Desert Inn closes for remodeling

By ABBI TOUSHIN

The Desert Inn Resort on the Las Vegas Strip will close its doors for renovations on Sept. 30, displacing 1,500 Desert Inn employees. In May, when Stephen Wynn made public his intent to purchase the 50-year old hotel, he stated that he planned to keep the property open for at least a year before making any major alterations. Wynn, former chairman of Mirage Resorts, pur-chased the Desert Inn as a birthday present for his wife, Elaine, for $270 million. No information was disclosed on when the hotel would reopen.