George Carden in front of the Jungle Palace

A Diamond in the Desert

The Jungle Palace Shines Again Under Loving Care

BY DEBBIE HALL

When an oasis was discovered in the desert of the Southwest, it was christened Las Vegas, becoming a beacon for an over-the-top destination attracting the most colorful characters. Its neon lights drew two German magicians and performers, Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, who would create a legacy for the city. Part of that legacy was their mansion, known as The Jungle Palace. This historic landmark, a testament to the grandeur and history of Las Vegas, is being revitalized, and its legacy is being preserved by its new, larger-than-life owner George Carden.

George, a man whose destiny was always intertwined with the circus, shares a deep connection with Siegfried and Roy. If not for the circus running through his DNA, he might have found himself on the iconic Strip, connecting with the duo. Their shared passion for entertainment and love for Las Vegas is a bond beyond words.

There was a time when people who were free-thinking and adventurous dreamed of “running away to join the circus.” George’s destiny of living life in the Big Top began when he was only five years old. He was walking with his mother to the barbershop in Springfield, Missouri, when a man offered them tickets to the circus at the Shrine Mosque in Lincoln, Nebraska. They decided to attend, and later, Larry Carden, the man who had given them the tickets, would marry George’s mother and adopt him. Larry owned the Carden International Circus for 17 years, and George eventually bought the circus from him. George renamed it the George Carden International Circus, and he ran it for 42 years before his son purchased it and took over with the original name. George is a man who truly appreciates the talents of Siegfried and Roy, who also lived their dreams while making the world a better place and leaving a legacy for the future. This shared dream and legacy is what inspires George.

The incredible journey of Siegfried and Roy, a testament to their talent and perseverance, began on a cruise ship. They honed their craft together in various European venues before their star ascended in 1967 with an invitation to perform in Las Vegas. Their crowning achievement came in 1990 when they became headliners at The Mirage casino resort, signing a lifetime contract that would forever cement their place in Las Vegas history and connection with The Jungle Palace.

In the 1980s, Siegfried and Roy began living in The Jungle Palace, an 18,295-square-foot house built in 1954. The property also featured three smaller guest houses, each with a tiger pool and a waterfall.

This compound was created as a habitat for their white tigers, horses, mini-donkeys, black swans, exotic chickens, African cranes, royal turkeys, dogs, domestic cats, and a bird preserve. The main house where Siegfried and Roy lived is 8,750 square feet with two bedrooms, four bathrooms, a library, custom-made stained-glass skylights and windows, an indoor jacuzzi, and animal enclosures. Electric gates protected the animals and residents, and the smaller houses were converted into offices.

The Jungle Palace has been transformed into a private art gallery and museum throughout the years. It has exquisite decorations, including gold candelabras gifted to it by Liberace. Another treasure is a jewel-encrusted sword believed to have once belonged to Genghis Khan. There is also a 5,000-pound silver tiger figure from India. While they did not open their home to the general public, it was an honor and lifetime memory for those invited into their sanctuary.

The bright glow with shining stars in the middle of the desert would draw George and his wife, Alexandra Castro, a former circus star in her own right, to Las Vegas many times, with George’s first visit in 1980. The magnet of Las Vegas would bring George to the city to produce circus shows at The Orleans Hotel & Casino, and South Point Hotel Casino & Spa starting in 2015.

George would get to meet Siegfried and Roy when his friend brought the pair to George’s show.

“It was such a great honor to meet them. I set up a red couch for them to enjoy the show,” says George. “Then I was in Mexico City with Siegfried for [Mr.] Tihany’s 90th birthday, and I got to know them a little bit, which made it even more special to restore their home to its previous glory and share it with the world. I certainly never dreamed that I would one day own their mansion. This personal connection and shared history add a layer of emotion and significance to the restoration project.”

After Roy’s passing in 2020 and Siegfried’s passing in 2021, the mansion was put up for sale and sold. Hundreds of their furnishings and treasures were auctioned off to benefit their foundation, The Sarmoti Foundation, which was setup to help animals.

However, history is not cherished in Las Vegas. Historic and iconic buildings and landmarks are bulldozed every day. Only a few, such as Liberace’s Las Vegas home, are saved when individuals purchase the property to refurbish it for future generations. This was going to be the fate of The Jungle Palace when it was announced that the compound would be demolished so an apartment complex or small houses could be built on the land.

George was livid.

“My wife and I were sitting together, and my wife was scrolling on her phone when she told me that Siegfried and Roy’s property was for sale. I asked how much, and she told me the price was $3 million. I had never seen the house before, but I got the number and called the person handling the sale. I told him it was sold; I am buying the house and the property,” explains George. It only took one day to save the mansion.

However, its beautiful furnishings and treasures were another story since they had been sold off. George could track most of them and buy back most of the belongings auctioned off in California to be returned to the Las Vegas mansion. Most of The Jungle Palace is restored with its original furnishings and treasures.

“I am so honored to own this mansion and make it a successful venue. I want people to be proud of it, especially from Germany and around the world. This will be a chance for people to see it,” says George.

George wants to open the home to high-end weddings and parties so that people can enjoy its legacy while preserving priceless entertainment history. He plans to incorporate artificial animals into the places that once housed live animals.

Like Siegfried and Roy, The Carden International Circus is committed to the exceptional care and ethical treatment of all animals.

“We believe in the animal and human relationships built upon respect, trust, affection, and uncompromising care,” says George. For this reason, The Jungle Palace will not become a habitat for live animals for their care and safety. The replication of spectacular animals and statutes will showcase Siegfried and Roy’s love for all animals without putting any animal or person in danger.

Still, the property will be available for traditional weddings and special and corporate events for people from around the world to enjoy the magic of the Jungle Palace.

Now, the couple will fit in as part-time residents of Nevada, along with Florida and Missouri, with all the intriguing characters in Las Vegas, especially Siegfried and Roy.

“The Jungle Palace is precious to me and will be kept in the Carden family. It will be uplifting and made into the most beautiful mansion in Las Vegas, and we look forward to it being admired and cherished for many years.”