Architecture: JUST WHAT LAS VEGAS NEEDED

THE WORLD'S TALLEST CASINO, IT MAY ALSO BE THE ANSWER TO AN OLD-STYLE, LOW-RENT VISIONARY'S PRAYERS

Bob Stupak surveys his realm, the $550 million Stratosphere Tower, Hotel and Casino that rises 1,149 ft. above Las Vegas like a gleaming blue syringe in the neon night sky. For a moment, his taste of triumph is soured by a nagging memory. "A few days ago," the 54-year-old entrepreneur says, "I had a nightmare that the tower was cracking and starting to lean. Luckily, I woke up before it fell over. Which I guess means something is going on self-consciously."

Self-conscious? Stupak? Even in Vegas, city of naked, naive ambition, where the gods Whim and Ego bestride the Strip and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!