Make Way for the A’s Ballpark and Bally’s Entertainment Resort Destination.
The iconic Tropicana Las Vegas took its final bow at 2:30 a.m. PT on Wednesday, Oct. 9, last night marking a major turning point for both Las Vegas and Major League Baseball. The highly anticipated implosion of the Tropicana paves 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 was celebrated with a breathtaking spectacle, featuring 555 drones and a fireworks display by acclaimed visual creator, Fireworks by Grucci.
“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,” said Soo Kim, chairman of Bally’s Corporation. “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.”
“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,” said John Fisher, owner of the A’s. “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.”
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. A full timeline of the history of the Tropicana Las Vegas is linked here.
The implosion was facilitated by GGG Demolition in coordination with Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI), which has a rich history of safely demolishing structures in Clark County. CDI and took down the Tropicana’s two towers, with a total of 917,400 square feet being demolished. The steel-framed 22-story Paradise Tower featured 220 cut-point locations loaded with 490 pounds of explosives, while the concrete-framed 22-story Club Tower had 1,130 boreholes filled with 1,700 pounds of explosives. A total of 22,000 lineal feet of detonating cord was used for implosion initiation in both structures at the end of the fireworks and drone show. The demolition sequence started with the Paradise Tower, and both structures collapsed 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!”
More information about Bally’s Corporation is available at www.ballys.com and on Instagram at @ballyslasvegas, and more information about the Athletics is available at www.athletics.com and on Instagram at @athletics.
