When Golden Entertainment bought The Stratosphere in October of 2017, the property’s ambiance was outdated, so the new owners announced a complete face lift.
The Strat will keep its iconic observation deck 1,150 feet above the city, along with the rides and attractions at the top. The area will be known as “the Skypod” once renovations are complete.
Steve Arcana, the chief operating officer of Golden Entertainment, said the goal is to keep visitors who come for the tower to stay for other entertainment.
“We have a million plus people that go up that tower every year to experience our thrill rides and amazing 360-degree views up there,” said Arcana. “The theory though is that people come in for a quick visitation and may leave to see other sights on the Strip. Our theory is to keep people at the property longer with great restaurant options, a better hotel experience, and things of of that nature.”
The Strat will open four new restaurants. One is 108 Eats by chef James Trees. It promises more casual, grab-and-go food. There is also a new 24-hour cafe on the casino level, along with a new pub-style restaurant.
The overhaul also includes a modernized casino floor, new sportsbook, and more than 300 renovated rooms. Golden Entertainment is looking at options for meeting and convention space, and working with the city of Las Vegas for improvements down from the Arts District towards Sahara.
“What we’ve done over the last year and we’ll continue to do for the next couple of years is a complete renovation of the public space of the property,” said Arcana.
The Stratosphere was the brainchild of late casino owner and poker player Bob Stupak. It opened in April of 1996. A major addition was completed in 2001, which included finishing the 1,000-room second hotel tower.
The Strat launched its re-branding campaign on the biggest advertising day of the year, Super Bowl Sunday, with local television spots. The commercial featured the implosion of famous hotel towers around Las Vegas over the past 21 years, set to the song “So Long, Farewell,” from The Sound of Music. The ad ends with the tagline: “You don’t demolish an iconic landmark, you reinvent it.”
There is no official date for completion of the changeover to The Strat. Arcana said the next phase of construction will be announced at a later date.
The resort will be known as the Strat Hotel, Casino, and Skypod, once all renovations are complete.
The Stratosphere’s original sign will be retired and donated to the Neon Museum later this year.
