A Bold Gamble on Paradise Road

The late 1960s in Las Vegas were a time of explosive growth and fierce competition. While the Strip glittered, savvy developers looked for opportunities to expand. Enter Marvin Kratter and National Equities, who initially acquired a large parcel of land, formerly part of the Las Vegas Park racetrack, with ambitious plans for a sprawling hotel, golf course, and private homes. However, Kratter’s vision never fully materialized, setting the stage for one of the most significant chapters in Las Vegas history: the rise of the International Hotel.

In 1967, Kirk Kerkorian, the aviation tycoon and entertainment mogul, seized upon the opportunity. He purchased 65.5 acres from Kratter for a cool $5 million, with a bold ambition – to build a 1,510-room, 30-story hotel. This wasn’t just a hotel; it was a statement. Situated on Paradise Road, significantly away from the established Strip, Kerkorian dared to create what he hoped would be a “second Strip.” Many questioned his gamble, but Kerkorian was known for his ambitious, and often successful, ventures. To prepare, he shrewdly acquired the Flamingo Hotel, using it as a training ground for his burgeoning staff and establishing International Leisure to oversee both properties.

Hughes’s Shadow and a Race to the Finish

Kerkorian’s vision didn’t go unchallenged. Howard Hughes, already a major player in Las Vegas with properties like the Sands, saw Kerkorian as a direct competitor. Hughes launched a series of maneuvers to try and thwart the International’s construction - expanding his own Sands Hotel to try and steal market share and even spreading false rumors about potential damage from nuclear testing. Attempts to buy and shut down the project entirely failed. In a move of incredible timing and perhaps a touch of spite, Hughes completed and opened the unfinished Landmark Hotel and Casino the day before the International’s grand opening.

The International Era: Elvis and Beyond

The International Hotel officially opened on July 2, 1969, instantly becoming Nevada’s tallest building and the state’s largest hotel. Entertainment director Bill Miller filled the showroom with star power, securing headlining acts like Barbra Streisand and Peggy Lee. However, the biggest coup was yet to come: Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll began his unprecedented, seven-year residency on July 31, 1969, performing an astonishing 636 consecutive sold-out shows. This cemented the International’s place as the entertainment destination and unfortunately left many other established performers sidelined.

A Sudden Shift and a New Name

The ambitious scale of the project and Kerkorian’s other financial commitments eventually caught up to him. By late 1969, he was struggling to service the hotel’s debt while dealing with obligations at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Western Airlines. A stock offering to alleviate the financial strain was rejected by the SEC, forcing Kerkorian to sell International Leisure shares to Hilton Hotels in 1971. The International Hotel became the Las Vegas Hilton, a name that would resonate with a new generation of gamblers and showgoers. Hilton acquired full ownership in 1972.

Today, the building stands as Westgate Las Vegas, a testament to Kerkorian’s bold vision, Hughes’s rivalry, and the enduring legacy of a hotel that helped shape the Las Vegas Strip as we know it.