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Originally a nightclub called Pair O'Dice that first opened in 1930, it was rebuilt and renamed the "Hotel Last Frontier" when it opened in 1942. On April 4, 1955, it was renamed the "New Frontier" following a modernization of the resort.
On September 22, 1967, the resort was purchased for about $14 million by the billionaire Howard Hughes, who then shortened its name to "The Frontier". Mr. Hughes purchased the resort from the previous owners, which had also included Steve Wynn in one of his early ventures when he first moved to Las Vegas. In 1999, the name was changed back to The New Frontier.
It is of note that the resort has the distinction of hosting Elvis Presley's first Vegas appearance in 1956, and the final performance of Diana Ross & The Supremes on January 14, 1970.
There have been plans since 2000 to close the New Frontier and implode it in order to make room for another megaresort, but as of today, it is still operating. There are, however, plans by Donald Trump, in partnership with the casino's owners, to build a high-rise luxury hotel-condominium on some of its property. The Trump International Hotel & Tower is slated to begin construction sometime in early 2005.
Since part of the old building still exists, some call the New Frontier the oldest Strip hotel and casino.
The longest strike :
From September 21, 1991 until February 1, 1998 members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas staged a strike against the New Frontier and it's owners Margaret Elardi and her two sons John Elardi and Tom Elardi. A settlement was reached on October 28, 1997 when Kansas City, Kansas hotelier and industrialist Phil Ruffin announces he will purchase the New Frontier from the Elardis for $165 million dollars. Officials from the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 say that they will end the strike on the day that Phil Ruffin officially takes over the property.
According to an article in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper the following events occurred during the strike :
- 17 CWU Local 226 strikers died.
- 106 babies were born to CWU member mothers who have walked the picket.
- Las Vegas has witnessed the closure and implosion of the Dunes, Landmark, Sands and Hacienda hotels.
- More than 21,340 hotel rooms were constructed in Las Vegas.
- Construction on an additional 19,000 rooms and suites was started.
- 235 of the original 550 strikers had walked the line in shifts manned 24 hours a day.
(cf : Wikipedia) |
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