[FONT=Verdana]Stardust Casino-Hotel to Stop Bookings Nov. 1 Ahead of Planned Demolition[/FONT][FONT=Verdana][/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana]The owner of the Stardust said Thursday the casino-hotel would stop taking reservations as of Nov. 1, as it prepares for the demolition of the 48-year-old property next year. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana]Boyd Gaming Corp. spokesman Rob Stillwell said the company still plans to operate the Strip casino through the end of the year, but has asked some planners to move events scheduled in November and December to other Boyd properties in Las Vegas.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana]Staff members are starting to find other jobs, many at other Boyd locations, and the company is concerned it will not be able to offer appropriate service toward the end of the year, Stillwell said. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana]Boyd plans to replace the 1,500-room Stardust with a multi-hotel and casino project covering 63 acres on the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel, which opened in 1958, was long the home of "Mr. Las Vegas" singer Wayne Newton. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana]The 5,300-room Echelon Place complex is expected to open in 2010 with four hotels, a 140,000-square-foot casino, theaters, a shopping promenade, spas and convention space.[/FONT]