Imperial Palace to get a name change and renovation... and SOON

A signature cheap hotel on the Strip is changing its name. It was announced yesterday by Caesars Entertainment that the Imperial Palace would be changing its name to ... wait for it ... The Quad Resort & Casino!

That's right. The Imperial Palace will soon be The Quad. Renovations are already taking place on the casino floor and the valet/drive-through hotel entry, and Harrah's official Las Vegas Blog says that the hotel will remain open through the renovations.

Vegas Chatter is reporting via Caesars that the official changeover to The Quad will be completed by December 21st. However, renovations will stretch deep into 2013, though you can kiss the "Imperial" goodbye before 2012 ends.

So, we know what you're thinking: 'Why The Quad?' Well, as Rick Mazer, President of the hotel says, "It's about a place where you can meet friends in a social environment, and that's really what we're trying to create and The Quad name really brings that to life." ... He'd later go on to say (we're paraphrasing, here) that, in an effort to streamline The Linq project as one whole unit versus several different brands, the Imperial Palace theme didn't really fit with the future of the area. (We can agree with him on that one.)

Now, the big question is what effect the renovations and upgrades - which are set to include a new nightclub and gift shop - will have on the Imperial Palace's notoriously-low room rates. Currently, the Imperial appeals to the ultra-moderate budget crowds visiting Las Vegas, and their room rates are consistently some of the cheapest on the Strip. That being said, just about every corner of the casino could use an upgrade and, while each room comes equipped with a balcony, it was no secret that the living quarters could use an upgrade, too.

Naturally, The Quad will include a pathway to The Linq and is just another piece to the total reimagining of the center-Strip locale that once included an old favorite of ours, O'Sheas. Also, this is actually the second time this particular property has changed its name; the Flamingo Capri opened in 1959 and 20 years later changed its name to the Imperial Palace we've come to know and, well, at the very least become familiar with. It was only in 2005 that Harrah's/Caesars purchased the property, perhaps with their sights already sent on the now-underway Linq Project.

A couple important things to note about The Quad; 1.) The signature celebrity-impersonating Dealertainers will be staying at The Quad and 2.) so will the Auto Collections "exhibit" at the front of the lobby. (Though it's unclear if they'll be relocated since the north side of the building will become the official entrance to The Imperial Palace Quad.)

So, Cheapos - what do you think about the name change? Will you miss the Imperial Palace, or do you say "Good Riddance"?  Let us know what you think in the comments section below, or drop us a line ... errr ... comment on Twitter, Facebook or Google+!