Downtown Las Vegas

Casinos of Fremont Street at night

Downtown Las Vegas (commonly abbreviated as DTLV) is the central business district and historic center of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the original townsite and was the gambling district of Las Vegas prior to the Strip, and the area still incorporates downtown gaming. As the urban core of the Las Vegas Valley, it features a variety of hotel and business highrises, cultural centers, historical buildings and government institutions, as well as residential and retail developments. Downtown is located in the center of the Las Vegas Valley and just north of the Las Vegas Strip, centered on Fremont Street, the Fremont Street Experience and Fremont East. The city defines the area as bounded by I-15 on the west, Washington Avenue on the north, Maryland Parkway on the east and Sahara Avenue on the south.[1]

History

Perhaps the earliest visitors to the Las Vegas area were nomadic Paleo-Indians, who traveled here 10,000 years ago, leaving behind petroglyphs. Anasazi and Paiute tribes came here at least 2,000 years ago.

The area was named Las Vegas, which is Spanish for the meadows, in the 1800s because it featured abundant wild grasses, as well as desert spring waters for westward travelers.

The year 1844 marked the arrival of John C. Frémont, whose writings helped lure pioneers to the area. Downtown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street is named after him.

Eleven years later, members of the LDS Church chose Las Vegas as the site to build a fort halfway between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, where they would travel to gather supplies. The fort was abandoned several years afterward. The remainder of this fort can still be seen at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park.

Las Vegas was founded as a city in 1905, when 110 acres of land adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were auctioned in what would become the downtown area. In 1911, Las Vegas was incorporated as a city.

The year 1931 was a pivotal one for Las Vegas. At that time, Nevada legalized casino gambling and reduced residency requirements for divorce to six weeks. This year also witnessed the beginning of construction on nearby Hoover Dam. The influx of construction workers and their families helped Las Vegas avoid economic calamity during the Great Depression. It was completed in 1935.

Following World War II, lavishly decorated hotels, gambling casinos and big-name entertainment became synonymous with Las Vegas.

The 1950s saw the opening of the Moulin Rouge Hotel, the first racially integrated casino-hotel in Las Vegas.

In 1951, the first atomic bomb detonation at the Nevada Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, occurred. City residents and visitors were able to witness the mushroom clouds until 1963, when the Limited Test Ban Treaty required that nuclear tests be moved underground.

During the 1960s, corporations and business powerhouses such as Howard Hughes were building and buying hotel-casino properties. Gambling was referred to as "gaming," which transitioned into legitimate business.

In 1989, entrepreneur Steve Wynn changed the face of the Las Vegas gaming industry by opening up The Mirage, the Las Vegas Strip’s first mega-casino resort. This strengthened the pull of visitors away from the downtown area.

In 1995, the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas’ downtown area was opened. This canopied, five-block area features 12.5 million LED lights and 550,000 watts of sound from dusk until midnight during shows held on the top of each hour.

Due to years of revitalization efforts, 2012 was dubbed “The Year of Downtown.” Hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of projects made their debut at this time. They included The Smith Center for the Performing Arts and DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum, a new City Hall complex and renovations for a new Zappos.com corporate headquarters in the old City Hall building.[2][3]

Neighborhoods and attractions

Fremont Street Casino District

Fremont Street is home to most of downtown's hotels and casinos. These are the original casinos of Las Vegas, which existed before the more famous Las Vegas Strip. Featuring several historical hotel-casinos in an urban setting, it offers a more intimate and vintage experience compared to the Strip. The Fremont Street Experience is a canopied street of the downtown area where casinos have been connected to the street and to each other in a unique visual manner. With more than 2 million lights and a state-of-the-art sound system, the Fremont Street Experience brings nightly shows through the world's largest audio-video system. The $70 million attraction features the ultimate in multisensory entertainment. It also provides a variety of exciting special events, cuisine, entertainment and live concerts throughout the year.[4][5]

Fremont East Entertainment District

An eclectic range of bars and venues can be found around Fremont East.

Property and business owners have been working to redevelop Fremont Street just east of the Fremont Street Experience. In 2002, the city of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency joined with Fremont East property and business owners to create a business improvement district, as well as pay for a $5.5 million streetscape improvement. This area is called the Fremont East Entertainment District.[6] It features an eclectic mix of bars, clubs and restaurants. Centered on Las Vegas Boulevard on Fremont Street, this three-block renovation includes pedestrian-friendly street redesign, landscaping and retro-looking neon signage.[7][8][9]

The Arts District

Officially called 18b, The Las Vegas Arts District – named after the 18 blocks the district originally encompassed[10] – this area is home to the city's arts scene with its mix of art galleries, studios and stores. Many arts district stores offer antiques, vintage clothing and mid-20th century furniture/furnishings and other collectible items.[11] Centered on Main Street and Charleston Boulevard, the area hosts the popular First Friday festival every month featuring art, music and other performances.[12][13]

Symphony Park

Main article: Symphony Park

Symphony Park is a mixed-use urban district being built on the land to the west of Fremont and Main streets. It will eventually feature a mix of retail, medical, hotel and residential developments. The city of Las Vegas is undertaking the development on 61 acres (25 ha) of land purchased from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1995. This is a major project for the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency and the city.[14] Projects that have been completed and are currently operating at Symphony Park are the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health,[15] The Smith Center for the Performing Arts[16] and the DISCOVERY Children's Museum.[17][18]

Financial "District"

Centered on Bonneville Avenue and Casino Center Boulevard, most of this area is filled with office and government buildings. With several court buildings located here, there are many judicial-related businesses such as law firms in the immediate area. The financial district is home to the Las Vegas City Hall building, the Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse and several bank buildings such as Bank of America. The Clark County Marriage Bureau is also located here at the Regional Justice Center.[5]

Art and culture

Downtown is a hub for arts and culture in the metro area. The main venue for performing arts is the Art Deco-inspired Smith Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to The Smith Center and 18b, The Las Vegas Arts District, there are a number of educational facilities in the Cultural Corridor, located just north of the immediate downtown area. They include the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, the Neon Museum and Boneyard and the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park.[19] Also in this area are a number of neon signs from former Las Vegas casinos and landmarks, which have been restored and installed on several streets around downtown, as well as throughout the Fremont Street Experience. A famous neon icon of downtown Las Vegas is the Vegas Vic sign, also located at the Fremont Street Experience.

Retail

Cityscape

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

Architecture

Several buildings of architectural significance exist downtown, although being founded in 1905, Las Vegas lacks the number of historical buildings of older cities. Exceptions include the Historic Fifth Street School, built in 1936 in the Spanish-mission style and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Also listed is the Las Vegas Post Office and Courthouse, which currently serves as home to The Mob Museum[23] and is one of the few historical neoclassical buildings in the city. Built in 1930, the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies and Performing Arts is the city's best example of Art Deco architecture. The Morelli House, built in 1959, is a notable mid-century modern design. The building that formerly housed the Las Vegas City Hall, and now is home to the corporate headquarters for the online retailer Zappos.com, is a notable example of 1970s modern architecture.[24][25]

As Las Vegas boomed, more recent buildings tended to take inspiration from a variety of styles. The Clark County Government Center has a red sandstone exterior invoking a desert motif. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, opened in 2012, is a more modern example of Art Deco design. Architect Frank Gehry designed the building for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health building in deconstructionist style.[26] It was completed in 2010.[27]

Parks

Government

Downtown serves as a main center for government services in the Las Vegas Valley. Government offices for the city of Las Vegas and Clark County are located here, as well as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and several courts.

Some former government buildings have been turned into attractions, such as the old Las Vegas Post Office and Courthouse becoming the Mob Museum.

Transportation

Regional Transportation Commission provides public transportation

Two major freeways—Interstate 15 and Interstate 515/U.S. Route 95—cross in downtown Las Vegas. RTC Transit is a public transportation system providing bus service throughout Las Vegas, including the downtown area.

A bus rapid-transit link in Las Vegas called the Strip & Downtown Express (previously ACE Gold Line) with limited stops and frequent service was launched in March 2010. It connects downtown Las Vegas, the Strip and the Las Vegas Convention Center. It stops at the Bonneville Transit Center. Completed in 2012, the transit terminal serves as a central transfer point for downtown and features 16 vehicle bays for buses and 100 bike racks.[28]

Economy

The economy of downtown Las Vegas primarily has been based on gambling and entertainment, as is the case in the greater Las Vegas Valley. However, the smaller downtown casinos earn revenues that pale in comparison to the mega resorts on the Las Vegas Strip further south. As of 2014, there have been major renovations of several downtown resorts such as The Plaza, Golden Gate Hotel, Golden Nugget, El Cortez Hotel & Casino, the D and the Downtown Grand.[29][30]

There does exist some corporate offices, as well as the World Market Center Las Vegas for trade shows and conventions. Recently, the opening of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the arrival of the new Zappos headquarters downtown have started to attract new medical and technology-oriented businesses to the area.

Revitalization

The downtown area in recent decades has played second fiddle to the larger and more famous Las Vegas Strip, which is located a few miles to the south. The city has been working on revitalization efforts to entice more visitors and residents to the downtown area.

The World Market Center Las Vegas complex
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

World Market Center Las Vegas consists of three giant buildings, with a total of 5.1 million square feet, in a facility designed by Jon Jerde. It is home to semiannual trade shows for the furniture and furnishing industries. This is one of several entities that are helping to diversity downtown Las Vegas' economy and job base.[31]

The square footage of World Market Center Las Vegas is greater than the Willis Tower in Chicago and the Empire State Building in New York City.

The city is also working to attract events to the downtown area. Recently held events include Helldorado[32] and the Life is Beautiful festival.[33]

In 2012 several new downtown projects were completed. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the new Mob Museum and a new City Hall building opened. The DISCOVERY Children's Museum opened next door to The Smith Center in 2013.[34]

The Las Vegas City Hall now operates out of a new building, which, along with the Bonneville Transit center, can serve as an anchor tenant for new development along Main Street.[35] In addition, Main and Commerce streets in downtown Las Vegas are undergoing major beautification efforts, which started in mid-2014.[36]

Online retailer Zappos made major renovations and moved into the old Las Vegas City Hall in late 2013, which now houses its corporate headquarters. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh has taken a personal, as well as a professional, interest in the urban area and is contributing $350 million of his personal wealth toward a multifaceted revitalization effort called the Downtown Project, with businesses like The Writer's Block included among its investments.[37]

Film and media history

References

  1. ↑ Schoenmann, Joe (March 19, 2014). "Joe Downtown: The boundaries of downtown Las Vegas are as fluid as its reputation". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  2. ↑ "History (Official City of Las Vegas Web Site)".
  3. ↑ Downtown Las Vegas Visitors Guide 2014
  4. ↑ "Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
  5. 1 2 http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/files/LasVegasDowntownCentennialPlanBrochure.pdf
  6. ↑ "Fremont East Entertainment District".
  7. ↑ Las Vegas Sun, New district is all about old Las Vegas
  8. ↑ "PHOTOS: Fremont East Gets Glamour Treatment". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
  9. ↑ "Third Street has potential to be night life magnet". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2004-09-18. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
  10. ↑ "18b, The Las Vegas Arts District website".
  11. ↑ "18b, The Las Vegas Arts District".
  12. ↑ "18b, The Las Vegas Arts District (Official City of Las Vegas Web Site)".
  13. ↑ "First Friday Monthly Art Festival - First Friday Foundation". First Friday Foundation.
  14. ↑ "Union Park Overview". Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Cleveland Clinic website".
  16. ↑ "The Smith Center website".
  17. 1 2 "DISCOVERY Children's Museum".
  18. ↑ "City of Las Vegas website".
  19. ↑ "Cultural Corridor website".
  20. ↑ "Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park website".
  21. ↑ "Container Park website".
  22. ↑ "18b, The Las Vegas Arts District website's antique and vintage stores page".
  23. ↑ "Mob Museum website".
  24. ↑ "About the Historic 5th Street School - American Institute of Architects Las Vegas".
  25. ↑ http://www.aialasvegas.org/associations/9424/files/Visitors%20Guide.pdf
  26. ↑ "Architecture Studies Library - University Libraries".
  27. ↑ "Symphony Park (Official City of Las Vegas Web Site)".
  28. ↑ http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/transit/btc/tour.cfm
  29. ↑ Ron Sylvester. "Downtown casino renovations maintain Old Vegas vibe". LasVegasSun.com.
  30. ↑ Cy Ryan. "Strip gaming revenue rose 3.3 percent in February". LasVegasSun.com.
  31. ↑ World Market Center Las Vegas
  32. ↑ "Elks Helldorado Days Official Website - Join us May 14-17, 2015".
  33. ↑ "Life is Beautiful Life is Beautiful". Life is Beautiful.
  34. ↑ Ken Miller (7 March 2013). "New Discovery: Children's museum opens this weekend". LasVegasWeekly.com.
  35. ↑ 2013 Fiscal Year In Review, city of Las Vegas Economic and Urban Development Projects, "A New Downtown Emerges."
  36. ↑ Joe Schoenmann. "Joe Downtown: Construction to begin on downtown beautification project". LasVegasSun.com.
  37. ↑ "What Happens in Brooklyn Moves to Vegas". The New York Times. 21 October 2012.

External links

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