Donated by Howard Klein
In 1952, Mel D. Close bought 160 acres to build the Desert Rose Motel, Lone Palm Motel and Trailer Court.
The Lone Palm Motel consisted of 31 rooms and the trailer court consisted of 81 units. The telephone number was 4892.
The Lone Palm advertised their rooms as being sound-proof, controlled air-conditioning, with ceramic tiled combination tub and shower. The rooms had wall-to-wall carpets and the lobby and guest lounge contained a television and radio.
The trailer court boasted hook-up facilities, restrooms, showers, and laundry. The motel also contained a pool and playground.
Records show that the Joseph family had purchased the Lone Palm and later sold it to Universal Slot Machine for approximately $20 million.
Also on this property occupied the Rodeway Inn which was built in 1965. I have no further information or history on this motel other than it advertised a pool, remote TVs, and an adjoining restaurant.
Also occupying this property was a Chevron Gas Station as well as a Husky's Gas Station.
With the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana quickly being occupied by the MGM Grand Hotel, Excalibur, and Tropicana, a new dream came to the minds of the Prima Dona Resorts when they purchased this property and all existing establishments. Instead of having a general theme to this new resort, why not create a city located 3,000 miles away on 20 acres of land owned by MGM Grand Hotels? In a joint venture, they began building a resort that would become the first of the "city themed" resorts. The resort will be based on a concept deeloped by Sig Rogich who sat on the Pimadonna board. The original budget for this resort was set at $400 million.
In 1995, a start-of-construction party was held on the site of the new resort. Former New York Mayor Ed Koch joked that using his powers as an ex-mayor, he was declaring the resort's location "the center of the universe," an extension of the title that already belongs to the original New York.
"After all, there are only four cities in the country worth visiting - New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. All the rest is suburbia." - Ed Koch
It was announced that the porte cochere would replicate the exterior of the New York City Public Library. Other structures such as the Empire State and Chrysler buildings will be recreated at one-third their real size. There will also be a 200-foot-high roller coaster to be known as as the "Big Apple."
Primadona Chairman Gary Primm said he literally walked the streets of New York looking for the images he wanted to include in the new resort.
On January 3, 1997, the $460 million New York New York Hotel Casino was opened to the public employing 2,100 people. Included in this mini-new New York are 12 hotel towers extending 47 stories and 529 feet, approximately one-third the actual size of New York City architecture. The entire resort sits on just 18 acres. (By comparison, neighbor Monte Carlo sits on 54 acres).
Directly on the corner of the intersection sits a 150 foot replica of the Statue of Liberty greeting people to New York New York as well as a 300 foot long, 50 foot replica of the Brooklyn Bridge. The height of the towers are as follows:
The exterior lower casino area also replicates distinctive New York City landmarks and attractions including The Haughwout Retail Store, Soldiers & Sailors Monument, Former U.S. Customs House, Ellis Island Immigrant Receiving Station, IRT Power Station, U.N. Building Assembly Hall, and Grand Central Station Terminal.
New York contains a pool promenade themed like an art-deco ocean liner, a 9 story parking structure for up to 5,000 vehicles, 298,664 square foot public area, and 84,000 square foot casino area.
Donated by Tony Zaffie
The casino area is themed with the best of New York City's heart, including the following:
The casino offers 2,200 state-of-the-art slot machines and 72 gaming tables including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Mini Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride, Big Six, Casino War, and 21 Madness. There is also a Keno lounge and a sports book that has sophisticated electronic satellite capabilities.
The layout of the hotel shows the uniqueness of its architecture. There are some floors with seven rooms and other floors with as many as 77 rooms. That's what happens when architects create a single hotel building that allows guests to stay in a likeness of the Empire State Building or the scaled down replicas of Chrysler or CBS buildings.
In April of 1997, Hamiltons in Las Vegas was announced. Actor George Hamilton acquired a small 700 foot storage area above the casino in the resort. Hamilton set out to create a combination of the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center and the famous Stork Club and El Morocco. He envisioned something with the intimate lounge ambiance from the 1930s and '40s. Hamilton's ideas grew so New York gave him more space. Hamiltons encompassed a lounge, a private lounge called the VIP Club Car, a lounge on the terrace, a retail shop and walk-in humidor room.
By May of 1997, New York reported that the roller coaster was attracting 6,000 to 7,000 riders a day.
During this year, New York showcased Madhattan.
Entertainment in New York consists of the 90 minute Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance which opened on July 1, 1998. Lord of the Dance consists of 40 extraordinarily gifted dancers and musicians. Michael Flatley originated the role of the Lord in Dublin in 1996 and remains the artistic director.
"It's such a different form of dance ... What I'm doing here is an accelerated version of Irish traditional dance and at the same time, I have incorporated the upper body movement and all the arm movements, but its not done like ballet. It's not done like tap, and it's not done like flamenco. It's something that I had to create from scratch because nothing else would fit there." - Michael Flatley
The attraction for New York is the Manhattan Express high speed roller coaster. This ride twists, loops and dives around the perimeter, through the center of the property allowing riders to experience the thrilling force of "Negative G's".
The Manhattan Express is the world's first to feature a "heartline" twist and dive maneuver, and only the second heartline coaster to operate in the world. A heartline roll is similar to the sensation felt by a pilot during a barrel-roll in an airplane -- when the center of rotation actually becomes the same as the passenger's center of gravity. In the twist and dive portion of the ride, the train rolls 180 degrees, suspending its riders at 86 feet above the casino roof before diving directly under itself.
To give you a description of this attraction, the riders board one of five, four-car, 16 passenger trains from inside the casino and then ascend a 203 foot tall lift. Height and speed characterize the first half of the ride. The initial drop of 75 feet is just a warm-up for the 55-degree, 144 foot second drop that passes within a few feet of the hotel's valet entrance at 67 miles per hour. Continuing along Tropicana Boulevard, the train ascends to 152 feet, banks left, and then climbs onto the casino roof. Here, riders encounter a dizzying succession of high banked turns, camel back hills, a vertical loop, a 540-degree spiral, and finally, the sensational heartline twist and dive. As the train nears the end of its 4,777 feet of track, the coaster disappears through the casino roof and returns to the Station. All in all, the Express' maximum height is 203 feet with a maximum speed of 67 miles per hour. The 230 second ride seats approximately 1,010 riders per hour.
Manhattan Express was designed by TOGO International, Inc., who has been a supplier and operator in the amusement industry installing 42 coasters since 1953 and is the largest Asian amusement ride supplier.
New York has been receiving awards since it was built. Some of them are as follows:
Impress your friends with some New York New York's Brooklyn Bridge trivia:
In the beginning of 1998, Madhattan Theater showcased MADhattan.
In 1999, MGM Grand bought the Prima Dona Resorts making New York New York the sole property of MGM Grand Hotels.
During this year, Broadway Theatre showcased Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance.
On New Year Eve Lords of the Dance was presented at 9:00pm. Tickets were $99.
New York-New York Hotel & Casino will celebrate the Feast of San Genarro over two days, October 13th and 14th, 2000. Festivities will be held from 12:00pm- 8:00pm, each day on the resort's Brooklyn Bridge replica.
New York City's Little Italy has held a festa annually since 1926 honoring San Genarro, patron saint of Naples. Legend has it that if two vials of San Genarro's blood liquefy on feast days, Neapolitans will have good luck.
The resort's celebration will feature food and drink specials, prizes, and live entertainment provided by The Renatto's, an Italian strolling band. Various booths will be set up along the bridge, including representatives from Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, Motown Cafe, Chin Chin Cafe, and the Coney Island Emporium.
On Friday, October 13, 2000, Star 105.5 FM will host a live radio remote with morning DJ Dave Steele. The station will conduct a Sinatra sound-a-like contest prior to the remote, and will crown a winner live on the air that day.
On September 14, 2001, at 12:30pm all MGM Mirage properties observed a mandatory one-minute moment of silence in observance of the national day of remembrance in honor of the victims of the terrorist strikes in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. All activity in public areas, including casinos, came to a halt at Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mirage, Treasure Island, New York-New York, and Golden Nugget.
"We believe this is the most profound statement we can make, to stop everything. At 12:30 we will stop all activity in all public areas and observe a moment of silence in honor of those who have died or have been hurt, and in honor of those who have been working so hard to find survivors." - Alan Feldman, MGM Mirage Spokesman
Mirage began its marquee observances on the night of September 11th, when it displayed "God Bless America" on the MGM Grand sign. That message was also displayed on the marquees at other MGM MIRAGE Strip properties.
In late 2001, New York opened the nation's seventh ESPN Zone sports dining and entertainment complex, and the premiere of the bar and dance saloon Coyote Ugly, named after the movie.
MGM stated that the effects of September 11th reflected a substantial decline. All the MGM Mirage hotels on the Strip averaged an unprecedented low 64% occupany level from the 11th to the 30th. This reduction also resulted in lower casino, food and every, entertainment and retail revenues. Business strengthened through the rest of the year and by the end of 2001, occupancy levels had returned to normal. Room rates also improved but were not yet back to normal. To respond to the decline the Nevada MGM Mirage resorts had to lay off 6,4000 employees total, and an additional 315 were laid off or terminated at Beau Rivage in Biloxi.
In 2001, Broadway Theatre showcased dinner and show packages of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance.
The Cabaret Theatre showcase Rita Rudner, Martha Reeves/Vandellas/Buck Ram Platters/Cornell Gunther's Coasters.
In June of 2002, I stayed at New York. There was also a moving display of t-shirts from various fire departments from all over the world. Please click here to read about my experiences. I took some pictures of our room:
I thought the hallways were very interesting so I took some pictures.
We had a great room and here are some pictures of our view:
On the outside, draped all around the railing surrounding the resort was a tribute to the September 11th attacks. T-shirts from fire departments from all over the world completely surrounded the resort. If any fire department wants to send their t-shirt, please contact New York New York for information.
In 2002, Broadway Theatre showcased Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, and Pauly Shore (5/24-26);
On July 28, 2002, Lord of the Dance ended its tenure at the resort. It was expected that by July 28th, Lord of the Dance completed 6,700 performances and played to more than a million and a half people.
Cabaret Theatre showcased Rita Rudner.
Bar At Times Square showcased Dueling Pianos daily, and the Lounge showcased Cafe Karaoke daily.
Rita Rudner was a staple at the resort. Here is just a sampling of some of her routine:
"Men like to barbecue. Men will cook if danger is involved; Men who have pierced ears are better prepared for marriage. They've experiened pain and bought jewelry; It it's attention you want, don't get involved with a man during play-off season; Don't try to teach men how to do anything in public. They can learn in private, in public they have to know; Men are sensitive in strange ways. If a man has built a fire and the last log does not burn, he will take it personally; Men are brave enough to go to war, but they are not brave enough to get a bikini wax; All men think that they're nice guys. Some of them are not. Contact me for a list of names; Men don't get cellulite. God might just be a man; If a man prepares dinner for you and the salad comtains three or more types of lettuce, he is serious; Not one man in a beer commercial has a beer belly; If a man says I'll call you, and he doesn't, he didn't forget, he didn't lose your number, he didn't die, he just didn't want to call you; Men who listen to classical music tend not to spit; Men would like monogamy better if it sounded less like montony."
In 2003, New York will be showcasing Zumanity "Another Side of Cirque Du Soleil".
Cabaret Theatre will be showcasing Rita Rudner, and Boo! (dark Sundays & Mondays.
The Bar At Times Square will be showcasing live entertainment.
Big Apple Bar will be showcasing live entertainment.
Donated by Mark Gleason
Click Here to see various souvenirs
1999-2003, Deanna DeMatteo - All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without express written permission of the owner!
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