LAS
VEGAS —
September 21, 2012— What
happens in Vegas, started at Golden Gate
Hotel & Casino. The history of Las Vegas’ original casino, which
opened its
doors at One Fremont Street in 1906, spans the roaring 20s,
Prohibition, Rat
Pack era and now the 21st century. The landmark boutique property is
celebrating the completion of its first major expansion in 50 years;
it’s the
rebirth of a classic.
Golden Gate Hotel &
Casino 1906
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Golden Gate Hotel &
Casino 2012
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Take a stroll
through Golden Gate history: http://goldengatecasino.com/history/
Staying true to
its roots, the Golden Gate’s contemporary look draws inspiration from
its
colorful past:
- Its new
35,000-square-foot, five-story luxury addition boasts 14 hotel suites
designed as a tribute to notable guests like Frank, Sammy and Dean;
- Two
vintage-showgirl-inspired penthouses encompass the entire fifth floor;
- An
expanded casino floor features a new 1920s flapper-inspired high-limit
gaming room, complemented by Golden Gate’s playful dancing dealers;
- A new
lobby is lit by a vintage “Hotel” sign that previously adorned Golden
Gate’s Main Street exterior, and features hotel artifacts including
original 1907 gaming ledgers, an authentic model of Vegas’ first
telephone and Prohibition-era whiskey bottles found in the walls during
construction;
- The
building’s original façade has been restored with the addition
of a modern digital marquee and contemporary LED lighting accents
representing pinstripes from the roaring 20s. Golden Gate’s new
porte-cochere offers the most convenient parking in downtown Las Vegas.
“The expansion
and renovation of the Golden Gate preserves and enhances a Las Vegas
legacy –
not only this classic 106-year-old building, but the Las Vegas spirit
and the
mystique it embodies,” said President and Co-owner Mark Brandenburg.
“Throughout the renovations, our goal was clear: remain true to our
vintage
Vegas character and deliver an experience that is original,
people-centric and
bursting with energy.”
A Look Inside
Golden Gate:
- The
Suite Life. The hotel’s new luxury
suites present a fresh and contemporary feel, blended with styling that
spans the decades. Each is themed with Swing era-inspired pinstriped
carpeting; Art Deco accents; and a photograph of an iconic Las Vegas
celebrity, many of whom frequented Golden Gate. All suites are
climate-controlled with motion sensors and boast a 50-inch HD
flat-screen TV, California king bed and sectional sofa with a
queen-size pullout. The Golden Gate also features 106 recently
remodeled rooms that date back to the 1906 opening.
- For
the High Roller. Encompassing the
entire fifth floor, two premium penthouses invite big bettors to relax,
play and entertain. The rich, exclusive style reflects the elegance of
the vintage Vegas showgirl from custom carpeting inlaid with a feather
motif to unique artwork on the walls, complemented with rich wood
countertops and beaded chandeliers. Each boasts a spacious layout with
two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, plush living area with three giant
flat-screen TVs and a kitchen area with island bar. A rare feature in
Las Vegas hotels, the penthouses include a large outdoor patio with
comfortable lounge seating, a state-of-the-art gas grill, wall-mounted
fireplace, full wet bar and 50-inch flat-screen TV.
- Up
the Ante. A new high-limit gaming
area is wrapped in rich colors and styling from the Roaring 20s,
including fringe-lined walls inspired by flapper dresses. The setting
is intimate, offering gamblers a semi-private environment to bet big
with a prime view of the casino and signature dancing dealers. The
casino’s new credit program and higher table limits appeal to high-end
players looking for a boutique gaming experience with traditional odds.
The expanded casino floor continues to offer the highest “free play”
reward in town and features the latest in slots and video alongside
craps, blackjack and newer table games. Blackjacks always pay 3 to 2
and you can still find 10 times odds on dice.
- Tech
Savvy. Delivering a unique in-suite
entertainment experience, Golden Gate has partnered with Tangerine
Global to provide digitally streaming content to its HD TVs, complete
with crystal-clear picture quality and surround sound in each suite.
Guests will enjoy a rich fusion of HDTV offerings spanning everything
from adventure, sports and travel, to fashion, food and wine. The
property is also home to the first fully digital HD surveillance system
approved by the Gaming Control Board in Nevada. Back in the day, Golden
Gate’s “high tech” security included two-way mirrors above the casino
floor. These can still be seen above the original gaming pit today.
- Going
Green. The Golden Gate strives to
maintain energy efficiency across the property. Golden
Gate features Nevada’s first Gen2 elevator (the 16th in the world);
using re-gen technology, the elevator generates power as it travels
down thereby reducing electrical usage by 40 percent. Closed loop
geothermal wells are used for refrigeration and domestic hot water (10
wells – each 475-feet deep), saving energy and reducing gas bill costs
on heating water to almost nothing. This is what keeps those frozen
drinks at OneBar frosty and delicious even in Vegas’ hot summer months.
- Drink
and Dine. With three dynamic bars
on property, guests can choose to take in beautiful bikini-clad
bartenders at OneBar, be dazzled by flashy tricks at Flair Bar or tip
their glass where Frank and Sammy once drank inside the casino. For
those with a craving for home-style cooking, Du-par’s Restaurant and
Bakery is open in the casino 24 hours a day. Golden Gate founding
partner Italo Ghelfi introduced shrimp cocktail to the casino scene in
1959, starting a Las Vegas tradition spanning several decades and more
than 40 million shrimp cocktails. Still the best tail in town!
- Lights,
Party, Action. The first paved
street in Las Vegas, now known as the Fremont Street Experience, is
just a few easy steps outside the Golden Gate and is home to the
world’s biggest video screen – Viva Vision – that towers over four neon
blocks of party action. With free entertainment and old-fashioned
hospitality, this is where vintage Vegas meets contemporary Vegas in a
high-energy street scene.
- The
Vegas Original. This landmark
property has been a major part of the history that shaped Las Vegas
into the city it is today. The Golden Gate’s land was purchased for
$1,750 in the historic May 15, 1905 land auction that signaled the
birth of Las Vegas. When the hotel opened, room and board was just $1
per day. In 1907, it became home to the city’s first telephone, and the
phone number was 1! In 1927, the property welcomed one of the city’s
first neon signs – now synonymous with Las Vegas. Heralded as “first
class” by the Las Vegas Age upon opening, Golden Gate’s 2012
renovations restore it to first-class status by 21st century standards.
Take a stroll through Golden Gate’s colorful history: http://goldengatecasino.com/history/.
Golden Gate
Hotel & Casino Resources:
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