Sands Hotel and Casino
The Sands Hotel was a legendary Las Vegas, Nevada hotel/casino that operated from December 15, 1952 to June 30, 1996. It was the seventh resort that opened on the Las Vegas Strip. It was designed by architect Wayne McAllister.
During its heyday, the Sands would be the center of entertainment and cool on the Strip, and hosted many famous entertainers of the day. Regulars would be able to mingle with the stars in the lounge after their late-night shows. Even most of the Presidents, Senators, and Congress people stayed at the Sands when they were in town.
In its final years, the Sands became a shadow of its former self; a throwback to the old days, and it ultimately could not compete with the newer and more exciting megaresorts that were being built on the Strip. The decision was eventually made by its final owner, Sheldon Adelson, to shut it down and to build a brand new resort. On November 26, 1996, it was imploded and demolished much to the dismay of longtime employees and sentimentalists. The Las Vegas scenes of Con Air were filmed at the Sands prior to its demolition.
Today, the Venetian now stands where the Sands once stood.
History
The hotel first began as just a casino with a few hundred rooms.
The hotel was designed by architect Wayne McAllister. It was founded by Jakie Friedman of Houston, Texas, grandfather of Houston socialite Carolyn Farb.
Its most famous claim to fame was a 3-week period in 1960 when, during the filming of the movie Ocean's Eleven, they organized an event in the Copa Room called the “Summit at the Sands”, where for the first time Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford performed on stage together. They would forever be known after that as the Rat Pack. Sinatra would also own a stake in the Sands for a time.
The circular tower was added in 1967 by architect Martin Stern, Jr.
When billionaire Howard Hughes purchased the hotel in the mid-1960s, a 500-room tower was added and the hotel became a Vegas landmark. Kirk Kerkorian (MGM) bought the hotel in 1988, and seven months later in 1989 it was purchased by the owners of The Interface Group - Sheldon Adelson, Richard Katzeff, Ted Cutler, Irwin Chafetz, and Jordan Shapiro.
Film History
The 1960 version of Ocean's Eleven was filmed here. Footage of the demolition also appeared in the closing credits of The Cooler.
Musical legacy
Frank Sinatra (Sinatra at the Sands with Count Basie), Sammy Davis, Jr. (The Sounds of '66), Tommy Sands, and Count Basie were among those who recorded live albums at the Sands.