1961-2007

Opened in 1961 it brought a touch of classic Hollywood/Beverly Hills architecture to the Las Vegas Strip. By the mid 90's, the motel had gone under, as had many of the smaller motels/casinos on the strip, and the motel shut it's doors for good. The conch shell shaped lobby narrowly survived the 2004 demolition of the 3-story motel and accompanying grounds.

The lobby served different purposes including real estate office space and tourism bureau for a short time, until late 2006 when it was also closed and gutted.

The The road side sign for the La Concha mirrored the lobby in shape, with M-O-T-E-L spelled out in vertical conch shells above it. This apendage lays in the neon boneyard, while the main part of the sign remains in place, having been weathered, damaged, and covered over by a tarp advertising the next mega-tower to invade the strip. In a recent storm, the tarp was blown off, revealing the once eye-catching sign.

In January 2007 the shell of the lobby was dismantled and presrved for future reuse by The Neon Museum. Today, the shell sits in the neon boneyard awaiting restoration and re-construction.

Over at the Riviera, if you look at the south most parking area, it's revealed that the old La Concha parking has been taken over, but not forgetten.

UPDATES!

01-02-2008

Wonderful news! Reassembly of the La Concha lobby as the new welcoming lobby for the Neon Museum and bone yard has begun. The shell is being put together on the Las Vegas Boulevard end of the property which is home to the obsolete signs from around town, including The Stardust sign. No word yet if the bottom part of the La Concha sign will be acquired by The Neon Museum. The M-O-T from the upper part of the sign lie in the bone yard itself.

02-21-2008

Scaffolding has been removed and work is progressing rapidly.

02-24-2008

The sign has finally been released from it's cage and sits at the eastern end of the property awaitng it's move to the Neon Boneyard where it will sit in repose until it's evenutual restoration.

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