The sign for The Griffin sits at 511 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 511 Fremont St Sign owner: Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh Sign details: Opened in February of 2007 as a medieval British pub/ tavern style bar. This location brought on a wave of revitalization of the East Fremont District especially since many new bars/restaurants started to open in this area after this bar did. Sign condition: 5- still looks relatively new Sign form: Blade and overlay neon on building Sign-specific description: Placed above the entrance their brick building the letters The Griffin Cocktails is painted with white block letters outlined with black paint is painted on the building itself. These letters have skeletal neon surrounding the letters. The Griffin letters are yellow tubes and do illuminate green at night, the word cocktails lights up white. To the left of the entrance but still on the building is a green painted griffin drinking a painted white martini ( also all outlined with black paint) The neon tubing outlining the griffin is a yellow tubing but glows green at night ( possibly argon inserted to make it glow green). The Blade is placed a little left of the entrance and hangs off of the building by two blue steel beams, but in between the beams is a beautiful swirl design. At the top of the Blade there is a green griffin sipping a martini (same design as the one painted on the building). At the base of the griffin is white THE letters painted with skeletal neon. Then below is the blue portion of the blade spelling out GRIFFIN in a Britannic looking font in white channeled letters which do illuminate white at night. This part of the blade is outlined in neon ,possibly argon, since it does illuminate blue at night. On the side of the blade ( if you're looking from the road) there are about 14 red curved neon tubes lining the sign. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel and Brick Wall Sign - non-neon treatments: Using the brick wall as a portion of the sign is a design not seen often in Vegas. Sign animation: Oscillation of red neon tubes on the side of the sign. Sign environment: Located in the Fremont East District in between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th St. This location has The Vault to the East of it and The Smashed Pig Gastropub to the west. It is across the street from the Park and Evil Pie. In the middle of the street right in front of the Griffin Bar is the Martini Glass sign. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign designer: Owners Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh-Aaron stated that the blade portion of the sign was inspired by the old Boulder Club Blade sign Sign - date of installation: Slightly before they opened so late 2006/early 2007 Sign - thematic influences: Griffin shows that it has a medieval and kind of fantasy kind of feel since its interior does have that cool medieval tavern vibe to it, especially with their fireplaces. Using their brick wall as a part of the sign is a cool innovative way to use their space and stay true to their theme. Sign - artistic significance: Medieval theme. The blade is a prominent theme in the 50s/60s, though their blade sign was inspired by the Boulder Club (opened 1931-1960) blade. Survey - research locations: Acessors page, outreach to owner Aaron Chepenik Survey - research notes: Possible use of argon within their yellow painted tubes, similar to the Yucca Motel signs leaves. Survey - other remarks: The Blade does look very similar to the Boulder Club blade, so its awesome to see modern properties paying homage to the ones that are no longer around. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-15 Sign keywords: Oscillating; Steel; Neon; Blade; Fascia; Building-front design
The Somerset Shopping Center sign sits at 252 Convention Center Drive. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 252 Convention Center Dr Sign owner: Somerset Shopping Center CO LP Sign details: This shopping center was built in 1966 next to the Somerset House Motel. The motel was demolished in 2011; however, the shopping center is still around. Some businesses that reside in the shopping center include: a hair and nail salon, a dry cleaners, an Ethiopian restaurant, and a place for banquets to name a few. Sign condition: 5, the sign is in beautiful condition. Sign form: Pole Sign-specific description: This pole sign sits close to the street so motorists and pedestrians can view it easily. A light blue pole holds up the main portion of this sign, as well as back lit plastic signs on each side of the pole that display what businesses are in the shopping center. The sign itself consists of a yellow ring that encircles three other signs. This yellow circle is covered in incandescent light bulbs that chase when the sign is lit up at night. Also, extending from this yellow circle are light blue poles in various lengths that are surrounded in neon tubes and oscillate around the yellow circle when the sign is lit up at night. In the center of the circle are three signs. The first sign is an elongated oval that has the word "SOMERSET" painted on it in bold white letters with a black outline on a light blue background. Neon tubes outline these letters. The sign under that is a large rectangle shape with each of the sides curving inward. There are also incandescent light bulbs lining the outer edge of this sign that chase when the sign is lit up. This sign has the word "SHOPPING" painted on it in bold white text against a red background. Neon tubes outline each letter of this word. The sign under this is another elongated oval that is a similar size to the "SOMERSET" sign. This sign reads "CENTER" in bold white text against a red background and neon tubes outline this word as well. Sign - type of display: Neon, Incandescent light bulbs and back lit Sign - media: Steel and plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Plastic portion of sign Sign animation: Oscillating, chasing Sign environment: The shopping center that this sign is located in is about a block away from the Strip and is near a few monumental properties. It resides close to the Las Vegas Country Club, the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the Guardian Angel Cathedral that Paul Revere Williams designed. It is down the road from casinos like the Wynn, Encore, Circus Circus, and the Westgate. The Peppermill, an iconic Las Vegas restaurant, is down the street as well. It was down the street from the Stardust when that property was up and running. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - date of installation: Most likely 1966, 1960's era Sign - thematic influences: The design of this sign is very eye-catching from the road, as are many roadside signs throughout this era of the city. Bold text and light animation make this a standout sign to attract motorists and pedestrians to the shopping center. Sign - artistic significance: This sign appears to have some Googie design influence throughout it. It has a space age feel to it because of the yellow circle that surrounds the "SOMERSET SHOPPING CENTER" signs and the blue poles that extend from it also add to this style. Survey - research locations: Assessor's Page http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assessor/Pages/searchbybusinessname.aspx , Vintage Las Vegas website http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/somerset , Roadside architecture website http://www.roadarch.com/signs/nvvegas.html Surveyor: Lauren Vaccaro Survey - date completed: 2017-09-01 Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Oscillating; Chasing; Pole sign
Daytime and nighttime views of the Candlelight Wedding Chapel sign. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 800 S 4th Street Sign details: The Candlelight Wedding chapel is located on the corner, just north from the Riviera and in the same parking lot as The Algiers. The small white, wooden roofed structure sits just to the east of the street and the northern side butts against Stardust Rd . Outside, the corner is treated with grass, and landscaping, creating a pleasant environment to go along with the charm of the building as well. The low level pole sign faces north/west. The building has a small wooden cross, surrounded on the edges with white neon, on the top of the building, in the same fashion as the Little Church of the West. The style of the building is classic New England architecture Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 3 Lighting 3 Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: The main sign for the candlelight wedding chapel is essentially a small pole sign with three separate sections of cabinets along with lighting elements. The white steel pole rises out of the ground ,before transforming into a large two sided marquee cabinet. The cabinet is crafted with sculptural elements into its outer edge. The four corners swell up and bulge, before slightly swooping inward. The top and bottom edges are climaxed into a shallow point. The sides sweep into the notch of a negative circular shape. The sides are given a scroll type feel. In two lines across the red face of the sign, Wedding Chapel is spelled is white text, occupying most of the space of the cabinet. Across the very bottom of the cabinet Wedding Information is spelled in an all white single row of text. The larger text is lined with incandescent bulbs and outlined in neon. The bottom line of text is just lined in neon. The pole protrudes through the top of the sign where a small horizontal, internally lit cabinet, sports sculpted edges as well. The top and bottom edges sweep from either side, then descend meeting at a point in the center. The sides are simply concave, radiuses inward. The white cabinet is lit internally, illuminating the white plastic face. Black text stretches across the plastic face, reading candlelight. Below the main cabinet two internally lit cabinet sandwich the pole, creating two faces. The cabinets are all white, with white faces, utilizing red letters. At the very top of the pole is a tree tiered formation created with raceways and lined with incandescent bulbs. One raceway rises vertically into the air perpendicular to the ground, while the two flanking pieces arch out created a three-pieced fountain shape. It is also reminiscent of a Fleur de Lis. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign animation: none Sign environment: The positioning of the Candlelight Wedding chapel gives it a unique role as an accent of softness, among a bombardment of neon and pulsating lights. Just to the North, is the Algiers parking lot, and to the south, the Riviera. Directly west across the strip there is the ever electric Circus Circus. Amid all this chaos of incandescence, screeching cabs, and buzzing current, the green shrubbery and plot of turf finely houses the pylon, and leads up to the structure itself. It is very charming and fresh compared to. It definitely is reminiscent of the era of establishment such as its neighbor the Algiers. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the sign has little to do with the theme of the wedding chapel, and more so to do with the architectural theme, than the function of the establishment. The pole sign contains standard elements of local signage. The logo cabinet, and internally lit message center. It even contains the most common element of a raceway lined with incandescent bulbs. The sculpted edges of the pylon's logo cabinet are reminiscent of other cabinets with sculpted edges. The most famous reference to this shape seen in classic Vegas history, is the original corner fascia seen on the Golden Nugget. As far as being compared to the only other existing independent wedding chapel, its structure is similar, that being a small structure boasting a highly visible steeple. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic
The Fun City Motel sits at 2233 South Las Vegas Boulevard. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 2233 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Rick Trusdell and Chetak Development Corporation Sign details: Originally the Glenn Vegas Motel in early 50's then the sign was reused for Holiday Motel in 1960's and later to the Fun City Motel circa 1970's to current. Sign condition: This is rated a 2 since the structure is in semi-salvage condition. No treatment seems to have been done. The damage from the sun has left the bright red hue into a grayish purple color. Part of the neon lettering from Fun City is not in working condition. Sign form: Pole Sign-specific description: The Fun City Motel sign was installed in 1952. However, the sign has been used in other properties before it became the Fun City Motel. The Sign was first used for the Glenn Motel circa 1950's with a western theme. The reason why the Fun City Motel doesn't resemble Googie influence is because the original funky curvilinear shape was designed to be a peanut. The Glenn Vegas Motel sign included an illustrated rodeo cowgirl holding a looped rope towards the left end of the sign. In the middle top of the sign is a woman diver; towards the bottom of the sign is an outline of a pool with the word swimming pool in the middle. The peanut shape is painted black. In-between all the designs; in large letters Glenn Vegas Motel is written in white with the female diver drawing separating the two words. Underneath the peanut shaped structure is a rectangular sign held by two hooks on each sign with the word motel. The entire structure itself is held by two steel poles with a blue incandescent directional squiggly arrow facing downwards. The Holiday Motel version changed from the black background to a brilliant red with white large neon letters reading Holiday. The sign removed all implication of the western theme and changed the squiggly directional arrow from light blue to a silver hue. There were two additions to the sign; the first is the word motel vertically connected to the side of the directional arrow and second is a circular structure in white and yellow. Later with the Fun City Motel sign there wasn't much change from Holiday Motel. The only significant change was the name of the establishment. The fun city lettering lights up in multiple colors like the rainbow at night. And the two poles that hold up the structure were painted to black. Today the sign itself has lost all its brilliant red hue and is now a gray color from over sun exposure and no maintenance done to the sign. The directional incandescent arrow is still bright yellow. Sign - type of display: Neon and incandescent Sign - media: Steel and fiber glass Sign animation: Chasers for the incandescent directional arrow. The circular structure on the tops of the curvilinear shape have incandescent lights following a circular motion. Sign environment: This location is on the North end of the strip near the Holiday House, Holiday Motel, and Kaei Thai restaurant. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - date of installation: Circa 1970's Sign - date of redesign/move: 1950's the sign was used for Glenn Vegas Motel, and in 1960's into the Holiday Motel. Sign - thematic influences: The fun city sign is funky with an odd curvilinear shape that was originally used for a western theme motel as a peanut. Today the theme seems to be clownish with its colorful palette and rainbow neon. Sign - artistic significance: The fun city sign is funky with an odd curvilinear shape that was originally used for a western theme motel as a peanut. Today the theme seems to be clownish with its colorful palette and rainbow neon. Survey - research locations: Assessor's page, Photographs on the internet from Vintage Vegas website http://vintagelasvegas.com/search/Fun+City+Motel Surveyor: Gisselle Tipp Survey - date completed: 2017-08-30 Sign keywords: Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Chasing; Pole sign; Roof Sign; Back to back; Backlit
Daytime and nighttime views of the La Concha Motel sign on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 2955 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Edward Doumani Sign details: The La Concha is located north of the Riviera hotel Casino, just past the giant glass wall advertising for Splash. The La Concha double sided ground sign, sits close to the street on the east side of the strip, facing north /south. Directly to the east the origin of the signs shape resides in the form of the front structure of the La Concha's lobby structure. The sweeping elliptical roofline creates a structure dripping with the flavor of outlandish 50's-60's expressionistic modern design. The roadside ground sign reflects this shape actually mimicking it in a stylized silhouette of itself. The two icons are separated by a small but busy parking lot that expands north of the La Concha to house other similar style structures. The wings of the hotel, which extend out behind the main lobby, are a rather stark and plainly rectangular form, compared to the front portion of the lot. Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 4 Notes: Considering the age of the property and the sign, it is in great condition, everything is intact, but not perfect. Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: The sign resides in a pleasant spot of green grass, among the concrete and black top surfaces. A rectangular base, painted a light hue of blue and gold, supports a double-sided sculpted cabinet in a three-pointed crown, which is the stylized profile of the building in sits in front of. Below the main cabinet a triangular internally lit message center has been added, as well as two more, flat rectangular cabinets on the north and south sides. The cabinets are adorned with text that advertising for car rentals located in the same neighboring lot. Off of the west side of the cabinet a small circular cabinet is cantilevered off of the edge. It is an internally lit marker, noting that color television is available inside. The surface of the actual cabinet is painted red, and is somewhat faded. The section of the cabinet that would be dedicated to the low-lying portions of the La Concha's roof are addressed in white. The "La Concha" is spelled across the front of the sign in white text outlined in blue. The text is designed specific to the sign, for the capital L and C are shaped to match the contours of the crowns of the sign. The rest of the script also takes on some of the same stroke of the manner. Motel is spelled in the same coloring across the bottom right hand portion of the signs face, in block text. The very bottom portion of the cabinet is a black painted horizontal extension with edges that angle back into the body of the sign. The words "vacancy' are written across the surface of the sign to the right hand side. No is spelled on the left, but only in neon. When illuminated the main text is lined with a light electric blue, while the edges, and the top contours are lined with a pink and fuchsia glowing borders. The words "vacancy" and "motel" are lined in an orange, amber colored, warm tubing. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint Sign animation: none Sign environment: The La Concha sits just to the south of the Riviera's giant glass wall. Headed south, the property comes into view, being a quiet transition from the extreme nature of the Riviera. The sign sits in a black top expanse that meanders back into the rest of La Concha's property. The base of the sign is surrounded with plants and curbing, firmly rooted into the urban mainstream of the neighboring street. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the La Concha can be drawn directly from 1950's and 60's modern design. Such curve can be seen signs of the decade for example the original Dunes pylon displays elements of such curve and swell. In Jorg Rugemer's Lost Las Vegas, there is a picture of a 60's era automobile sitting next to the building. It is used to show the influences of the structures design present in the design of something as common as the automobile. It is reminiscent of the protruding fins and large eye like taillights seen on such autos. The sign itself is an interpretation of the building in a silhouette form, so it's angle draw from the same pool as well. The coloration of the neon is also reminiscent of the era. The turquoise, vermilion and red are reminders of such properties as the original Flamingo, and the Algiers. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint
Views of the Algiers Hotel signs at dusk on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Souther Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site name: Algiers Hotel (Las Vegas, Nev.) Site address: 2845 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: Larry Kiefer Sign details: Located on the NE corner of Riviera Blvd and Las Vegas Blvd The facade of the Algiers building itself is comprised of storefronts, while the hotel portion lies through an archway, behind the facade. The entire stucco front is illuminated and treated with neon borders and font. Across the narrow parking lot stands the Algiers pylon sign, along Las Vegas Blvd Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 3 Lighting 4 Sign form: Pylon; Fascia Sign-specific description: The façade and pylon/pole sign work together to create the attraction of the Algiers. The pole sign is double backed sign with neon marquee logo at the top and an internally lit, white, plastic front, message board with vinyl lettering. The top section of the message board is a rear lit, plastic, graphically treated sign, while the bottom of the board is an electronic message center. Crowning the very top of the structure is a sculpted crown-shape comprised of the polished brass raceways, which also adorn the top and lower portions of the pylon. These raceways contain 11 watt white incandescent bulbs which chase each other from top to bottom. The Algiers logo is channel lettering with double neon of the rose colored variety. The word "Hotel" is spelled in ruby neon. The façade of the building is comprised of five different sections. The first contains the Algiers logo in channel letters filled with blinking incandescent bulbs and outlined in ruby neon. Texts " Hotel, Restroom, Video poker, pool and entrance," are spelled in rose colored neon. The next four sections are storefronts with neon borders in their windows. Each section is separated by a section of vertical, polished, gold raceways with chasing animated bulbs. The backlit graphically treated storefront marquees adorned with an incandescent bulb border. The last section of the building supports a metal sign box with double neon letters spelling "Algiers". Above each section, the storefront crowns to a point, reminiscent of a classic Persian gateway or spire. Each swooping section is bordered with vibrant neon. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating Notes: The text, which resides on the southern wall and reads "Casino," is filled with incandescent bulbs that all illuminate at the same time, and oscillate. They then shut off at the same time, and then repeat. The raceways of incandescent bulbs chase each other while the neon, which surrounds the back lit, plastic, screens on this wall flash on then off. The bottom two raceways sandwiching the reflective panel chase from left to right, while the remainder of the raceways surrounding the signs, run right to left. The incandescent bulbs on the pylon chase each other gracefully up the length of the pylon. The animation is patterned so as to appear as if a section of several bulbs are pulsing its way up the towers, hugging the edge of the bulbous tops. The raceways continue around the east face of the building. The umbrellas in the plaza behind the pylon, also are animated with incandescent bulbs chasing each other downward along the raceways. Sign environment: The Algiers is settled across the street from the Circus Circus and shares the lot with the Candlelight Wedding Chapel. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - date of installation: 1953 Sign - date of redesign/move: Refinished in 1992 by Larsen Sign Sign - thematic influences: The Algiers is an Arabian nights/Persian theme, mixed with the vestiges of classic Vegas aesthetics, such as the polished, gold, animated raceways, the roadside pole sign design, the text, and the similarity to the classic desert paradise theme of the 50's through today. Examples of this classic style are the Sands, the Dunes, the Aladdin, and the Sahara. Sign - artistic significance: As mentioned above it is a representation of an era in Vegas and the thematic influence of the desert themed establishment. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Flashing; Oscillating; Chasing; Pylon; Fascia; Incandescent; Neon; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint; Pole sign
Daytime and nighttime views of the Alan Albert's restaurant signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 3763 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign details: Following the alleyway created between the Walgreen's and Fatburger establishments, you can find the entrance to the secluded Alan Albert's. The restaurant is located on the Fatburger (north) side of the drive, found headed east down the south side of the building. The building quickly stretches out to the south and then continues east again. Signage is located on this extension of wall. The signage includes a logo wall sign, a neon back-lit glass block wall, as well as three small steel boxes adorned with crafted neon. Signage is also located on the Walgreen's dominated pylon out front. Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4 Lighting 5 Note:The structure of the sign is intact, and appears to be complete in all its parts. The surface of the sign is worn by the weather, but no worse than any other property. Sign form: Fascia Sign-specific description: The small face created by the south extension creates the space for the entrance to Alan Albert's. The sign hangs off this wall above a pair of large wooden doors, created with brown painted channel letters in a text specific to the establishment. They are painted white on the exterior. The channel letters are steel, outlined with white neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. White neon tubes underline each word. Almost the entire wall is created of translucent glass blocks. Behind the glass blocks there are tubes of red neon running vertically and horizontally along the open sections of the blocks create a glowing background grid of red light. The entire sign is supported with steel brackets, which are hung from the top of the roof hooking onto the wall of the building. The letters are hung at an angle pointing from the bottom toward the top right hand corner of the building. Below the main text on the right hand portion of the sign are three horizontal steel boxes hung consecutively, supporting text sculpted out of neon. The top box reads "Steaks," the second reads "Seafood," and the third reads "Prime-rib." On the Multi-use pylon the Alan Albert's signage only plays second fiddle to the dominant Walgreen's sign. It is four lines of text with the two lines of "Alan Albert's" filling the top spots. Below that "steaks, seafood, prime rib," sits above the text "so delicious intimate." The top two lines are spelled in brown channel letters, filled with incandescent bulbs, and bordered on the face with red neon. A narrow polished channel underlines each line of text and is lined with a single tube of white neon. The bottom two lines of text are smaller script channel letters lined with red neon. Below this collection of letters and bulbs, a backlit selection of signs also adds to the list. "Lobster House" is spelled in closed channel letters with red faces. A narrow internally lit green cabinet, with rounded ends, is treated with white script. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic; Glass Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint Sign animation: Oscillating Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the interior of the main text, oscillate rapidly. The effect is the shimmering effect seen so often throughout neighboring properties. It can be seen in the main building texts of properties such as the Monte Carlo and the Mirage. The Alan Albert's text on the Walgreen's pylon near the street is animated as well. The incandescent bulbs animate with an oscillating pattern steady burn on, then flash off, then on, off then starts to oscillate once again. Sign environment: Alan Albert's sits tucked away from the bustle of the main street, guarded on both sided by Walgreen's and the Fatburger establishments. Besides the adjacent archway advertising for the Ginseng BBQ establishment, the signage for the Alan Albert's is the main attraction in the immediate space. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - artistic significance: The significance of the Alan Albert's establishment fits in with other facilities on the Strip such as The Rosewood Grill, and Battista's Hole in the Wall, and the Peppermill. Considering that most dining establishments are located on the interior of the properties, these stand as excellent quality, intimate restaurants seen by and available to the pedestrian public. Like the everyday establishments dressed to fit in the Las Vegas Strip such as the neighboring Walgreen's, Alan Albert's is a non-casino dressed up to fit in with the local surroundings. The incandescent bulbs also contain the most common animation seen on the strip. The surface of the wall is turned into a blurry illuminated canvas with glass block wall, backed by a grid of red neon. The surface is a one of a kind for the properties in this survey and the genre that it represents. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Oscillating; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Paint; Graphics; Steel; Plastic; Glass; Fascia
Daytime and nighttime views of the Fantasia gift shop on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 2800 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign details: Fantasia on the Strip is located north of the Circus Circus, among the smaller properties located the northern end of the Strip before Sahara Avenue. The building faces east, only separated from the street by a small parking lot, which runs along the front of the property. The two-story building is adorned with a building length message cabinet, and sculpted, patterned raceways. The sign extends north across a drive designating parking in the rear. A small pole sign also sits on the east edge of the property. Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 4 Lighting 4 The Fantasia establishments signage looks decently weathered up close, for the colors and paint treatments are in good condition. The structure of the sign has a couple of anomalies that are apparent. The pole sign on the street side of the property has no face on the triangular portion of the surface. The far right hand side of the building fascia makes an uncomfortable transition into the support structure from the ground. Sign form: Pylon; Fascia Sign-specific description: The design is a building front, message cabinet running the length of the facade of the building, facing east. The white, steel, paneled front cabinet contains Blue and red plastic text. The larger fonts run the entire length of the sign and read "Souvenirs, T-shirts, Gifts, Indian Jewelry, Moccasins, Liquor," in an "old west" style text seen on properties such as the Frontier. This arrangement's color is blue. The bottom line of text is smaller and is broken up into three separate phrases and distributed evenly across the surface. The left side reads, " Jewelry, Belts, Hats, Cactus" in red cursive. The center is blue western font, reading "Las Vegas Souvenirs." The right hand side is red cursive again reading "Sundries, Food, Beer Wine, Ice." The bottom and top edges are lined with yellow raceways with incandescent bulbs. The top edge is created by a repeating series of raceway arches, matching the finish of the other edges. The top edge of repeating arches continues north past the edge of the cabinet onto a smaller, much thinner cabinet. The thinner cabinet looks as is if it is a continuation of the main sign with pieces cut out of it. The arches continue to the end of the extension and down connecting to a steel I-beam linked to the ground. The smaller plane reads "park in rear" in red, plastic, all capital, letters. Raceway arrows protrude through the bottom of the sign, pointing through the entrance it creates for traffic. The arrows are arranged on the bottom edge as if they are extensions of the imaginary points created by the meeting of the downward strokes two sides of two arches. Across the very top of the main banner, a narrow, red, steel cabinet reads the word "Fantasia" in white script. The script is surfaced with neon. Near the street, on the northern portion of the property, a pole sign holds an internally lit cabinet. The frame of the cabinet is a blue raceway whose western edge is fashioned into an arrow shape. White plastic comprises the face of the sign, which faces north south, and does not reach into the arrow section. It is a skeleton of a frame, with nothing in the middle. Translucent vinyl lettering is present on the face of the sign and reads "Liquor, Moccasins, Indian Jewelry 1/2 off," in all capital letters. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint Sign animation: Chasing Notes: The only animation present is the animation of the incandescent bulbs on all the raceways surrounding the signs. The bulbs chase each other from left to right. Sign environment: The fueling station resides on the northern edge of the strip before Sahara Avenue. Directly to the east, across the street is the Sahara Hotel Casino, but is flanked by smaller non-resort related properties. Along with the other two properties to the north and to the south, they seem as functional aspects for tourists and patrons of the larger properties of the Circus Circus and the Sahara. Almost dwarfed by the two nearby giants the properties can easily go unnoticed without the treatment of the illumination. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - thematic influences: There is no real theme associated with the property other than being a typical Las Vegas strip shopping establishment. The unique array of raceways and chasing incandescent bulbs are reminiscent of the countless canvass of the same design technique seen all of the strip, yet retain a hint of originality with it's arched pattern. Another widely used element , present in the design, is the internally lit message center. These two simple elements are used in conjunction to create a unique display typical to the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the context of the Las Vegas strip as one of the many gift shops, but stands out as one of the larger ones, with the most vibrant signage. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Chasing; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint
Daytime and evening views of a McDonald's sign on the Strip at 3755 S Las Vegas Blvd. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 3755 S Las Vegas Blvd Sign details: The McDonald's pylon sits in the parking lot just to the north of the Fatburger establishment and the Walgreen's structures. It faces north/south in the parking lot of the Cable Center Shops. It sits across a property length parking lot, near Las Vegas Blvd It is also serves as advertising for the rest of the shops in the shopping center, but the main cabinet is dedicated to the McDonald's logo cabinet. The shops behind the sign are covered in the same stucco as seen on the surface of the pylon. Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 4.5 Lighting 5 Notes: It is noted that the structural integrity is intact. Certain elements of lighting are out or not working, but present still. The surface appears to be slightly deteriorating at this point. Sign form: Pylon Sign-specific description: The pylon sign for the McDonald's and the Cable Center Shops is essentially a double sided pole sign comprised of a two sided main logo cabinet and an internally lit rectangular cabinet. The internally lit cabinet located in the middle of the pole finished it's exterior the same as the rest of the actual pole. The post is covered in an off white stucco finish, with a green channel running up the center of each face. The channel T's off as well following the supporting stretch at the top of the rise, below the main cabinet. Three gold neon bars run up the center of the green channel. The internally lit cabinets face is adorned with graphics advertising for all of the shops located within the strip mall. Its luminescence is strong for an internally lit cabinet. A blue section at the top of the plastic face is designated blue with white script reading "Cable Center" shops. The rest of the text below that reads like two-sided menu. The McDonald's cabinet at the very top of the pole is constructed of red painted steel, as well as yellow painted steel for the golden arch crown designated as the top portion of the cabinet. The face of the cabinet is encrusted with red incandescent bulbs as well as being striped horizontally across its width edge with bars of red neon. The underside of the golden arches is also encrusted with yellow incandescent bulbs, while the faces of each arch is striped horizontally with neon bars as well bordered on the edges of the ace of the arch as well. The text McDonald's is spelled in white channel letters and lined on the interiors with white neon. Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit Sign - media: Steel; Plastic Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint Sign animation: Oscillating, flashing Notes: The incandescent bulbs located on the underside of the arches, as well as on the face of the sign oscillate rapidly, while the neon bars on the width of the sign and underneath chase each other from top to bottom. The neon bars, which comprise the face of the arches, chase each other also. The rest of the arch is dark as they start at the bottom of the middle point of the "M" shape. They chase each other until the surface of the sign is covered, and at this time they all flash off, then on, then off again before the entire sequence starts over. Sign environment: It is an interesting section of the strip between the Showcase Pylon sign and the edge of the Cable Center shops. First, it is noticeably an interesting cross section of the Strip, because vicinity has three establishments which fit a specific genre of sign. The Fatburger, Walgreen's and McDonalds are properties which function in everyday America, but are suited up to be part of the neon charged appearance of this specific location. Not only are the establishments linked by nature to everyday America, but the face that a strip mall is added to the scenery, just adds to the point. The environment is a heavily pedestrian-accessed area, bombarded by the combination of all of the signage. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign - thematic influences: The theme of the McDonald's establishment is in the realm of the well-established McDonalds corporation. The golden arches, and solid red hue, have become synonymous with the name " McDonald's," and is an image, which has been communicated to the masses of people for half a century. It is an icon, which is associated with America all over the world. McDonalds has created it's own realm and thematic influence over the years from all of it's extensive advertisements and marketing. Therefore, the theme of the establishment's signs draws from itself and the world that the name has created. Being one of the most commonly seen images in America, this sign is tailored to fit into the illustrious, illuminative properties held on the Las Vegas Strip. It fits into the category of everyday images and businesses dressed up for Las Vegas, which include, Arby's, Arco AM/PM, Walgreen's, and Fatburger. Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday Survey - date completed: 2002 Sign keywords: Oscillating; Flashing; Pylon; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint