“Prime corner property” is what Stephen Siegel called it. The Gateway Motel stands here at Charleston and Las Vegas Boulevards. It has been around since 1931. Let’s delve into the story of this Las Vegas landmark.
The Gateway Motel started as the Gateway Auto Court. Gabriel Paher and his son Stanley M. Paher built it. That was back in 1931. The original court featured 27 Spanish tiled cabins. Each had a carport. Rooms without bedding cost just $1 a night. The Gateway service station stood across the street. It was under different ownership.
Fast forward to the early 1950s. The auto court was remodeled. It became the modern Gateway Motel. Motel wings and a lobby wrapped around a parking lot. A brand-new neon sign was installed. By the end of the 1960s, the motel had 45 rooms. Sadly, cottonwood trees planted in ’32 died. Underground water levels had fallen.
Stanley W. Paher, grandson of the original builder, formed Gateway Press. It was at the motel’s address. He published “Nevada Ghost Towns & Mining Camps” in 1970.
Stanley M. sold the Gateway Motel in 1972. The property changed hands many times over the decades. In early April 2024, the Siegel Group bought it for $5.95 million.
The Siegel Group plans to renovate and rebrand the Gateway Motel. It will become a Siegel Suites. These will be fully furnished flexible stay units. The Gateway Motel will be combined with the neighboring Siegel Suites.
Stephen Siegel is the CEO of the Siegel Group. He said the location is close to the Arts District. It is next door to an existing 64-unit Siegel Suites building. Renovations should start in May. They should take about 90 days.
The long-term plan is to demolish both the Gateway Motel and Siegel Suites. A mixed-use apartment concept with ground-floor retail will be built. The designs will reflect the area. They will be based on “old, retro and modern mid-century” elements. This will fit in with other buildings in downtown Las Vegas and the Arts District.
Siegel hopes to preserve the neon Gateway Motel sign. He wants to add some other vintage Vegas touches. This includes adding some fences and statues.
So, the next time you pass by the Gateway Motel, remember its rich history. From its humble beginnings as an auto court to its future as a modern mixed-use development. The Gateway Motel stands as a testament to the ever-evolving spirit of Las Vegas. A vibrant retreat near Fremont Street’s lively action.