Silver Legacy Resort Casino
Encyclopedia
The Silver Legacy Resort & Casino is a land based hotel and casino in Downtown Reno, Nevada
, it opened on July 28, 1995. It anchors a network of connected hotel-casinos in the downtown Reno core that included jointly owned properties Eldorado Hotel-Casino and Circus Circus Reno. Silver Legacy is a 50/50 partnership between Eldorado Resorts LLC and MGM Resorts International with MGM holding majority stake at 51% seeing as they were given 3 out of 5 seats on the resort's executive board. James J. Murren sits on the resort's executive committee, he is the current CEO of MGM Resorts International.
. They went through over 7 design firms and many themes. On May 19, 1993 the project was officially announced and given the name "Project C". The intended theme would be "Lost City" and the complex would cover two city blocks. It would also form a "casino mall", with enclosed sky-walk connections to the neighboring hotels the Eldorado and Circus Circus. The group then went to the City Council to request a special use permit because no project of that scale had ever been built in Reno before in the downtown core. On July 22, 1993 the City Council recommended the planning commission issue the permit. The permit was issued, the initial project was given approval to go ahead with multiple curved hotel towers and theme park in the center casino.
The idea behind Project C was to spark a boom in Reno, as a new hotel-casino had not been constructed in Reno since 1978 when the MGM Grand (now the Grand Sierra Resort) was constructed. After much thought, the developers met again to rethink Project C's design. In December 1993, the redesign was made public. Two weeks later a new design was unveiled to the City Council of which was then approved. The new plan contained fewer curves in the hotel towers and fewer rooms.
As of January 1994 when construction began, Project C was still the official name of the project and the theme was still "Lost City". Six months into construction, the theme was changed from "Lost City" to one based on the Victorian era and Nevada's mining history. The announcement was made on June 2, 1994.
Along with the announcement of the new theme came what would come with it, inside the resort a 180 ft (54.9 m) mining rig replica would stand as a landmark to the casino inside a giant composite dome, the largest in the world. This sparked national media attention. The dome would include a light and audio show with lasers and more for the public to view. By the end of 1994 the building that held the casino and dome were nearly completed and the tower was topped off at 38 stories, remaking the downtown skyline and becoming the tallest building in Northern Nevada. On December 15, 1994 the final name of the property was unveiled. Earlier in 1994, the partners gave locals the option to name Reno's newest resort. 11,000 entries were narrowed down to 4, the winner was "Silver Legacy". Turner, Circus Circus Enterprises President, expressed praise over the new name how it was "striking and appealing". The topping off ceremony was held just before New Years 1995. The hotel used 9,000 tons of steel in its construction. As over 2800 jobs needed to be filled before the Summer 1995 grand opening, the University of Nevada, Reno
's Lawlor Events Center was leased for a job fair held on March 21, 1995.
Silver Legacy's chief architect was the Urban Design Group, who specializes in unique constructions. The massive dome was put through rigorous testing to make sure it was able to withstand earthquakes and as much as 400,000 pounds of snow. On June 21, 1995 the Nevada Gaming Commission issued the Silver Legacy's its gaming license.
After nearly 4 years of planning and construction, the Silver Legacy opened its doors at noon on July 28, 1995. All 1720 rooms were sold out for the first 22 nights of operation. Virginia Street was shut down for two blocks in front of the hotel during the event.
In 2007, the hotel remade its image with a new marketing campaign and logo and opened new nightlife venues. The dome still holds the mining rig and still has daily/nightly laser and light shows. In late 2010, all 1720 rooms and suites had been remodeled capping a $15 million three year renovation master plan. Finishing it off, in 2011 hotel officials decided to change the hotel's typically green lit facade to blue (as a show of support for the Nevada Wolf Pack
) following the success of its new marketing campaign, remodel projects and new rewards program. The new color for the hotel at night showcases a new Silver Legacy.
Silver Legacy plays host to several events in Reno. Fireworks are launched off of its roof on New Year's Eve and its 38 stories become a course for health when the annual "Climb the Legacy" event is held for charity. In 2007, Shane McConkey and Miles Daisher base jumped from the top of the building to benefit the Make-A-Wish Organization of Northern Nevada.
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
, it opened on July 28, 1995. It anchors a network of connected hotel-casinos in the downtown Reno core that included jointly owned properties Eldorado Hotel-Casino and Circus Circus Reno. Silver Legacy is a 50/50 partnership between Eldorado Resorts LLC and MGM Resorts International with MGM holding majority stake at 51% seeing as they were given 3 out of 5 seats on the resort's executive board. James J. Murren sits on the resort's executive committee, he is the current CEO of MGM Resorts International.
History
In 1992, a board was created consisting of Clyde T. Turner, president of Circus Circus Enterprises and Don Carano, for the purpose of building a new hotel-casino in downtown Reno, NevadaReno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
. They went through over 7 design firms and many themes. On May 19, 1993 the project was officially announced and given the name "Project C". The intended theme would be "Lost City" and the complex would cover two city blocks. It would also form a "casino mall", with enclosed sky-walk connections to the neighboring hotels the Eldorado and Circus Circus. The group then went to the City Council to request a special use permit because no project of that scale had ever been built in Reno before in the downtown core. On July 22, 1993 the City Council recommended the planning commission issue the permit. The permit was issued, the initial project was given approval to go ahead with multiple curved hotel towers and theme park in the center casino.
The idea behind Project C was to spark a boom in Reno, as a new hotel-casino had not been constructed in Reno since 1978 when the MGM Grand (now the Grand Sierra Resort) was constructed. After much thought, the developers met again to rethink Project C's design. In December 1993, the redesign was made public. Two weeks later a new design was unveiled to the City Council of which was then approved. The new plan contained fewer curves in the hotel towers and fewer rooms.
As of January 1994 when construction began, Project C was still the official name of the project and the theme was still "Lost City". Six months into construction, the theme was changed from "Lost City" to one based on the Victorian era and Nevada's mining history. The announcement was made on June 2, 1994.
Along with the announcement of the new theme came what would come with it, inside the resort a 180 ft (54.9 m) mining rig replica would stand as a landmark to the casino inside a giant composite dome, the largest in the world. This sparked national media attention. The dome would include a light and audio show with lasers and more for the public to view. By the end of 1994 the building that held the casino and dome were nearly completed and the tower was topped off at 38 stories, remaking the downtown skyline and becoming the tallest building in Northern Nevada. On December 15, 1994 the final name of the property was unveiled. Earlier in 1994, the partners gave locals the option to name Reno's newest resort. 11,000 entries were narrowed down to 4, the winner was "Silver Legacy". Turner, Circus Circus Enterprises President, expressed praise over the new name how it was "striking and appealing". The topping off ceremony was held just before New Years 1995. The hotel used 9,000 tons of steel in its construction. As over 2800 jobs needed to be filled before the Summer 1995 grand opening, the University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
's Lawlor Events Center was leased for a job fair held on March 21, 1995.
Silver Legacy's chief architect was the Urban Design Group, who specializes in unique constructions. The massive dome was put through rigorous testing to make sure it was able to withstand earthquakes and as much as 400,000 pounds of snow. On June 21, 1995 the Nevada Gaming Commission issued the Silver Legacy's its gaming license.
After nearly 4 years of planning and construction, the Silver Legacy opened its doors at noon on July 28, 1995. All 1720 rooms were sold out for the first 22 nights of operation. Virginia Street was shut down for two blocks in front of the hotel during the event.
In 2007, the hotel remade its image with a new marketing campaign and logo and opened new nightlife venues. The dome still holds the mining rig and still has daily/nightly laser and light shows. In late 2010, all 1720 rooms and suites had been remodeled capping a $15 million three year renovation master plan. Finishing it off, in 2011 hotel officials decided to change the hotel's typically green lit facade to blue (as a show of support for the Nevada Wolf Pack
Nevada Wolf Pack
The Nevada Wolf Pack are the collegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Nevada, Reno, consisting of 16 varsity teams. Though often known as UNR within the state, the university is simply called Nevada for athletics purposes; its sports teams are nicknamed the Wolf Pack...
) following the success of its new marketing campaign, remodel projects and new rewards program. The new color for the hotel at night showcases a new Silver Legacy.
Silver Legacy plays host to several events in Reno. Fireworks are launched off of its roof on New Year's Eve and its 38 stories become a course for health when the annual "Climb the Legacy" event is held for charity. In 2007, Shane McConkey and Miles Daisher base jumped from the top of the building to benefit the Make-A-Wish Organization of Northern Nevada.