LVI SERVICES IMPLODES CASTAWAYS HOTEL AND CASINO IN LAS VEGAS
1/11/2006
LAS VEGAS - LVI Services Inc., the nation's largest remediation and facility services firm with 30 offices across the country, today announced the implosion of Las Vegas' Castaways Hotel and Casino.
Las Vegas-based LVI Environmental, a subsidiary of LVI Services Inc., was engaged to remediate and demolish all structures on a 7.9-acre property, located at the eastern end of Las Vegas' famed Fremont Street. Approximately 195 pounds of explosives in 191 locations were used to topple the 19-story, 447-room hotel tower at around 7 a.m. local time Wednesday. The Castaways property has stood empty since being seized by creditor Vestin Mortgage in January 2004.
Since being awarded the contract last summer, LVI has demolished the Castaways' ancillary structures, starting with the parking garage. In addition, LVI removed more than 150,000 square feet of asbestos-containing fireproofing, including the elevator shaft, and more than 225,000 square feet of asbestos-containing acoustical ceiling materials. All total, nearly 820,000 square feet of building space has been demolished, including today's implosion. In addition, more than 34,000 tons of concrete and 4,300 tons of steel have already been recycled from the site. Now that the implosion has been completed, LVI and its contractors will spend the next several months cleaning up the site.
"Our demolition services are a complete turnkey operation," said Joe Catania, president of LVI Environmental in Las Vegas. "There was a lot of work involved at Castaways to get to this day to ensure that the implosion was done in a safe, environmentally responsible manner. We are pleased to play such a dramatic role in helping one of the most modern and enticing cities continue to reinvent itself."
Elsewhere in Las Vegas, LVI has previously handled the implosions of the Sands, El Rancho, Desert Inn and original Aladdin casinos. LVI has also been involved in the demolition of Hollywood movie sets, industrial manufacturing and chemical plants, power plants and metal mining facilities.
About LVI Services
LVI Services Inc. is the United States' leading provider of a wide array of integrated facility services, including environmental remediation, demolition and related services for commercial, industrial, multi-family residential and governmental facilities. LVI focuses on projects involving asbestos, lead paint, mold, infection control, hazardous materials, emergency and disaster services, and demolition. Founded in 1986, LVI has 30 offices across the United States, is licensed in every state, and is experienced in responding to natural and manmade disasters around the world. The company's annual revenues exceed $380 million. For more information, visit www.lviservices.com.
[Editor's Note: Photos of Castaways implosion and a project fact sheet are available upon request.]