Riviera, pronounced [riˈvjɛːra], is an Italian word which means "coastline", ultimately derived from Latin ripa, through Ligurian rivea. It came to be applied as a proper name to the coast of Liguria, in the form riviera ligure, then shortened to riviera. The two areas currently known in English as "The Riviera" without additional qualification are:

Riviera may be also applied to any coastline, especially one that is sunny, topographically diverse and popular with tourists. Such places called Riviera include:

Africa

America

Asia and Oceania

Europe

Riviera is an old term for the coast of Liguria now more generally applied to any coastal area popular with tourists.

Riviera may also refer to:

Places

In business

Arts and entertainment

The Riviera (colloquially, "the Riv") is a closed hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada, which operated from April 1955 to May 2015. It is owned by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which plans to demolish it to make way for convention and meeting facilities.

The hotel had over 2,100 rooms, less than half of which are located in a 23-story tower. The casino had 110,000 sq ft (10,000 m²) of gaming space.

History

The casino was first proposed by Detroit mobster William Bischoff as the Casa Blanca, and received a gaming license in 1952. Bischoff later withdrew from the project, which was taken over by Miami businessman Samuel Cohen. By March 1955, Cohen, identified as a member of Miami's S & G gambling syndicate, was no longer part of the investment group, though rumors persisted that he secretly maintained an involvement.Harpo Marx and Gummo Marx held minority interests at the opening.

The Riviera opened on April 20, 1955 as the first high-rise and the ninth resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Liberace cut the opening ribbon, and became the first resident performer. The Riviera is one of the oldest and most famous casino resorts in Las Vegas. The Riviera also broke new ground in its design: previously, Strip resorts resembled roadside motor courts.