Plaza Hotel & Casino

Facts and statistics

Opening date July 2, 1971

No. of rooms 1037

Total gaming space 80,000 ft²

Permanent shows Rat Pack is Back

Notable restaurants Lombardi's

Casino type Land-Based

Owner Tamares Group

Previous names Union Plaza

Years renovated 2004

Website www.plazahotelcasino.com

The Plaza Hotel & Casino is a casino-hotel located in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada owned by the Tamares Group and operated by Navegante. It currently has 1,037 budget-priced rooms and suites, as well as an 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m2) casino. There are several places to eat inside the hotel, including: Lucky 7's Buffet, Plaza Diner Express, Seattle's Best Coffee, McDonald's, Subway, Noble Roman's Pizza, and the casino snack bar.

The Plaza also features a seasonal roof top swimming pool, beauty salon, and fitness center, as well as a bingo parlor and a race and sports book.

Contents [hide]

1 History

1.1 Las Vegas Union Pacific Station

1.2 Film history

1.3 Television Production

1.4 Music Videos

2 References

3 External links

History

Opened on July 2, 1971 with the owners including local businessmen: Sam Boyd, Howard Cannon and Jackie Gaughan. Its original name was Union Plaza, in reference to the Union Pacific railroad station that originally stood at the site.

Before the discontinuation of the Desert Wind train route on May 10, 1997, Amtrak made its Las Vegas, Nevada station stop at the Plaza. The station and ticket windows were directly connected to the hotel. It was the only train station in the United States located in a casino.

Barrick Gaming Corporation acquired the Plaza from Jackie Gaughan and in late 2005 later ceded operation to majority owner Tamares Group.

During its ownership by Barrick Gaming Corporation, D.W. Barrick's good friend, Larry Manetti (Rick, of Magnum P.I. fame) hosted a celebrity brunch every Sunday, featuring such guests as Pat Morita and Steve Rossi.[citation needed] He also owned Manetti's in The Plaza. When Barrick sold its interest in the hotel to the Tamares Group, Manetti closed his restaurant and severed his relationship with the hotel. The Plaza's famed glass-domed Center Stage Restaurant has been converted into a sports bar called The Dome. There are 16 televisions screens and people are able to place bets in The Dome.[citation needed]

Las Vegas Union Pacific Station

Prior to the construction of the casino, part of the site was used for a Streamline Moderne train station.[1] Constructed in 1940 the station was upgraded with neon lights in 1946.[2]

Plaza at Night

Film history

In the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, the construction of the Union Plaza is visible as Bond evades the attention of the Sheriff's department.

In the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II, the Plaza serves as the hotel tower for "Biff's Casino".

The Union Plaza played a major role in the 1992 movie Cool World.

In the 1994 movie version of The Stand, the Union Plaza played a key role as the headquarters of Randal Flagg.

In the 1995 movie Casino, a scene staring Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone plays inside the Center Stage Restaurant, where "Ginger" (played by Sharon Stone) and "Sam" (played by Robert De Niro) argue over missing money.

In the 2000 movie Pay It Forward, a scene staring Kevin Spacey plays inside the Center Stage Italian Chop House at the plaza.

In the 2001 movie The Mexican, Samantha and Winston stay at the Plaza, and Frank is killed by being thrown from one of its balconies.

Television Production

The syndicated Ultimate Poker Challenge has been taped at the Plaza as well as the currently-running National Wrestling Alliance program NWA Wrestling Showcase, airing on Colours TV.

Music Videos

Featured promently in Mase's "Feels So Good" Video.

Mase's Video was parodied by Monster Magnet, which filmed in front of the hotel as well.