The New Frontier

Closed as of July 16, 2007. In 1956 the Frontier booked a new young entertainer named Elvis Presley, starting an historical era for Las Vegas. The Frontier has been renovated often since it started as The Last Frontier in 1942. In 1955 it became the New Frontier, and then in 1967 just the Frontier. In 1998, when the property was acquired by Phil Ruffin for $167 million, it became the “New Frontier” again. Sometimes it is found in a listing of hotels under “F” and sometimes under “N”. There were 980 rooms and suites in this tower hotel located in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, adjacent to the Fashion Show Mall.

The following summary captures the hotel and casino as it was on its last day of operation, which was July 17, 2007. The property was sold to Elad IDB Las Vegas. The Elad Group in New York owns the Plaza Hotel. It is a real estate development company controlled by Israeli billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva. IDB holdings is an Israeli investment group. The purchase price was $1.24 billion for the 34½ acre property. The New Frontier is set to be demolished in 2007 to make way for a $5.7 billion development similar to Echelon Place and CityCenter, but modeled after the Plaza Hotel in New York.

The Casino at the Frontier occupied 100,000 square feet, with numerous tables for blackjack, roulette, craps, etc. There was a 59-seat race and sports book with individual monitors and large screens and the only bingo parlor on the Strip.

Lounges and Bars. Gilleys, was a famous country and western bar, which described itself as a saloon, dance hall and barbecue restaurant, following the Old West theme of the whole property. On different days of the week a guest could witness “bikini bull riding” or female mud wrestling.

Gilleys served Texas barbecue and other western items from a full dinner menu. Phil’s Steakhouse featured steakhouse fare. Margarita's Cantina was an authentic Mexican restaurant, with a standing Margarita special.

The New Frontier’s outdoor pool had a garden, deck, whirlpool and children’s pool.

The Frontier had an Atrium Garden as a backdrop for a wedding and staff wedding planners to organize packages including flowers, photography and catering services.

The New Frontier Hotel had a ballroom, a boardroom and six meeting rooms to accommodate up to about 300 people for meetings, shows, receptions or banquets.