Inspired by the shortly lived, yet iconic western phase of 1930s Las Vegas, the Dustland bar honors the city’s legacy from the heart of its inception. Las Vegas was born in 1905 as a railroad stop on the Union Pacific. The city later experienced a population boom with workers arriving from all over to come work on the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. After the dam’s completion, many workers left, and Las Vegas was left with the question of the century: how do you attract people to a small railroad town in the middle of the desert? And so was born the tourism industry. The loss of the western frontier in the 1890s had left people hungry for a sense of adventure, risk, and unbound freedom. Vegas casinos began capitalizing on this through the creation of the first phase of thematic resorts like the Pioneer Club, the Last Frontier, and El Rancho. The Dustland aims to recapture that sense of adventure and bring it back to the heart of Las Vegas, where it all began. The Dustland is located in the historic downtown grid of Las Vegas. In the past decade, this area has seen major improvements that have brought back local businesses. Given the proximity of several bars, this project had to bring something different. Most surrounding bars are small, dark, and lack spaces for intimate conversation. Dustland stands as an alternative by embracing the vastness of the desert environment through an open layout, abundant windows and a large outdoor space. The existing building shell retained its original mid-century facade full of storefront glazing and large overhangs. As soon as people turn the corner, Dustland’s buzzing energy calls them from within. Guests are greeted by an assortment of spaces, including lounges, booths, a stage, and the bar itself. As guests continue to explore deeper, they emerge in a spacious outdoor area complete with a stage and fire pits for concerts and late-night rendezvous. Through its variety, the Dustland welcomes people to “come by, grab a drink, and stay awhile.” True to its character, the Dustland was a passion project designed and constructed by a local community. Millwork, furnishings, and lighting were sourced from a Las Vegas-based manufacturer. The installation of stonework and final finishes was aided by the architecture team and ownership. Painted murals throughout the space were done by local artists. The continuous involvement of the design team throughout construction led to powerful moments of creative spontaneity that gave rise to many on-site design decisions, precisely what gives it the home-made level of detail that guests admire. By celebrating the spur-of-the-moment legacy of the historic Las Vegas downtown, Dustland has created a pocket of joyous vintage charm that patrons continue to come back to time and time again.