Riviera Implosion

One of the final links to "Old Vegas" was imploded early this morning. The Riviera Hotel and Casino came down at 2:35am local time. It opened in 1955 as the city's first high rise resort and during it's heyday it was home to true Las Vegas legends like Liberace and Dean Martin. Deano was made part owner as part of his contract.

The Riviera was also prominently featured in the original Ocean's 11, Diamonds are Forever and Casino. In real life it was steeped in mob life and known as "Chicago's crown jewel in the desert."

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spent $42 million to level the 13-building campus and are planning on using the space to expand the Las Vegas Convention Center.