Caesars Palace, the Rome-themed hotel and casino in the middle of the Nevada desert, has been nothing but groundbreaking. Before gamblers could access online slots or bet on the Floorball with Bitcoin, they were frequenting the venues’ many table games. In general Caesars Palace has been credited with starting a new era of lavish casinos from the 1960s onwards. Yet, it has also become synonymous with high-profile musical acts, fine dining, and wellness.
The following is an exploration of Caesars Palace’s origins, past notable events, and current landscape.
Exuding opulence through the architecture
In August 1966, American developer, hotelier, and casino owner Jay Sarno left a significant mark on Las Vegas with the official opening of Caesars Palace.
A pioneer in themed resorts, Caesars Palace stood out as one of the first properties in Las Vegas to embrace a fully developed theme, featuring a Greco-Roman design evident in opulent fountains and ornate Corinthian columns. Architect Melvin Grossman, inspired by his previous work on the Cabaña Hotel in Palo Alto, designed the original hotel. The iconic 1966 sign, crafted by the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and later modified by Ad-Art, contributed to the property’s distinct visual identity.
The absence of an apostrophe in “Caesars Palace” reflects Sarno’s intent to create an opulent atmosphere, allowing every guest to feel like an emperor. According to architectural writer Alan Hess, it “needed only a sumptuous array of Classical statuary and a host of marble-white columns to establish its theme. The visitor’s imagination, in league with well-placed publicity, filled in the opulence”.
Despite ongoing construction, Caesars Palace officially started welcoming guests on August 5, 1966, with a lavish $1 million opening party attended by notable figures such as Johnny Carson and Jimmy Hoffa.
Notable events
After its inauguration, Caesars Palace hosted a number of high-profile events and entertainment acts. In 1968, for example, Frank Sinatra relocated his performance from the Sands to the resort. After an altercation with casino manager Sanford Waterman, however, the singer would cease to perform at the venue until 1974.
The following year, the venue hosted Evel Knievel’s motorcycle jump over the hotel’s fountains. Famously, the stunt went awry, resulting in Knievel sustaining severe injuries, including a crushed pelvis and femur, and a 29-day coma.
Around that time, there was a change in ownership as Jay Sarno sold Caesars Palace for $60 million to Stuart and Clifford Perlman. Following the triumph in Las Vegas, a second Caesars Palace was established in Atlantic City in 1977, replicating the successful Vegas model.
Over the years, the hotel also ventured into the world of sports, hosting anything from boxing matches and auto races to high-profile professional wrestling events, exemplified by WWE’s WrestleMania IX in April 1993.
In 1992, Caesars Palace expanded its offerings with a 280,000-square-foot luxury shopping mall, featuring the inaugural celebrity-chef restaurant in Las Vegas, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. The Forum Shops have since grown to 636,000 square feet, housing over 150 boutiques, including renowned brands such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels.
Caesars Palace today
Caesars Palace has undergone multiple ownership changes, with Hilton, ITT, and Harrah’s among its former proprietors. In 2005, Harrah’s acquired the hotel for $9.4 billion. Presently, the real estate investment trust Vici Properties holds ownership.
Boasting a total of 3,980 rooms, including over 300 suites across five hotel towers — Julius, Palace, Augustus, Octavius, Forum, and Nobu — the resort features a 129,000-square-foot casino, 26 restaurants and cafes, expansive gardens, pools, a spa, and the renowned Colosseum, hosting performances by world-class stars.
Current resident acts at the venue include Adele, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie.
