The Stardust celebrated its 45th anniversary in July 2003. Past entertainers at the resort were invited as VIPs for a celebration held there, and a time capsule was created for Stardust memorabilia. A new cocktail was also created and served at the Stardust to commemorate the anniversary. Bill Boyd said that the Stardust provided a retro experience for those seeking it, saying, "It's Old Las Vegas, and we have a lot of customers who enjoy the classic Las Vegas experience." However, the resort was no longer a top-earner for Boyd Gaming, and increased marketing of the resort failed to produce additional revenue. The Stardust site, consisting of , was considered a prime piece of land for redevelopment.