Rise of the Dunes
The Dunes Hotel & Casino opened on May 23, 1955, with an exotic Arabian Nights theme that set it apart from every other resort on the Strip. A towering Sultan statue stood guard at the entrance, and the interior was decorated with 1001 Nights motifs — minarets, domes, and desert imagery that transported guests to an imaginary Orient. It was ambitious, dramatic, and almost immediately in trouble.
The original investors ran out of money within the first year, and the hotel nearly failed. It was rescued by additional investment from mob-connected financiers who saw potential in the struggling property. Under new management, the Dunes stabilized and eventually thrived. In 1965, the 30-story Diamond of the Dunes tower was added, making it one of the tallest buildings on the Strip and a defining feature of the skyline. The casino hosted top-tier entertainment for nearly four decades, becoming a major Strip player despite its turbulent financial history.
Fall and Rebirth
By the late 1980s, the Dunes was struggling financially once again. The aging resort could not compete with the gleaming new mega-resorts that were transforming the Strip. Japanese billionaire Masao Nangaku attempted to purchase the property and revitalize it, but the deal collapsed. The Dunes limped along, losing money and falling further behind its competitors.
Enter Steve Wynn. The visionary casino developer purchased the Dunes property and orchestrated one of the most spectacular demolitions in Las Vegas history. On October 27, 1993, the Dunes' north tower was imploded in a televised spectacle that drew massive crowds to the Strip and made national news. Wynn detonated the tower as part of a pirate-themed show at his nearby Treasure Island casino, complete with fireworks and a simulated naval battle. On the cleared site, Wynn built the Bellagio — a $1.6 billion masterpiece inspired by the Italian lakeside village. The Bellagio opened in 1998, and its famous dancing fountains now perform nightly on the exact spot where the Dunes once stood.
Key Facts
Arabian Theme
The Dunes featured a distinctive Arabian Nights theme with a towering Sultan statue at the entrance, 1001 Nights decor throughout, and an exotic atmosphere unlike anything else on the Strip.
The Diamond Tower
The 30-story Diamond of the Dunes tower was added in 1965, making it one of the tallest buildings on the Las Vegas Strip. The tower defined the Dunes skyline for nearly three decades.
The Implosion
On October 27, 1993, Steve Wynn imploded the Dunes north tower in a televised spectacle complete with fireworks and a pirate battle at Treasure Island. It was one of the most watched demolitions in history.
Bellagio
Steve Wynn's $1.6 billion Bellagio opened on the former Dunes site in 1998. Its iconic dancing fountains perform on the exact footprint where the Dunes Hotel once stood.
What's There Now
Visiting the Dunes Site
Address: 3650 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV (now Bellagio Resort & Casino)
Status: Imploded in 1993. The Bellagio opened on the site in 1998.
What to See: The Bellagio's famous dancing fountains occupy the former Dunes footprint. The fountain show is free to watch from the Strip sidewalk and runs every 15-30 minutes in the evenings. Nothing remains of the original Dunes Hotel.
Nearby: Caesars Palace is directly across the street. The former Sands site (now The Venetian) and the Flamingo are a short walk north.
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