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3535 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(800) 634-6441
(702) 731-3311
At the center of the Las Vegas Strip stands the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino, the eleventh largest hotel in the world. It is a monument to the man who made a dream come true -- Ralph Engelstad, the only sole owner of a major Las Vegas hotel-casino resort. The Imperial Palace is the largest privately owned hotel-casino in the world.
Engelstad began as a general contractor in 1954, and in 1971, decided to purchase the grounds and buildings of the old Flamingo Capri Motel, a long-time landmark, once located where the Imperial Palace now stands.
Acting as his own general contractor, Engelstad built some low-rise buildings on the site employing a staff of 250. Gaming began at the Flamingo Capri a year later in 1972.
In 1974, the East and North buildings opened, along with the addition of the Shangri-la pool. On November 1, 1979, the Imperial Palace opened and the number of employees grew to 1,100.
Engelstad selected an Oriental theme for its originality and personal appeal. Influenced by Japanese temple architecture, Merlin Barth, architect, specified traditional blue tile imported from Japan for the roof.
The Oriental theme was carried out inside as well, influencing everything from decor to food service and employee uniforms. In the casino, carved dragons and giant wind-chime chandeliers compete with gaming tables for the visitors attention.
Entertainment began in the Imperial Theatre showroom in June, 1980. The showroom seats 850 and since its opening has featured top stars as well as exciting revue shows. Its use was also expanded as a site for taping sports and entertainment television specials for network and cable TV broadcast.
By 1981, the Imperial Palace was a 19-story hotel with 850 rooms. Also in that year, on December 1, the world-famous Imperial Palace Auto Collection opened on the fifth floor of the hotel's parking facility. More than 200 antique, classic and special-interest vehicles began the reign in the gallery-like setting.
In 1981, another innovation took place under Engelstad's direction. He instituted the Senior Citizen Christmas Party, an annual event, which provides low-income senior citizens and non-ambulatory convalescent center residents with a complimentary holiday dinner and show.
The Imperial Palace Antique & Classic Auto Collection includes a Duesenberg, Packard, Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster, Pierce Arrow and over 800 more classics of the past owned by the famous, infamous and some of the world's most historic vehicles ever made. The collection is located in the hotel's parking facility as well as a gift shop.
A year later, in August, 1982, the total number of hotel rooms increased to 1,500. The covered parking garage was expanded early in 1985, to accommodate over 1,000 vehicles.
During the 1986, expansion program, meeting and convention facility space was increased, hotel rooms increased to 2,100 with the completion of Tower IV, and an additional 15,000 square feet of space was added to the casino.
A three-phase expansion project began in August 1987, and was completed in July 1989.
The first phase included a new Olympic-size swimming pool, two-story waterfall, heated spa and poolside bar. The 2nd phase included a 547-room, 19-story tower, which brought the Imperial Palace's total guest room count to 2,637.
The final phase of the expansion project extended the front of the hotel to the sidewalk of the famous Las Vegas Strip and included a satellite casino, race and sports book, health and fitness center, and office complex.
The Race and Sports Book opened in September, 1989, as the most unique facility of its kind, featuring a color TV at each individual seat. By May 3, 1992, it had achieved yet another first-in-the-world feature, 6 levels of tiered seating, doubling its capacity and increasing individual color TV monitors to 230.
Other facilities offered to guest include a shopping arcade of many fine retailers, unisex hair salon, a video arcade, "We've Only Just Begun" wedding chapel, a travel agency, foreign currency exchange and a School of Gaming offering free lessons each weekday in Blackjack and Craps.
The Imperial Palace also offers dining in ten restaurants with varied menus. The fifth floor Dining Plaza features the Seahouse, a Cape Cod atmosphere with seafood specialties; Ming Terrace with Cantonese and Mandarin; Rib House with ribs and barbecued entrees; Embers, steaks and continental dishes; Pizza Palace. Elsewhere there is a 24-hour Teahouse Coffee Shop; Emperor's Buffet on the 3rd floor; Burger Palace; and Betty's Diner & Ice Cream.
The Imperial Palace employs 2,600 people, 13 percent of whom have some form of disability. This fact alone sparked numerous awards to be bestowed upon the hotel, the highest achievement coming in 1991 when the Imperial was named the National Employer of the Year by the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The Imperial Palace also received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Council on Disability.
In March of 1993, another first at the Imperial Palace took place with the opening of Resort Medical Center, an independent 24-hour medical facility serving hotel employees, their families, Imperial Palace and other Las Vegas Strip hotel guest.
For reservations call: (800) 634-6441 TDD Reservations (Device For the Deaf) - (800) 292-7133. Group sales & Marketing (800) 351-7400
