The Viva Vision light shows are about to get even more spectacular!
A $32 million renovation of the Viva Vision canopy is scheduled, with a debut of the dramatically upgraded screen on Dec. 31, 2019, otherwise known as New Year’s Eve.
Anticipate hoopla. We know a little something about hoopla.
Oh, and don’t worry, our world-famous light shows will continue to play nightly, even during the renovation!
We’ll be sharing all the latest developments of the Viva Vision upgrade here on our blog, so check back often for details.
Here’s a look at Viva Vision, the largest LED canopy screen on the planet.
A History Quickie
This is the second time Viva Vision has been upgraded. Fremont Street Experience opened on December 14, 1995.
Here’s a look at the original lights used for Viva Vision.
In 2004, Viva Vision got a $17 million upgrade. Read more.
Here are the lights from the 2004 upgrade.
Now, let’s jump ahead to 2019. Here’s a look at the new LED panels.
Here’s a timeline of all the news related to the upgrade, most recent updates are at the bottom.
Viva Vision Upgrade Announced
Aug. 13, 2018
On Aug. 13, 2018, it was officially announced Fremont Street Experience would undertake a massive renovation of Viva Vision, the world’s largest LED canopy screen.
The new screen will have a whopping 16,433,152 pixels and 5,000 Nits! For some context, that’s a lot of Nits. (A Nit is a unit of measurement for the total brightness over one square meter of an LED display.)
The new canopy will feature 49,299,456 energy-efficient LEDs.
The bottom line: The new Viva Vision screen will be seven times brighter and have four times the resolution.
A giant benefit to the upgraded screen will be that it can show during daylight hours.
Here’s a video from the LED manufacturing company, Watchfire.
Beyond the brightness and resolution, the new canopy will afford the opportunity to include interactivity to the Viva Vision experience.
The canopy upgrade will cost $32 million, a financial collaboration between Fremont Street Experience (and its casino partners), the City of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Conventions and Visitors Authority.
Read more:
- Long, Long Overdue: Fremont Street Experience getting canopy upgrade (Las Vegas Sun)
- Fremont Street Experience to move forward with $32M upgrade (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
- Watchfire Signs Selected for $32 Million Las Vegas Fremont Street Experience Renovation
- Fremont Street Canopy Getting $32 Million Makeover
The Viva Vision upgrade project is a collaboration between Fremont Street Experience, Tré Builders and Watchfire Signs, an Illinois-based LED manufacturer.
First Shipment of LEDs Arrive
April 1, 2019
On Apr. 1, 2019, the first shipment of LEDs for the canopy arrived, ahead of schedule.
The shipment consisted of eight massive crates.
The first shipment of crates is just 1/16th of the total number that will be needed for the renovation. The total will be 118 crates.
Each crate represents one night’s work for installers.
Each crate has nine “subframes” with 64 LED modules on each subframe. Ultimately, the renovation will require 67,456 modules.
The new LED modules are already being tested.
The modules will be installed in 150-foot sections. This will allow the light shows to continue, with minor disruption for guests.
Viva Vision Renovation Begins
May 6, 2019
Renovation of the Viva Vision has officially begun. Work is being done in the middle of the night to avoid disruption to our guests, casino partners and neighbors.
Because the upgrade is being done in small sections, the light shows will run throughout the duration of the renovation.
The renovation will go from in front of the Golden Gate casino and works its way east over the next few months.
Here’s a closer look at the modules being installed on the Viva Vision canopy.
First Renovated Section Tested
June 5, 2019
The first renovation section of the new Viva Vision canopy was tested on June 5, 2019.
For the first time in the history of the Viva Vision screen, content can be shown and enjoyed during daylight hours.
Because of the new screen resolution, new content is being developed to make the most of the screen’s leap forward in resolution and brightness. There are so many surprises in store as the renovations continue. A new light show featuring The Chainsmokers is the first to be created with the new canopy’s capabilities in mind. Visitors will get a sneak preview of the new Viva Vision on June 13 with the debut of a new light show with hits from Steve Aoki.
As we’ve said, light shows will continue during the duration of the renovation.
Just one section completed, and already a photo op!
Second Canopy Section Renovated, Approved
June 29, 2019
On June 29, 2019, renovations of a second section of the Viva Vision canopy was completed and approved. Six more sections to go!
Upgrades to the third canopy section are well under way.
Downtown visitors get a sneak preview of the new Viva Vision resolution every night of the week as each new section is illuminated. Take a look!
Third Canopy Section Renovated, Approved
July 24, 2019
The Viva Vision canopy renovation is moving along at a brisk pace! The third of eight sections has been completed and approved.
Fourth Canopy Section Renovated, Approved
August 22, 2019
We’re halfway home! (Technically, more than half, as 800 feet of the 1,500-foot canopy have been renovated.) While the renovation process is ongoing, guests can already get a peek at the higher resolution screen, and new visuals are being created to take advantage of the dramatically-increased screen quality. Stay tuned for more!
Fifth Canopy Section Renovated, Approved
Sep. 14, 2019
We’re thrilled to report the fifth of eight sections of the Viva Vision screen have been successfully renovated. That means we’re more than halfway done with our renovation project (1,000 feet of 1,500 feet have been upgraded) and, boy, are our arms tired.
Column Screen Installation Begins
Sep. 16, 2019
We’re committed to making Fremont Street Experience a floor-to-ceiling experience, so we’re not only renovating our Viva Vision screen, but we’re also installing 32 video screens on the columns that support the Viva Vision canopy. The 32 video screens are about five feet wide and 13 feet tall. When you see these new screens in concert with the overhead canopy, you won’t believe your eyes.
Sixth Canopy Section Renovated, Approved
Oct. 10, 2019
We’re in the home stretch! The majority of the Viva Vision canopy has been upgraded and visitors are already seeing a dramatic improvement.
Guests on Halloween were treated to a preview of the overhauled canopy.
Canopy Upgrade Update
Nov. 1, 2019
The end is in sight! Here’s a look at the final section of the canopy upgrade.
Final Crate of LED Panels Being Installed
Nov. 4, 2019
We’re down to the final crate of LED panels to be used in our Viva Vision screen renovation. What an amazing project, and we’re finally in the homestretch. The installation of these last few LED panels marks the beginning of a new screen, a new vibe, a new zipline experience, a new downtown and a new must-see attraction in Las Vegas!
Final LED Panel Replaced
Nov. 5, 2019
The final LED panel of the renovation was replaced on Nov. 5, 2019. Big thanks to all our contractor partners!
Renovation Complete
Nov. 13, 2019
The new Viva Vision canopy has officially arrived. On Nov. 13, 2019, final testing of the last section of the screen was approved, so the renovation is complete. The physical renovation is just one part of the story, of course. We’re working non-stop to create new content for the screen, all of which will debut on New Year’s Eve. Tickets for New Year’s Eve downtown go on sale Nov. 27, 2019.
Here’s a sweet time lapse video of the renovation from our friends at Watchfire Signs.
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