Hotels/Motels - Las Vegas

January 2015 - Las Vegas NV

January 2015 - Las Vegas NV

We took a drive down the "untouristy" part of Fremont St. and found some interesting old motel signs.

UPDATE - In March 2024 we found that many of these are now gone. 

DTP Companies, formerly Downtown Project, was founded by Tony Hsieh in January 2012 with an initial $350 million investment aimed at accelerating the revitalization of the Fremont East Entertainment District and its surrounding area in Downtown Las Vegas; through investments in Real Estate, Small Businesses, Tech, and Education, Arts, and Culture.

The news of Tony’s passing has been devastating to our community as a whole. The outpouring of love and support that we’ve received has been both overwhelming and uplifting. From all of the emails, texts, cards, flowers, and so on; you can truly feel the warmth and connectedness that runs deep within our DTLV community. We’ve loved hearing all of the stories and memories of how Tony has touched our hearts and spirits in many unique ways. Source DTP


The Peter Pan Motel, opened in 1963, was always a modest motel, with about 20 rooms in a nondescript 2-storey building facing the carpark, crazy paving features, a large sign boasting the presence of TVs, and a small oval shaped pool. Its neon sign is definitely the bright sparkling jewel in the semi dull crown.
The Peter Pan Motel closed in 2006, re-opened as flea bag flop house for a few months in 2007, and was subsequently closed down by the city.

Formerly The Star Dust Motel.

Opened 1942 as Las Gables Court and closed in 2013 after purchase by DTPLV(Downtown Project Las Vegas). The sign shown on the postcard is an illustration based on a photo. There appears to be a peak on the sign referencing the buildings, with “Las” written in the angle. The sign was changed in the 50s, and 60s.

Built in 1954.

Safari Motel was a 1956 motel formerly located on East Fremont Street. The establishment closed down in 2017 after years of criminal activity such as violent crime, drug use and health violations and was converted to homeless housing at a cost of $40,000.

Roulette Motel opened in 1955.

Lucky Cuss 

Built in 1955. Opened as Panorama Motel. Became Lucky Cuss in the early 1970s.

The casino was opened in 1964. In 1966, the Silver Nugget became one of the first Las Vegas casinos to have female card dealers. The casino was purchased by Silver Nugget Gaming in January 2007 for $23.8 million, a price that included the Opera House Casino.

The Ferguson has revitalized itself. Fergusons Downtown is a mixed-use residential and retail space built at a once abandoned 1940s motel on Fremont Street.

Has to be a favourite! 
“One of the most beautiful motels in Las Vegas will formally open this evening when the Par-A-Dice Inn opens its door for business at. The Par-A-Dice features a built-in bar in all 28 rooms along with a combination stove and refridgerator unit. The new motel is owned by Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Robinson and Mr. and Mrs. Mel Cooper, who also own the Holiday Inn on the Strip.” - Las Vegas Review-Journal, 6/3/53.

Built in 1957 and operated as Lamplighter Motel. Became New Hope Hotel in 2016 and served as a transitional housing complex. Closed in 2019 due to a fire.

Gatewood Motel was guilt in 1957 and still operates.

Town Lodge was built in 1961. Demolished in 2022.

The renovation of what was once a 65-room hotel, circa 1955, is the pride and joy of the Downtown Project, which bought the 19,000-square-foot building in 2012. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh is the force behind Downtown Project, a $350 million initiative to cultivate startups and new businesses in downtown.

There’s doughnut man Sonny Ahuja, selling gourmet treats like cream cheese and lox doughnuts at O Face.

Meanwhile, a flower shop co-owner with the name John Bunch — yes, that’s his real name — opened Bud &Vine in June.

And then, there’s the juiceman — Shane Stuart — fashioned a cozy 380-square-foot nook of a juice and smoothie bar, Grass Roots.

Ahuja, Bunch and Stuart are all small-business owners in downtown Las Vegas’ newest commercial hub — the rehabbed former John E. Carson Hotel at South Sixth Street and Carson Avenue, not too far from Container Park and down the block from the popular La Comida Mexican restaurant.

I googled this hotel assuming it might have some history associated with it, but didn't find anything. I doubt that this lovely neon sign is going to last very long. I am sure this piece of land will be purchased by a speculator. Building is now gone.