Jump to content

Neonopolis

Coordinates: 36°10′12″N 115°8′26″W / 36.17000°N 115.14056°W / 36.17000; -115.14056
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Toohool (talk | contribs) at 20:30, 22 September 2018 (→Current tenants: add cannabition). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The exterior of Neonopolis next to Fremont Street.

Neonopolis, a 250,000 sq ft (23,000 m2) shopping mall,[1] is a $100 million entertainment complex in Las Vegas, Nevada located on top of a $15 million city parking garage. It is located on Fremont Street, at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard. In keeping with the complex's name, it contains three miles of neon lights.[2]

Three open-air levels surround an outdoor center courtyard with stage, sound and seating. Bands and concerts were scheduled during the summer months during its heyday.

History

Plans for Neonopolis were announced in December 1997.[3] It opened on May 3, 2002.[4]

In 2006, Prudential Real Estate sold Neonopolis to a development group led by Rohit Joshi for $25 million.[5] Joshi undertook an abortive rebranding of the center as Fremont Square, but ultimately the Neonopolis name was retained.[6][7][8] After temporarily closing in 2010 for redevelopment, Neonopolis underwent renovations in 2011 and reopened with new tenants.

Current tenants

The interior courtyard of the shopping center.
  • Axehole ― An axe throwing range, opened in 2017.[9]
  • Banger Brewing ― A 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) pub and microbrewery, opened in 2013 on the ground floor.[10][11]
  • Cannabition ― A marijuana-themed museum, opened in 2018.[12] Among the exhibits is Bongzilla, billed as the world's largest bong.[13]
  • Del Prado Jewelers ― A jewelry store that moved to the second floor of Neonopolis in 2006.[14][15]
  • Denny's ― A 6,400-square-foot (590 m2) flagship location for the diner chain, featuring a wedding chapel. Opened in 2012.[16][17]
  • Evapor8 ― An e-cigarette shop, opened in 2013.[18]
  • Fremont Arcade ― A video arcade, opened in 2016 on the ground floor.[19][20]
  • Heart Attack Grill ― A hamburger restaurant, known for its medical theme and for offering the world's highest-calorie burger, opened in 2011.[21][22]
  • International Eatery ― A food court with three outlets, opened in 2013 in the ground-floor former Luna Rossa Ristorante space, by HIG Management, a major operator of mall eateries.[23][24]
  • Little Neon Wedding Chapel ― A wedding chapel opened in 2016.[25]
  • Metropolitan Gallery of Las Vegas ― An art museum and gallery. Previously named the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, it moved to Neonopolis in 2008.[26][27][28] The name was changed in 2017.[29]
  • Millennial Esports ― A 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) venue for competitive video gaming, opened in 2017 on the third floor.[30][31]
  • The Nerd ― A nightclub and bowling alley themed around comic books and video games, opened in 2017 in the second-floor former Drink & Drag space.[32][33]
  • Telemundo ― KBLR, the Las Vegas affiliate of the Spanish-language television network, moved its studios to a 17,500-square-foot (1,630 m2) space on the third floor in 2009.[34][35]
  • Toy Shack ― A seller of vintage collectible toys. It moved to the shopping center in 2011 to capitalize on visitors familiar with its owner's frequent appearances on the television series Pawn Stars.[36][37]
  • Ultimate Sports Cards & Memorabilia ― A sports memorabilia shop, which moved to Neonopolis in 2012, like the Toy Shack, because of its owner's appearances on Pawn Stars.[38][39]

Previous tenants

  • Drink and Drag ― A bowling alley and drag club, opened in 2012.[40] Closed in 2013 because of legal and financial issues.[41]
  • Galaxy Theatres ― An 11-screen movie theater. Opened in 2002 as Crown Theatres, the center's original anchor tenant, with 14 screens.[4] Later reduced to 11 screens, and then taken over by Galaxy in 2006.[42] Closed in 2009.[43][44]
  • Jillian's ― A two-story restaurant, bar, and entertainment complex. Opened in 2002 as one of the complex's anchor tenants.[45] Closed in 2008.[46]
  • Krave Massive ― A gay nightclub, sister property of Drink and Drag, moved to the former Galaxy movie theater space from its previous location on the Las Vegas Strip in June 2013.[47] It was planned to be the largest gay club in the world, but never fully opened.[41][48] Closed after several months because of a tax dispute.[41]
  • Las Vegas Rocks Cafe ― A restaurant and lounge themed around the history of Las Vegas. Opened in 2009 in the former Jillian's space.[49][50] Closed in 2011.[51]
  • Poker Dome ― A studio for nationally televised poker events. Opened in 2006 on the third floor, in space previously occupied by three of the movie theaters.[52] Closed in 2007.[53]

References

  1. ^ Skolnik, Sam (2008-11-11). "Has Neonopolis achieved liftoff?". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 12 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Neonopolis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 12 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ Zapler, Mike (December 18, 1997). "Downtown retail complex in works, officials say". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  4. ^ a b Sahagun, Diana (May 3, 2002). "Long-awaited Neonopolis opens in downtown Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  5. ^ "Downtown project still in bad shape". Las Vegas Sun. December 14, 2006. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
  6. ^ Spillman, Benjamin (May 3, 2007). "Old woes but a new moniker". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  7. ^ "TV studio, nightclub considered for mall". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 9, 2008 – via NewsBank.
  8. ^ Jourdan, Kristi (March 22, 2011). "Neonopolis in waiting". Downtown View. Las Vegas – via NewsBank.
  9. ^ Millward, Wade Tyler (September 29, 2017). "Ax-throwing attraction opens at Neonoplis in downtown Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  10. ^ Adams, Mark (January 9, 2014). "Banger Brewing, downtown beer boys". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  11. ^ Lister, Nolan (May 20, 2013). "Longtime friends team up to open brewery in Neonopolis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  12. ^ Coffey, Helen (September 21, 2018). "Cannabition: World's first interactive marijuana museum opens in Las Vegas". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  13. ^ Akers, Mick (August 30, 2018). "Cannabis museum in Las Vegas gives sneak peek, will open in September". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  14. ^ Katsilometes, John (May 10, 2007). "John Katsilometes checks on an old pal at Neonopolis before saying farewell". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  15. ^ Katsilometes, John (July 3, 2007). "The Neverending Story". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  16. ^ Sieroty, Chris (November 30, 2012). "Marriage on Denny's menu". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  17. ^ Shine, Conor (August 4, 2012). "One-of-a-kind Denny's to call Neonopolis home". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  18. ^ Schoenmann, Joe (August 8, 2013). "Joe Downtown: Businesses breathing life into Neonopolis". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  19. ^ Corey, Alexander S. (October 15, 2016). "Entrepreneurs turn arcade nostalgia into growing business in Las Vegas Valley". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  20. ^ Apgar, Blake (July 30, 2016). "Owner sees brighter days ahead for Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  21. ^ Schoenmann, Joe (February 8, 2013). "Downtown Joe: Death knocking at door of Heart Attack Grill's unofficial spokesman". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  22. ^ Valley, Jackie (February 15, 2012). "Heart Attack Grill put to test as patron suffers heart attack". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  23. ^ Snel, Alan (May 5, 2014). "Food court giant snaps up space next to SlotZilla". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  24. ^ Schoenmann, Joe (January 23, 2014). "Joe Downtown: Food court's success raising hopes for Neonopolis' owner". Vegas Inc. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  25. ^ "Neon Chapel opens at Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 5, 2016. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  26. ^ "About Us". Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  27. ^ Padgett, Sonya (February 26, 2009). "Under one roof". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  28. ^ Keene, Jarret (October 27, 2008). "Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art". Las Vegas CityLife – via NewsBank.
  29. ^ "The Metropolitan Gallery of Las Vegas Art Museum". Las Vegas Woman. August 23, 2017. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  30. ^ Wanser, Brooke (March 3, 2017). "Esports arena debuts on Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  31. ^ Akers, Mick (February 22, 2017). "E-sports enthusiasts get boost with Neonopolis arena". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  32. ^ Taylor, F. Andrew (April 11, 2017). "Downtown Las Vegas nightclub, The Nerd, aims for 'anti-club atmosphere'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  33. ^ Prevatt, Mike (April 6, 2017). "Downtown's Nerd nightclub beckons geeks (and everyone else)". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  34. ^ Hansel, Mark (February 6, 2009). "Star Trek and Telemundo make for strange bedfellows". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  35. ^ DeFrank, Sean (October 6, 2011). "Nowhere Man". Vegas Seven. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  36. ^ Ahmed, Aida (September 26, 2011). "Downtown Las Vegas toy store shoots for the stars". Vegas Inc. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  37. ^ Haugen, Joanna (July 15, 2012). "At Toy Shack in Neonopolis, every day's a playdate". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  38. ^ McGarry, Caitlin (August 22, 2012). "Businesses scramble for share of 'Pawn Stars' fame". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  39. ^ "Action News at 6PM". KTNV-TV. December 4, 2012 – via NewsBank.
  40. ^ McGarry, Caitlin (May 4, 2012). "Drink and Drag offers bowling, drag queens on Fremont Street". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  41. ^ a b c Spillman, Benjamin (October 2, 2013). "Troubled Las Vegas nightclubs denied licenses". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  42. ^ Knightly, Arnold M. (October 23, 2006). "Neonopolis looks to Galaxy Theaters for new energy". Las Vegas Business Press – via NewsBank.
  43. ^ Cling, Carol (May 6, 2009). "Neonopolis theaters to go dark Thursday night". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  44. ^ Kingsley, Amy (June 30, 2011). "A grand slam". Las Vegas CityLife – via NewsBank.
  45. ^ Johnson, Erica D. (October 15, 2002). "Observers hopeful about new downtown attraction". Las Vegas Sun – via NewsBank.
  46. ^ Skolnik, Sam (December 9, 2008). "Two versions of Jillian's demise, from man, wife". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  47. ^ Spillman, Benjamin (August 31, 2013). "State closes troubled Krave Massive". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  48. ^ Prevatt, Mike (October 18, 2013). "Krave to reopen at former Utopia site on Strip". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  49. ^ Llewellyn, Amanda (December 29, 2009). "Las Vegas Rocks". Downtown View – via NewsBank.
  50. ^ Weatherford, Mike (January 28, 2010). "Venues take on new look". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  51. ^ Katsilometes, John (February 15, 2011). "Las Vegas Rocks Cafe closes at Neonopolis, and we're surprised ... why, exactly?". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  52. ^ Hoffarth, Tom (July 30, 2006). "At this Vegas dome, it's 'poker on steroids'". Daily News of Los Angeles – via NewsBank.
  53. ^ Spillman, Benjamin (June 16, 2007). "Neonopolis takes another hit as Poker Dome opts to fold". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.

36°10′12″N 115°8′26″W / 36.17000°N 115.14056°W / 36.17000; -115.14056

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neonopolis&oldid=860753805"