The Frontier Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Triblend Tee

Venue History

In 1998, Phil Ruffin purchased the Frontier Hotel and Casino and immediately restored its previous name, the New Frontier. The establishment, with its 986 rooms and significant casino space, primarily served middle-class guests but had become outdated. Following a major renovation costing $20 million, which added new dining options and refreshed facilities, the resort’s profitability improved. In 2000, Ruffin disclosed intentions to demolish the New Frontier within months to erect a new casino resort, City by the Bay Hotel and Casino, themed around San Francisco. However, Ruffin faced financial hurdles and postponed the project. In 2002, Ruffin joined forces with Donald Trump to construct Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on a segment of Frontier’s land. In 2005, Ruffin negotiated a sale of the New Frontier to El Ad Properties, owners of New York’s Plaza Hotel. The agreement, valued at over $1.2 billion, was a record-setting real estate transaction for the Las Vegas Strip. El Ad aimed to replace the New Frontier with a $5 billion Plaza-branded resort. The New Frontier closed in July 2007 without much fanfare, marking the end of an era. With the completion of the sale, El Ad proceeded with their redevelopment plans, leading to the demolition of the New Frontier. The resort was imploded in November 2007 following a fireworks display, attracting a large crowd. Its roadside sign remained a fixture until late 2008, when the adjacent Wynn property requested its removal before the opening of the new Encore Las Vegas. In 2018, Wynn Resorts purchased the land of the now demolished New Frontier, as well as four adjacent acres for $336 million to build a new casino resort called Wynn West. The new resort would be across the street from Wynn’s existing properties, Wynn and Encore. However, after Steve Wynn resigned amid sexual assault allegations, plans for Wynn West were shelved. In 2024, the county extended permits, allowing Wynn until April 2026 to start construction on a new project with additional casino space and a hotel tower with 1,100 rooms. The former New Frontier property remains vacant as of 2025.