The Frontier Hotel and Casino. Just the name evokes a certain era of Las Vegas – a rougher, wilder, more authentic feel than the polished mega-resorts of today. But the story of the Frontier is far more complex than just one hotel’s lifespan. The land itself has cycled through names and ownership, reflecting the constant evolution of the Las Vegas Strip.

A Shifting Identity: From Dice to Frontier

The history began long before the Frontier’s heyday. Initially, in 1931, it was the Pair O’ Dice, a casino and dance club. After a decade, it became the Hotel Last Frontier in 1942. A pivotal moment arrived in 1955 when it was rebranded as the New Frontier, a name it would reclaim later in its life. Ownership shifted frequently, and the underlying property always seemed to be in flux. The death of Warren Bayley in 1964 and subsequent closure paved the way for significant change.

The New Frontier Ascends – and then Becomes The Frontier

1967 saw a massive reinvestment. Frontier Properties secured funding, including (as was often the case in Vegas back then) infusions of capital from known mob figures, and construction began under the watchful eye of architect Friedman. The redesigned property, now simply “The Frontier,” opened its doors with 650 rooms and a distinctly Western theme, complete with that iconic, striking ‘F’ logo designed by Bill Clark. It aimed to capture the spirit of the Old West, offering a different atmosphere than the more sophisticated, contemporary hotels emerging at the time. Howard Hughes quickly acquired the property, adding another chapter to its complicated ownership history.

A Labor Dispute and a Final Chapter

The 1990s brought a protracted labor dispute. The Frontier became entangled in one of the longest strikes in U.S. history, dragging on for a staggering 2,325 days! This strained the property’s reputation and finances, ultimately leading Phil Ruffin to purchase it in 1997. Ruffin’s deal resolved the strike, a momentous occasion celebrated by thousands, and saw striking workers receive significant back pay. Just a year later, Ruffin reverted the name back to “New Frontier.”

Demolition and a Future Yet Unwritten

The New Frontier (formerly Frontier) ceased operations in 2007, and was subsequently demolished. The land, prime real estate on the Strip, was purchased by Wynn Resorts in 2018 for a staggering $336 million. Plans for “Wynn West” were initially unveiled, promising another luxurious addition to the Strip. However, those plans have been repeatedly delayed, stalled primarily by the departure of Steve Wynn and subsequent revisions to the project. As of 2024, the space remains vacant, awaiting a new vision, while the memory of the Frontier – and all its previous iterations – lingers on in the collective imagination of vintage Las Vegas enthusiasts. The Frontier’s story is a microcosm of the Strip’s own fluctuating fortunes, a testament to the constant change and reinvention that defines Las Vegas.