The relentless march of progress is inevitable but the closure later this month of the Klondike Hotel is a matter of some regret to many long time Las Vegas residents. It may not be the smartest of places, and some of the friendly dealers could quite plausibly have been there since the first chip was wagered, but many a laugh and good time was had by those who tempted lady luck at the low stake gaming tables or took up the offer of the 24-hour 99c breakfast.

After 30 years with John Woodrum the Klondike, on the east side of the famous Strip not far from the familiar Las Vegas ‘Welcome’ sign, has been bought by Florida-based Royal Palm Communities. In its place will be hotel condominiums and an 80,000 sq ft casino, a whole new look for 5191 Las Vegas Boulevard S. The project will have to conform to McCarran airport height restrictions of a 25-storey maximum.

The plans for Paramount LV include 800 residential and 750 hotel units plus 386,000 sq ft of retail/casino space. The cost of the project for the Klondike location is expected to be in the region of US$1 billion. What will replace the Klondike will doubtless be modern and probably elegant but as one Las Vegas resident put it: “It seems that quaint has no place anymore in Las Vegas.” (E-06.01.06)

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