One of Las Vegas’ main attractions are it’s over the top and exuberant hotels. Not only in scale, but also in concept and historical reverence. Residencies, attractions, and large-scale events are synonymous with the hotels itself leading to widespread recognition. Customers will come from all over the world to visit a space which once hosted something world famous.
The History of the Mirage and The Hard Rock Hotels
The Mirage was opened in Las Vegas in 1989 by casino entrepreneur Steve Wynn. This has been an iconic hotel on the strip since then, with its primary attractions being an artificial volcano that erupts every night in front of the hotel, and the 16 year long residency of the widely adored The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil. A huge drawing point of this hotel was the debut of the magic show by Siegfried and Roy which took place back in 1990.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas opened shortly after in 1995 which displayed the world’s largest Fender Stratocaster guitar making it a huge success among various celebrities. It was previously located just off the Strip and was in operation for 25 years before closing in June 2020. It reopened under the name Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which gave way for the Hard Rock name to find a new home on the Strip.
Renovation Plans
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, the owners of the Hard Rock brand, purchased The Mirage from MGM Resorts International in 2021 for $1.075 billion. After the deal closed, The Hard Rock assumed control of The Mirage on December 19, 2022.
The Hard Rock have a mammoth concept to renovate the Mirage; the new vision was presented to the Nevada Gaming Control Board which was approved for construction to begin imminently. Plans for a giant, guitar-shaped hotel have been set in motion and are scheduled to debut in 2025.
The guitar-shaped hotel building is said to be 36-stories high and will bear resemblance to the current hotel that sits in Florida named Hard Rock’s Hollywood. The hotel will also include 800 to 1,000 hotel rooms, with all hotel rooms and suites being re-branded to match its new name.
Upcoming Resort Features
Gaming officials have noted that the previous casino floor will be fully renovated to add 80,000 square feet accommodating for around 1,800 slot machines and 200 table games. New and enhanced resort features will include an 83,000 square feet space expansion of the event and meeting spaces. There will also be a makeover of the private gaming room, as well as an in-depth pool update.
Renovations to the performing space will add roughly 3,000 theatre seats for its new undisclosed residency. And one of the new hotel’s main focal points will be the new feature that will sit on top on the hotel itself for all passers-by to enjoy. Six light beams will shoot 20,000 feet into the sky to extend the strings on the guitar shape making its new mark on the Strip.
Conclusion
Many are sad to see the famous Mirage leave Las Vegas, but these plans have got many excited about the upcoming addition. Hard Rock has further plans to expand their Hotel and Casinos establishments to many other locations including New York City’s Music Row area. Who knows what features that one will include!
