The Venetian Las Vegas was built on the site formerly occupied by the legendary Sands Hotel and Casino. The Sands was an iconic centerpiece of the "Rat Pack" era, famously associated with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. In a high-value historical moment for Las Vegas, the Sands was imploded on November 26, 1996, to make way for Sheldon Adelson’s vision of a Venice-themed mega-resort. The Venetian officially opened on May 3, 1999, completely transforming the "Old Vegas" skyline into a high-end luxury destination featuring the Grand Canal Shoppes and the Sands Expo Convention Center. While the Sands represented the mid-century glamour of the 1950s and 60s, the Venetian introduced a new era of "themed" all-suite luxury. In 2026, you can still find small nods to the Sands' history within the resort, but the current footprint is a testament to how the city evolved from smoky, small-scale gaming halls to the massive, integrated resorts that define the modern Las Vegas Strip experience.