THE NEON MUSEUM ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR RELOCATION AND EXPANSION TO THE ARTS DISTRICT IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
Museum Enters Due Diligence Process for Two New Outdoor/Indoor Locations for Programmable Offerings, Nearly Tripling Current Location’s Size
The Neon Museum has announced plans for relocation and expansion in downtown Las Vegas’ Arts District with the intention to nearly triple the size of its current location. The Museum has entered due diligence on two sites: the first being a 60,000-square-foot outdoor display space and 47,000 square feet for an indoor area on the 9th and 10th floors of a proposed parking garage; and a second location a short walk away offering 35,000 square feet of programmable space.
During the July 17 Las Vegas City Council meeting, Executive Director Aaron Berger shared his thoughts on this new chapter for The Neon Museum.
“After an extensive three-year search, we are pleased to expand our footprint and offerings to better serve the people of Las Vegas and its visitors, continuing to share the stories of Las Vegas,” said Berger. The Arts District is as vibrant as it is historic, and The Neon Museum’s two complementary locations will offer educational, historic preservation, and economic benefits for the area”
He continued, “This is more than moving to a new location, this is a significant expansion effort because what drove this decision was ‘capacity.’ Our collection has grown exponentially to the point that now only 35 percent is visible to the public. Additionally, the Museum turned away over 30,000 visitors due to sold-out nights last year alone. Two sites, each with indoor and outdoor exhibition space, will greatly improve our visitors experience and educate eager audiences on this one-of-a-kind city.”
Pending a successful due diligence process, the new site will include an outdoor sign display – featuring panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley – and an interactive indoor space for classroom settings and other immersive experiences. The second location – within walking distance of the first – will offer a neon maker’s space; a neon Boneyard; classrooms; and a visible storage center essential to The Museum’s growing collection.
The Neon Museum will now enter an interpretive planning phase, which will help the organization outline how to provide the best visitor experience while fulfilling its mission to enlighten the world about Las Vegas. Over the next several months, The Neon Museum will determine if the two sites will open simultaneously, or one followed by the other. The outcomes of the interpretive plan and fundraising efforts will guide this process.
The Neon Museum continues to actively and assertively collect historical objects to grow its collection within the current location, with several sign lightings in the works, including a new restoration and relighting taking place this year. The current Neon Museum location and Brilliant! Jackpot will continue normal operations, open daily for tours and experiences from 4 p.m. – Midnight (hours may vary based on weather conditions). It is located at 770 Las Vegas Blvd. N, Las Vegas NV, 89101.
About The Neon Museum
Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. In 2021, The Neon Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition bestowed to museums in the United States. On its 2.27-acre campus, The Neon Museum has an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard (“boneyard” is traditionally the name for an area where items no longer in use are stored); the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant!” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non-operational signs; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby. The museum collection also includes 14 restored signs installed as public art in downtown Las Vegas. Public education, outreach, research, and arts preservation represent a selection of the museum’s ongoing projects. For more information, including tour schedules and tickets, visit www.neonmuseum.org. Also follow @NeonMuseum on Facebook and Twitter and @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram.