I live and work in Las Vegas and consider myself an enthusiast when it comes to Howard Hughes.
He owned six casinos at one point- The Desert Inn, The Sands, the Silver Slipper, Castaways, The Landmark, and The Frontier. The media liked to chalk up Hughes' investments in Las Vegas as a turn for the city from mob controlled casinos to a legitimate businessman turning the town in the right dir1908ection. All of these casinos are now gone (BUMMER), with The Frontier being the last to be demolished in late 2007. He also owned other land in Clark County, most notably the now master plan community Summerlin, named after his Grandmother. Also, land adjacent to the airport with the main post office for the region is now named Hughes Airport Center and is a business/industrial park.
As far as the center at UNLV, I think he donated money to the university to establish a medical school when he was in residence in Nevada, but don't quote me on that.

I see. i'll have to ask next time i go.
My Love
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