The Plaza Hotel & Casino’s Bold Evolution

The Plaza Hotel & Casino has many distinctions, but one of the most notable starts at the beginning — of Las Vegas, that is.

The Plaza’s 1 Main Street address is literally the birthplace of Las Vegas. Originally the site of the Union Pacific train depot, in 1971 it became home to the Union Plaza, which was the world’s largest hotel-casino at the time. Later renamed to the Plaza Hotel & Casino, today it remains an eye-catching property under the leadership of CEO Jonathan Jossel, who doesn’t shy away from blazing new trails.

Western Alliance Bank has been part of their story since 2010, bringing a responsive, relationship-driven approach that has supported the Plaza’s bold ideas with reliable execution.

“I’ve been banking with Western Alliance since 2010, and with everyone I’ve worked with, the relationship’s always been incredible. No matter what we’ve needed or what part of the business it’s related to, we’ve always had great service,” Jossel said.

Jossel is committed to reviving the guest experience, and he’s not afraid to think outside the box — a trait he shares with Western Alliance. He has transformed the Plaza’s Rat Pack-era style and attitude with innovations that are new to the market, the consumer and the guest experience — from free summer Friday night fireworks and Vegas’ first pickleball courts to Downtown’s only bingo game and its first-ever dedicated smoke-free slots area.

“A lot of the funding we’ve secured over the years from Western Alliance Bank has been used to improve the Plaza. Our first deal together was for a 2010 property-wide remodel, including 1,000 hotel rooms,” said Jossel. “Western Alliance Bank’s loans and its liquidity have helped our parent company to reinvest and continue to upgrade the Plaza again and again throughout the years.”

The Plaza again turned to Western Alliance to finance its 2023 Main Street façade renovations. The effort resulted in the outdoor Carousel Bar, Pinkbox Doughnuts and the only al fresco fine dining downtown, located on a new rooftop patio at Oscar’s Steakhouse.

For each of these projects, Jossel knew he would get straight answers from Western Alliance Bank. “The people at Western Alliance are not bluffers,” he noted. “They don’t promise you the world and underdeliver. They understand the business, they do what they say they’re going to do, and they deliver exactly that.”

The Plaza Hotel & Casino website features a “Tweet the CEO” button, allowing customers to connect with Jossel publicly. The Plaza is also the only casino in Las Vegas with a podcast that is all about Las Vegas, not just its own property. Jossel hosts the podcast, and interviews people from across the city. This distinctive approach to customer relationships complements the personal attention characteristic of Western Alliance’s team.

“The relationship with Western Alliance makes everything run smoothly. For example, our most recent loan came together quickly. At a lunch with my bankers, I told them my situation and needs, and within a couple of phone calls, we were dancing. And that’s a testament to them, their contacts, their vision and their great service,” Jossel said. “The Western Alliance team are great partners, and I wouldn’t even think to go anywhere else. I would recommend Western Alliance very highly to other gaming and hospitality companies.”