nevada Press |isbn=978-0-87417-693-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oiuVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT81 |access-date=September 27, 2022}}</ref> and the Dunes was also the southernmost resort on the Strip, located a considerable distance from other properties.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Gambling Permit Protested |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149692578/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=May 22, 1956 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> A Dunes attorney blamed the resort's financial trouble on a persistent losing streak in its casino.<ref name=Signed/><ref name=Briggeman/><ref name=Munari/> Rice believed that the financial problems were the result of it competing with other resorts for expensive live entertainment.<ref name=Speed/> In addition, the Dunes had numerous creditors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel Operators Face $25,905 Suit |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+Hotel+Operators+Face+%2425%2C905+Suit%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 11, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel Defendant In Lawsuit Here |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20Hotel%20Defendant%20In%20Lawsuit%20Here%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 4, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Suit Continued |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20Suit%20Continued%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 30, 1957 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Among these was McNeil Construction, which filed a $166,000 lien against the ownership group, representing unpaid salary. The group said it would not pay the balance, stating that the construction contract had been violated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Howard Babcock Appointed To Settle Dispute Between Builders and Vegas Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79174996/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=July 9, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas Casinos Debt Woes Aired By Commission |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79181236/ |work=Nevada State Journal |agency=United Press |date=August 31, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In August 1955, an agreement was reached for Sands Hotel Corporation, owner of the Sands Hotel and Casino, to lease and operate the struggling Dunes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Dunes Hotel Officials Ponder Purchase Offer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79179427/ |work=Nevada State Journal |agency=United Press |date=August 16, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Signed>{{cite news |title=Sands Hotel Lease Signed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79179735/ |work=Nevada State Journal |agency=United Press |date=August 18, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes License Plea Rejected by Commission |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149686033/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 24, 1956 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> To mark the management change, a three-day celebration was held starting on September 9, 1955. Singer Frank Sinatra headlined the ceremony and entered on a camel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arabian Tone to Mark Las Vegas Hotel Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381305919/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 7, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sinatra, Camel, Harem Girls Attempt to Save Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/807181631/ |work=The Tribune |date=September 14, 1955 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Sands closed the casino portion in January 1956, due to falling profits. It was the third Las Vegas casino to close in recent months, following the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Royal Nevada. Live entertainment also ceased, although the hotel remained open.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Drops Gambling Keeps Status As Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149645833/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 16, 1956 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Second Resort Hotel in Clark Is in Difficulty |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149635233/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 4, 1956 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Rice blamed disagreements within Sands for the casino's failure.<ref name=Speed/> The group lost $1.2 million operating the Dunes,<ref>{{cite news |title=Death Ends Career of Gaming Figure |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149702334/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 20, 1958 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=Freedman and his associates bought the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas in 1955 and are said to have lost $1,200,000 on the operation in four months before giving the property up.}}</ref><ref name=Third/> and relinquished control of the resort on February 1, 1956.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sands Relinquishes Lease with Dunes Today; Spa Up For Sale |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sands+Relinquishes+Lease%22+%22Dunes+Today%3B+Spa+Up+For%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 1, 1956 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Businessman Major Riddle subsequently partnered with local hotel operator William Miller to reopen the casino.<ref>{{cite news |title=Primm Receives Approval for Gaming License |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149919970/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=March 21, 1956 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bigger Bankroll Asked to Open Dunes Gaming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149677873/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 20, 1956 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> They would be equal partners with 44-percent ownership, while Rice would own the remainder.<ref name=Speed>{{cite news |title=Board to Resist 'Speed-up' Pleas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149675607/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 19, 1956 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Dunes casino reopened in June 1956.<ref name=Third>{{cite news |title=Third Try Set For Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149636098/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=June 5, 1956 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=High on the Hog: The Dunes Has Party |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149639829/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=June 7, 1956 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Seven months later, plans were announced for Sullivan and Gottesman to sell the property to Jacob Gottlieb, owner of a Chicago trucking firm.<ref name=Scheduled>{{cite news |title=Deal Scheduled for Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147777102/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 10, 1957 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sale of Vegas Hotel Disclosed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/78927146/ |work=Nevada State Journal |agency=United Press |date=January 10, 1957 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Gottlieb became the resort's landlord through Western Realty Company,<ref name=2-m/> and Miller departed the property as president and general manager.<ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Hotel Manager Resigns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/78930501/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=January 23, 1957 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The resort was managed through Riddle's operating company, M&R Investment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes, Firm Plan Merger |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149148364/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=March 22, 1969 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Dunes was sold in a Clark County sheriff's auction at the end of 1957, to satisfy the debt owed to McNeil Construction. It sold for $115,000, but was valued at $3.5 million. Gottesman, Sullivan, and Gettinger bought it back in November 1958.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel Sold At Auction Price |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/51970191/ |work=San Mateo Times |agency=United Press |date=December 28, 1957 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas Hotel Controversy Continuing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/79024684/ |work=Nevada State Journal |agency=United Press |date=December 27, 1957 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Landlords of Dunes Buy Hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Landlords+of%22+%22Buy+hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 23, 1958 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The resort thrived under Riddle, who added several new shows and facilities.<ref name=Moehring/><ref name=variety/> On April 15, 1959, the Dunes hosted the first double groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas history: one for a convention center, built south of the existing resort facilities, and another for a 500-space parking lot directly north of the resort.<ref>{{cite news |title=Double Ground Breaking |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Double+Ground+Breaking%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 17, 1959 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=On the Desert |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/380911452/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 25, 1959 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1961, St. Louis businessmen Sid Wyman, Charlie Rich, and George Duckworth invested in the Dunes and became the new operators through a lease agreement. Wyman was put in charge of casino operations, and Riddle remained as the majority owner.<ref>{{cite news |title=Four Making New Attempt to Buy Interest in Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148264255/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=September 4, 1961 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-St. Louisans Running Casino in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/141600488/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=October 29, 1961 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The following year, he sold 15 percent of the operating corporation to the three men, reducing his interest to 37 percent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes hotel stock switch gains approval |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+hotel+stock+switch+gains+approval%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 20, 1962 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Major Gaming Shifts Voted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149619704/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=February 20, 1962 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Several notable individuals were married at the Dunes, including Mary Tyler Moore and Grant Tinker (1962),<ref>{{cite news |title=Mary Tyler Moore |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/people/2017/01/25/mary-tyler-moore/97072736/ |access-date=September 20, 2022 |work=The Detroit News |date=January 25, 2017}}</ref> Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon (1965),<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sidewater |first=Nancy |title=Cary Grant weds Dyan Cannon (1965) |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/08/07/cary-grant-weds-dyan-cannon-1965/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 20, 2022 |date=August 7, 2009}}</ref> and Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim (1965).<ref>{{cite news |last=Apodaca |first=Rose |title='I Do,' Vegas Style |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-15-ig-lookback15-story.html |access-date=September 20, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 15, 2007}}</ref> Mike Goodman, author of the best-selling 1963 book ''How to Win: At Cards, Dice, Races, Roulette'', was a pit boss at the Dunes during the 1960s.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6356438/leo-guild-confessions-of-a-celebrity/ |title=Confessions of a Celebrity Ghost Writer | author-first=Leo | author-last=Guild | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=November 5, 1967 | page=9 (Calendar) | via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Gambling author Barney Vinson also worked there.<ref name=Reunion>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=John L. |title=Dunes reunion promises to resurrect long, lost tales of the Strip |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jan-22-Wed-2003/news/20522585.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 22, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040826150747/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jan-22-Wed-2003/news/20522585.html |archive-date=August 26, 2004}}</ref>
During the 1960s, the resort's western edge was condemned for construction of Interstate 15.<ref>{{cite news |title=Needed for Freeway: State Seeks to Condemn Part of Dunes Property |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148274108/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=November 27, 1961 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jury Grants $351,000 In Condemnation Suit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/78999718/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=April 24, 1966 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The resort added a golf course in 1964.<ref name=CC/> A 21-story hotel tower,<ref name=Jensen/> initially known as the Diamond of the Dunes, was opened in May 1965,<ref name=Oakland/> to mark the resort's 10th anniversary. It was part of a $20 million expansion project,<ref name=Celebration>{{cite news |title=Dunes Has Celebration |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/116626225/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=May 23, 1965 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and later became the North Tower, following the addition of another hotel building to the south.<ref name=Casper>{{cite web |last=Casper |first=Ashley |title=Knowing Vegas: How many implosions have there been? |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/knowing-vegas-how-many-implosions-have-there-been/ |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=September 23, 2022 |date=January 30, 2015}}</ref>
In 1969, M&R merged with Continental Connector Corporation, a New York-based electronics firm.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel Purchase Application |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150893959/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=January 29, 1969 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Electronics Firm, Vegas Strip Hotel Will Merge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/619111696/ |work=The Sacramento Bee |agency=United Press International |date=March 21, 1969 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Firm Votes To Acquire The Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/829430161/ |work=Times Dispatch |date=March 30, 1969 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> M&R became a subsidiary of Continental Connector,<ref name=Colorful/> which owned the Dunes and the land beneath it.<ref name=Parent>{{cite news |title=Dunes parent weighs filing for bankruptcy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148590172/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=April 21, 1987 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Later in 1969, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed suit against Continental Connector, accusing it of making inaccurate financial statements regarding earnings at the Dunes. The company subsequently sought a buyer for the resort.<ref>{{cite news |title=Continental Connector said it is seeking to sell its Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/384830523/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 10, 1970 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1970, businessman Howard Hughes was in discussions to purchase the Dunes, although negotiations ended without a deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes deal is now off |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+deal+is+now+off%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 30, 1970 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Rapid-American Corporation began discussions to acquire the resort,<ref>{{cite news |title=Rapid-American Seeks to Acquire The Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/01/archives/rapidamerican-seeks-to-acquire-the-dunes-hotel-acquisitions-and.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=September 1, 1970}}</ref> but eventually dropped out.<ref name=Riklis/>
Rice, Wyman, Duckworth and three other top resort officials were indicted in 1971 by a federal grand jury, alleging that they filed false corporate income tax returns and that they conspired to skim money from the gaming tables.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Jury Indicts 6 at Nevada Hotel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/12/15/archives/us-jury-indicts-6-at-nevada-hotel-officials-at-dunes-accused-of.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=December 15, 1971}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Taxes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/382020316/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 1974 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The officials pleaded innocent,<ref>{{cite news |title=Stock Buy to Switch Dunes Casino Control |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/460224232/ |work=San Francisco Examiner |date=January 21, 1972 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and Wyman later divested his ownership, but remained with the Dunes as a consultant.<ref name=Wyman>{{cite news |title=Sidney Wyman, Nevada Gambler, Owner of Las Vegas Strip Hotels |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/28/archives/sidney-wyman-nevada-gambler-owner-of-las-vegas-strip-hotels.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=The New York Times |agency=United Press International |date=June 27, 1978}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-St. Louis Gambler Linked To Bribes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/139929712/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=March 28, 1982 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Mafia connections=== The Dunes had numerous Mafia connections for much of its history.<ref name=Knapp/><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes' 38-year history plagued by misfortune |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%27+38-year+history+plagued+by+misfortune%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 17, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Sullivan's early ownership in the resort was actually held by Raymond Patriarca, and Gottlieb was affiliated with Jimmy Hoffa, president of the Teamsters Union.<ref name=Junketeer/><ref name=Knapp/> During the 1950s and 1960s, the union financed many casino expansions in Las Vegas through its pension fund.<ref name=Knapp>{{cite web |last=Knapp |first=George |title=The Dunes: Money, mob, and a great Las Vegas story |url=https://www.mysterywire.com/true-crime/the-mob-and-the-dunes/ |website=Mystery Wire |access-date=September 26, 2022 |date=October 27, 2021}}</ref> This included a $5 million loan for the Dunes' original hotel tower.<ref>{{cite news |title=Teamster Fund Loans Increase in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381388320/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 14, 1963 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Union Fund Lends $5 Million to Bosses |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/325180104/ |work=Des Moines Tribune |date=October 16, 1963 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Allen Dorfman, who handled negotiations on behalf of the pension fund, was alleged to have hidden ownership in the Dunes.<ref name=Turner>{{cite news |last=Turner |first=Wallace |title=Las Vegas Casino's Owner Thriving in a High-Risk, High-Stakes Setting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/21/us/las-vegas-casino-s-owner-thriving-in-a-high-risk-high-stakes-setting.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=February 21, 1984}}</ref> The Dunes occasionally provided first-class treatment to Mafia figures such as Anthony Giordano, who was arrested at the resort in 1969, while visiting Wyman.<ref name=Junketeer>{{cite news |title=Junketeer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/105912065/ |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=December 12, 1977 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=denies/><ref>{{cite news |title=Game board to probe Vegas 'undesirables' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149626580/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=July 12, 1969 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The FBI planted surveillance bugs at the Dunes during the 1960s,<ref name=Junketeer/> and certain resort employees worked as informants for the agency during the 1970s.<ref name=Knapp/> thumb|The Dunes in 1978 In 1972, a new group emerged as a prospective buyer for the resort, still under the ownership of Continental Connector. The group included San Diego developer Irvin Kahn and partner Morris Shenker, a St. Louis attorney who was representing Wyman and other resort officials in their case.<ref name=Riklis>{{cite news |title=Riklis Drops Dunes Deal; New Interests May Purchase Stock |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/380014680/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 6, 1972 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Shenker In Group Buying Interest In Dunes Firm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140233229/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=June 6, 1972 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nevada Gaming Control Board approves sale of Thunderbird Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147570571/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=October 13, 1972 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Nevada Gaming Control Board launched a routine investigation into Shenker and Kahn's financing, but halted its probe in 1973, following Kahn's death.<ref name=Probe>{{cite news |title=Dunes purchase probe expanded |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150754563/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=June 14, 1974 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1974, Shenker owned 37 percent of the Dunes through stock holdings in Continental Connector, and he sought to buy out the remainder,<ref>{{cite news |title=Nevada Looks Into Financing Behind Shenker Bid for Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381967493/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 11, 1974 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> prompting the control board to reopen and expand its investigation into his financial background. It was one of the most extensive investigations in Nevada gaming history,<ref name=Probe/><ref>{{cite news |last=Riley |first=Brendan |title=Shenker-Dunes deal makes it through extensive gaming probe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148776692/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=February 20, 1975 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> as state officials had concerns about Mafia figures with whom Shenker was associated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Controversial St, Louis lawyer finally gets approval to buy Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148778863/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=February 28, 1975 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel through the years |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20Hotel%20through%20the%20years%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 24, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Shenker later denied allegations that his ownership in the resort was a front for Nick Civella,<ref name=Turner/> whom Shenker had represented previously as attorney. Civella had a comped visit at the resort in 1974, but Shenker noted that he had not yet taken control of the Dunes at that time, and said he would not have allowed Civella to stay there if he had been in charge.<ref name=denies/>
In 1975, Tony "The Ant" Spilotro began spending extensive time in the Dunes casino, where he would take phone calls routed to the poker room. The gaming control board accused him of treating the Dunes as his personal office, and questioned Shenker and Riddle as to why he was allowed on the premises, given his Black Book status. The men denied knowing Spilotro or his background, and said they only had an outdated photograph of him from 20 years earlier, making it difficult to identify him. The control board alleged that management was, in fact, aware of Spilotro and had already been warned about his presence at the resort.<ref name=Junketeer/><ref>{{cite news |title=Casino 'office' for mob? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/38574014/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=November 22, 1975 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
M&R had negotiated a $40 million loan from the Teamsters Union pension fund in 1974.<ref name=NYT/> A $75 million expansion was planned to begin in 1976, and would include two additional hotel towers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes addition to double room area |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+addition+to+double+room+area%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 13, 1976 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Dunes76>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel To Launch $75-Million Expansion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/383087893/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 27, 1976 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The project would be financed in part by the Teamsters loan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes postpones groundbreaking |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+postpones+groundbreaking%22&date_from=1976&date_to=1976&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 2, 1976 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> However, the union withheld the funds, citing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Specifically, the union stated that the loan could not be granted because Continental Connector owned a trucking company which employed teamsters who had contributed to the pension fund. Shenker criticized the pension fund's reasoning, saying that Continental Connector had already divested itself of ownership in the trucking company.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |title=Teamsters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/26/archives/teamsters-fund-sued-in-loan-deal-hotel-in-las-vegas-links-us-to-40.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=June 26, 1976}}</ref> A second tower, rising 17 stories, eventually opened in 1979.<ref name=Anchors/>
In 1980, members of the Colombo crime family received comped stays at the resort.<ref name=denies>{{cite news |title=Shenker denies mob connections |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149668138/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=July 23, 1985 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=Colorful/><ref>{{cite news |title=Chronology of Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Chronology+of+Dunes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 7, 1985 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Shenker Casino Facing Penalty In Mob Meeting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/139175495/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=February 3, 1980 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Later years=== Wyman died of cancer in June 1978, and gaming at the Dunes was halted for two minutes in his honor.<ref name=Wyman/> In 1979, Continental Connector was renamed Dunes Hotels and Casinos Inc.,<ref name=Colorful/><ref>{{cite news |title=Crime on the 'Strip'? Attorney Wants to Sue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/682333718/ |work=Chico Enterprise-Record |agency=United Press International |date=June 18, 1979 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> amid plans for a second Dunes resort in Atlantic City.<ref>{{cite news |title=$65 mil complex planned for Atlantic City |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/552990457/ |work=Danville News |agency=United Press International |date=March 14, 1979 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Riddle died in 1980,<ref name=Colorful>{{cite news |last=Borders |first=Myram |title=Dunes' colorful, troubled history |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24078238/dunes-colorful-troubled-history/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=November 18, 1985 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and Shenker suffered a heart attack that year, prompting him to seriously consider selling the Dunes.<ref name=Macy>{{cite news |last=Macy |first=Robert |title=Perlman brothers planning to buy Dunes for $143 million |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149658495/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=August 18, 1982 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1982, the resort added a second casino building, known as the Oasis Casino.<ref name=Oasis/>
In December 1982, it was announced that the resort would be sold to brothers Stuart and Clifford Perlman for $185 million,<ref name=Agency>{{cite news |title=Agency to Weigh Loan to Dunes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/16/business/agency-to-weigh-loan-to-dunes.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=December 16, 1982}}</ref> which would include the assumption of $105 million in debt.<ref>{{cite news |title=No approval for Dunes, Riviera aid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149426020/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=January 20, 1983 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Perlmans provided a $10 million loan to prevent the Dunes from being seized by the Internal Revenue Service,<ref name=Agency/><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes, Riviera financing approved |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149435682/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=January 21, 1983 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> but later backed out of the purchase after learning that the debt would be $20 million more than initially expected.<ref name=Turner/><ref>{{cite news |title=Perlmans sell interest in Dunes hotel-casino |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/146031553/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 7, 1984 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Circus Circus Enterprises subsequently considered a purchase,<ref>{{cite news |title=Circus Circus considers purchase of Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/121629969/ |work=The Arizona Republic |agency=United Press International |date=January 12, 1984 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> as did Golden Nugget chairman Steve Wynn, who made a $115 million offer.<ref name=Chairman/>
In May 1984, the Dunes was sold to John Anderson, a farmer in Davis, California, who also owned the Maxim hotel-casino in Las Vegas.<ref name=Chairman/><ref>{{cite news |title=Nevada Approves Buyer Of Stock In Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140823641/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |agency=United Press International |date=May 19, 1984 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Borders |first=Myram |title=Dunes owner's financial troubles worry gaming panel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150794980/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=September 20, 1985 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Shenker maintained a 26-percent stake. M&R filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 1985.<ref name=Colorful/><ref name=Chairman/><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel Files for Chapter 11 : Remains Open Despite Financial and Legal Problems |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-11-07-fi-3269-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=November 7, 1985}}</ref> Later that month, Wynn made another $115 million offer,<ref name=Chairman>{{cite news |title=Golden Nugget chairman makes offer for Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/144698237/ |work=Asbury Park Press |date=November 16, 1985 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> which was rejected by Anderson and Shenker, deeming it too low and valuing the Dunes at $143.5 million.<ref name=Partial/> Numerous other offers would be made over the next two years, including one by New York businessman Donald Trump.<ref name=Morrison/> Blumenfeld Properties, a Philadelphia real estate development company, made a $145.5 million offer for the Dunes,<ref>{{cite news |title=Offer for ailing Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149212244/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=September 12, 1987 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> but ultimately did not purchase the resort. Burton Cohen was named as the resort's president in January 1986, following the departure of its previous president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nation |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-28-fi-987-story.html |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 28, 1986}}</ref>
Financial firm EF Hutton eventually formed a partnership that was interested in purchasing the Dunes, while a separate group led by Kerkorian was also in discussions. Talks with the two prospective buyers ended in February 1987, without a deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Casino sale talks halted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150443839/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=February 5, 1987 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=Parent/> Shortly thereafter, Texas-based lender Southmark Corporation purchased the first and second mortgages of the Dunes from Valley Bank and First Security Leasing,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dallas conglomerate buys mortgages on Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148590493/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=May 2, 1987 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> the Dunes' two major creditors.<ref name=Partial>{{cite news |last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=Vegas resort reaches partial pact with creditors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149703157/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=June 14, 1986 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Later in 1987, Hilton Hotels and Japanese investor Masao Nangaku both considered buying the Dunes. Foreclosure was delayed to allow more time for a possible purchase.<ref name=Morrison>{{cite news |last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=Ruling delays foreclosure against Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149356033/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=July 25, 1987 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Hilton offered $122.5 million, and planned to refurbish the existing rooms while adding a third tower, at an additional cost of $110 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton Offers to Buy Dunes Hotel for $122.5 Million |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-22-mn-3482-story.html |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=July 22, 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hilton Makes Bid For Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/23/business/company-news-hilton-makes-bid-for-dunes-hotel.html |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=July 23, 1987}}</ref> Cohen believed that the resort needed 2,000 hotel rooms to adequately compete with other resorts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lamb |first=David |title=Vegas' New Strategy : High Rollers Getting Aced Out by Slots |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-02-mn-1506-story.html |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 2, 1987}}</ref> Kerkorian re-emerged as a prospective buyer, and Sheldon Adelson also considered purchasing the 163-acre resort. Nangaku ultimately prevailed, offering a $157.7 million bid in August 1987.<ref name=Bidder>{{cite news |title=Japanese Bid Wins Las Vegas Casino |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/05/business/company-news-japanese-bid-wins-las-vegas-casino.html |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=August 5, 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Adelson |first=Andrea |title=Japan's Bidder for Dunes Has International Goal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/10/business/business-people-japan-s-bidder-for-dunes-has-international-goal.html |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=August 10, 1987}}</ref> His purchase was finalized four months later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sale of Dunes on schedule |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152791936/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=December 8, 1987 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes sale completed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152164627/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=December 17, 1987 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
While Nangaku waited to receive a gaming license, he hired Dennis Gomes to operate the Dunes, replacing Cohen as president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gaming board endorses Gomes as Dunes manager |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152137435/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=April 7, 1988 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Conditional license urged for Dunes owner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152535613/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=December 9, 1988 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gomes resignation puts Dunes in gamers' spotlight |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Gomes%20resignation%22%20%22puts%20Dunes%20in%20gamers%27%20spotlight%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 11, 1989 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Nangaku underwent an unusually long gaming control board probe. Investigators suspected that unlicensed people from Nangaku's company, Minami Group, were involved in the resort. The control board encountered difficulty when looking into Nangaku's business associates because of differences in how Japan handles documents, which are generally kept confidential. Investigators also suspected that the associates were making attempts to hinder their efforts.<ref name=Midas/><ref name=Tap/>
In December 1988,<ref name=Midas/> Nangaku received a limited two-year gaming license while investigators continued their probe.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes owner gets license |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/151135697/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=December 15, 1990 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes license limited |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/151459431/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=December 22, 1990 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Nangaku planned up to $280 million in renovations,<ref name=Midas/> including a new hotel tower and the demolition of the original motel-style structures,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes to undergo overhaul |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+to+undergo+overhaul%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 17, 1987 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> although little work had been done by mid-1989. He blamed the limited gaming license, stating that financiers were hesitant to lend money because of uncertainty about whether he would remain licensed in the near future.<ref name=Midas>{{cite news |last=Reinhold |first=Robert |title=Japanese Midas Touch Is Off Mark in Las Vegas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/21/us/japanese-midas-touch-is-off-mark-in-las-vegas.html |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=June 21, 1989}}</ref><ref name=Tap/>
The first phase of Nangaku's multimillion renovation eventually began in September 1989.<ref>{{cite news |title=$9 million Dunes face-lift |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149783669/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=September 5, 1989 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Facelift>{{cite news |title=Dunes begins multimillion-dollar face lift of casino, hotel rooms |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/405585557/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 10, 1989 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The following year, Nangaku announced a planned $200 million remodeling project. He also hired the architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum to design the new high-rise tower.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Owner Plans Construction Project |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-16-fi-233-story.html |access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 16, 1990}}</ref> Nangaku eventually received a permanent gaming license in May 1991, at which point he was seeking a partner to help renovate and operate the Dunes.<ref name=finally/><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes owner used downtown L. V. project to help him win permanent gaming license |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/153155118/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=June 4, 1991 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The resort had laid off hundreds of workers that year, due to financial troubles brought on by the early 1990s recession.<ref name=finally>{{cite news |title=Dunes owner finally wins gaming license |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/151384710/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=May 30, 1991 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Despite Nangaku's expansion plans for the resort, he ultimately invested only $12 million in basic repairs.<ref name=Tap>{{cite news |last=Schoenberger |first=Karl |title=Japanese Tap Out in Las Vegas |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-15-mn-415-story.html |access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 15, 1993}}</ref>
The ''Las Vegas Review-Journal'' had written in 1988 that the Dunes had lost its "mystical luster" over the past 20 years, with its high rollers migrating to "more attractive" resorts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22dunes%22%20%22vegas%20resort%20in%20the%201960s%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 31, 1988 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The newspaper's John L. Smith wrote that the Dunes had lost its "classy resort" reputation and had become "a dump by Strip standards" despite its name recognition and prime location on the central Strip.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=John L. |title=New Deal at Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22New+Deal+at+Dunes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 21, 1988 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Dunes failed to stay competitive against new megaresorts opening on the Strip, including The Mirage in 1989, and the Excalibur a year later.<ref name=ToClose>{{cite news |title=The Dunes to close doors today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152164004/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=January 25, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> During 1990, the resort was losing $500,000 monthly.<ref>{{cite news |title=Report: Hilton deal possible for Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/153156676/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=June 5, 1991 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Wynn's company, since renamed as Mirage Resorts, agreed to purchase the Dunes in October 1992.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mirage Resorts Agrees to Purchase Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/06/business/company-news-mirage-resorts-agrees-to-purchase-dunes-hotel.html |access-date=September 23, 2022 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=October 6, 1992}}</ref> It was sold the following month for $75 million.<ref name=ToClose/> At the time, the property was losing $2 million a month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes owner says hotel-casino will be closed early next year |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/706611150/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=The Fresno Bee |date=November 8, 1992 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Wynn planned to demolish the Dunes and redevelop the site.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title=The Tropicana implosion: How the Dunes' demise in 1993 paved the way |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/the-tropicana-implosion-how-the-dunes-demise-in-1993-paved-the-way-3179794/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 30, 2024}}</ref> Gaming executive Richard Goeglein led a team which helped operate the Dunes in the months leading up to its closure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas' Dunes Hotel to close |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/785694442/ |work=Merced Sun-Star |agency=Associated Press |date=October 28, 1992 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes will operate normally until closing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152879626/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=November 21, 1992 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Closure and demolition=== The Dunes closed on January 26, 1993.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes hotel and casino fades into history |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20hotel%20and%20casino%20fades%20into%20history%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 26, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Folds To Make Way For Family Resort |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/141587933/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |agency=Associated Press |date=January 26, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Wynn said: "It's becoming in death a much better place than it was in life. This thing about melancholy in its passing is sorta strange. No one felt that while it [the Dunes] was laying there, terminally ill. It's been laying there on life support systems for many years".<ref>{{cite news |title=Famous Dunes Hotel closes doors in Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477164345/ |work=Elko Daily Free Press |agency=Associated Press |date=January 30, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> At the time of its closing, the Dunes employed more than 1,200 people.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes sale could leave 1,400 jobless |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20sale%20could%20leave%201%2C400%20jobless%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 28, 1992 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes employees to find jobs |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+employees+to+find+jobs%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 20, 1992 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Employees held reunions each year following the closure.<ref name=Reunion/><ref>{{cite news |last=Clarke |first=Norm |title=Moving Forward |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/moving-forward/ |access-date=September 27, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 9, 2009}}</ref> An on-site sale of the Dunes inventory, including light fixtures and carpeting, began in March 1993.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands show for Dunes closeout |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152710747/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=March 19, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Demolition started on September 16, 1993. A four-alarm fire began on-site that afternoon, after workers accidentally ran over an electrical outlet in a bulldozer. The fire affected a two-story hotel building and eventually spread across the property. More than 200 firefighters responded, and six blocks of the Strip were closed off for more than four hours until the fire was contained.<ref>Retrieved September 24, 2022:{{ubl |{{cite news |title=Black smoke chokes much of Vegas Strip as fire hits Dunes, which is being torn down |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/166116297/ |work=Arizona Daily Tucson |agency=Associated Press |date=September 17, 1993 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} |{{cite news |title=Demolition sets Dunes resort afire |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/817621978/ |work=The Columbian |agency=Associated Press |date=September 17, 1993 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} |{{cite news |title=Winds whip flames at empty hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Winds%20whip%20flames%20at%20empty%20hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 16, 1993 |url-access=subscription}} |{{cite news |title=Sprinklers kept Dunes hotel fire from becoming another tragedy |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sprinklers+kept+Dunes+hotel+fire+from+becoming+another+tragedy%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 19, 1993 |url-access=subscription}} |{{cite news |last=Huang |first=Carol |title=Cause fixed in Dunes fire |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Cause%20fixed%20in%20Dunes%20fire%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 30, 1993 |url-access=subscription}} }}</ref>
The original North Tower was demolished on the night of October 27, 1993, one day after the opening of Wynn's new Strip resort Treasure Island, located about a mile north. The tower was imploded with great fanfare in an event emceed by Wynn that incorporated his new resort; on his command, a faux pirate ship at Treasure Island shot its cannon several times, simulating the Dunes' destruction by cannonballs as the implosion began.<ref name=Tumbles>{{cite news |last=Sebelius |first=Steve |title=Tower tumbles into dust |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1993/oct/28/tower-tumbles-dust/ |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 28, 1993}}</ref><ref name=Blast>{{cite news |title=Vegas Has a Blast as 200,000 Watch Demolition of Dunes |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-29-mn-51111-story.html |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 29, 1993}}</ref><ref name=Enjoys>{{cite news |title=Even in Destruction. Las Vegas Enjoys the Spectacular Display |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/613784400/ |work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=October 29, 1993 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The tower was brought down around 10:10 p.m., following a six-minute fireworks show. The $1.5 million demolition event attracted 200,000 spectators.<ref name=Tumbles/><ref name=Blast/> The Dunes was the first Las Vegas resort to be imploded, and numerous others would follow suit into the next decade.<ref>{{cite book |last=Schumacher |first=Geoff |title=Sun, Sin & Suburbia: The History of Modern Las Vegas, Revised and Expanded |date=2015 |publisher=University of Nevada Press |isbn=978-0-87417-989-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BMCVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT125 |access-date=September 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Implosions |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/history/implosions/ |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |access-date=September 26, 2022}}</ref>
The tower's implosion was handled by Controlled Demolition, Inc.<ref name=Tumbles/> The demolition required 365 pounds of dynamite, and 550 gallons of aviation fuel were also used,<ref name=Tumbles/><ref name=Enjoys/> creating fireballs that went up each floor of the tower's east side engulfing the tower in flames, facing the Strip and spectators.<ref name=casualty>{{cite news |title=Dunes a casualty of new Vegas era |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/153140077/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=October 27, 1993 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Oasis Casino and the Dunes' two-story casino building were not part of the implosion. Fireworks sparked two small fires on the roof of the Oasis, and numerous small fires began in the Dunes' casino area, all put out by on-site firefighters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Fireworks%20sparked%20a%20couple%20of%20small%20fires%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 28, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Both facilities were bulldozed following the implosion. A three-month clean-up project began to remove the debris left from the imploded tower.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burbank |first=Jeff |title=Massive Dunes cleanup launched |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Massive+Dunes+cleanup+launched%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 2, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> During the clean-up, workers discovered hundreds of $100 Dunes casino chips in the resort's foundation; some casinos executives would dispose of outdated chips by burying them in the foundation of their buildings.<ref>{{cite news |last=Komenda |first=Ed |title=Where do poker chips go to die? Look in Lake Mead and concrete casino foundations |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2013/nov/05/where-do-poker-chips-go-die-look-lake-mead-and-cas/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=VegasInc |date=November 5, 2013}}</ref>
The South Tower was briefly used as a job center for Treasure Island.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22mirage%22+%22job+center%22+%22south+tower%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 18, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was eventually imploded on the morning of July 20, 1994,<ref>{{cite news |last=McKinnon |first=Shaun |title=Final demolition of Dunes set for early this morning |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Final+demolition+of+Dunes+set+for+early+this+morning%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 20, 1994 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas landmark is levelled in style |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/724711780/ |work=Evening Standard |date=July 21, 1994 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> without the fanfare of the first implosion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Second Dunes implosion planned |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Second+Dunes+implosion+planned%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 12, 1994 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Fanfare/> Mirage Resorts had urged people not to show up for the second implosion,<ref>{{cite news |last=Green |first=Marian |title=Word slips out on implosion of Dunes tower |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Word%20slips%20out%20on%20implosion%20of%20Dunes%20tower%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 16, 1994 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> which attracted approximately 3,000 spectators.<ref name=Fanfare>{{cite news |title=With no fanfare, the Dunes is gone |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22With+no+fanfare%2C+the+Dunes+is+gone%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 21, 1994 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas tower razed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477143601/ |work=Elko Daily Free Press |date=July 20, 1994 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Commenting on the end of the Dunes, Wynn said, "This is not an execution; this is a phoenix rising".<ref>{{cite news |last=Macy |first=Robert |title=Dunes blast is a blast for spectators |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/706837216/ |work=The Fresno Bee |agency=Associated Press |date=October 31, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> His new resort, Bellagio, eventually opened on the former Dunes site in 1998.<ref name=Look>{{cite news |last=Przybys |first=John |title=A look back at Las Vegas' Dunes resort |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/a-look-back-at-las-vegas-dunes-resort-photos-1943430/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> The resort's lake covers much of the land once occupied by the Dunes' casino and hotel structures.
==Fire safety and 1986 arson spree== New fire-safety rules were implemented in Las Vegas following the MGM Grand fire (1980) and Las Vegas Hilton fire (1981). In 1985, the Dunes was one of seven hotels that failed to comply with the new safety rules, receiving six citations. The Dunes agreed to close its main showroom and convention center in exchange for a county extension, allowing time to raise $13.5 million needed to bring the facilities up to standard.<ref>{{cite news |last=Malnic |first=Eric |title=Fire-Safety Work Partly Shuts Dunes |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-03-08-mn-32351-story.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 8, 1985}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Fire codes close hotel showroom |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148249185/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=United Press International |date=March 7, 1985 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In February 1986, the Dunes won additional extensions to meet the fire-safety requirements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes wins retrofit delay |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+wins+retrofit+delay%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 11, 1986 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes wins extension to meet fire-safety codes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+wins+extension+to+meet+fire-safety+codes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 20, 1986 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Later that month, a series of arson fires were set to several Strip resorts, including the Dunes, the Holiday Casino, and the Sands. As a precaution, 1,650 hotel guests were evacuated from the Dunes just before midnight. On the casino floor, many gamblers refused to leave and continued playing. Firefighters quickly determined that the fires posed no threat to the casino area. Crews battled a total of five fires at the Dunes, and guests were allowed to return to their rooms after three hours. Six people were treated for smoke inhalation, and damage was estimated at $55,000. The Dunes offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist.<ref>Retrieved September 24, 2022:{{ubl |{{cite news |title=1,600 Evacuated In Vegas Blaze |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/519195355/ |work=The Daily News |agency=Associated Press |date=February 27, 1986 |via=Newspapers.com}} |{{cite news |title=Second arsonist eludes Nevada authorities |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/705227644/ |work=The Fresno Bee |agency=Associated Press |date=February 28, 1986 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} |{{cite news |last=Borders |first=Myram |title=Dunes offers reward for firebug |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148254082/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=February 28, 1986 |via=Newspapers.com}} |{{cite news |title=Firefighters put out four blazes at Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Firefighters+put+out+four+blazes+at+Dunes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 26, 1986 |url-access=subscription}} }}</ref> A man was eventually arrested for the arson spree and sentenced to 10 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deadly casino fires helped rewrite safety standards |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jan/25/las-vegas-fire-history/ |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Tourists, workers shaken amid 1986 arson spree at Las Vegas resorts |url=https://news3lv.com/news/videos/video-vault-tourists-workers-shaken-amid-1986-arson-spree-at-las-vegas-resorts |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=KSNV |date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> In light of the recent fires, the county reconsidered the extensions previously granted to the Dunes.<ref>{{cite news |title=New deadline for Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148963319/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=United Press International |date=March 14, 1986 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes attorneys ask high court to block fire safety board |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+attorneys+ask+high+court+to+block+fire+safety+board%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 18, 1986 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes avoids closure |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148964099/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=March 20, 1986 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> By May 1986, the resort had made significant progress on its fire retrofit work.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes retrofit promised |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149381845/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=May 2, 1986 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
==Features== {{multiple image | direction = vertical | image1 = Las Vegas, Nevada 1989 17.jpg | image2 = Oasis casino in the Dunes 1990 PICT0001 (3).JPG | footer = Oasis Casino and neon palm trees }} The Dunes featured an Arabian theme,<ref name=Lavish/> and was designed by Robert Dorr Jr. and John Replogle.<ref name=GroundIs/><ref name=Thrilling/> The resort initially occupied 85 acres.<ref name=Lavish>{{cite news |title=Mark lavish Dunes hotel opening today |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1955/may/23/mark-lavish-dunes-hotel-opening-today/?framing=history |access-date=September 28, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 23, 1955}}</ref> The casino opened with 120 slot machines.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gambling Town Pushes Its Luck |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RVYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20 |magazine=Life |access-date=September 16, 2022 |date=June 20, 1955}}</ref> The {{convert|6600|sqft|abbr=on}} convention center, opened in 1959, included seating for 800 people.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Plans New Convention Hall Next to Hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20Plans%20New%20Convention%20Hall%20Next%20to%20Hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 14, 1959 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Convention Center Planned For Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607253678/ |work=South Pasadena Review |date=February 19, 1959 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The casino was remodeled in 1961,<ref name=Pasadena/><ref>{{cite news |title='Surprise' Dunes Expansion |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22%27Surprise%27%20Dunes%20Expansion%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 26, 1961 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and a keno lounge would be added 10 years later, part of a $2 million renovation project.<ref name=Keno/><ref>{{cite news |title=The new Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/271353488/ |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=September 26, 1971 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1965, the Dunes became the first Strip business to offer a nursery, which would supervise children while their parents enjoyed the resort's amenities.<ref name=Dot/><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/580416424/ |work=Valley Times |date=June 24, 1965 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> By that point, the Dunes also had two swimming pools and a dozen shops,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes High Rise: Opening Marks Anniversary |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/las-vegas-sun-jan-13-1965-p-14/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 13, 1965 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |via=NewspaperArchive.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> while additional retailers would be added in 1979.<ref name=Anchors>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel anchors the southwest corner of town |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385371934/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 15, 1980 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
An {{convert|85000|sqft|abbr=on}} addition, containing various amenities, was approved by the county in 1981.<ref>{{cite news |title=Planners OK Dunes addition |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Planners%20OK%22%20%22Dunes%22%20%22addition%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 21, 1981 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The expansion cost $15 million, and included the Oasis Casino,<ref name=Macy/> which opened on August 20, 1982. The structure, with an exterior of black mirrored glass, was built at a cost of $17 million. The Oasis provided the Dunes property with an additional {{convert|18000|sqft|abbr=on}} of gaming space.<ref name=Oasis>{{cite news |title=Dunes' new Oasis casino set to open |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%27%20new%20Oasis%20casino%20set%20to%20open%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 13, 1982 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes stock shows a drop for period |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+stock+shows+a+drop+for+period%22&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 19, 1982 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes announces Oasis to be a 'separate' entity |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+announces+Oasis+to+be+a+%27separate%27+entity%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 22, 1985 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Although the Oasis was a two-story building, it opened without the second floor, which was unfinished and sealed off.<ref name=Facelift/><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes wants larger piece of entertainment pie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122189440/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=September 17, 1989 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The Oasis Casino featured curved neon palm trees at its entrance, standing 70 feet with fronds 20 feet in length. They were designed by Ad-Art sign designer Jack DuBois, based on early design work by Raul Rodriguez.<ref name=Fitz>{{cite news |last=Fitzgerald |first=Michael |title=Fitz's Stockton: From Stockton to Bangkok, with neon |url=https://www.recordnet.com/news/20171105/fitzs-stockton-from-stockton-to-bangkok-with-neon |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=The Record |date=November 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119154023/https://www.recordnet.com/news/20171105/fitzs-stockton-from-stockton-to-bangkok-with-neon |archive-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref><ref name=Lost>{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Mitchell |title=The history of Las Vegas through neon - Lost and Found |url=https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/lost-and-found |website=Neon Museum |access-date=September 24, 2022 |date=June 25, 2020}}</ref> The palms were dismantled in April 1993, after being sold during the liquidation sale to a buyer in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Going, going, frond |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Going%2C%20going%2C%20frond%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 21, 1993 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> By 1999, the palms had been installed at the entrance to the NASA nightclub in Bangkok. The club closed some time after that, and the whereabouts of the palms are unknown.<ref name=Fitz/><ref name=Lost/>
===Hotel=== The Dunes opened with 194 rooms,<ref>{{cite news |title=A little hotel grew |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22A%20little%20hotel%20grew%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 17, 1980 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=ToOpen>{{cite news |title=Dunes to open 1000-room hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20to%20open%201000-room%20hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 15, 1965 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and plans for additional rooms were already in the works,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Leases Royal Palms, Plush Motel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20Leases%20Royal%20Palms%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 4, 1955 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> although it would be years before they came to fruition. In 1957, plans were announced for a $2 million expansion that would include a 14-story tower.<ref name=2-m>{{cite news |title=Dunes Plans $2-Million Expansion in New Tower |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22dunes%22%20%22%242-million%20expansion%20in%20new%20tower%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 26, 1957 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> A year later, the proposed tower was increased to 18 stories.<ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Hotel Plans 'Skyscraper' Addition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/57826875/ |work=The Daily Republican |date=July 5, 1958 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> An additional 246 rooms were eventually added in 1960,<ref>{{cite news |title=Hotels Scrape Sky–And So Does Debt |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/150729059/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=March 1, 1967 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> with the opening of the Olympic Wing,<ref name=Pasadena/> joining the existing Seahorse Wing.<ref>{{cite news |title="Dunes Will Sell 'Charm' Conventions" |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22seahorse%20terrace%22%20%22constructing%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 15, 1968 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Groundbreaking for the tower eventually took place on October 20, 1962.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Honors Asta at Groundbreaking |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+Honors+Asta+at+Groundbreaking%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 21, 1962 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Pasadena>{{cite news |title=Dunes Starts 22 Story Tower Addition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607234265/ |work=South Pasadena Review |date=October 31, 1962 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was designed by Milton Schwartz,<ref>{{cite news |title=Architect of Dunes Hotel remembers vintage Vegas |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/10/17/Architect-of-Dunes-Hotel-remembers-vintage-Vegas/5563750830400/ |access-date=September 21, 2022 |work=UPI |date=October 17, 1993}}</ref><ref name=Jensen/> and the opening was pushed back because of design changes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lembke Completes 24-Story Tower for Las Vegas Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/783116219/ |work=The Albuquerque Tribune |date=May 18, 1965 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The tower eventually opened in May 1965.<ref name=Celebration/> It had 510 rooms,<ref>{{cite news |title=Grand Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607447768/ |work=South Pasadena Review |date=June 2, 1965 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Startles First-Time Visitors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/374754819/ |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 17, 1964 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Dot>{{cite news |title=High-Rise Hotels Dot Desert as Las Vegas Grows Upward |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/382168681/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 6, 1965 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> bringing the total room count to 960.<ref name=Pasadena/> At 21 stories,<ref name=Jensen/><ref name=Oakland/> it was among the tallest buildings in Nevada.<ref name=Oakland/>
The tower was originally known as Diamond of the Dunes, and was later called the North Tower, following the addition of the South Tower.<ref name=Oakland/><ref name=Casper/> Construction of the latter began on July 26, 1978, part of a $100 million expansion and remodeling project.<ref>{{cite news |title=Expansion of Dunes to begin |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Expansion%20of%20Dunes%20to%20begin%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 25, 1978 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The 17-story South Tower was topped off on April 12, 1979,<ref>{{cite news |title=Topping Off |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Topping%20Off%22%20%22Dunes%20Hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 13, 1979 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and was opened that December.<ref name=Anchors/> The second tower was designed by Maxwell Starkman and included 464 rooms,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Expansion Under Way in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/384544956/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 13, 1978 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> for a new total of 1,282.<ref name=Colorful/>
===Golf course=== The Dunes opened its Emerald Green golf driving range in November 1961.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes' Golf Range To Open Friday |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=+%22Dunes+Golf%22+%22Range%22+%22to+open+Friday%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 19, 1961 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Driving Open for Business |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+Driving%22+%22Open+for+Business%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 26, 1961 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Calendar Notes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385670796/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 26, 1961 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Emerald Green golf course debuted in 1964,<ref name=CC>{{cite news |title=Littler and Hamblin sign with Dunes CC |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22emerald%20green%20country%20club%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 24, 1964 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and had its formal opening in April 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Emerald Green sets formal opening on Sunday |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20Emerald%20Green%20sets%20formal%20opening%20on%20Sunday%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 23, 1965 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sky Diver Jumps Over Dunes Today |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=1965&date_to=1965&text=%22dunes%22+%22hocking%22&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 25, 1965 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Since then, the resort was sometimes known as the Dunes Hotel and Country Club, reflecting its golf amenities.<ref name=Celebration/><ref name=Anchors/> The Emerald Green measured 7,240 yards, making it the longest course in Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lengthy Dunes is Las Vegas' longest |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Lengthy%20Dunes%20is%20Las%20Vegas%27%20longest%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 7, 1985 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes' 'Emerald Green' boosts LV's golf image |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%27+%27Emerald+Green%27+boosts+LV%27s+golf+image%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 16, 1970 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Emerald Green image grows with Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Emerald%20Green%20image%20grows%20with%20Dunes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 26, 1971 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It stretched south from Flamingo Road to Tropicana Avenue, occupying roughly 80 acres along the eastern edge of I-15. Riddle bought the site from banker Jerry Mack and Mel Close,<ref name=Moehring/><ref name=variety>{{cite news |title=Major Riddle started Dunes with variety |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Major+Riddle+started+Dunes+with+variety%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 17, 1980 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> bringing the resort a total of 163 acres.<ref name=Bidder/>
The Emerald Green's closure in 1993 left the Desert Inn as the only other Strip resort with a golf course.<ref name=Fossum>{{cite news |last=Fossum |first=Jim |title=Part of Las Vegas golf history ends at Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Part+of+Las+Vegas+golf+history+ends+at+Dunes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 24, 1993 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> At the time, the Emerald Green had seen an average of 65,000 golfers each year, second only to the Las Vegas Municipal Golf Course.<ref name=Titan>{{cite news |title=Gaming titan Steve Wynn moves to buy Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477128650/ |work=Elko Daily Free Press |date=October 13, 1992 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was especially popular among celebrities.<ref name=Titan/><ref name=Fossum/> The Emerald Green site is now occupied by parts of Park MGM (opened in 1996) and CityCenter (2009), as well as T-Mobile Arena (2016).
===Sultan and neon sign=== thumb|Sultan statue in 1957 The Dunes originally featured a 30-foot-(9-meter-)high sultan statue above its entrance.<ref name=Thrilling>{{cite news |title=Thrilling Electric Display to Advertise Dunes Hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Thrilling+Electric+Display+to+Advertise+Dunes+Hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 23, 1955 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Stefan/> The fiberglass statue was created by sculptor Kermit Hawkins.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Mike |title=Melbourne sculptor Kermit Hawkins dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/177576482/ |work=Florida Today |date=November 9, 1991 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The sultan's turban included a diamond that lit up at night, and which was actually a car headlamp that had been put in place.<ref name=Stefan/><ref name=Zook>{{cite book |last1=Zook |first1=Lynn M. |last2=Sandquist |first2=Allen |last3=Burke |first3=Carey |title=Las Vegas, 1905-1965 |date=2009 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-6969-7 |page=62 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MrDckUPM0nIC&pg=PA62 |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> In 1964, the sultan was moved to the edge of the golf course along I-15, serving as an advertisement to motorists.<ref name=Cohen/><ref name=Dot/> The sultan was destroyed by fire, caused by a short circuit, on the night of December 31, 1985.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes sultan statue damaged by fire |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20sultan%20statue%20damaged%20by%20fire%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 2, 1986 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
thumb|left|Dunes sign and Oasis Casino, 1983 Lee Klay of the Federal Sign and Signal Company designed a roadside sign for the Dunes,<ref name=Stefan/><ref name=Oxy/> activated on November 12, 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title=Official Opening |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Official%20Opening%22%20%22high%20rise%20marquee%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 8, 1964 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Klay recalled that the resort owners asked him to create "a big phallic symbol going up in the sky as far as you can make it".<ref name=Oxy>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Patricia Leigh |title=In the City of Change, Is 'Las Vegas Landmark' an Oxymoron? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/07/garden/in-the-city-of-change-is-las-vegas-landmark-an-oxymoron.html |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=October 7, 1993}}</ref> At 181 feet (55 meters),<ref name=Stefan/> it was the tallest free-standing sign in the world.<ref name=Oakland/> The foundation measured 80 feet in width,<ref name=Oakland/><ref name=Zook/> and supported two white-colored columns forming a bulbous onion dome or stylized spade shape at the top. Contained within this shape were two-story-high letters spelling out "Dunes", with a large diamond atop the lettering.<ref name=Stefan/><ref name=Oxy/>
The sign contained 16,000 feet of neon tubing,<ref>{{cite news |title=New Dunes Sign May Shake Blase Vegans |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+sign+may%22+%22Vegans%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 1, 1964 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> including 7,200 lamps.<ref name=Stefan/><ref name=Oakland/> At night, the sign lit up in red coloring. Blackout curtains were added in hotel rooms facing the sign, as some guests had trouble sleeping because of the neon lighting.<ref name=Stefan/> Schwartz objected to the construction of the sign, believing that it conflicted with the design of his hotel tower, although Riddle overrode him.<ref name=Stefan/> A full-time, three-man team worked to maintain the sign, which had a service elevator going up one of its columns to the top.<ref name=Stefan/><ref name=Oakland/><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas' High Cost of Turning Night Into Day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385346102/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 19, 1971 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The sign was intentionally destroyed as part of the 1993 implosion event,<ref name=Cohen/> with the use of 18-grain detonating cord.<ref name=casualty/> Architectural historian Alan Hess had advocated for saving the sign, although Mirage Resorts stated that it was in extremely poor condition, with demolition being cheaper than preservation. Saving the sign would have required it to be disassembled in eight-foot sections, at a cost of up to $100,000.<ref name=Oxy/>
A smaller, similar sign exists at the city's Neon Museum,<ref name=Cohen>{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Mitchell |title=The history of Las Vegas through neon - Lost Signs of Las Vegas—Part 1 |url=https://www.neonmuseum.org/the-collection/blog/lost-signs-of-las-vegas-part-1 |website=Neon Museum |access-date=September 22, 2022 |date=November 14, 2019}}</ref> with plans to re-light it in 2025.<ref>[https://www.casino.org/news/neon-museum-to-relight-last-remaining-las-vegas-dunes-sign/ Neon Museum to Relight Last Remaining Dunes Las Vegas Sign]</ref> In 2019, filmmaker Tim Burton also debuted a Dunes-inspired sign as part of ''Lost Vegas: Tim Burton'', an exhibit at the Neon Museum.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside 'the mind of Tim Burton' at Neon Museum in Las Vegas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tim-burton-exhibit-at-the-neon-museum-in-las-vegas-immerses-visitors-into-the-mind-of-the-filmmaker/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |work=CBS |date=December 7, 2019}}</ref> An original neon entrance sign from the resort is also located at the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas.<ref name=Look/><ref>{{cite news |title=Signs of aging: Museum's Boneyard picked over for 'Neon Unplugged' exhibit |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/may/08/signs-of-aging-museums-boneyard-picked-over-for-ne/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 8, 2003}}</ref>
===Restaurants=== A popular fine-dining restaurant, Sultan's Table, opened on March 4, 1961.<ref name=Gourmets>{{cite news |title=Gourmets like Sultan's Table |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Gourmets+like+Sultan%27s+Table%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 16, 1980 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sultan's Table Restaurant Fit For a Maharajah |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/433767735/ |work=The Boston Globe |date=April 30, 1961 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sultan's remodeled |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sultan%27s%20remodeled%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 25, 1974 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was designed by Schwartz,<ref name=Jensen>{{cite news |last=Jensen |first=Trevor |title=Milton M. Schwartz: 1925 - 2007 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-01-23-0701230015-story.html |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 22, 2007}}</ref> and included live music for diners.<ref>{{cite news |last=Krane |first=Elliot S. |title=The sounds of music complement elegant meals at Sultan's Table |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22The+sounds+of+music+complement+elegant+meals+at+Sultan%27s+Table%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 23, 1987 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Riddle was inspired to build Sultan's Table after visiting an upscale restaurant, the Villa Fontana, in Mexico City.<ref name=Gourmets/> Sultan's Table was the first gourmet restaurant to open on the Strip, and Diners Club named it "America's finest and most beautiful new restaurant".<ref name=Gourmets/><ref>{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title=The History of the Gourmet Room, from The Sultan's Table to the Bacchanal Room |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2015/1/28/7928895/the-history-of-the-gourmet-room-from-the-sultans-table-to-the |website=Eater |access-date=September 22, 2022 |date=January 28, 2015}}</ref>
The Dunes opened its Dome of the Sea on June 12, 1964.<ref name=LVS65>{{cite news |title=Dunes' Dome of the Sea to Open |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/las-vegas-sun-jun-10-1965-p-26/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 10, 1965 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=NewspaperArchive.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was a seafood restaurant with an underwater theme. It was also designed by Schwartz, who created the exterior as a circular building that "looked like it came from outer space".<ref name=Moruzzi>{{cite web |last=Moruzzi |first=Peter |title=Dome of the Sea restaurant at the Las Vegas Dunes |url=https://petermoruzzi.com/2011/01/30/dome-of-the-sea-restaurant-at-the-las-vegas-dunes/ |website=Peter Moruzzi's Mid-Century |access-date=September 22, 2022 |date=January 30, 2011}}</ref> Schwartz collaborated with designer Sean Kenny on the interior,<ref name=Stefan/> which had a budget of $150,000.<ref name=ToOpen/> Images of fish and seaweed were projected onto the restaurant's interior walls.<ref name=Stefan/> It also featured a harpist, dressed as a mermaid, who performed in the center of the room.<ref name=LVS65/><ref name=Moruzzi/> For a brief period starting in 1972, the restaurant would transform into Dome After Hours, offering cocktails and continuous live entertainment between the hours of 1:00 and 5:00 a.m.<ref>{{cite news |title=New deal due at Dunes Saturday |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22New%20deal%20due%20at%20Dunes%20Saturday%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 18, 1972 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Comedian, Singer At Riviera |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/198502836/ |work=Longview News-Journal |date=February 11, 1973 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
A restaurant and lounge, Top O' the Strip, opened on June 4, 1965. It was located on the top floor of the new hotel tower, providing views of the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes' Top O' The Strip Cafe, Lounge, Grand Opening Tonight |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%27+Top+O%27+The+Strip+Cafe%2C+Lounge%2C+Grand+Opening+Tonight%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 4, 1965 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Restaurant Has Birdseye View Of Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/61584670/ |work=San Bernardino County Sun |date=October 13, 1968 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was popular among tourists,<ref name=Favorite>{{cite news |title=Top of the Dunes is favorite for visitors |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Top+of+the+Dunes+is+favorite+for+visitors%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 17, 1980 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and also featured live entertainment.<ref name=Wagner/> It was renamed Top O' the Dunes in 1979.<ref name=Favorite/>
==Live entertainment== [[File:Jack Melick Las Vegas 1966.jpg|thumb|upright|Pianist Jack Melick at Sultan's Table, 1966]] Comedian Wally Cox was an early entertainer at the Dunes, opening there in July 1955, although he was fired due to poor audience reception. Gottesman acknowledged that Cox was ill-prepared and brought no new material to his performances.<ref name=Briggeman>{{cite book |last=Briggeman |first=Jane |title=BURLESQUE A Final Tribute: Legends Recipes & Minsky's Files |publisher=BearManor Media |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tj1AEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT385 |access-date=September 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name=Munari>{{cite book |last=Munari |first=Geno |title=The Dunes Hotel and Casino: The Mob, the connections, the stories: The Mob, the connections, the stories |date=2022 |publisher=TrineDay |isbn=978-1-63424-385-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8qRnEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT24 |access-date=September 27, 2022}}</ref> Cox had been signed for four weeks, but only gave three performances. Comedian Stan Irwin briefly filled in for Cox,<ref>{{cite news |title=Irwin Subs for Wally Cox who Flopped at the Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148580900/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=July 18, 1955 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> who was then hired back later in the month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. Peepers Stages Las Vegas Comeback |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/844725452/ |work=The Record |date=July 21, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Peepers' Cox Makes His Comeback at Dunes Hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22%27Peepers%27+Cox+Makes+His+Comeback+at+Dunes+Hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 21, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Entertainers at Top O' the Strip included Art and Dotty Todd, Russ Morgan,<ref name=Wagner>{{cite book |last=Wagner |first=Roger |title=No Work and All Play: Audacious Chronicles of a Casino Boss |date=2011 |publisher=Outskirts Press |isbn=978-1-4327-7724-1 |page=35 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NSA6BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA35 |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> and Bob Anderson.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anderson tops Dunes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Anderson+tops+Dunes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 17, 1978 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Delaney remembers 1988: Anderson at Dunes |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/mar/30/joe-delaney-remembers-1988-anderson-at-dunes/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 30, 2001}}</ref> The Dunes also opened a Comedy Store location in 1984,<ref>{{cite news |title=The Dunes introduced Las Vegas to many types of entertainment |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22The+Dunes+introduced+Las+Vegas+to+many+types+of+entertainment%22&date_from=1993&date_to=1993&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6&sort=old |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 24, 1993 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> hosting numerous comedians. It relocated to the Golden Nugget hotel-casino in 1990,<ref>{{cite news |title=Jerry Lewis Telethon may leave Entertainment Capital |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/118119613/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=January 21, 1990 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> but briefly returned to the Dunes in 1992.<ref>{{cite news |title=Comedy Store returns to Dunes, brings laughs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/123311554/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=May 17, 1992 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Shows=== The Dunes' 1955 opening included Vera-Ellen in a production show titled ''New York-Paris-Paradise'',<ref name=LA-55>{{cite news |last=Schallert |first=Edwin |title=Dunes Hotel Formally Opened in Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381330168/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 23, 1955 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> which was contracted for a four-week run.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vera-Ellen Gets High Vegas Stipend |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/380959117/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 6, 1955 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was part of Gottesman's policy to focus on shows rather than big-name stars; he said, "There aren't enough name stars in the world to play all the Vegas hotels".<ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Showman to Import Broadway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/568458014/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=May 1, 1955 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vera Ellen's Show Will Open Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/580332165/ |work=Valley Times |date=May 18, 1955 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''New York-Paris-Paradise'' was directed by Robert Nesbitt and played in the Dunes' showroom, known as the Arabian Room.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=June 1, 1955 |title=Dunes Hotel |magazine=Variety |location=United States |volume=198 |issue=13 |page=53}}</ref><ref name=Gragg>{{cite book |last=Gragg |first=Larry D. |title=Becoming America's Playground: Las Vegas in the 1950s |date=2019 |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-6585-1 |page=67 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r36mDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA67 |access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref>
On January 10, 1957, Riddle debuted Las Vegas' first topless show, titled ''Minsky Goes to Paris''.<ref name=Munari/><ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas Vagaries |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22The%20most%20daring%20show%20of%20them%20all%20unveiled%20at%20the%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 13, 1957 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Riddle said, "We have something people can't get on television". The show's success inspired other resorts to debut their own topless shows.<ref name=Stefan>{{cite book |last=Al |first=Stefan |title=The Strip: Las Vegas and the Architecture of the American Dream |date=2017 |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-33822-6 |pages=73–76 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPpaDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA74 |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> During 1958, the show was attracting 9,000 viewers weekly.<ref name=Gragg/> Later known as ''Minsky's Follies'', the show ran until 1961.<ref>{{cite news |title=Minsky Follies Debut Aug. 24 at Riverside |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148275917/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=August 19, 1961 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Riddle brought ''Tenderloin'', a Broadway musical, to the Dunes in May 1961.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tenderloin To Play In Las Vegas Club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/511988575/ |work=La Crosse Tribune |date=May 6, 1961 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Major Riddle Books Broadway Show For Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/166519777/ |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=May 21, 1961 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Broadway show ''Guys and Dolls'', starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey, also played at the Dunes for about six months, starting in 1962.<ref>{{cite news |title=Grable, Dailey Star in 'Guys and Dolls' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/381457663/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 25, 1962 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Guys, Dolls' Promised Good Run In Las Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/166564944/ |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=December 27, 1962 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Farmer |first=David |title=It's a Bare Fact Las Vegas Babes Lure the Gamblers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/315744325/ |work=Central New Jersey Home News |date=January 19, 1964 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription |quote=The Dunes, after a half-year flirtation with "Guys and Dolls," is installing a French revue.}}</ref>
The Dunes opened a new venue, the Persian Room, in December 1961. It replaced the Sinbad Cocktail Lounge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes opens its new Persian Room |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607222221/ |work=South Pasadena Review |date=January 3, 1962 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Persian Room debuted with ''Vive Les Girls'', a French musical revue by Frederic Apcar.<ref>{{cite news |title='Vive Les Girls' Opens at Dunes' Persian Room |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22%27Vive+Les+Girls%27+Opens+at+Dunes%27+Persian+Room%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 26, 1961 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Opens Persian Room Show Tonight |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+Opens+Persian+Room+Show+Tonight%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 29, 1961 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was successful, becoming an annual show at the Dunes.<ref name=Oakland/><ref>{{cite news |title=New Show In Parisian Room At Dunes Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/607436013/ |work=South Pasadena Review |date=October 6, 1965 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vive Les Girls remains on Dunes lounge stage |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Vive+Les+Girls+remains+on+Dunes+lounge+stage%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 4, 1970 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It closed in 1971, when the Persian Room was replaced by the keno lounge.<ref name=Keno>{{cite news |title=Dunes will add keno, remodel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20will%20add%20keno%2C%20remodel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 6, 1971 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Frederic Apcar |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/547391087/ |work=Oakland Tribune |date=February 4, 1972 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
The Dunes had also debuted another show by Apcar in December 1963, titled ''Casino de Paris'' and initially starring Line Renaud, and then Violetta Villas. The show cost approximately $6 million to create, featuring 100 cast members and more than 500 costumes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes Hotel Goes All Out With Its Casino De Paris |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/162993533/ |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=January 12, 1964 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Oakland>{{cite news |title=Glitter, Glamor, Excitement Along the Strip |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/477913818/ |work=Oakland Tribune |date=January 12, 1969 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=Stefan/> The show incorporated a custom stage known as the Octopus<ref name=Stefan/> or Octuramic.<ref>{{cite book |last=McKay |first=Janis L. |title=Played Out on the Strip: The Rise and Fall of Las Vegas Casino Bands |date=2016 |publisher=University of Nevada Press |isbn=978-1-943859-03-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CuVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT51 |access-date=September 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McKee |first=David |title=Gone but not forgotten: More spectacles, performers and producers that left their mark on Las Vegas |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2016/nov/16/greatest-shows-more-that-made-an-impact/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=November 16, 2016}}</ref> Designed by Schwartz and Kenny, the stage had several arms capable of extending 50 feet above the audience. Circular dancing platforms, 20 feet in diameter, were built at the end of each arm, allowing showgirls to dance above the audience.<ref name=Stefan/> The show ended in June 1981, due to the high costs of putting it on each week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes to close 'Casino de Paris' |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes+to+close+%27Casino+de+Paris%27%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 8, 1981 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Shows: Grand and Not So Grand |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/387316905/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 12, 1981 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
''Showstoppers'', a family show by Jeff Kutash, was planned to open in 1990,<ref>{{cite news |title='Showstopper' moves Dunes into the 1990s |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/118120394/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=January 28, 1990 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Playboy's revue moves to Dunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/118427514/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=February 4, 1990 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> but was canceled before its premiere.<ref>{{cite news |title='Showstopper' stopped before show ever starts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/118428491/ |work=The Arizona Republic |date=February 11, 1990 |access-date=September 28, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Boxing=== Many major professional boxing events took place at the Dunes from 1975 to 1990;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/venue/38513|title=BoxRec: Venue|website=boxrec.com}}</ref> notably the May 20, 1983, undercard that featured Ossie Ocasio retaining his WBA's world Cruiserweight title by fifteen round unanimous decision over Randy Stephens, Greg Page beat Renaldo Snipes by twelve rounds unanimous decision in a WBC's Heavyweight division elimination bout, Michael Dokes retained his WBA world Heavyweight title with a fifteen-round draw (tie) over Mike Weaver in their rematch, and Larry Holmes won over Tim Witherspoon by a twelve-round split decision to retain his WBC world Heavyweight title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/2335|title=BoxRec: Event|website=boxrec.com}}</ref> This was the first time in history that two world Heavyweight championship fights took place on the same day.
==In popular culture== The Dunes made numerous appearances in television, including a 1964 episode of ''Arrest and Trial''.<ref>{{cite news |title=TV Episode to be Filmed in Las Vegas |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=1964&date_to=1964&text=%22episode%22+%22be+filmed%22+%22las+vegas%22&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 9, 1964 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Executives Go Hollywood |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Executives+Go+Hollywood%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 29, 1964 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It is featured in a 1977 episode of ''The Bionic Woman'' titled "Fembots in Las Vegas",<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 1976 |title=Enterprise Featured in Bionic Woman Two-Parter |magazine=Starlog |location=United States |issue=10 |page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dunes fire stops TV filming |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Dunes%20fire%20stops%20TV%20filming%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 21, 1977 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Townsend Rodgers |first=Lissa |title=A very special Vegas episode |url=https://knpr.org/desert-companion/very-special-vegas-episode |website=Nevada Public Radio |access-date=September 23, 2022 |date=September 1, 2013}}</ref> and a 1978 episode of ''Charlie's Angels'' titled "Angels in Vegas".<ref>{{cite news |title=Angels Invade Vegas |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Angels%20Invade%20Vegas%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 14, 1978 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Dunes sign is used in the intro of the television series ''Vega$'', and the resort is seen in the pilot episode of the 1980s television series ''Knight Rider'', titled "Knight of the Phoenix". It also appears in the season-two premiere episode "Goliath".
The Dunes made film appearances as well, including the 1971 James Bond movie ''Diamonds Are Forever'', in which it serves as the office of Whyte House casino manager Bert Saxby.<ref name=Bond/> The Dunes sign also makes an appearance in the film,<ref name=Cult>{{cite book |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=Cult Vegas: The Weirdest! the Wildest! the Swingin'est Town on Earth! |date=2001 |publisher=Huntington Press Inc |isbn=978-0-929712-71-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y3a3l0zST68C&pg=PA143 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |pages=143, 201}}</ref> and a deleted scene, available on home media releases, takes place in the Dome of the Sea restaurant.<ref name="Bond">{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |date=2015-11-05 |title=When James Bond came to Las Vegas — PHOTOS |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/christopher-lawrence/when-james-bond-came-to-las-vegas-photos/ |access-date=2020-03-14 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
In the 1984 film ''Oxford Blues'', the main character (portrayed by Rob Lowe) works as a parking attendant at the Dunes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kantowski |first=Ron |title=Competitve rowing program forming at Lake Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ron-kantowski/competitve-rowing-program-forming-at-lake-las-vegas/ |access-date=September 23, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 12, 2016}}</ref> The sign and hotel also appear in the 1984 film ''Cannonball Run II'', and are seen in the closing credits of the 1989 film ''K-9''. The sign also appears in the 1991 comedy ''Hot Shots!'', when the pilot nicknamed "Wash Out" mistakes a runway and lands near the hotel. The 1991 film ''Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man'' includes footage of the casino and hotel, including its rooftop.<ref name=Cult/>
The hotel's 1993 implosion was filmed for ''Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins'', a television special promoting Wynn's Treasure Island resort.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mangan |first=Jennifer |title=Family Image |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-01-18-9401180004-story.html |access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=January 17, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mendoza |first=N.F. |title=Shows for Youngsters and Their Parents Too |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-23-tv-14379-story.html |access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 23, 1994}}</ref> The implosion is also among other Las Vegas resort demolitions featured during the closing credits of the 2003 film ''The Cooler''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Scene In Nevada: The Cooler|url=https://www.nevadafilm.com/scene-in-nevada-the-cooler/|publisher=Nevada Film Office|access-date=September 23, 2022 |date=July 12, 2017}}</ref>
The Dunes is shown across from the fictional Tangiers hotel and casino at the beginning of the 1995 film ''Casino'', directed by Martin Scorsese. The Dunes is also seen during the Las Vegas sequence of Scorsese's 2019 film ''The Irishman''.
==See also== {{Portal|Nevada}} * List of Las Vegas Strip hotels
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite book |last1=Munari |first1=Geno |title=Las Vegas' Dunes Hotel-Casino: The Mob, The Connections, The Stories |date=2022 |publisher=Trine Day |isbn= 978-1634243858}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Dunes Hotel}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8cNdF86YlY Footage of the Dunes' grand opening] with Frank Sinatra * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Szcsaz-ToA Implosion of the Dunes]
{{Las Vegas casinos}} {{Las Vegas hotels}} {{Las Vegas skyscrapers}} {{Buildings in Las Vegas timeline}} {{Las Vegas Strip}}
Category:1955 establishments in Nevada Category:1993 disestablishments in Nevada Category:Casinos completed in 1955 Category:Buildings and structures demolished by controlled implosion Category:Demolished hotels in Clark County, Nevada Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1955 Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1965 Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1979 Category:Hotels established in 1955 Category:Defunct hotels in the Las Vegas Valley Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1993 Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1994 Category:Collapsed buildings and structures in the United States Category:Las Vegas Strip Category:Resorts in the Las Vegas Valley Category:Skyscraper hotels in Paradise, Nevada Category:Former skyscraper hotels Category:Defunct casino hotels in the Las Vegas Valley