<P> Construction of the $32 million tower began in February 1992, on property adjacent to Vegas World . On August 29, 1993, around midnight, hundreds of customers at Vegas World were evacuated when the half - finished tower caught on fire, during which no injuries occurred . The Stratosphere had been planned to open in August 1994, although the fire was expected to delay construction by eight weeks . Stupak said that the tower's first phase would still be ready in time with an accelerated construction schedule . A large crane located atop the tower, used for construction, was also damaged in the fire . The following month, high winds prevented the scheduled dismantling of the crane, a process that was expected to take two days . At that time, the cause of the fire remained unknown . </P> <P> In November 1993, Grand Casinos announced plans to purchase 33 percent of the Stratosphere and Vegas World by acquiring shares in Stupak's Stratosphere Corporation . Vegas World closed on February 1, 1995, for remodeling in order to be integrated into the Stratosphere resort . Vegas World's two hotel towers, consisting of 932 rooms, were renovated to become part of the Stratosphere . As construction neared completion, one of the rides being planned for the resort was a giant ape that would carry riders up and down on one of the tower's columns . </P> <P> The Stratosphere opened on April 30, 1996 . Shortly after opening, the Stratosphere Corporation was forced to file bankruptcy . This caused construction on the second tower to stop, with only a few stories partially built, and it allowed Carl Icahn to gain control through one of his companies by buying a majority of the outstanding bonds . </P> <P> A major addition was completed in June 2001 for $1 billion that included finishing the 1000 - room second hotel tower . </P>

When was the stratosphere hotel built in las vegas