Historic Eastside Cannery Imploded to Make Way for New Housing

The Eastside Cannery Hotel-Casino, a notable landmark on Boulder Highway since 2008, was demolished in a planned implosion early Thursday morning. The 16-story tower was brought down at approximately 2:00 a.m., attracting hundreds of spectators who gathered at the neighboring Longhorn Casino and along the roadway to witness the event. The property had remained shuttered since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and was never reopened by its parent company, Boyd Gaming.

Redevelopment plans for the site currently focus on residential use, marking a shift away from the property’s history as a local gaming and entertainment hub. While many attendees expressed nostalgia for the venue’s former amenities—including its top-floor nightclub and popular happy hour events—city officials and developers have cited the project as a necessary step for the economic revitalization of the area. Following the implosion, crews have begun the process of clearing debris, which is expected to take several weeks before construction on the new housing project can begin.

Source: Fox5 Vegas / National Today,