LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The iconic Tropicana Hotel, once a jewel in the desert, will be demolished in a cloud of dust Wednesday morning to make way for the new A’s baseball field.

The Tropicana, which opened in April 1957, was the most expensive hotel ever built on the Las Vegas Strip at the time, costing $15 million.

Known for its lavish pool with beautiful waterfalls and the long-running show ‘Folies Bergere’, which entertained guests for 49 years until its closure in 2009, the Tropicana attracted its share of the rich and famous. Many performed in the showroom or simply came by to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

“It was just so much fun. You could watch the laser light show and the dancing fountain show. There was constantly something to do, and it was just a hip place to be,” said an artist who graced the Tropicana stage for 15 years.

As the city prepares for the implosion, several road closures will be in effect.

From 11 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday, the I-15 freeway ramps near Tropicana will be closed, as will Las Vegas Boulevard from Harmon to Hacienda and Tropicana Avenue from Dean Martin to Koval.

Residents and visitors are invited to join News 3 for special coverage of the event, starting at 2:09 a.m. Wednesday.

The live broadcast will include the implosion and an hour-long special celebrating the legacy of the Tropicana on the Las Vegas Strip.