Bars, churches, theaters, and a vintage motel-turned-neon palace showcase more of Sin City?s architectural heritage In its own oversized and entertaining way, Las Vegas architecture has always sought to both replicate and overwhelm the signature structures of other cities. Where else besides the theme park-world of the Strip would you see the (facsimile) wonders of Paris, New York, and Cairo all on the same stroll"
But look beyond the neon, and the city of Vegas has its own story and architecture, buildings that tell the story of how a small desert town blossomed and boomed in the 20th century. This list, compiled with help from the Nevada Preservation Foundation isn?t filled with the work of modern-day starchitects, but instead highlights 20th century designers, local architects, and some of the lesser-known examples of how modernism made its mark throughout the rest of the city.
Aidan Wakely-Mulroney: Flickr/Creative Commons

Guardian Angel Cathedral (302 Cathedral Way)
It?s not a coincidence that this house of God is so close to the Strip. Built on land donated by Moe Dalitz, the gangster and casino owner called Mr. Las Vegas, Guardian Angel was, in part, meant to be a convenient house of worship for Dalitz?s workers. Los Angeles architect Paul Revere Williams devised the church?s graceful A-Frame design, which also provides a triangular canvas or sorts for muralist Edith Piczek, whose depiction of the Guardian Angel graces the entrance. ...