Las Vegas prepares to say goodbye to the Riviera

 

LAS VEGAS —  Since 1955, the Riviera Hotel and Casino has been a fixture on the North end of the Las Vegas Strip, but it a matter of days it will close its doors for good.

Many say this is the very last of the old glamour casinos still standing. For guests, the closing of the Riviera is the end of an era.

This property will soon be imploded.

During its six decades on the Strip, the hotel hosted a long list of legendary performers including, Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton and Dean Martin.

PHOTOS: A look back at some of the performers at the Riviera

For years, Las Vegas performer Pia Zadora performed there. She says some of the best memories of her life were made at the Riviera.

“It’s the end of a vintage, Vegas, classic era,” Zadora said.

Years of newspaper clippings saved show the rise and the fall of the hotel.

Zadora used to own part of the hotel-casino and says its hard to see it go.

“All great things must end,” she said.

Zadora performed alongside Wayne Newton and Frank Sinatra.

“A lot of that old style glamour has dissipated over the years,” Zadora said.

The legendary performers of years ago are now gone and the Riviera is aging.INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: A look at significant dates in the hotel’s history

In the coming days, the slot machines will be moved, the gaming tables dismantled and the guests will be gone.

“Anytime you lose an icon like the Riviera, years ago, the Desert Inn, the Frontier, yeah, it is a sad time in Las Vegas,” said Kevin Carpenter, Riviera guest.

He wanted to visit the hotel one last time.

“It brings back just a lot of fond memories that me and my family always had coming down here on this side of the Strip.”

And for Zadora, who once called the Riviera her home away from home. She’s keeping her memories of it carefully preserved and accepts the time of the Riviera is done.PHOTOS: A look at the Riviera in its final days

“It’s life, you know, we have to keep the memories in our hearts, and just go on,” Zadora said.

The Riviera closes Monday and no date has been announced for the implosion.

In an ironic twist, this final weekend of the Riviera being open may turn out to be one of its biggest. Every room is sold out because of the Mayweather – Pacquiao fight.

SOURCE: http://www.8newsnow.com/story/28947266/las-vegas-prepares-to-say-goodbye-to-the-riviera