Come fly with me… to fabulous and fantastic Las Vegas! Established in 1905, it was nowhere near the oasis of fun, sin and lost weekends as it is known for today. But when major developments and projectes surfaced in the 1940s, the city starting growing larger and larger. Shady organized crime personalties saw opportunities to be made in this new desert haven. Big hotel casinos started sprouting up and many of the largest ones were in fact managed by the mob. I guess you have all heard about Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel.
The most famous part of Las Vegas is the strip – a 4-mile boulevard sized stretch of road that houses some of the biggest hotels and casinos in the U.S. Huge casinos such as The Golden Nugget and Fremont are considered landmarks today. Any fancy a game of Blackjack or trying your luck on the numerous slot machines? For more information, visit gamblingplanet.
The first, but perhaps little known casino of Las Vegas was the El Rancho Vegas, built in 1941 but sadly destroyed in a fire in 1960. However, its success pawed way for many other similar ventures such as the Last Frontier and the spectacular Flamingo. But this was just the beginning.
By Chris
January 24th, 2012
On the show this week, Koop Kooper checks out the Ohana Luau at the lake, reviews OSS 117 and play some music from the film. Takes a look at the world of swank with some great gigs and parties to attend plus the usual swank advice. Back on the radio for another week as we broadcast from the centre of Sydney in the Hi Fi stereophonically gadgeted up Penthouse.
By Chris
January 22nd, 2012
Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more
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Shopping is one of Europe’s first interior shopping centers ever built. This mid-century gem is hidden away in the cold northern parts of Sweden. It was designed by famous British-Swedish architect Ralph Erskine and built in 1955. Erskine wanted to create something that would be enjoyable for everyone all year round, not being dependent on the current (and sometimes harsh) weather conditions.
The shopping centre was to become a natural meeting point for everyone in the city and to offer both entertainment, dining and plenty of merchandise and goods for all the family. It was nick named “a city within the city”. The unique floor plan of the shopping center features multiple levels that are offset to each other by half a level and all connected by numerous staircases and escalators – creating a maze that can be a bit confusing to navigate for first comers. The huge concrete pillars and walkways supporting the construction makes it a look a bit cold but at the same time very clean and easy on the eyes. This type of design was very popular throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s – especially in northern Europe.
By Chris
January 16th, 2012
On the show this week, Koop Kooper introduce you to a man who is going to join us once a month by the name of Kramer to talk about lounging movies. News from author Bill Raetz, swank advice on what to bring to a dinner party, a look at the world of swank with some great gigs to check out and info on a book about When The Mob Ran Vegas.
By Chris
January 15th, 2012
We are starting the year off with a bang at Ultra Swank! Coming this weekend – famed and swingin’ radio show and podcast “The Cocktail Nation” will find a permanent home here at Ultra Swank.
The Cocktail Nation is hosted by the silken-voiced Koop Kooper from Sydney, Australia. Each week Koop talks to the movers and shakers of the lounge and Exotica scene while mixing it up with the very best in swingin’ tunes from the 50s and 60s. The show is broadcasted via various radio stations around the world and recently celebrated its 200:th episode.
The show is available as a free weekly podcast and you can either stream it directly from our Podcast page here at Ultra Swank or subscribe to it via iTunes or similar applications. So head on over to our new Podcast section, which also features a archive of the 20 latest shows – and be sure to subscribe not to miss out on the best swingin’ tunes, interviews and swank advice from Mr. Kooper!
By Chris
January 6th, 2012
On September 7, 1963, during a performance at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Dean Martin joked “Right now, ladies and gentlemen, somewhere backstage, Frank Sinatra is punching a dealer right in the mouth.” Little did Martin know that four years later, Sinatra actually would start a fight with a Sands pit boss over revoked casino credit — only, in the end, it was Sinatra who received the pop to the mouth.
The golden age of Las Vegas was the 1950s and early 60s — the Rat Pack era. Who made it that way? The Mob. What did they do? They ran gambling operations of every kind. And it was the worst kept secret in America. Everyone knew that it was mobster Bugsy Siegel who built one of Vegas’s crown jewel casinos, The Fabulous Flamingo. And it still stands today — although it’s been properly sanitized, corporatized, and remodeled.
January 5th, 2012
From all of us here at Ultra Swank, to all of you – happy retro flavored Christmas! 2011 was a great year for us and we are hoping that next year will be even better. We’ve got some swank surprises lined up for 2012 and the first one will be revealed in January already. Until then, don’t forget to check out and contribute to the Ultra Swank Photo Group on Flickr, which now houses close to 9,000 unique images!
Thank you all for your continued support and friendliness! Hope that Santa brings whatever you wished for. See you next year for more retro adventures! (Image)
By Chris
December 24th, 2011
