LAS VEGAS, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The Riviera Hotel and Casino's Monte Carlo tower was imploded early Tuesday in Las Vegas in a controlled demolition via dynamite.
The demolition occurred at about 2:30 a.m. The Monte Carlo tower was the first high-rise hotel built on the Las Vegas Strip and one of the city's most famous casinos. There was no designated viewing area to watch the demolition as was the case when the 24-floor Monaco Tower was demolished in June.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is spending $42 million to level the 13-building complex and 26 acres where the Riviera Hotel and Casino once stood -- hosting the likes of Dean Martin and Liberace over its six decades in Las Vegas. The property was closed in May 2015.
The Las Vegas tourism agency bought the property for $182.5 million, with more than $8 million in transaction costs. The Riviera Hotel and Casino will live on through its appearances in famous films, such as the original Ocean's 11, the Diamonds Are Forever James Bond film, 1995's Casino, The Hangover and the latest Jason Bourne film.
