Stardust Was Imploded 10 Years Ago, We Still Get Weepy

The Stardust will always hold a special place in our heart.

It was the first hotel we stayed in during our first Las Vegas visit. Our first craps game happened at Stardust.

We can still remember the sounds, the decor, the smells.

Stardust
Not going to lie, we sometimes fantasize about engaging in sinful acts with this Stardust postcard.

The Stardust was imploded 10 years ago, on March 13, 2007.

The quintessential Las Vegas resort opened on July 2, 1958. It was purchased by Boyd Gaming in 1985. Stardust closed on Nov. 1, 2006.

Stardust players club
Think it’s weird we still have our Stardust players club card? We just told you we have sinful thoughts about postcards! You are messed up.

Before it was acquired by Boyd Gaming, Stardust had a reputation for being mobbed up. It eventually became the inspiration for the movie “Casino.”

One of our favorite parts of the Stardust was the sign. The iconic sign, designed by Kermit Wayne, was made up of dozens of Googie stars. The sign also featured 7,100 feet of neon and 11,000 bulbs.

Stardust
This is the postcard we call when the other postcard is on its period.

The implosion of Stardust is bittersweet because it was taken down to make way for another construction project, Echelon Place, which never materialized. Construction at the Echelon site was halted in 2008, a victim of the economic downturn.

Stardust Leroy Neiman
This Stardust homage by Leroy Neiman can be founding hanging in The California, owned by Boyd Gaming.

Here’s a look at the implosion of the Stardust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nwrl12DM3Q
Today, a new resort is slated for the Stardust site, Resorts World. While Resorts World officials claim construction will pick up soon, it remains to be seen if the Asian-themed hotel-casino will actually come to pass.

Even if it does, our memory of Stardust will loom large over the site.

Stardust
It’s difficult to express the breadth of our love for this sign at the Neon Museum.

The implosion of Stardust led to our creation of the only iron-clad rule in Las Vegas: If you knock something wonderful down, you have to replace it with something even more wonderful.

No pressure, Resorts World.