Here's one of the most famous Vegas motels of all... the La Concha
Motel. This conch lookin' place still features a googie building and
sign, though the marquee lost its top a few years back. The La Concha opened back in 1961 and was designed by Paul Williams who also was the architect for the LAX Theme Building and Beverly Hills Hotel among others.
The La Concha prior to demolition (November
2003) Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE 07/06 : The La Concha building was torn down in December 2003. The sign was replaced with a plastic rectangular sign advertising something else a year or so later. All that's left right now is the darkened lobby. The latest word is that the Las Vegas Neon Museum has raised sufficient funds to move save and move the lobby to their site to be used as a welcome lobby. 07-06
The conch shaped lobby Photo courtesy Jill & Chad Halverson
The interior view Photo courtesy Jill & Chad Halverson
Gift shop inside Photo courtesy Jill & Chad Halverson
UPDATE 12/07 : Here's a photo from the 1st of December of the La Concha Motel marquee all framed up and ready to be moved. Many thanks to Lynne Rostochil for photo update. 12-07
La Concha Motel ready for transport
Lynne Rotoschil
Traveling
down the Vegas strip these days, shadows of the old Vegas legends are
felt. Not just the Rat Pack crooning as the wind howls by near the site
of the former Sands, nor the wail of the Landmark toppling over, but the
cry of yet another Vegas landmark. Yes, Virginia, the La Concha is meeting
the end of the road.
La Concha Photo courtesy Georg Balandran
The La Concha Hotel fell to the wrecking ball on December 11, 2003. Once
a stop for many celebrities, including Ronald Reagan in its years of operation
since opening in 1961, the La Concha faced an ending with little fanfare.
Designed by noted architect Paul Revere Williams who is known for LAX
and the Ambassador Hotel in the Los Angeles area, the La Concha is a favorite
roadside treasure to see while in Vegas.
With the end of the El Morocco Hotel next door with even its old marquee
not deemed worthy to be spared from the backlit plastic terror, not much
is left at the northern end of the strip. Yes, there's the Stardust and
Sahara. The Riviera still sits next door. The Peppermill still stands
for now. But little else...
