Tony Marnell II
The architect, builder and Rio owner
Anthony A. Marnell II linked architecture, construction and ownership, shaping major Strip projects and developing the Rio west of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Marnell and Corrao
UNLV dates Marnell’s arrival at Corrao Construction to 1974 and his chairmanship and ownership to 1982. Marnell Corrao Associates brought architectural design and construction into one business. This is the firm behind the name often heard in accounts of the resort boom. [1]
Building for the resort visionaries
His company’s biography lists work on Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio and Wynn, along with additions to older resorts. Construction and design responsibilities should be distinguished from ownership: a builder’s influence extends across properties owned by different companies. [2]
The Rio becomes his own operating story
The Rio opened on January 15, 1990. Marnell was also its owner and operator, bringing the development and guest experience under a closer connection. The company history places its transfer to Harrah’s in 1999. [3] [2]
A family business and an oral record
His son Anthony Marnell III later developed M Resort. UNLV’s 2016 interview catalog offers another route into Tony’s account of the Rio and the changing balance of gaming, dining and entertainment. It is a firsthand perspective to read alongside company records. [6] [4]
Key dates
People in the same story
Anthony Marnell III
The next family generation and the M Resort story. [5]
Read the profileSteve Wynn
An owner whose projects appear in the Marnell construction record. [2]
Read the profileIn the archive
420 entries about associated places, not necessarily this person in the saved collection.
Slot Machines Barred Where Minors Loiter
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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Vegas' Newest, Most Luxurious Night Club Opens Wednesday
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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The Horseshoe opens downtown
The Sun introduces the newly opened Horseshoe and describes its lavish casino interior.
The Sahara is introduced in lavish terms
The Sun previews Milton Prell’s new Sahara hotel as it nears its debut.
Mario Lanza Appearance at Las Vegas Canceled
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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A new hotel adapts to a changing market
A 1956 Sun report describes a resort plan being reworked amid concern about recent hotel failures.
Go deeper into the record.
Sources for this profile and starting points for further research. Access notes mark links we could not open directly during the October 3–4, 2026 checks. Historical accounts describe their own period; they do not necessarily describe current operations.
- 1
Tony Marnell: Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame
Describes the Corrao Construction connection, the design-build business and major resort projects.
- 2
Tony A. Marnell II
The company’s design and construction account. Use the Rio’s own anniversary record for its opening date; retain only the year of the 1999 ownership transfer here.
- 3
Rio Celebrates 35 Years of Iconic Las Vegas Experiences, Entertainment, and Excitement
Confirms the January 15, 1990 opening. Anniversary offers on this page are expired and are not reproduced.
- 4
Anthony A. Marnell II oral history
The catalog describes the interview and lists audio and a transcript. This profile uses the catalog description; it does not claim a full transcript review.
- 5
Anthony Marnell III, M Resort developer
His account of the Rio influence and his intended local market. Planned future additions are not treated as completed.
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- 6
Penn National Gaming acquires M Resort
Separates the October 2010 debt purchase from the 2011 acquisition of the business.