David Siegel is that man. The 79-year-old founder and CEO of Florida-based Westgate Resorts- one of the big three of the timeshare industry, along with Wyndham and Marriott-purchased the property for aroundR$160 million last summer and announced he would spend at least that much remaking it into Westgate Las Vegas.

Crime bosses such as Doc Stacher and Meyer Lansky acquired shares in the hotel and attracted Frank Sinatra, who made his performing debut at Sands in October 1953. Sinatra later bought a share in the hotel himself.