Visitors landing at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas are treated to a bird's eye view of the overbearing and wacky style that dominates this desert oasis. Towering over everything from erupting volcanoes to battling pirate ships, at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, is the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
The Stratosphere opened on April 30, 1996. Its 1,149-foot observation tower did not attract as many visitors as its developers had expected. The owners filed for bankruptcy less than six months after opening.
A roller coaster was incorporated into the tower's design. The High Roller opened in 1996 but was closed and dismantled in 2005 to make way for other attractions. The coaster shot 909 feet off the ground, making it the second highest roller coaster in the world when it was completed. The tower now has three thrill rides attached to it.
The initial unpopularity of the Stratosphere was caused, in part, by its location: It is well out of walking distance from other Strip casinos. It's now a popular midpoint stop, marking the division between the Strip and Downtown.
The initial plan was to build the highest free-standing structure in the United States, but opposition from the nearby airport forced the architects to reduce the height from 1,815 feet to 1,149.
Due to numerous planning changes, financial setbacks and building delays, the Stratosphere took more than three years to construct. It is now considered a Las Vegas landmark and a major tourist attraction.
