Because of high wartime material costs, Wilkerson ran into financial problems almost at once, finding himself $400,000 short and hunting for new financing. He planned a hotel with luxurious rooms, a spa, a health club, a showroom, a golf course, a nightclub, an upscale restaurant and a French-style casino. Wilkerson also requested that the new 'Flamingo' hotel be different from the smaller 'sawdust joints' on Fremont Street. The El Rancho Vegas and The Last Frontier were full service hotel casinos, and already open on what would become known as The Las Vegas Strip. Wilkerson then hired George Vernon Russell to design a hotel influenced by European style. Route 91, or about a half mile south of the Hotel Last Frontier, in preparation for his vision. In 1945, Wilkerson purchased 33 acres (13 ha) on the east side of U.S. Wilkerson was the owner of The Hollywood Reporter as well as some very popular nightclubs on the Sunset Strip: Cafe Trocadero, Ciro's and La Rue's (Hollywood). In 1944, Margaret Folsom bought the tract for $7,500 from Squires, and she then later sold it to Billy Wilkerson. Squires paid $8.75 per acre ($21.6/ha) for the land. The Flamingo site occupies 40 acres (16 ha) originally owned by one of Las Vegas's first settlers, Charles 'Pops' Squires. History Land background and hotel design (1945) After opening in 1946, it has undergone a number of ownership changes. The Flamingo has a Las Vegas Monorail station called the Flamingo & Caesars Palace station at the rear of the property. It is also the last remaining casino on the strip that opened before 1950 that is still in operation. The hotel was the third resort to open on the Strip and remains the oldest resort on the Strip in operation today, and it has been since 2007 with the closure and demolition of The New Frontier. Staying true to its theme and name, the hotel includes a garden courtyard which serves as a wildlife habitat for flamingos. The architectural theme is reminiscent of the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne style of Miami and South Beach.

The property includes a 72,299-square-foot (6,716.8 m 2) casino along with 3,460 hotel rooms.

It is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment.

Flamingo casino las vegas nv