Mardi Gras - Vegas style - comes early

Friday, Feb. 7, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Actress Lauren Bacall headed a VIP list for a black-tie gala formally opening a new 41-story glass tower and a $25 million entertainment complex featuring giant Mardi Gras-themed floats that pass over the heads of casino patrons.

The floats, some weighing more than eight tons, run on a 950-foot-long track, 13 feet above the casino floor. The floats parade through the casino ever two hours, carrying out three different themes, with 36 costumed performers.

The new tower gives the Rio 2,563 suites, making it the 13th largest hotel in the world.

The project is the brainchild of Tony Marnell, whose construction and design company has built many of the world's leading hotel-casinos, including New York-New York, The Mirage, Excalibur, Caesars Palace and Treasure Island.

His company, Marnell Corrao Associates, Inc., is known as the world's largest designer and builder of hotel-casino properties, having built more than 55,000 rooms for the industry.

Known for its food service, carnival atmosphere and entertainment such as Tony Bennett, The Beach Boys and Donna Summer, the Rio is one of the most popular properties in town.

The prestigious Zagat Survey of U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas has ranked the Rio No. 1 in the categories of Best Overall, Best Dining, Best Rooms and Best Service.

Marnell is chairman of the construction company and chairman and chief executive officer of Rio Hotel and Casino, Inc.