Neonopolis

The exterior of Neonopolis next to Fremont Street.

Neonopolis is a shopping center in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Located on Fremont Street at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard, the 250,000 sq ft (23,000 m2) complex features a mix of restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops. In keeping with the complex's name, it contains three miles of neon lights.[1]

History

Plans for Neonopolis were announced in December 1997.[2] It opened on May 3, 2002.[3]

In 2006, Prudential Real Estate sold Neonopolis to a development group led by Rohit Joshi for $25 million.[4] Joshi undertook an abortive rebranding of the center as Fremont Square, but ultimately the Neonopolis name was retained.[5][6][7] After temporarily closing in 2010 for redevelopment, Neonopolis underwent renovations in 2011 and reopened with new tenants.

Current tenants

The interior courtyard of the shopping center.
  • Axehole ― An axe throwing range, opened in 2017.[8]
  • Cat's Meow ― A 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) karaoke club located on the second floor, opened in 2019. It is the second location of a popular, long-established club in New Orleans.[9]
  • Denny's ― A 6,400-square-foot (590 m2) flagship location for the diner chain, featuring a wedding chapel. Opened in 2012.[10][11]
  • Dick's Last Resort — A chain restaurant known for its intentionally obnoxious waitstaff. Opened in 2021 in the former Jillian's space.[12][13]
  • Don't Tell Mama ― A piano bar located on the mall's ground floor. It moved to Neonopolis in 2019 from its previous location on Fremont East.[14]
  • Fat Tuesday ― A frozen daiquiri shop, opened in 2020.[15][16]
  • Gene Woods Racing Experience ― An indoor go-kart track, opened in 2019.[17]
  • Heart Attack Grill ― A hamburger restaurant, known for its medical theme and for offering the world's highest-calorie burger, opened in 2011.[18][19]
  • International Eatery ― A food court with three outlets, opened in 2013 in the ground-floor former Luna Rossa Ristorante space, by HIG Management, a major operator of mall eateries.[20][21]
  • Little Neon Wedding Chapel ― A wedding chapel opened in 2016.[22]
  • The Nerd ― A nightclub and bowling alley themed around comic books and video games, opened in 2017 in the second-floor former Drink & Drag space.[23][24]
  • Notoriety ― An entertainment venue and lounge, with several rooms hosting concerts, comedy nights, and other events.[25][26] Opened in 2019, in the former movie theater space on the third floor.[25]
  • Substance — a warehouse-themed nightclub opening in July 2024.[27]
  • Toy Shack ― A seller of vintage collectible toys. It moved to the shopping center in 2011 to capitalize on visitors familiar with its owner's frequent appearances on the television series Pawn Stars.[28][29]
  • Ultimate Sports Cards & Memorabilia ― A sports memorabilia shop, which moved to Neonopolis in 2012, like the Toy Shack, because of its owner's appearances on Pawn Stars.[30][31]

Previous tenants

  • Banger Brewing ― A 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) pub and microbrewery, opened in 2013 on the ground floor.[32][33] Closed in 2023.[34]
  • Cannabition ― A marijuana-themed museum, opened in 2018.[35] Among the exhibits was Bongzilla,[36] billed as the world's largest bong.[37] Closed in 2019.[38]
  • Del Prado Jewelers ― A jewelry store that moved to the second floor of Neonopolis in 2006.[39][40] Closed in 2021.[41]
  • Drink and Drag ― A bowling alley and drag club, opened in 2012.[42] Closed in 2013 because of legal and financial issues.[43]
  • Evapor8 ― An e-cigarette shop, opened in 2013.[44]
  • Fremont Arcade ― A video arcade, opened in 2016 on the ground floor.[45][46]
  • Galaxy Theatres ― An 11-screen movie theater. Opened in 2002 as Crown Theatres, the center's original anchor tenant, with 14 screens.[3] Later reduced to 11 screens, and then taken over by Galaxy in 2006.[47] Closed in 2009.[48][49]
  • House of Selfies ― An "Instagram museum", opened in 2019.[50][51]
  • Jillian's ― A two-story restaurant, bar, and entertainment complex. Opened in 2002 as one of the complex's anchor tenants.[52] Closed in 2008.[53]
  • Krave Massive ― A gay nightclub, sister property of Drink and Drag, moved to the former Galaxy movie theater space from its previous location on the Las Vegas Strip in June 2013.[54] It was planned to be the largest gay club in the world, but never fully opened.[43][55] Closed after several months because of a tax dispute.[43]
  • Las Vegas Rocks Cafe ― A restaurant and lounge themed around the history of Las Vegas. Opened in 2009 in the former Jillian's space.[56][57] Closed in 2011.[58]
  • Metropolitan Gallery of Las Vegas ― An art museum and gallery. Previously named the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, it moved to Neonopolis in 2008.[59][60][61] The name was changed in 2017.[62]
  • Millennial Esports ― A 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) venue for competitive video gaming, opened in 2017 on the third floor.[63][64]
  • Poker Dome ― A studio for nationally televised poker events. Opened in 2006 on the third floor, in space previously occupied by three of the movie theaters.[65] Closed in 2007.[66]
  • Southern Nevada Center for the Arts ― An arts center providing studio and gallery space for local artists.[67] Opened in 2009 and closed later that year.[68][69]
  • Telemundo ― KBLR, the Las Vegas affiliate of the Spanish-language television network, moved its studios to a 17,500-square-foot (1,630 m2) space on the third floor in 2009.[70][71]

References

  1. ^ "Neonopolis by any other name still has smell of disaster". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  2. ^ Zapler, Mike (December 18, 1997). "Downtown retail complex in works, officials say". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  3. ^ a b Sahagun, Diana (May 3, 2002). "Long-awaited Neonopolis opens in downtown Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  4. ^ "Downtown project still in bad shape". Las Vegas Sun. December 14, 2006. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
  5. ^ Spillman, Benjamin (May 3, 2007). "Old woes but a new moniker". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  6. ^ "TV studio, nightclub considered for mall". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 9, 2008 – via NewsBank.
  7. ^ Jourdan, Kristi (March 22, 2011). "Neonopolis in waiting". Downtown View. Las Vegas – via NewsBank.
  8. ^ Millward, Wade Tyler (September 29, 2017). "Ax-throwing attraction opens at Neonoplis in downtown Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  9. ^ Bracelin, Jason (July 18, 2019). "Cat's Meow aims to hit all the right notes in downtown Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  10. ^ Sieroty, Chris (November 30, 2012). "Marriage on Denny's menu". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  11. ^ Shine, Conor (August 4, 2012). "One-of-a-kind Denny's to call Neonopolis home". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  12. ^ John Katsilometes (January 19, 2021). "Once a last resort, Neonopolis buoyed by new business". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  13. ^ "Dick's Last Resort grand opening in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. May 13, 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  14. ^ Katsilometes, John (March 20, 2019). "Earth Wind & Fire fired up for Las Vegas Strip series". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  15. ^ "Fat Tuesday's Grand Opening at Neonopolis". Las Vegas Sun. March 11, 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  16. ^ Jungblut, Eric (March 9, 2020). "Fat Tuesday frozen daiquiri chain opens at Neonopolis". KLAS-TV. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  17. ^ Miller, Cody (August 14, 2019). "Indoor go-kart racing opens at Neonopolis in downtown Las Vegas". KSNV-TV. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  18. ^ Schoenmann, Joe (February 8, 2013). "Downtown Joe: Death knocking at door of Heart Attack Grill's unofficial spokesman". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  19. ^ Valley, Jackie (February 15, 2012). "Heart Attack Grill put to test as patron suffers heart attack". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  20. ^ Snel, Alan (May 5, 2014). "Food court giant snaps up space next to SlotZilla". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
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  23. ^ Taylor, F. Andrew (April 11, 2017). "Downtown Las Vegas nightclub, The Nerd, aims for 'anti-club atmosphere'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
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  25. ^ a b Radke, Brock (July 11, 2020). "With bar closures, entertainment again stops at Notoriety in downtown Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  26. ^ Katsilometes, John (May 3, 2020). "Downtown Las Vegas venue puts toe in the livestream". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  27. ^ Bain, Katie (2024-06-06). "New Las Vegas Nightclub, Substance, Set To Open Next Month". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  28. ^ Ahmed, Aida (September 26, 2011). "Downtown Las Vegas toy store shoots for the stars". Vegas Inc. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  29. ^ Haugen, Joanna (July 15, 2012). "At Toy Shack in Neonopolis, every day's a playdate". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  30. ^ McGarry, Caitlin (August 22, 2012). "Businesses scramble for share of 'Pawn Stars' fame". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
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  32. ^ Adams, Mark (January 9, 2014). "Banger Brewing, downtown beer boys". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  33. ^ Lister, Nolan (May 20, 2013). "Longtime friends team up to open brewery in Neonopolis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
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  35. ^ Coffey, Helen (September 21, 2018). "Cannabition: World's first interactive marijuana museum opens in Las Vegas". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
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  38. ^ @cannabition (July 27, 2019). "Cannabition 1.0 is now closed" – via Instagram.
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  41. ^ Arleigh Rodgers (January 1, 2022). "Family jewelry store, a fixture at Neonopolis, makes shift to online sales". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  42. ^ McGarry, Caitlin (May 4, 2012). "Drink and Drag offers bowling, drag queens on Fremont Street". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  43. ^ a b c Spillman, Benjamin (October 2, 2013). "Troubled Las Vegas nightclubs denied licenses". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  44. ^ Schoenmann, Joe (August 8, 2013). "Joe Downtown: Businesses breathing life into Neonopolis". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
  45. ^ Corey, Alexander S. (October 15, 2016). "Entrepreneurs turn arcade nostalgia into growing business in Las Vegas Valley". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-13.
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  48. ^ Cling, Carol (May 6, 2009). "Neonopolis theaters to go dark Thursday night". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  49. ^ Kingsley, Amy (June 30, 2011). "A grand slam". Las Vegas CityLife – via NewsBank.
  50. ^ Mills, Heather (June 21, 2019). "A new way to experience all Las Vegas has to offer in a selfie". KSNV-TV. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
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36°10′12″N 115°8′26″W / 36.17000°N 115.14056°W / 36.17000; -115.14056