Flamingo Las Vegas, Las Vegas

Flamingo Las Vegas traces its origins to a luxury resort project initially conceived in 1945 by Billy Wilkerson, founder of The Hollywood Reporter. Wilkerson envisioned a stylish, resort-style casino along the highway to Los Angeles that would appeal to an upscale clientele. When construction costs escalated and funding ran short, Bugsy Siegel and his mob-connected partners forced their way into the project and ultimately took control, reshaping its development and accelerating construction. Although the hotel first opened in 1946 amid financial difficulties and Siegel was assassinated in 1947, the Flamingo later reopened successfully and became a defining model for the modern Las Vegas Strip resort.

Architecturally, the Flamingo stands out for its Art Deco and Streamline Moderne influences, inspired by the resort architecture of Miami and South Beach. This lighter, more elegant design marked a clear departure from earlier Western-themed casinos and helped set a new visual direction for Las Vegas. Staying true to its name, the property features a landscaped Wildlife Habitat, where visitors can see live flamingos, koi fish, turtles, and other birds in a tranquil garden setting.

Today, Flamingo Las Vegas is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment and functions as a full-scale resort rather than a historical curiosity. Visitors can explore the casino floor, relax at the multi-pool complex, stroll through the wildlife habitat, or enjoy the range of restaurants, bars, and live entertainment venues on-site. The Flamingo Showroom continues to host rotating productions and residencies, while its central Strip location offers easy access to neighboring resorts. A small memorial to Bugsy Siegel remains near the Wedding Chapel, quietly acknowledging the resort’s dramatic early history.