La Concha Motel, defunct motel in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
La Concha Motel is a hotel in Nevada built in the early 1960s and known for its distinctive shell-shaped lobby with flowing curves and smooth surfaces. The building exemplifies the Googie style with its eye-catching form designed to stand out along the roadside.
The motel was designed in 1961 by architect Paul Revere Williams, a pioneering African-American figure who created many significant buildings across the United States. Founded by the Doumani family, the original structure was demolished in 2005, but the iconic lobby was relocated to the Neon Museum in 2006 for preservation.
The name La Concha refers to a shell and is reflected in the building's curved form that catches the eye of passersby. Visitors can see today how this design choice became a symbol of Las Vegas's approach to making structures memorable and distinctive.
The restored lobby is now located at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas and can be viewed as part of the museum's collection. Visitors should note that access depends on the museum's opening hours and visiting conditions, as the building remains a preserved interior structure.
The building was designed by Paul Revere Williams, the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects, which underscores its place in architectural history. This connection to a trailblazer makes the motel far more than a roadside landmark and ties it to an important chapter of professional integration in America.
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