Sunset Station (hotel and casino)

Station Casinos announced Sunset Station in February 1994.{{cite news |title=Sunset Station planned |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sunset%20Station%20planned%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 17, 1994 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Groundbreaking was set to begin the following year, but was delayed by Station's purchase of the Texas hotel in North Las Vegas, as well as construction plans for a Kansas City casino.{{cite news |title=Sunset delayed |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=1995&date_to=&text=%22Sunset+delayed%22&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 11, 1995 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Sunset Station's hotel tower was eventually topped off on February 7, 1997.{{cite news |last=Marciniak |first=D.B. |title=Sunset Station tops off |url=http://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004612/00001/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Henderson Home News |date=February 11, 1997 |pages=1, 5}} The resort cost $198 million.

Sunset Station opened on June 10, 1997,{{cite news |last=Marciniak |first=D.B. |title=Sunset Station ready to glow! |url=http://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004646/00001/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Henderson Home News |date=June 10, 1997 |page=1}}{{cite news |last=Szydelko |first=Paul |title=Sunset Station changes city's landscape |url=http://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004646/00001/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Henderson Home News |date=June 10, 1997 |page=2}}{{cite news |last=Berns |first=Dave |title=Sunrise on Sunset |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-11-Wed-1997/news/5529794.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 11, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000918044932/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-11-Wed-1997/news/5529794.html |archive-date=September 18, 2000}} as Henderson's first hotel-casino resort.{{cite news |last=Szydelko |first=Paul |title=Fun rises at Sunset Station |url=http://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004647/00001/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Henderson Home News |date=June 12, 1997 |page=1}}{{cite news |last=DeFrank |first=Sean |title=Sunset opening sparkles |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sunset+opening+sparkles%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 2, 1997 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} It was also the fourth Las Vegas Valley property opened by Station,{{cite news |title=$198 million Sunset Station to open Tuesday night |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jun/09/198-million-sunset-station-to-open-tuesday-night/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 9, 1997}} as well as the company's most upscale,{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Gary |title=Sunset Station prepares to open |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jun/06/sunset-station-prepares-to-open/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 6, 1997}}{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Thomas |title=How Sunset Station changed the scene |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/jun/26/how-sunset-station-changed-the-scene/ |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 26, 2017}} reflecting a growing trend among locals casinos in Las Vegas.{{cite news |title=Resorts for locals go upscale |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Resorts+for+locals+go+upscale%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 12, 1996 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} The property was well received upon its opening, leading to an expansion the following year.{{cite news |last=Marciniak |first=D.B. |title=Sunset Station expansion on the horizon |url=http://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004717/00001/ |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=Henderson Home News |date=February 12, 1998 |page=5}} Station would go on to build other upscale resorts in the Las Vegas Valley, including Green Valley Ranch (2001) and Red Rock Resort (2006).

Sunset Station employed approximately 1,800 people upon opening,{{cite news |title=Phone system pays off for Sunset Station |url=http://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004630/00001/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Henderson Home News |date=April 15, 1997 |page=5}} and had 1,200 workers as of 2017.{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=F. Andrew |title=Sunset Station host recalls casino's early days |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/henderson/sunset-station-host-recalls-casinos-early-days/ |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 29, 2017}} Two years later, employees voted in favor of unionizing the property by 83 percent. It would be the fifth Station property in Las Vegas to be unionized, with representation by the Culinary Workers Union.{{cite news|last=Velotta|first=Richard N.|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/sunset-station-employees-vote-for-culinary-union-to-represent-them-1687591/|title=Sunset Station employees vote for Culinary Union to represent them|date=June 14, 2019|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=June 18, 2019}}

Sunset Station includes a {{convert|163951|sqft|abbr=on}} casino,{{cite web|url=http://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|title=Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=Nevada Gaming Control Board|access-date=May 30, 2023|page=9|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232017/https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|url-status=dead}} as well as 448 rooms in a 21-story tower. Standing 230 feet, it is the tallest building in Henderson.{{cite news |title=Henderson approves 330-foot-tall mixed development |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/16/development-will-bring-330-foot-tall-buildings-hen/ |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 16, 2008}} The hotel tower was renovated in 2016.{{cite news |title=Sunset Station completes hotel tower renovation |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2016/dec/07/sunset-station-completes-hotel-tower-renovation/ |access-date=May 31, 2023 |work=VegasInc |date=December 7, 2016}} The casino measured {{convert|80000|sqft|abbr=on}} upon opening,{{cite news |last=DeFrank |first=Sean |title=Sunset in the city |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sunset%20in%20the%20city%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 11, 1997 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} and included 2,800 slot machines, 40 table games, a 208-seat sportsbook, a poker room, and a keno lounge. In late 1998, the casino introduced health-conscious slot machines that incorporated stationary bikes and treadmills.{{cite news |title=Work Out While You Wager |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/work-out-while-you-wager/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=CBS |date=December 30, 1998}}{{cite news |last=Wagner |first=Angie |title=Heart-healthy slot machines offer workout while gambling |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/nov/12/heart-healthy-slot-machines-offer-workout-while-ga/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 12, 1998}}{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Christopher |title=A New Way to Exercise Your Urge to Gamble |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-21-tr-19441-story.html |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 21, 1999}}

Sunset Station features a Spanish/Mediterranean theme.{{cite news |title=Effects Network creates Sunset Station gaming themes |url=http://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004646/00001/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Henderson Home News |date=June 10, 1997 |page=2}} The interior was designed by Las Vegas-based Morris & Brown, which referred to architecture in Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Segovia, Seville, and Valencia. The work of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí prompted the Gaudi Bar at Sunset Station.{{cite news |last=Berns |first=Dave |title=A Rising Sunset |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-09-Mon-1997/business/5516812.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 9, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991005222035/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-09-Mon-1997/business/5516812.html |archive-date=October 5, 1999}} The central feature of the 140-seat bar is a {{convert|6000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} stained glass ceiling composed of thousands of glass pieces and weighing 12 tons.{{cite web|url=http://www.flowcorp.com/waterjet-resources.cfm?id=307|title=Waterjet Cutting Adds Splash to Vegas Casino|publisher=Flow International Corporation|access-date=October 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202103918/http://www.flowcorp.com/waterjet-resources.cfm?id=307|archive-date=December 2, 2007|url-status=dead}} The resort interior also includes sky painted ceilings inspired by The Forum Shops, a mall on the Las Vegas Strip. Exterior facades, resembling Spanish villages, were created by a Hollywood film set designer.

The property opened with various restaurants, including a 760-seat buffet.{{cite news |last=Paskevich |first=Michael |title=Sun Rises on Sunset Station |url=http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-08-Sun-1997/lifestyles/5470448.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 8, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990825073433/http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-08-Sun-1997/lifestyles/5470448.html |archive-date=August 25, 1999}}{{cite news |last=DeFrank |first=Sean |title=Hotel serves international cuisine |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Hotel+serves+international+cuisine%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 11, 1997 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Gordon Biersch Brewing Company operated a restaurant and {{convert|11000|sqft|abbr=on}} microbrewery. However, the company ended its lease in March 1998, upon realizing that its premium alcohol did not appeal to the resort's budget-minded clientele. The casino took over the space and reopened it as Sunset Brewing Co.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Hubble |title=Restaurant parts ways with Sunset |url=http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Feb-18-Wed-1998/business/6978671.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 18, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991011081449/http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Feb-18-Wed-1998/business/6978671.html |archive-date=October 11, 1999}}{{cite news |last=Berns |first=Dave |title=Sunset has big plans for brewery |url=http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Mar-02-Mon-1998/business/7045022.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 2, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990902033116/http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Mar-02-Mon-1998/business/7045022.html |archive-date=September 2, 1999}}{{cite news |title=Sunset Station opens new microbrewery |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sunset+Station+opens+new+microbrewery%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 27, 1998 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

Upon its opening, Sunset Station included a video game arcade and child-care facility.{{cite news |last=Steinhauer |first=Adam |title=Crowding Into Henderson |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/May-05-Mon-1997/business/5315497.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 5, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010908082035/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/May-05-Mon-1997/business/5315497.html |archive-date=September 8, 2001}} A 13-screen Act III movie theater opened a year prior to the rest of the resort.{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=Act III plans 18-screen theater |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/May-07-Wed-1997/lifestyles/5328929.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 7, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000916192128/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/May-07-Wed-1997/lifestyles/5328929.html |archive-date=September 16, 2000}} The facility has since been taken over by Regal Cinemas.{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |title=Movies Are Returning to Theaters. Will Audiences Follow? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/business/media/coronavirus-movie-theaters-new-mutants.html |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=August 28, 2020}} A $45 million resort expansion began in 1998, on the property's south side. The project included construction of a parking garage, additional movie theater screens, new meeting space,{{cite news |last=DeFrank |first=Sean |title=Sunset Station set for big expansion |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Sunset+Station+set+for+big+expansion%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 22, 1998 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |last=DeFrank |first=Sean |title=Sunset Station begins $45 million growth spurt |url=http://www.viewnews.com:80/1998/VIEW-Dec-02-Wed-1998/Henderson/10116864.html |work=View News |date=December 2, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991116032906/http://www.viewnews.com:80/1998/VIEW-Dec-02-Wed-1998/Henderson/10116864.html |archive-date=November 16, 1999}} and the Sonoma Cellar Steakhouse.{{cite news |last=Stevens |first=Muriel |title=Sunset Station's Sonoma Cellar hits heights for food, decor |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/mar/19/columnist-muriel-stevens-sunset-stations-sonoma-ce/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 19, 1999}} More casino space was also added, for a total of {{convert|100000|sqft|abbr=on}}.{{cite news |last=Berns |first=Dave |title=Expansion planned for Sunset Station |url=http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Apr-01-Wed-1998/business/7233036.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 1, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991010131434/http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Apr-01-Wed-1998/business/7233036.html |archive-date=October 10, 1999}}

Sunset Station's entertainment venues include the 600-seat Club Madrid, and an amphitheater.{{cite news |last=Weatherford |first=Mike |title=Acts for Club Madrid, outdoor stage likely to please classic-rock fans |url=http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-08-Sun-1997/lifestyles/5470112.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 8, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990825065253/http://lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-08-Sun-1997/lifestyles/5470112.html |archive-date=August 25, 1999}} Notable entertainers have included Foreigner, Gladys Knight, Jamie Foxx, Keith Urban, Merle Haggard, The Monkees, Pat Benatar, Tears for Fears, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, and ZZ Top.

Strike Zone, a {{convert|76000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} bowling alley with 72 lanes, was opened in 2005. Built at a cost of $26 million, it was the most expensive bowling alley in the country.{{cite news |last=Ziegler |first=Ellen |title=Sunset Station to add bowling |url=http://viewnews.com/2004/VIEW-Jun-18-Fri-2004/Henderson/24102830.html |work=View News |date=June 18, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050119212855/http://viewnews.com/2004/VIEW-Jun-18-Fri-2004/Henderson/24102830.html |archive-date=January 19, 2005}}{{cite news|last=Benston|first=Liz|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/may/02/bowlers-strike-it-rich-with-sunset-center/|title=Bowlers strike it rich with Sunset center|date=May 2, 2005|work=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=October 28, 2007}} In 2007, the alley hosted the PBA Tour's Motel 6 Classic.{{cite web|url=http://www.pba.com/Tournaments/Details/1491|title=Motel 6 Classic|publisher=Professional Bowlers Association|access-date=October 28, 2007}}

A renovation of the casino floor began in October 2023, and will include a revamped sportsbook featuring a bar and a 150-foot video wall.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=Sunset Station begins sportsbook, casino floor remodel |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/sunset-station-begins-sportsbook-casino-floor-remodel-2916897/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 6, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Sunset Station to undergo renovations across casino floor |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/sunset-station-to-undergo-renovations-across-casino-floor-las-vegas-southern-nevada-stn-sportsbook-high-limit-slots |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=KSNV |date=October 6, 2023}}{{cite news |last=McKee |first=David |title=Station exorcism; Foul bawl; Urban One broke? |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/blog/station-exorcism-foul-bawl-urban-one-broke/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Advisor |date=October 9, 2023}}

File:Sunset Station, Henderson, Nevada (18197935951).jpg|Aerial view of the resort, 2015

File:Sunset Station casino sign (2009).jpg|Roadside sign on Sunset Road

File:Gaudi Bar - Sarah Stierch - December 2019 01.jpg|Gaudi Bar

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Sunset Station}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Las Vegas casinos}}

{{Las Vegas hotels}}

{{Las Vegas skyscrapers}}

{{Station Casinos}}

Category:1997 establishments in Nevada

Category:Buildings and structures in Henderson, Nevada

Category:Casinos in the Las Vegas Valley

Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1997

Category:Hotels established in 1997

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009

Category:Resorts in the Las Vegas Valley

Category:Skyscraper hotels in the Las Vegas Valley

Category:Station Casinos

Category:Casino hotels in the Las Vegas Valley