What Tony Hsieh Got Wrong About Downtown
Tony Hsieh has long been painted as a tortured visionary — most recently in the posthumous biography by two Wall Street Journal reporters dramatically titled “Happy at Any Cost: The Revolutionary Vision and Fatal Quest of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh.” But longtime Las Vegas locals have observed the last decade of transformations along Fremont East (funded by Tony’s company Downtown Project) with mixed emotions.
Lifelong resident and writer Nicholas Russell recently penned an essay in the Baffler about the problem with mythologizing Tony Hsieh — he and host Dayvid Figler bust some Downtown Project myths, examine Tony’s legacy downtown, and break down just why it was so easy for Tony Hsieh to set up shop in Las Vegas.
How do you feel about downtown Las Vegas? Leave us a message or shoot us a text at 702-514-0719.
We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @CityCastVegas
Want more Vegas news? Get our morning newsletter at lasvegas.citycast.fm/newsletter
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Las Vegas and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Is Construction Killing the Arts District? Plus, the Tupac Murder Trial Begins and Searchlight's Underrated Library
Construction on Charleston Boulevard is crushing businesses in the Arts District, and the parking situation isn't helping either. So what...
The Best Japanese Restaurants for Every Price Point in Las Vegas
The inaugural Southwest Michelin Guide drops later this month, and Las Vegas foodies are waiting with bated breath to see which local spo...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas
As much as you love Las Vegas, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have com...
Can Lombardo Fix Nevada's Affordability Problem? Plus, Airbnb Crackdowns and Chinatown Hot Spots
Gov. Joe Lombardo says he can't control Nevada's affordability crisis, but is that actually true, or is he ducking responsibility? Then,...
Metro Defends Flock Cameras, Nevada Faces Steep Water Cuts, and Can Mendoza Save the Raiders?
Las Vegas Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill is defending the department's use of license plate reader cameras across the valley, even as a nat...
Trump Returns to Vegas, the Consequences of School Choice, and Our Latest Vegas Fixations
President Trump is heading back to Las Vegas to promote his "no tax on tips" policy, but did it actually make a difference for the servic...
A Mid-Year Review of Vegas' Best New Restaurants
The local dining scene in Las Vegas continues to explode, so what are some of the best new restaurants that opened in 2026? Host Jesse Me...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas
Do you know how zoning laws affect Las Vegas’ housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made i...
The Hottest Weekend of the Year, Data Center Battles, and Good News Friday
Las Vegas is bracing for temperatures up to 117 degrees this weekend, and with nearly 30 heat-related deaths already recorded in Clark Co...
Your Guide to August 2026 in Las Vegas
August is here, and as the mercury keeps rising, we're kicking off our monthly guide with the best tips to beat the record-breaking heat...