Golden Gate Casino Unveils Multi-Million Dollar Expansion

By Scott Roeben, on August 28 2017

2 min read 22 comments

Downtown Las Vegas Gambling Las Vegas Casinos Las Vegas Hotels

Downtown’s Golden Gate has revealed an expansion that nearly doubles the size of its casino floor, including the addition of about 100 new slot machines.

Golden Gate’s expansion encompasses the space formerly occupied by the La Bayou casino and an alley. You’ll want to see our “before” photos of the construction, of course.

Golden Gate casino — Three’s nothing quite like that new slot machine smell.

The centerpiece of the multi-million dollar expansion is a 24-foot tall fountain of TVs around a spiral chandelier.

Golden Gate expansion — Universal remote, much?

The TV fountain is made all the more dramatic by 468 mirrors lining a arced wall that frames the decorative piece. Yes, we asked. And, yes, we know we have issues.

The tower of televisions sits just inside a brand new entrance to the Golden Gate.

The Golden Gate’s expansion includes a new loyalty club desk.

The previous loyalty club desk has vanished through some kind of Las Vegas magic.

Golden Gate’s interior design was done by Dez Motif, the architecture by Moser Architecture Studio.

The Golden Gate took the opportunity during its expansion to entirely replace and upgrade its sound system throughout the existing casino.

A good deal of the expansion won’t be readily visible to guests. On the casino’s second floor, a new beer distribution room is a sight to behold.

Golden Gate beer room — Golden Gate’s new beer chilling room distributes suds to the casino’s Prohibition Bar, as well as the casino’s outdoor bars, now with the help of gravity.

Still in the works is an upgraded outdoor bar, One Bar. When completed, the bar will be 20 feet longer. Translation: More slushy drinks for us.

While the new casino area at Golden Gate made its debut on Aug. 25, 2017, the expansion’s official opening takes place Sep. 1, 2017, with the requisite hoopla.

Golden Gate has done a great job of creating a new space that feels modern (so many TVs), but which stays true to its old-school roots (dark wood and marble).

When you check it out, let us know what you think. We’ll be at the end of Prohibition Bar, not noticing the dancing dealers. At all.

Golden Gate Expansion Reveal

Next up

Vital Vegas Podcast, Ep. 59: “Circus 1903,” Weekend Box and a Cavalcade of Scoop

August 28 2017 — 1 min read — 2 comments

22 Comments

Vegas Todd January 28, 2018

~~~sigh~~~ i miss the deli in the G.G.
Reply
Hundley Fan August 30, 2017

Scott, check the first photo caption.
Reply View 2 replies Hide replies

Scott Roeben August 31, 2017

Not a fan of moobs?
Reply
Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben August 31, 2017

Not a fan of moobs?
Reply

JeffinOKC August 30, 2017

I haven't seen many mistakes from The Stevens Brothers during their last decade in Las Vegas (can't think of any, really), so I gotta think the TV tower is gonna be great in person.
Reply View 2 replies Hide replies

Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben August 31, 2017

Yeah, I think it's really just to catch the eye of people walking by.
Reply
Manybar Goatfish August 31, 2017

It'll be great on Football Sunday!
Reply

Luis the Misanthrope August 29, 2017

That TV tower is FUGLY. And it's blocking the view of a beautiful chandelier. If this was my casino. The man who thought of the video tower would be fired and have his canolis broken on one hand.
Reply View 1 replies Hide replies

Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben August 31, 2017

It actually looks pretty good, and accomplishes the goal of being eye-catching and drawing people into the new entrances.
Reply

Funkhouser August 29, 2017

I love the new styling of the expansion. It actually looks like a place I would want to spend time at. If this is the styling that the Stevens brothers carry over to 18 Fremont, they will have a winning design. The only thing I find horrific about the new design is the Wonder Tower of TV's, it's a bad design placement of epic proportions. Slot players aren't going to watch it and the casino is not monetizing what is a major visual landmark on their property. It would have done better over a circular bar, dining venue, or something else. Maybe the sight lines from other slots on the floor are better, but the photos don't show it. Otherwise the place looks great.
Reply View 2 replies Hide replies

Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben August 31, 2017

I don't the feeling those TVs are really meant to be watched. They're a draw for people walking by.
Reply
Kyle September 1, 2017

Its goal is to of course draw people into the entrance, not for slot players to watch.
Reply View 2 replies Hide replies

Funkhouser September 2, 2017

Then it's failure on both attempts. If the goal is to draw people in, GG should be enhancing the front entrance, not trying to use a TV Tower as a site line from the front door, it doesn't really work. My take on it is they are trying to creating an interesting visual element once in the front door. Granted they have a limited foot print, but if that was the goal, they should have tried something more visually interesting then a bunch of stacked TV's which are present at every sports book or bar in Vegas. I would have loved to either seen something high end in styling (Think Chandelier bar, Mirage Fish tank, SLS center bar, etc). I think it was to create function and style, which the Wonder TV Tower does, but its placement on top of a bunch of slots is horrible design IMHO.
Reply View 1 replies Hide replies

Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben September 3, 2017

It's an eye-catching design element that definitely draws attention to the new entrance. Talked to the slot guy, and he suspects that front machine with its back to the door may be the low earner in the bank, but overall if they all fill up, people will play that one, too.
Reply

Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben September 3, 2017

Right, I don't think these TVs are for watching.
Reply

VegasSlushy August 29, 2017

Looks nice.
Reply
Falcon Falcone August 29, 2017

Are the D and GG clubs still not combined?
Reply View 2 replies Hide replies

Scott Roeben August 29, 2017

Nope, but infrastructure has been going in. Suspect that's coming with the new resort. All three will have the same club.
Reply
Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben August 29, 2017

Nope, but infrastructure has been going in. Suspect that's coming with the new resort. All three will have the same club.
Reply

Tim in ABQ August 29, 2017

Scott, any Idea what they did with the old Du-par's space up front?
Reply View 1 replies Hide replies

Scott Roeben" height="43" width="43">

Scott Roeben August 29, 2017

That space is on the Main Street side of the building. It's been stripped down to the walls, and currently considering options for the next restaurant concept.
Reply

Manybar Goatfish August 28, 2017

That beer chilling room is nice! I might use that picture as a blueprint when I remodel my trailer.
Reply