Las Vegas Neon Museum Restores Iconic Dunes Hotel Sign

The Neon Museum in Las Vegas is set to reilluminate the only surviving public sign from the iconic Dunes Hotel and Casino on September 26, following a five-month restoration led by Hartlauer Signs. The Dunes, which opened in 1955 and was imploded in 1993 to make way for the Bellagio, played a pivotal role in transforming Las Vegas into a global entertainment capital, featuring extravagant shows and a towering 180-foot neon pylon that won a General Electric award. The restoration included repairing a large crack on the sign’s face, recreating its original animation with historically accurate bulbs, and reshaping its distinctive onion dome silhouette. Interior designer Roger Thomas, honoring his family’s legacy tied to the Dunes and the advent of corporate gaming in Las Vegas, helped facilitate the restoration. The relighting ceremony will include a champagne toast sponsored by Tim and Amy Hunter and aims to celebrate the artistic and cultural heritage of Las Vegas embodied by the Dunes sign. According to Aaron Berger, Executive Director of The Neon Museum, the sign is not only a symbol of Las Vegas history but also a significant piece of America’s cultural fabric.