Modern Vegas

13/10/2024

Sometimes you have to look under the layers of paint, signage, grime and urban blight to see the magnificent architectural design that’s covered underneath. You’ll find a lot of these buildings throughout our city. If you’re following this feed, the chances are you drive past these buildings and imagine what they looked like in their prime and then you imagine what they could look like with a caring owner who has a vision (and the proper funds). This building at 1431 East Charleston Blvd is located near a cluster of mid-century-modern diamonds in the rough. Check out the slanted parabolic shaped winged roof that shades the giant wall of glass. It has that Armet & Davis “Googie” influence. Which makes sense as one of their former Dennys restaurants sits within the close vicinity. Simply changing the McDonalds color scheme and cleaning up the clutter made from the excessive signage on this building would go a long way with bringing the strip-mall back to its former glory. So continue to keep your eyes open for similar unpolished gems that are hiding in plain site when marking your way around . Taken: 10/11/24

07/09/2024

This is the house on 7th Street in the heart of what is now “Lawyers Row” in DTLV that caught fire on Thursday afternoon. The old cottages and bungalows that dot this historic neighborhood, most of which have been converted into offices for the many attorneys who work at the courthouses nearby, once belonged to predominant early settlers of this city. This cute cottage was built in 1940 and it was the home of Joseph & Zella Wendel. Zella was a widow who had been married earlier to Robert Wells, he passed away in 1934. She would marry Joseph in 1940. Both her husbands served as Bishops in the Mormon Church. At that point the main LDS chapel was located within walking distance to this house. Zellas family had an important history, Both her grandfathers entered the Salt Lake Valley w/ Brigham Young and the “Mormon Battalion” in 1847. Zella worked full time doing Temple work, Joseph was a school teacher in addition to his role at the church, they owned and operated a popular hobby shop on Charleston Blvd, and still found time to raise a family (in the house shown). Zellas granddaughter, Sharlene Wells was crowned Miss America in 1985.

The house looked different back then. Someone added the ugly siding that you see, it originally had a smooth stucco and you can see a peak of that in the area around the original number board near the front door (see pic). It looks like the house remained as a private residence before finally being converted into an office in 1981. The house was the office for county judge Martin Hastings til 2017, and then it was sold to an investment group out of California. The house was neglected, it sat empty, and the homeless eventually moved in starting a series of fires. This last fire may be its final undoing, the sign on the door says it’s being investigated as an arson and it appears that a contractor has been selected by the City for its eventual demise. The neighbors who work nearby want it gone, but it’s important to note the history of these former homes and remember the people who lived there. They contributed to what we know as . Taken: 9/6/24

18/08/2024

A spectacular find and post from our friends at Vintage Las Vegas.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/wjrMwFvFKeo43dwE/?mibextid=WC7FNe

09/08/2024

🌴Paradise Palms Community Wide Open House featuring 11 Properties

📅Sunday, August 11th, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Enjoy an afternoon of stunning properties, snacks, refreshments, retro music, and vintage cars. 🎶🚗

This event is a fantastic opportunity to see 11 beautiful properties and experience this unique lifestyle, which is all about community connection. 🏡

We look forward to seeing you there! 🎉

18/07/2024

A beautiful summer sunset in the shadows of the world famous Las Vegas Strip in historic . Some see the coming of the night as a time for slumber and sleep, but the creatures in these parts come alive to the taste of cocktails around the pool… the only time it’s safe to come out this time of year. 🪟 Some mid-century terminology. The window you see here is a “clerestory window.” Clerestory windows, pronounced “clear story”, are rows of windows positioned high on a wall to allow natural light into a large space. They are typically located at the top of a wall, well above eye level, and tucked right under the roofline. Cheers from . Taken: 7/17/24

09/06/2024

Let’s take a look at Paradise Palms, “the prestige country club community in Las Vegas, Nevada.” Prepare for sensory overload as a recently discovered high-end and slickly produced 16mm filmstrip has been discovered and finally made its debut on YouTube for the first time since it was put out to perspective buyers in 1962. These beautiful “Palmer & Krisel” mid-century-modern homes still stand and are a testament to the unique space-aged designs that separate this historic community from the others in . 🎥 🍿 🦩

This is a very rare 16MM promotional film done in Technicolor and narrated by the velvety voice of Hugh Douglas. Recently converted to digital from the maste...

25/05/2024

Check out this video that a neighbor and friend recently converted to digital from an old film reel. It’s spectacular. 🎰

Another of several 1950s thru the 1960s Las Vegas Films I have recently converted to Digital - check out all the others on my channel - check back I'll be ad...

09/05/2024

The Regency Motel located at 700 N. Main Street near DTLV was featured in the major 1995 Hollywood film, Casino. The motel sits just outside of an area that was known as “Casino Center” and it was was built in 1949. The motel and the diner that sits in its parking lot were used as the location where Sam Rothstein first encounters the pimp known as Lester Diamond in the film. Lester would walk out of the diner and catch a vicious beating from a couple of Ace’s mobbed up goons while cheating wife Ginger was forced to watch. In the second slide, the top image was taken by me and the bottom image is a still taken from the movie and is what it looked like during filming in 1994. Love finding Casino filming locations in our valley. Do you have any personal favorites to share in ? 🎰

29/04/2024

Another great weekend of vintage Las Vegas fun arranged by the Nevada Preservation Foundation. We’re still exhausted from a marathon home tour on Sunday (lots of pics to follow). Kudos to a job well done… 👏

Tourists and locals alike got a glimpse at Las Vegas history and historic homes as part of the Nevada Preservation Foundation’s annual Home + History festival.

03/04/2024

Most people would see this image and assume it’s nothing special, it’s just another random area within the Tropicana hotel and casino that people pass through on their way to eat, or to the pool or ther room. But this area was once the luxurious showroom for the original property. Since this would of existed before my time, I was unaware of its former use until a local historian, , educated me about it. Paco is always a great source of knowledge and he also said that the original mechanical horses from the r***e are still intact and remain in the ceiling. If that’s the case, we sincerely hope that every effort has been made to preserve them. This area is long overdue for an official museum of casino and gaming history in the tourist corridor and artifacts like that would be ideal display pieces. Photos 2 and 3 do not belong to me but they depict what the forner showroom in this area once looked like as it dazzled so many who visited . First Image Taken: 3/31/24

03/04/2024

I was going to avoid posting about the closure of the Tropicana today, because I’m sure that your feeds are full of posts that read like a sad eulogy to its demise. But after spending the better part of a week combing through the tributes I did get a lil sentimental and made a visit to the site on Easter Sunday. I spent a year working at this property opening a beach club (many moons ago), at that time, the property was still “old” by Vegas standards, but it was kept well polished. Sadly, the space that I saw this past weekend was far from what I remembered. You don’t need to be an empath to feel the sad energy that loomed overhead. It was heavy. As we walked, explored, and reminisced with other former employees, there was a general consensus of “it’s time.” We always advocate for historic preservation, but we also know that all bets are off when it comes to these casino structures along the Strip. What goes up, must come down. Just short of its 67th anniversary, the Trop has officially closed its doors. Not much of the original casino and hotel dubbed the “Tifany of the Strip” remains, except a few outer low level structures not used in decades. We are happy to hear that the stunning ceiling made from Tiffany stained glass will be preserved. Here are some photos from this past weekend. We said goodbye, thanked it for the memories, and all its contributions to . Taken: 3/31/24

01/04/2024

And just like that, the wall with sign has risen. It's a post-Easter resurrection of the historic Paradise Palms breezeblock wall and sign. Just weeks after collapsing during a high wind event, the guardian angels of the wall/sign scrambled and had it rebuilt, painted and had the signage with the neighborhood logo reattached. The wall was built back stronger than it was originally put up, so hopefully it will last another 60+ years without any issues. Some will say it's a miracle, but we just say it's proof that you can't keep a good wall down in . Taken 4/1/24 🦩🌴

10/03/2024

Collectors of kitsch, take a look at this set of CONCRETE lawn flamingos that I just pulled out of the backyard of a 1952 house near the historic Beverly Green Neighborhood. These are not the pink plastic blow-molds repros that you see all over the place. They are the OG’s made of solid concrete and they weigh a ton. That small one easily weighs 10+ pounds. The sun has faded them to perfection and the rebar legs were brilliantly rusted as they stood in place for decades. The homeowner was selling his house and gave me a great deal as he knew I was keen on them and will properly restore them. I went down a research rabbit hole and know that the concrete flamingos were big in the early to mid 1950’s. The plastic blow-mold lawn flamingo was invented in 1957 and it basically put an end to the concrete birds like you see here. I know they’re sought after as many of them didn’t last. If anyone has any knowledge about them, or advice on restoring them, please share it below or send me a message. The last photo is not mine and something I found online of what they can look like when restored. Stay tuned, these ole lawn flamingos will stand tall and be in their glory once again in . 🦩

03/03/2024

Neighbors mobilize quickly to salvage the Paradise Palms neighborhood sign and breeze block wall that fell over in a serious wind storm on Saturday, March 2nd 2024. There were sustained wind gusts of over 50 mph and the 60+ year old wall simply gave out. There are reports of damage across the neighborhood and entire Las Vegas valley. Many neighbors are without power. Nevertheless, the sign and most of the wall were salvaged and carted off for safe storage. Remarkably, only two breeze blocks were destroyed and a neighbor already donated two that match. The neighbors who showed up pledge that the wall + the sign will return and that they will . So stay tuned. Neighbors helping their community, it’s common here in . Taken: 3/2/24 **See Instagram Story for footage of the wall coming down 🦩

17/02/2024

If you have ever gone through Boulder City on your way to the Lake Mead or Hoover Dam, the chances are good you’ve seen the octagon shaped house perched on the hill with the million dollar views. This unique home built in 1966 is now for sale for the third time ever. Many have ogled at the structure and often wondered what the inside looks like, here is your chance to take a peek. The 1,804 square foot home features 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, Italian terrazzo floors throughout, original wood paneling, period-appointed appliances and a lot of glass for the 360 degree views. This house comes with 1.8 acres of land and has easy access to the historic Boulder City business district. Currently listed for just over $1.3 million dollars, you will pay a premium for those biblical views. The house is listed by Paradise Palms own realtor on the move, Holly Erker. All serious inquiries should reach out to her directly at HER: Holly Erker Realtor. There is a great line in her listing that I want to share: “This home isn’t just a dwelling; it’s an experience—a testament to visionary craftsmanship and harmony with nature. Welcome to your sanctuary above the clouds!” If you’re on Instagram, please make sure you’re following 🦩

16/01/2024

The Las Vegas Review-Journal did a fluff piece on the former Frontier Fidelity Savings & Loan building in DTLV. Looking like Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada is set on demolition of the beloved and highly photographed former bank building and is rolling out the excuses for doing so. Please continue to make your voices heard. Save our mid-century-modern architecture.

One developer wants to save a Downtown Las Vegas building from the 1960s from being demolished by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

11/01/2024

Interesting house. That pool screams that an entertainer lived there. Did a quick search and here it is. The house was originally owned by James Patrick Zaro He was born March 17, 1950, in Berkeley, California, and was a 35-year resident of Las Vegas. Jim performed on the Strip for many years as both a Lead Singer at the Stardust and as Caesar at Caesars Palace and continued to work in the casino industry until his passing. He was a handsome fella, a local celeb (he was Caesar), and passed away in 2011 at the age of 61.

In 1990 Michael and Janice McWhirter took ownership of the house and it looks like the family owns it until now. Micahel, a former Navy Commander, was a war hero. Look at this man's credentials below. Wow, what a career. Some very important people called this abode home. The future owners will have a legacy to uphold.

Will share the obituaries below. With respect.

Photos and Property Details for 3860 MCLEOD DRIVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89121. Get complete property information, maps, street view, schools, walk score and more. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer.

13/12/2023

Attention Friends - This is a call to action. The good people at Dapper Companies have alerted us that one of our favorite mid-century-modern buildings is slated for DEMOLITION. The beloved building at 801 E. Charleston has been a part of our Downtown Las Vegas history since it opened in 1962 as the Frontier Fidelity Savings and Loan Building. Photos from the grand opening attached here. The building was acquired in 1990 by Bank of America and was operated as a branch of US Bank until 2020 when it was purchased by its current owners, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. The plan is to erect the Advocacy & Justice complex on this site, and they have decided to tear down this building, rather than incorporate it into the design. This mid-century-modern building is still in good shape and to tear it down seems short-sighted and would be a loss for the people who live, work and visit the City of Las Vegas. We support the work that this organization does, and we just ask that they reconsider their decision and move in a direction for preservation. Please take a minute and send them a polite message. The Legal Aid Society can be reached at: www.lacsn.org/contact-us. Please share this message far and wide, let’s get together to save this unique building for .