Story

“Stratosphere” was the brainchild of bizarre tycoon Bob Stupak and was originally conceived as a tower that looks like the Eiffel and is just an addition to the existing Vegas World Hotel and Casino.

Bob Stupak turned to a design company with experience in building radio towers, but he did not like the proposed developments. Artistic designer Chuck Bernard eventually created a concept that became the foundation of the Stratosphere Hotel.

During the construction of the Stratospheric Tower, a fire broke out at the top of the tower. Witnesses described the flame as "a fire-like candle emerging from the top of an unfinished tower." Fortunately, no one was injured during the fire, but it caused great damage. Forced to carry out repairs and restoration of damaged areas, which led to numerous delays in the opening of attractions.

On April 30, 1996, the Stratospheric Tower finally opened. During a massive firework show, smoke triggered a sensitive fire alarm. Some guests dressed in formal attire did not know what to do and were afraid of the fire. The fact that the emergency ventilation system worked in strict accordance with the project and quickly cleared the building of any smoke was a minor comfort for the frightened guests.

Soon after the opening, Bob Stupak’s company went bankrupt, and the tower was transferred to another businessman.

Stratospheric Tower Height

The stratosphere tower is 1,149 feet high and has 2,427 rooms.

This is not only the tallest building in Las Vegas, but also the tallest in Nevada and the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States.

However, in the original plan, it was even higher. In the 1980s, when designer and hotel owner Bob Stupak decided to make an extension to his already successful Vegas World Casino, he proposed building the building taller.

Bob Stupack wanted the tower to compete and outperform the CN Tower in Toronto (1,815 feet). However, regulatory authorities objected, citing concerns about possible interference with flights to a nearby international airport. The tower structures changed several times, and with each modification the height decreased, but even in this form it is amazing.

Stratosphere is a hotel, casino and tower. But if you do not like gambling or you already have a room in another place, you should still visit it. At the top there are two viewing platforms, as well as the rotating restaurant Top of the World and the Stratosphere Tower Shops, where the comedy club is located, as well as the Knopf Fine Art Photography photo gallery.

The building also has three spectacular rides at the top, both frightening and exciting. You can also try bungee jumping from a tower from a height of 829 feet.

If you want to visit Las Vegas on a budget, you should know that Stratosphere has rooms for up to $32 per night, not including resort fees.

Stratosphere Tower: what to do

• Big Shot - Attraction at 329 m was the most exciting trip in the world before the opening of Sky Drop on the Canton Tower at an altitude of 485 m.
• Opened in 2005 at an altitude of 270 m, Insanity is the third largest attraction in the world. It hangs over the edge of the tower, and then rotates in a circle at a speed of about 40 miles per hour.
• SkyJump Las Vegas is a controlled descent, similar to ski jumping, which will allow you to fall from a height of 261 m, being attached to the trigger cable.
• X-Scream at an altitude of 264 meters is the fourth largest attraction in the world.
• The Tower Shops is a mall connecting the casino with the tower entrance. There are various shops on the tower, as well as a comedy club and Knopf Fine Art Gallery, featuring internationally acclaimed photographer John Knopf.

Take a bird's eye view of Las Vegas, climbing the Stratosphere Tower.