Tropicana: Five old things

Glass ceiling

A curved ceiling made from more than 4,000 square feet of leaded glass and valued at more than $1 million runs the extension of the main casino floor. The design was inspired by a glass ceiling in a San Francisco bank before the turn of the 20th century and was introduced, along with the Tropicana’s reimagined Art Nouveau design, in the 1980s. Some glass has since been recolored to match the surrounding décor. The ceiling’s days are numbered, though, as it will be eventually removed.

Pool area

The Tropicana pool is a 1950s throwback amid mature landscaping at the center of the property. Tropicana split its manicured lawns and gardens in half to create Nikki Beach and has updated its remaining pool area, a tourist magnet featuring manicured lawns and gardens.

Longtime employees

Thousands of employees have come and gone over decades of different owners. Many longtime employees remain, including Linda McDonald, who today serves as executive assistant to President Tom McCartney. McDonald, 60, said she has met many fellow employees who have gotten married, sent children to college and had grandchildren over the years when the property’s future was in doubt.

“You become a family.”

Employees were heartened to hear about Alex Yemenidjian’s renovation plans, which have preserved their jobs while giving the property a new lease on life, said McDonald, who has worked at the Tropicana for 34 years.

“He has kept every promise he made to employees. When employees are happy, they can provide better service.”

Bell desk

The check-in area features ornate marble and brass railings that are decades old and among the few remaining areas that have yet to be updated. A makeover is in the works.

Palm walkway

A long breezeway connecting the casino with one of the hotel towers features windows on both sides from which visitors can look down at the pool and gardens. The windows, also replicated in hotel tower elevators, are a throwback to the bungalow architecture of the original Tropicana and lend themselves to the property’s beach resort atmosphere, managers say. “The bones of this building were good,” McCartney said.

The Island Tower walkway, pictured here, once held a string of kiosks selling novelty items. It has been revamped with white marble and is vendor-free.