A bittersweet farewell to icon

Monday, May 16, 2011 | 2:01 a.m.

As it shuts its doors today, the Sahara wraps up a remarkable 58-year career on the Strip that is, in many ways, the end of an era.

When it opened in 1952, the Moroccan-themed casino, complete with faux camels at the door, was immediately a hit. It caught the eye of the celebrity circuit, and the guest list was a “who’s who” of entertainment, featuring the likes of Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, John Wayne, Mae West and Elvis Presley.

Members of the Rat Pack stayed at the Sahara and also used the resort to film scenes of the original “Ocean’s 11.” The Sahara brought the Beatles to Las Vegas for two shows — with screaming fans — at the convention center in 1964. Johnny Carson — and a host of other well-known comedians — performed there.

With glitz and glamour, the Sahara became an icon of Las Vegas in the 1950s and ’60s, complete with hip lounges, live entertainment and an Olympic-sized pool. And, of course, a parade of celebrity guests.

But as it aged and its ownership changed hands, it lost its luster. The Sahara was no longer the shining “jewel of the desert,” as its original owner proclaimed it. As the Strip grew, new properties were built farther south and the crowds went to them.

In the late 1990s, the Sahara received a boost with a series of renovations, including a roller coaster and the NASCAR Cafe. A decade later as the economy was booming, there seemed to be a resurgence of interest on the north end of the Strip, fueled by new development plans. Boyd Gaming’s massive Echelon project just down the street promised to bring new crowds, but that stalled in 2008 when the economy soured.

Nevada felt the full effect of the economic downturn, and casinos struggled. The record number of tourists quickly dropped, and those who came often bypassed places like the Sahara for new properties down the Strip. Now it is unclear what the future holds for the storied property. The ownership group said it is looking at all of its options, including a complete renovation of the resort.

More than marking an end of an era, the Sahara’s closure is actually part of the larger story of Las Vegas’ dynamism. Las Vegas doesn’t close eras, it implodes them to start fresh. It is intent on making the future, and that’s visible along the Strip. The old gives way to the new as Las Vegas keeps rebuilding — bigger and better. That’s part of the wonder of Las Vegas: It is ever-changing, always re-imagining itself and never satisfied with the status quo.

Just as the Sahara was built up into one of the great names in Las Vegas, it’s a sure bet that something else will be built on its foundations and, perhaps, a new era.