Tropicana Las Vegas Demolition Preparing for Implosion to Make Way for MLB Stadium

Two and a half months ago, the iconic Tropicana Las Vegas hotel and casino was buzzing with nostalgic visitors creating lasting memories before its closure. Today, the buzz comes from demolition crews, wrecking machines, earth movers, and construction workers who have torn down the porte cochere and cleared at least 13 hotel floors — including the walls — leaving just the building's structural bones as they prepare for a possible implosion of the historic Las Vegas property.

 

Demolition Progress and Implosion Timeline

Workers continue demolishing the remaining Tropicana hotel tower, and executives at Bally's Corp., the Rhode Island-based operators, hope to implode the building in October. This is part of their plan with partners to eventually develop the 36-acre site into a Major League Baseball stadium for the Oakland Athletics.Demolition teams have made significant progress clearing the site since the April 2 closure. A Bally's spokesman said the liquidation and asset disposition is complete after roughly two months of sales through Dayton, Ohio-based International Content Liquidation Inc., which held private hospitality sales and three public sale weekends. Workers now focus on clearing scraps and removing paneling from the main hotel tower.

 

Permits and Preparations for Implosion

Several permits and final steps are required before the implosion, according to Clark County officials. The county approved a $15 million demolition permit on April 20, valid until October 20, for work by GGG Demolition Inc.However, this permit excludes the implosion. Contractors must obtain additional permits, including:

• Blasting permit from the Clark County Fire Department for explosives
• Traffic control plan for any public road closures
• Asbestos removal monitoring by county inspectors
• Implosion demolition permit with plans for fencing, crowd control, weather delays, safety, and public events

The 67-year-old Tropicana is slated for complete demolition by year's end, paving the way for the $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat Oakland A's ballpark with views of the Las Vegas Strip. Bally's and landowner Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. have allocated nine acres for the stadium and plan a casino resort on the remaining land.

 

Las Vegas Implosion History and Spectacle

Las Vegas has a storied history with spectacular hotel-casino implosions, often turned into celebratory events. The 2007 New Frontier implosion featured a fireworks show and countdown, while Steve Wynn imploded the Dunes' north tower during Treasure Island's opening, simulating cannon fire from a pirate ship.It remains unclear if Bally's has similar theatrics planned for the potential Tropicana implosion. The company spokesman said Tuesday they are still targeting an October implosion date.