Golden Gate casino to undergo major expansion

Vegas stalwart, The Golden Gate hotel- casino has announced major renovation plans which will see the casino almost double in size.

The 111-year-old casino will close between August 20-25th during which time its casino floor will be expanded to include 100 new slots and a 360-degree, 24-foot tower of televisions, displayed as if the TVs are emerging from a fountain.

Golden Gate’s One Bar & restaurant will expand by 20 feet and its Freemont street entrance will be completely redesigned with velvet drapes and gold medallions.

In a statement announcing the expansion Golden Gate CEO Derek Stevens said: "Since opening in 1906 as Hotel Nevada, Golden Gate has played a key role in the growth and success of Downtown Las Vegas,"

"We are thrilled to continue Golden Gate's incredible narrative and evolution while also contributing to the area's ongoing revitalization."

This expansion will be Golden Gate's second in more than 50 years, the first being the addition of a five-story luxury hotel tower, new lobby and exterior in 2012.

Golden Gate has an illustrious history, surviving the Prohibition era (whiskey bottles were found hidden in the walls during the hotel's previous renovation) and was a frequent watering hole for Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. It was home to one of Vegas' first electric signs and the city's first telephone.