Dennis Hof's Infamous Love Ranch Brothel Outside Las Vegas Razed to Ground

Dennis Hof's Infamous Love Ranch Brothel Outside Las Vegas Razed to Ground

By Marcus Bennett

November 21, 2024 at 10:08 AM

Dennis Hof's iconic Love Ranch brothel, located 80 miles outside Las Vegas in Nevada's Nye County, was recently demolished. The establishment, once a symbol of Nevada's legal prostitution industry, operated in the desert town of Crystal until 2018.

The Love Ranch featured 15 one-bedroom suites in connected doublewide trailers, painted pink, along with a bar, two kitchens, and a VIP room. As with all legal Nevada brothels, workers were licensed independent contractors who split their income with the house, subject to a 9% state tax. Licensed brothels in Nevada generate approximately $75 million in annual revenue.

Excavator at demolition site

Excavator at demolition site

The establishment gained national attention in 2015 when former NBA star Lamar Odom overdosed in its VIP room, suffering 12 strokes and six heart attacks while recuperating.

Three casino staff members posing

Three casino staff members posing

Owner Dennis Hof, who purchased the property in 2010, died in October 2018 at age 72. Remarkably, he won a seat in the Nevada Assembly posthumously, campaigning as the "Trump from Pahrump."

Desert house with decorative statuary

Desert house with decorative statuary

The brothel closed permanently after Hof's death due to licensing issues. In late 2022, Dallas resident Jan Jensen, founder of the Jensen Project anti-sexual violence nonprofit, purchased and subsequently demolished the property to erase its legacy.

Spacious bedroom with large bed

Spacious bedroom with large bed

Prostitution remains legal in 10 of Nevada's 17 counties, excluding those containing Las Vegas and Reno, but only in licensed brothels.

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