Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino
Encyclopedia
Imperial Palace is a 2,640 room hotel and a 75000 sq ft (6,967.7 m²) casino located on the Las Vegas Strip
in Paradise, Nevada
. The hotel and casino were owned by Imperial Palace LLC until purchased by the current owner, Caesars Imperial Palace Corporation a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corp..
. When Engelstad died in 2002, the casino ownership transferred to the Ralph Engelstad and Betty Engelstad Trust. The casino operated as its own limited partnership, Imperial Palace LLC, under the Trust's oversight.
The Imperial Theatre showroom with 850 seats was completed and opened in June of 1980.
The first of the 19-story towers was added in early 1981 with 850 rooms. This expansion also included the Imperial Palace's Auto Collections, located on the fifth floor of the hotel's self-parking garage (which itself was also part of the expansion). A second tower was added in August 1982 that brought the hotel's room count to 1,500. In 1986, the third tower of the Imperial Palace was completed bringing the room count to 2,100 rooms. The casino was expanded by 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²), and the meeting and convention space was expanded. A major expansion from August 1987 to July 1989 added the fourth 19-story tower with 547 rooms, which brought the room count to 2,637. The expansion also included a new swimming pool, a two-story waterfall, heated spa and poolside bar, a nightclub, race & sports book, health and fitness center, and office complex. In 1993, an independent 24-hour medical facility serving guests and employees was opened.
In 1984, a couple from Missouri were assaulted in their guest room by a man dressed as a hotel employee. They were beaten, bound and gagged, and the wife was raped. The assailant was never caught. The couple sued the Imperial Palace, claiming that the hotel did not provide adequate security. The lawsuit lasted until at least 1989, with allegations that hotel employees destroyed evidence relating to their security practices. The case was ultimately settled on undisclosed terms.
The lawsuit would lead indirectly to more trouble for the casino. In 1988, several employees, angry about being placed on leave as punishment for talking to the plaintiff attorney, began speaking to the Gaming Control Board and local media about two Nazi-themed parties Engelstad had held at the Imperial Palace. The parties were held in Engelstad's so-called "war room", which featured a large collection of World War II Nazi memorabilia, including a portrait of Engelstad in the likeness of Hitler. A national controversy ensued. Engelstad claimed the collection was purely of historical interest, and not meant to glorify the Nazis. The Gaming Control Board recommended that Engelstad lose his gaming license and be fined $200,000 for reflecting poorly on the reputation of the Nevada gaming industry. An agreement was ultimately reached whereby Engelstad kept his license, but paid $1.5 million in penalties.
On August 22, 2005, Harrah's announced plans to purchase this property. The acquisition was completed on December 23, 2005.
During a conference call with investors on November 20, 2005, the Chairman for Harrah's, Gary Loveman
, noted that both the Imperial Palace and neighboring O'Sheas
"are going to require very substantial modifications or complete tear-downs and rebuilds" in order to make room for a Harrah's and/or Flamingo
expansion on the Strip. However, since then, Harrah's has invested millions of dollars into refurbishing both the hotel rooms and the casino itself.
In July 2009, Harrah's announced new plans for the area around the Imperial Palace, O'Shea's, and Flamingo casinos, confirming that the Imperial Palace will not be demolished at this time.
In August 2011, Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced it will be building a massive entertainment complex on the site of the current Imperial Palace and O'Shea's casinos, called "Project Linq." The Imperial Palace name will be retired and the property renamed.
The Auto Collections at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino is the world's largest classic car showroom with more than $100 million worth of inventory on display and for sale. More than 250 antique, classic, muscle and historically significant cars are on display and nearly all are for sale.
, a full-production musical spectacular of celebrity impersonator
s, is one of the longest running shows in the Las Vegas area and originated at the Imperial Palace. It moved next door to Harrah's in March 2009.
Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature now at the Imperial Palace. Shows play 6 times a week at 7:30pm.
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
in Paradise, Nevada
Paradise, Nevada
Paradise is an unincorporated town in the Las Vegas metropolitan area in Clark County, Nevada, United States. The population was 223,167 at the 2010 census...
. The hotel and casino were owned by Imperial Palace LLC until purchased by the current owner, Caesars Imperial Palace Corporation a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corp..
History
From 1959 to 1979 the property was called the Flamingo Capri. In November 1979, it was renamed to the Asian-themed Imperial Palace by new owner Ralph EngelstadRalph Engelstad
Ralph Engelstad was the multi-millionaire owner of the Imperial Palace casino-hotels in Las Vegas and in Biloxi, Mississippi and the Klondike Hotel & Casino...
. When Engelstad died in 2002, the casino ownership transferred to the Ralph Engelstad and Betty Engelstad Trust. The casino operated as its own limited partnership, Imperial Palace LLC, under the Trust's oversight.
The Imperial Theatre showroom with 850 seats was completed and opened in June of 1980.
The first of the 19-story towers was added in early 1981 with 850 rooms. This expansion also included the Imperial Palace's Auto Collections, located on the fifth floor of the hotel's self-parking garage (which itself was also part of the expansion). A second tower was added in August 1982 that brought the hotel's room count to 1,500. In 1986, the third tower of the Imperial Palace was completed bringing the room count to 2,100 rooms. The casino was expanded by 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²), and the meeting and convention space was expanded. A major expansion from August 1987 to July 1989 added the fourth 19-story tower with 547 rooms, which brought the room count to 2,637. The expansion also included a new swimming pool, a two-story waterfall, heated spa and poolside bar, a nightclub, race & sports book, health and fitness center, and office complex. In 1993, an independent 24-hour medical facility serving guests and employees was opened.
In 1984, a couple from Missouri were assaulted in their guest room by a man dressed as a hotel employee. They were beaten, bound and gagged, and the wife was raped. The assailant was never caught. The couple sued the Imperial Palace, claiming that the hotel did not provide adequate security. The lawsuit lasted until at least 1989, with allegations that hotel employees destroyed evidence relating to their security practices. The case was ultimately settled on undisclosed terms.
The lawsuit would lead indirectly to more trouble for the casino. In 1988, several employees, angry about being placed on leave as punishment for talking to the plaintiff attorney, began speaking to the Gaming Control Board and local media about two Nazi-themed parties Engelstad had held at the Imperial Palace. The parties were held in Engelstad's so-called "war room", which featured a large collection of World War II Nazi memorabilia, including a portrait of Engelstad in the likeness of Hitler. A national controversy ensued. Engelstad claimed the collection was purely of historical interest, and not meant to glorify the Nazis. The Gaming Control Board recommended that Engelstad lose his gaming license and be fined $200,000 for reflecting poorly on the reputation of the Nevada gaming industry. An agreement was ultimately reached whereby Engelstad kept his license, but paid $1.5 million in penalties.
On August 22, 2005, Harrah's announced plans to purchase this property. The acquisition was completed on December 23, 2005.
During a conference call with investors on November 20, 2005, the Chairman for Harrah's, Gary Loveman
Gary Loveman
Gary William Loveman is an American business executive and former academic. He is the current Chief Executive Officer and President of Caesars Entertainment Corporation since January 2003; President of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. since April 2001; various executive positions at Harrah's...
, noted that both the Imperial Palace and neighboring O'Sheas
O'Sheas Casino
O'Sheas Casino is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp. and is located on the Las Vegas Strip in unincorporated Clark County, Nevada...
"are going to require very substantial modifications or complete tear-downs and rebuilds" in order to make room for a Harrah's and/or Flamingo
Flamingo Las Vegas
The Flamingo Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The property offers a casino along with 3,626 hotel rooms...
expansion on the Strip. However, since then, Harrah's has invested millions of dollars into refurbishing both the hotel rooms and the casino itself.
In July 2009, Harrah's announced new plans for the area around the Imperial Palace, O'Shea's, and Flamingo casinos, confirming that the Imperial Palace will not be demolished at this time.
In August 2011, Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced it will be building a massive entertainment complex on the site of the current Imperial Palace and O'Shea's casinos, called "Project Linq." The Imperial Palace name will be retired and the property renamed.
Film history
- In Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryAustin Powers: International Man of MysteryAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a 1997 American science fiction/action-comedy film and the first film of the Austin Powers series. It was directed by Jay Roach and written by Mike Myers who also stars in the title role. Myers also plays Dr. Evil, Austin Powers' arch-enemy...
, the character Alotta Fagina stays at the Imperial Palace. - The Imperial Palace is in Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasGrand Theft Auto: San AndreasGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
under the name "The Four Dragons Casino". It is owned by the Triads, allies of the protagonist, Carl "CJ" JohnsonCarl "CJ" JohnsonCarl "CJ" Johnson is a fictional character in the Grand Theft Auto video game series, serving as the protagonist, anti-hero/hero and player-controlled character in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He was voiced by Young Maylay...
.
The Auto Collections
Legends in Concert
Legends In ConcertLegends In Concert
Legends In Concert is a live tribute artist production with shows primarily located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Branson, Missouri, Mashantucket, Connecticut, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Legends In Concert features live concerts paying tribute to musical icons of today and...
, a full-production musical spectacular of celebrity impersonator
Impersonator
An impersonator is someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. There are many reasons for someone to be an impersonator, some common ones being as follows:...
s, is one of the longest running shows in the Las Vegas area and originated at the Imperial Palace. It moved next door to Harrah's in March 2009.
Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature now at the Imperial Palace. Shows play 6 times a week at 7:30pm.