Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Bella V-Neck Tee

Venue History

Imperial Palace was a uniquely themed hotel and casino located at 3535 Las Vegas Blvd on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Originally known as the Flamingo Capri motel, it was purchased by entrepreneur Ralph Engelstad in the early 1970s. Engelstad opened a casino there in 1972, and on November 1, 1979, he unveiled the newly styled Imperial Palace, named to evoke the grandeur of an ancient Chinese palace, boasting a blue-tiled pagoda roof imported from Japan, dragon carvings, and wind-chime chandeliers all designed by architect Merlin J. Barth. Beginning with just a motel and small casino, Imperial Palace underwent enormous growth throughout the 1980s. In 1981, it added its famed Auto Collections showroom featuring 250 classic, antique, and muscle cars worth over $100 million. As the decades progressed, the property grew to include four hotel towers totaling about 2,637 rooms, an expanded gaming floor, a vast shopping arcade known as the “Court of a Thousand Treasures,” an Olympic-size pool with a waterfall, a medispa, fitness center, race & sportsbook, and a medical clinic. Entertainment was a core offering. Notably, “Legends in Concert,” a tribute show launched in May 1983 featuring impersonators of top acts like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, became the longest-running show in Vegas history. Seasonal offerings included luau- and Polynesian-themed parties by the pool. Despite its family-friendly atmosphere and affordable rates, the Imperial Palace was also criticized for Engelstad’s personal collections, including contentious Nazi memorabilia, which cast a shadow over its legacy. Engelstad passed away in 2002; ownership later transferred to Caesars Entertainment (then Harrah’s) in 2005 for $370 million. Facing the evolving landscape of the Strip, the property began major renovations and rebranding. On December 21, 2012, it was renamed The Quad Resort & Casino, signaling a shift to a more modern and social aesthetic under architects Klai Juba and Friedmutter Group. By 2014, it reopened as The LINQ, now an integral part of Caesars’ vibrant LINQ Promenade and home to the High Roller Ferris wheel.