After 34 Years, Las Vegas Mirage Shuttering Doors
The Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, famous for its iconic volcano, will soon close its doors after more than thirty years of operation. The 3,000-room resort will cease operations on July 17 to undergo a three-year renovation that will completely transform its appearance and tropical theme.
Opened in 1989 by casino mogul Steve Wynn, the Mirage marked the beginning of a new era of luxurious resorts on the Strip. It was the first to feature a sidewalk attraction with its volcano, inspiring other resorts like the Bellagio and Venetian to add their own attractions, such as dancing fountains and canals.
"We look forward to the beginning of an exciting journey into a new era as Hard Rock Las Vegas will ignite the Strip with entertainment, innovation and world-class hospitality," the Mirage announced on its Facebook page, which has been inundated with nostalgic comments. In addition to the volcano, the Mirage also hosted other quintessential Las Vegas attractions like Siegfried and Roy’s white tigers show and a Cirque du Soleil performance set to Beatles music.
The resort is set to reopen in 2027 as Hard Rock Las Vegas, featuring a 700-foot-tall hotel tower in the shape of a guitar, similar to its Florida property. The volcano will be removed to make space for new rooms.
MGM Resorts acquired the Mirage from Wynn in 2000 and sold it in 2022 for over $1 billion to Hard Rock International. This marks Hard Rock's second presence in Las Vegas, having previously owned the now-Virgin Hotel off the Strip.
More than 3,000 Mirage employees will be laid off starting in July. Hard Rock has committed to paying over $80 million in severance. The Culinary Workers Union, representing about half of the Mirage’s employees, stated that affected workers will receive $2,000 for each year of employment and the option to return when the hotel reopens.
Guests with reservations beyond July 14 will have their bookings canceled and receive refunds. Casino chips must be used by that date at the Mirage but can be redeemed at neighboring Treasure Island for an additional 120 days following the resort’s closure.
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