Tropicana Las Vegas Implosion Set for Next Week
The iconic Tropicana Las Vegas will take its final bow at 2:30 a.m. PT on Wednesday, 9 October, marking a major turning point for both Las Vegas and Major League Baseball. The highly anticipated implosion of the Tropicana will pave the way for the construction of the A’s state-of-the-art ballpark and a world-class entertainment resort destination created in partnership with Bally’s Corporation, a name synonymous with Vegas hospitality and gaming.
The implosion of the Tropicana will be celebrated with a breathtaking spectacle, featuring 555 drones and a fireworks display by acclaimed visual creator, Fireworks by Grucci. There will be no public viewing areas of the implosion, due to safety restrictions. A live stream of the implosion will be presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) on X at x.com/lvcva and by Bally Live at ballylive.com and via the Bally Live app, available for download on all major platforms. The implosion will also be shown on most major networks’ local affiliates.
“The Tropicana Las Vegas was one of the original pioneers of the Strip, setting the stage for the vibrant, larger-than-life entertainment destination we know and love today. It’s fitting that this iconic site now represents the future of Las Vegas as we look forward to welcoming Major League Baseball, the Athletics, and an exciting new entertainment complex. This moment in Las Vegas history represents more than just the next chapter—it’s the evolution of the Strip, where legend meets innovation to create something truly unforgettable,” said Soo Kim, chairman of Bally’s Corporation.
“The demolition of the Tropicana is an important milestone in the process of bringing A’s baseball to the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip and the community of Southern Nevada. We hope that, in time, this site will become a place of unforgettable experiences for fans of the game. We extend our gratitude to Bally’s and GLPI for their partnership as we embark on this project together,” said John Fisher, owner of the A’s.
The Tropicana Las Vegas, often referred to as “The Trop,” has been a cornerstone of the Las Vegas Strip since its opening in 1957. Developed by Miami-based businessman Ben Jaffe, its luxurious South Beach-inspired architecture and tropical theme set a new standard for opulence, quickly earning it the moniker “The Tiffany of the Strip”. The Tropicana boasted the largest casino in Las Vegas at the time of its opening, drawing in an elite crowd of high-rollers and celebrities.
For over six decades, the Tropicana Las Vegas has remained an iconic fixture on the Strip, representing the evolution of entertainment, luxury and gaming in the city. From its Rat Pack-era heyday and the glamorous Folies Bergère to now the future home of the Athletics and a cutting-edge entertainment complex by Bally’s Corporation, the Tropicana’s history reflects the spirit of reinvention and excitement that defines Las Vegas.
The implosion is being facilitated by GGG Demolition in coordination with Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI), which has a rich history of safely demolishing structures in Clark County. CDI will take down the Tropicana’s two towers, with a total of 917,400 square feet being demolished. The steel-framed 23-story Paradise Tower will feature 220 cut-point locations loaded with 490 pounds of explosives, while the concrete-framed 23-story Club Tower will have 1130 boreholes filled with 1700 pounds of explosives. A total of 22,000 lineal feet of detonating cord will be used for implosion initiation in both structures at the end of the fireworks and drone show. The demolition sequence will start with the Paradise Tower, and both structures are expected to collapse within approximately 22 seconds after the implosion button is pressed.
Having felled 35 buildings in Clark County since 1993, CDI’s notable projects include the Dunes North Tower, Frontier, Hacienda, Stardust and Riviera. CDI even partnered with the film industry to explosively fell the Landmark Hotel Tower during the production of Hollywood hit, “Mars Attacks!”
