ACCADEMIA HOTEL RIMINI

The Dunes Hotel was a Paradise, Nevada, hotel and casino that operated from May 23, 1955 to January 26, 1993, and was the tenth resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. The Bellagio now stands on the former grounds.

The Dunes opened on May 23, 1955, as a low rise resort with "Hollywood Star" Vera-Ellen providing the entertainment in the Magic Carpet Review. When the North Tower was added in 1961 it was one of the finest and largest hotels on the strip. The South Tower was added in 1979. The hotel was built in part with financing from movie mogul Al Gottesman and the Teamsters Pension Fund. The resort boasted an 18 hole golf course, a rooftop health spa and a 90 ft (27 m)-long pool. The Hotel's Slogan was "The Miracle in the Desert."

On November 17, 1992, the Dunes was sold for the last time to developer Steve Wynn's company, Mirage Resorts, Inc. for $75 million.[2][1] On January 26, 1993, the Dunes closed its doors for good. Like some of the other legendary hotel/casinos of its era, it could no longer compete with the newer and more exciting megaresorts that were being built.

Steve Wynn bought the Dunes and started the implosion trend with the implosion of the Dunes North Tower. On October 27, 1993, the Dunes was imploded in a grand ceremony that involved major fireworks displays and the use of several "cannon blasts" from the pirate ship of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. The cannon blasts simulated the effect of the ship’s cannons being responsible for the destruction of the Dunes. Over 200,000 people watched the implosion. Everything, including its legendary neon sign, was destroyed "amid a shower of fireworks never before equaled west of the Mississippi."[2]

The Dunes counts as two implosions as the South Tower was obliterated in July, 1994 with no fanfare and minimal media.

The south tower of the Dunes back in October, 1993 from Flamingo Road--pulled from old VHS video--thus the poor resolution.......You can see the north tower of the Dunes reflected in the glass.....this building was imploded in July, 1994