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The Enigma of the Vegas Sphinx

Gather ‘round for a tale of epic proportions—quite literally. We’re diving into the mysteries of our very own colossal cat-man hybrid: the Luxor Sphinx.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

A Brief History of the OG Sphinx

Here’s a sphinx-worthy riddle for you: What’s made of one piece, has the body of a lion, the head of a man, and a name we don’t know? You guessed it—the Great Sphinx!

Before we get to our Vegas version, let’s take a quick trip to Giza. The original Great Sphinx is quite the enigma itself. Part of the funerary complex of the Pyramid of Khafre, this limestone lothario likely stood guard over the pharaoh’s final resting place.

The ancient wonder sports the body of a crouching lion topped with a human head, believed to be the pharaoh himself. It’s carved from a single outcrop of limestone.

Interestingly, we don’t actually know what the Ancient Egyptians called this stony sentinel. “Sphinx” is a Greek word, leaving us to wonder if the Egyptians had a snazzier name for their lion-bodied, man-faced guardian. “Steve,” perhaps? (Steve Martin, who had a hit with the novelty song “King Tut” in the 1970s, would definitely approve.)

Size Matters: The Great Sphinx Showdown

Let’s start with the elephant—er, sphinx—in the room. Our Vegas version isn’t just big; it’s the “I ate the Sphinx of Giza for breakfast” kind of big. Standing a whopping 110 feet tall, it towers over its Egyptian counterpart by a good 40 feet.

At 110 feet high, 80 feet wide, and 262 feet long, this bad boy could probably swallow a few pharaohs whole and still have room for dessert. And let’s not forget its pièce de résistance: the porte-cochère nestled within its body. Because nothing says “grand entrance” quite like driving into the belly of a mythical beast.

The Mastermind Behind the Monolith

Now, who do we have to thank for this larger-than-life landmark? None other than architect extraordinaire Veldon Simpson. Known for his work on other Vegas icons like the MGM Grand and Excalibur, Simpson outdid himself with the Luxor. The sphinx, along with its pointy partner-in-crime—the 30-story bronze pyramid—was completed in a mere 18 months. As for the triangular structure, the only reason it wasn’t built taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza is because it stands opposite the Harry Reid International Airport.

The Luxor is often viewed as a prime example of 1990s Postmodern architecture, and its sphinx appeared on the cover of architecture scholar James Steele’s book, Architecture Today.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

A Face Only a Mother (or Tourist) Could Love

While the original Sphinx of Giza has weathered its fair share of storms (and vandals—we’re looking at you, 15th-century Sufi zealot), our Luxor lookalike is holding up just fine, thank you very much. It may lack the authentic battle scars of its ancient inspiration, but it makes up for it with a fresh-from-the-sarcophagus glow and some striking blue peepers that would make King Tut jealous.

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Now, we’re about to venture into the realm of the supernatural. It seems our sphinx isn’t just guarding the casino; it’s also keeping watch over some otherworldly guests.

While the sphinx itself hasn’t reported any ghostly encounters (stone lips sink ships, after all), the Luxor hotel is teeming with spectral activity. From the poltergeist in Room 30018 who likes to play morning DJ with metallic clanging at 8:30 a.m. sharp, to the infamous “Deadly Blonde” who’s apparently never heard of personal space—this place is a paranormal paradise.

Multiple guests have reported wake-up calls of the ghastly variety, complete with phantom hands around their necks. That’s a four-star fright! And if you thought you could escape the heebie-jeebies by avoiding the pyramid rooms, think again. The tower rooms aren’t safe either, though they do seem to have fewer things that go bump in the night.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

The Beam That Launched a Thousand UFO Sightings

No article about the Luxor would be complete without mentioning its crowning glory: the Sky Beam. The 42.3 billion candela tunnel of light ouring out of the top of the pyramid isn’t just bright; it’s “42,000 lighthouses having a dance party” bright. Visible from 275 miles away on a clear night, it’s the Vegas equivalent of shouting, “We’re here! We’re lit! Get used to it!” into the cosmic void.

But here’s where it gets weird(er). This beam has created its own mini-ecosystem, complete with sphinx moths (how fitting), bats, and owls. It’s like a nocturnal Noah’s Ark up there. The swarms get so thick that tourists often mistake them for UFOs. Who needs Area 51 when you’ve got the Luxor Sky Beam?

Keeping this luminous landmark lit isn’t cheap. Back in ‘93, it reportedly cost a cool million bucks a year. These days, they’ve dimmed things down to half-power, saving both energy and cash. Current estimates put the operating cost at about $51 per hour, or up to $22,700 in the darker months. That’s a lot of loose change from the slot machines.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Inside the Pyramid: A Time-Traveling Casino

Back in the day, the Luxor was all-in on the Egyptian theme. There was a simulated King Tut’s Tomb in the basement, complete with treasure. But in 2008, these priceless (okay, maybe not priceless, but definitely cool) artifacts were shipped off to a museum. It was like watching the exodus all over again, but with fewer plagues and more bubble wrap.

There were even talking camels. These loquacious dromedaries and the River Nile cutting through the casino floor were the highlights of many a 1990s Vegas trip. Sadly, like many desert mirages, they’ve long since disappeared into the sands of time. For years, the Luxor’s claim to fame was being the proud owner of the “World’s Largest Atrium,” boasting a cavernous 29 million cubic feet. That’s enough space to fit about 3,625,000 standard Egyptian coffins, in case you were wondering (and we know you were).

But just when we thought the Luxor had left its Egyptian roots behind, in September of 2022, King Tut made a triumphant return. This time, he brought friends—over 300 replica artifacts, to be exact. They now offer immersive experiences, pods of virtual reality chairs, and a fully three-dimensional, astonishingly accurate recreation of the excavation site.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

So, there you have it, Las Vegans—our very own Sphinx, standing tall, proud, and just a tad haunted. It may not have the historical gravitas of its Giza godfather, but it’s got something better: neon, nostalgia, and a whole lot of Nevada charm. Next time you’re cruising down the Strip, give a nod to our stone-faced sentinel. Just don’t be surprised if it winks back at you.

Author

  • StaciLayne

    Author of the "Rock & Roll Nightmares" book series, director of the documentary film, "The Ventures: Stars on Guitars."

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Author of the "Rock & Roll Nightmares" book series, director of the documentary film, "The Ventures: Stars on Guitars."