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Las Vegas: Moulin Rouge Casino - Take 2

Where: 900 W. Bonanza Ave [map], Las Vegas, nv, United States, 89106
February 11, 2008 at 2:35 PM | by | Comments (0)


First opened in 1955 on W. Bonanza Ave, near downtown Las Vegas as the first interracial casino hotel in Las Vegas, the Moulin Rouge only lasted 6 months. Apparently not even a star studded cast of Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Jack Benny who all performed almost nightly, could not keep the doors open. Even though it lasted 6 short months because of financial problems - it made history by being the first hotel and casino in Las Vegas that allowed black and white gamblers, employees and hotel guests.

Since that time the hotel has sat unused, except for the filming of "Casino" in 1995 and in May 2003 the site was completely gutted by fire (except for its facade and sign) which was ruled as arson.

Last week the Moulin Rouge Development Corporation announced plans to spend between $700 million to $1 billion to rebuilding the Moulin Rouge, including 700 hotel rooms, 50,000 square feet of retail space, spa facilities, restaurants and a Museum and Cultural Center. Even though the original building is no longer standing, the developers have promised to restore and integrate the original building facade and neon sign which still sits on the site.

If all goes well with the planning and permits, ground will be broken in the second half of 2009, with an opening expected in 2010. While the Moulin Rouge Take 2 will never compete head to head with some of the other strip attractions, its sure to be a very popular attraction due to its history from yesteryear and the affect it had with furthering the civil rights movement.

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