Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Triblend Tee

Venue History

The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino was one of the most distinctive resorts ever built in Las Vegas, instantly recognizable for its 1,149-foot observation tower rising above the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard. Conceived by colorful casino entrepreneur Bob Stupak, the resort opened to the public on April 30, 1996, replacing and incorporating portions of his earlier Vegas World Hotel and Casino. At the time, the tower became the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. Stupak originally envisioned a giant observation tower beside Vegas World in the late 1980s. Construction began in 1992, but the ambitious project suffered delays, financing difficulties, and a spectacular 1993 construction fire. Grand Casinos later joined Stupak in completing the development, while Vegas World closed in February 1995 so its hotel towers could be renovated and incorporated into the new resort. When the Stratosphere debuted, it featured roughly 1,500 hotel rooms, an expansive casino, restaurants, entertainment, and attractions built around the extraordinary tower. Its most famous features were located hundreds of feet above Las Vegas. Big Shot launched riders vertically up the tower’s mast, while the original High Roller roller coaster circled the observation pod at more than 900 feet above the ground. Later attractions pushed the experience even further. X-Scream, opened in 2003, sent riders over the tower’s edge, while Insanity spun passengers high above the city. SkyJump, introduced in 2010, allowed thrill seekers to make a controlled descent from the tower. The revolving Top of the World restaurant became another signature attraction, offering panoramic views as the dining room slowly rotated. The resort struggled financially after opening and changed ownership several times. Businessman Carl Icahn acquired the property in 1998 and oversaw significant improvements. Golden Entertainment purchased the Stratosphere in 2017 and launched an extensive remodel and renovation program. Beginning in 2019, the resort was renamed as The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod, with the new identity officially celebrated in January 2020 following more than $100 million in remodeling and renovations. Today, the former Stratosphere remains one of Las Vegas’ most unmistakable landmarks: a bold monument to Bob Stupak’s outsized vision and the anything-is-possible spirit of 1990s Las Vegas.