The Neon Museum receives famed Planet Hollywood sign
The Neon Museum recently acquired the famed Planet Hollywood Restaurant sign that originally rotated upon an iconic column pedestal in front of the Caesars Palace Forum Shops and Colosseum. Donated by Planet Hollywood International/Earl Enterprises, the sign is currently being assessed for conservation and display plans.
“Similar to the Hard Rock Café guitar, the Planet Hollywood sign is iconic given the popularity of its venue and sheer size,” said Aaron Berger, The Neon Museum Executive Director. “Planet Hollywood was a destination for celebrities, tourists, and locals to see and be seen. I am excited to hear the stories of those who attended its legendary opening and ate at the celebrated restaurant.”
“Acquiring the Planet Hollywood sign continues to enhance the amazing collection of signs that trace the history and pop culture of Las Vegas” said Roger Thomas, member of The Neon Museum’s collection committee. “Both the museum staff and collections committee are honored to have received this iconic sign that will now be carefully reviewed to determine how best to display it.”
The sign, which was originally installed in 1994, is comprised of components made from a wide variety of materials including neon, incandescent lightbulbs, metal, and fiberglass. The sign’s core metal structure weighs 12,000 lbs., and the fiberglass globe is approximately 25 feet in diameter. To be moved to the museum, the globe was meticulously dissected into four pieces, each weighing 1,300 lbs. Due to the pieces’ size, they were delivered by High Impact Signs in oversized trucks during low traffic overnight hours as the trucks required multiple travel lanes.
Planet Hollywood Restaurant opened within the Caesars Forum Shops in 1994 just three years after the original restaurant opened in New York. This restaurant chain became well known for its movie and television memorabilia. The grand opening of the Las Vegas venue had many celebrities in attendance, including owners Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Las Vegas restaurant was the 14th to debut and now seven remain open. In 2007, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino opened its doors about a mile south of the restaurant.
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. It has been ranked No. 1 in Las Vegas Weekly’s list of “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History,” one of “Sin City’s Best Retro Sites” by MSN, “No. 1 Las Vegas Museum Sure to Entertain and Educate” by USA Today’s 10best.com, “One of the Top 10 Coolest Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do” by Forbes.com, one of the “Top 10 Historic Spots in Las Vegas” by Vegas.com; one of “15 Most Fascinating Museums in the U.S.” by VacationIdea.com; and earns a consistent 4.5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor. 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; the Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby. The museum collection also includes nine 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.