The Landmark Hotel and Casino
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA former high-rise hotel and casino in Winchester, Nevada, east of the Las Vegas Strip.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Landmark Hotel and Casino was a short-lived Las Vegas-area casino resort distinguished by its unusually long development, futuristic high-rise design, and pioneering use of an elevated casino. The property stood at the northwest corner of Convention Center Drive and Paradise Road in Winchester, Nevada, roughly half a mile east of the Las Vegas Strip and across from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Although it was commonly associated with Las Vegas, its formal location was in the unincorporated community of Winchester. Kansas City developer Frank Caroll, also known as Frank Caracciolo, and his wife Susan conceived the project around 1960. In 1961 they acquired approximately 22 acres and began developing a hotel-casino complex. The early site included the Landmark Plaza shopping center and a 120-unit apartment complex, while construction of the main tower began in September 1961. Plans expanded from a 14-story hotel to a 31-story tower topped by a distinctive glass-and-steel dome. The structure became a prominent local landmark and, for several years, the tallest building in Nevada. The project was plagued by financing problems, litigation, design revisions, and repeated delays. Construction stopped in late 1962 when Appliance Buyers Credit Corporation declined to provide additional funding, leaving the tower about 80 percent complete. The unfinished building became a conspicuous sight near the convention center and acquired unflattering local nicknames, although reports that it was physically leaning were dismissed as an optical illusion. Ownership and development plans changed repeatedly before a new investment group obtained a $5.5 million loan from the Central Teamsters Pension Fund in 1966 and restarted construction. The resort's licensing problems added to the delays. Nevada gaming regulators questioned the financial resources of the operating company and its principal investor. In April 1968, Caroll withdrew his gaming-license application after being charged with assaulting the project's interior designer during a media tour. The property was subsequently offered for sale. Howard Hughes, acting through Hughes Tool Company, bought the Landmark in 1969 for $17.3 million and invested approximately $3 million in modifications before opening it on July 1 of that year. At opening, the resort had 503 hotel rooms, about 400 slot machines, and a 14,000-square-foot ground-floor casino. It also contained a smaller casino on the 29th floor, making it the first high-rise casino in Nevada. The domed upper levels housed restaurants, lounges, and a nightclub. The property also included a 650-seat showroom, shops, swimming pools, and a waterfall. During the 1970s, it developed a profile as a venue for country-music performers and hosted entertainers and celebrities including Danny Thomas and Frank Sinatra. Despite its distinctive architecture and entertainment program, the Landmark experienced financial difficulty after opening. A succession of ownership and operating arrangements failed to establish a durable competitive position. The resort entered bankruptcy in 1985 and ultimately closed on August 8, 1990. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority acquired the property in September 1993 and demolished the tower in November 1995. The site was converted into a 2,200-space parking area for the convention center. Later convention-center expansion, including the West Hall that opened in June 2021, incorporated the former Landmark site into the convention complex.
History
The Landmark originated in the early 1960s as a development by Kansas City builder Frank Caroll and his wife, Susan. Caroll, also identified as Frank Caracciolo, had obtained a gaming license in 1960 and sought to build a hotel-casino complex near the Las Vegas Convention Center. In 1961, the couple acquired approximately 22 acres at Convention Center Drive and Paradise Road in Winchester, then a largely vacant site apart from a gas station. Fremont Construction began the tower in September 1961 under a contract valued at $1.5 million. The design grew during planning from a 14-story hotel to a 31-story tower with a glass-and-steel dome. The site quickly acquired supporting facilities: Landmark Plaza opened in late 1961, and the nearby Landmark Apartments provided 120 residential units. A bar and the KVEG radio station also operated in the shopping center. Construction used a continuous concrete-pouring process and produced a tower that became the tallest building in Nevada. The structure stood on a substantial concrete-and-steel foundation, and its upper dome required specialized steel and aluminum work. Financial pressure stopped construction in December 1962 when Appliance Buyers Credit Corporation refused further funding. At that point the tower had been topped out and was estimated to be about 80 percent complete. The resulting foreclosure disputes, lawsuits, appraisals, and ownership changes left the building dormant for years. Its unfinished appearance near the convention center made it a local curiosity, and observers sometimes thought it leaned; engineers attributed that impression to nearby tilted utility poles rather than structural movement. The project was revived in 1966 after new plans were filed and the Central Teamsters Pension Fund supplied a $5.5 million construction loan. Plaza Tower, Inc. represented a new ownership group that included Caroll and contractor Louis P. Scherer. More than 40 lawsuits reportedly had to be settled before title could be assembled. The original shopping center and gas station were removed, and the apartments were intended for conversion into hotel rooms. Construction crews worked around the clock during the final phase, which included the casino, hotel lobby, offices, shops, pools, waterfall, and a 650-seat showroom. Even after the building was described as complete in 1968, the resort could not open because of gaming-license and financial-capability concerns. Regulators recommended against licensing the operating company and its principal investor. During a press tour in April 1968, Caroll assaulted interior designer Leonard Edward England after an alleged personal dispute. Caroll was arrested and withdrew his gaming-license request; the assault charges were later dropped on condition that he not renew the application. The property was placed on the market. Howard Hughes acquired the Landmark through Hughes Tool Company in 1969 for $17.3 million. Hughes spent approximately $3 million on changes before the resort opened on July 1, 1969. It launched with 503 rooms, approximately 400 slot machines, a 14,000-square-foot main casino, and a smaller casino on the 29th floor. The latter made the Landmark Nevada's first high-rise casino. The dome contained restaurants, lounges, and a nightclub, while the resort also offered a showroom and recreational amenities. The Landmark became particularly associated with country-music performances during the 1970s and hosted figures such as Danny Thomas and Frank Sinatra. Nevertheless, its financial performance remained weak. Repeated ownership changes did not solve its competitive problems, especially as larger and newer resorts reshaped the Las Vegas market. The property entered bankruptcy in 1985 and closed on August 8, 1990. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority purchased it in September 1993 and demolished it in November 1995. A 2,200-space parking lot replaced the resort, and subsequent convention-center expansion, including the West Hall opened in June 2021, used the former Landmark location.
- 1995
Demolition
[1]The former resort was demolished for convention-center parking.
- 1990
Closure
[1]The Landmark closed permanently on August 8.
- 1985
Bankruptcy
[1]The resort entered bankruptcy after persistent financial difficulties.
- 1969
Resort opens under Hughes ownership
[1]Hughes Tool Company opened the Landmark on July 1 after acquiring and refurbishing the property.
- 1966
Completion financing secured
[1]A $5.5 million Central Teamsters Pension Fund loan enabled a reorganized ownership group to restart construction.
- 1962
Construction stops
[1]Financing problems halted work on the topped-out tower, which was approximately 80 percent complete.
- 1961
Land acquired and tower construction begins
[1]The Carolls purchased approximately 22 acres in Winchester, and Fremont Construction started the tower in September.
- 1960
Hotel-casino concept established
[1]Frank Caroll and Susan Caroll began planning a hotel-casino and shopping-center development in the Las Vegas area.
Products and positioning
A futuristic, entertainment-oriented casino resort serving Las Vegas visitors and convention traffic, differentiated by its prominent high-rise tower, domed crown, elevated casino, and live-performance programming.
Hotel accommodation · 1969
Landmark hotel
The resort opened with 503 hotel rooms in its high-rise tower and converted adjacent apartment accommodation. The hotel formed the lodging component of a broader casino and entertainment complex serving visitors to the Las Vegas area and the nearby convention center.
Casino gaming · 1969
Main casino
The ground-floor casino occupied approximately 14,000 square feet and operated with about 400 slot machines at opening. It was the principal gaming area of the resort and was supported by hotel, dining, lounge, and entertainment facilities.
Casino gaming · 1969
29th-floor casino
A smaller casino operated on the tower's 29th floor. Its elevated location was a defining feature of the property and made the Landmark the first high-rise casino in Nevada.
Dining and entertainment · 1969
Dome entertainment complex
The five-story dome at the top of the tower housed restaurants, lounges, and a nightclub. Together with the resort showroom, these venues gave the Landmark a distinctive entertainment identity beyond gaming.
Live entertainment · 1969
Landmark showroom
The resort included a 650-seat dinner showroom designed for stage performances. The Landmark later became known for country-music performances and hosted entertainers and celebrities.
Controversies
1968
Assault charge involving the interior designer
During a media tour of the nearly completed resort, original developer Frank Caroll beat interior designer Leonard Edward England after an alleged dispute involving Caroll's wife. Caroll was arrested for assault and battery, withdrew the property's gaming-license application, and later faced dismissal of the charges on the condition that he not reapply for a gaming license.
Brand decisions
1990
Permanent closureOtherBackground
The resort had experienced continuing financial problems and could not compete effectively with newer Las Vegas megaresorts.
Action taken
Operations ended on August 8, 1990.
Aftermath
The property was later acquired by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and demolished in 1995.
1969
Hughes Tool Company acquires and refurbishes the propertyM&ABackground
The original development group faced licensing and financing difficulties, and the property had been placed on the market.
Action taken
Hughes Tool Company purchased the Landmark and spent approximately $3 million on modifications before opening it.
Aftermath
The resort opened on July 1, 1969, with hotel rooms, two casino areas, dining, nightlife, and entertainment facilities.
Purchase price. $17.3 million (1969)
1966
Restart construction under a reorganized ownership groupStrategyBackground
Years of financing disputes and litigation had left the tower unfinished since 1962.
Action taken
Plaza Tower, Inc. assembled a new investor group, secured a Central Teamsters Pension Fund construction loan, and resumed work while redesigning the surrounding resort site.
Aftermath
The project advanced to completion and ultimately opened after its acquisition by Hughes Tool Company.
Construction loan. $5.5 million (1966)
1962
Shift toward a high-rise resort designStrategyBackground
The original hotel concept expanded as construction progressed, ultimately calling for a 31-story tower and a prominent domed crown.
Action taken
The development team increased the tower's planned height and added elevated hospitality and gaming spaces.
Aftermath
The tower became Nevada's tallest building for a period and remained the project's defining architectural feature, but the expanded design also contributed to a lengthy and financially difficult development.
Recent events
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