After more than three decades towering over the Las Vegas Strip, the iconic Mirage Hotel and Casino unexpectedly announced Wednesday that it will be closing its doors this summer.
A new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will replace the 65-acre property, known for its Beatles-themed attractions and as the one-time home of Siegfried & Roy.
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"We'd like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying 34 years at The Mirage," said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, which bought the property in 2022 from MGM Resorts.
The property will close on July 17, and any reservations made beyond that will be refunded. Guests can expect deposits to be returned in the next seven to ten days for reservations booked directly with the hotel.
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MGM Resorts bought the Mirage from casino developer Steve Wynn in 2000 and sold it for over $1 billion to Hard Rock International two years ago. Hard Rock had said at the time the hotel and casino would remain open and operating under the Mirage brand for several years, but has since decided to shut it to facilitate the transformation.
A new mega-resort rises
The property replacing the Mirage will feature a nearly 700 foot guitar-shaped hotel that will soar over the center of the Strip, according to Hard Rock. It will be similar to the group's hotel in Miami.
Hard Rock Las Vegas is targeting an opening date in the spring of 2027.
The transformation is expected to add almost 600 additional hotel rooms. A new 174,000 square-foot casino will have 2,000 slots and 212 table games.e.
Over 3,000 Mirage employees, including about 1,700 people who are a part of the Culinary and Bartenders Union, will be laid off at the beginning of July.
The Culinary Union said in a press release that "workers are protected, even as the property closes its doors entirely for three years." Those who are laid off will receive severance and also have the option of returning to the new property when it is completed.
"While we pause for the incredible transformation of this iconic property, I'd like to thank all team members at The Mirage for their incredible commitment and helping us provide memorable experiences for our guests," said Joe Lupo, president of The Mirage.
"We are planning to host collaborative hiring events with other employers in the Las Vegas community over the coming months. Connecting the thousands of talented Mirage team members who provide outstanding service with new employment opportunities is a top priority."
When the new Hard Rock is completed, it is expecting to double the current number of jobs at the property. Construction will generate over 2,500 jobs, according to the hotel chain.
The Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip remains open for business as well.
"Over the next two months we will bid farewell to this iconic and historic property and then we will commence an incredible transformation," the Mirage posted on Facebook. "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."
Hard Rock International, which is owned by Florida's Seminole Tribe, spans for over 300 locations including hotels, casinos, shops, performance venues and cafes.
The hotels have been honored by J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study as the No. 1 branding outstanding guest satisfaction for two consecutive years.
The Mirage's history
The 3,000-room Mirage opened on the Strip in 1989, ushering in an era of luxury mega-resorts that have come to define modern Las Vegas. It was the first resort to have sidewalk attractions that have since imitated by other properties like the Bellagio and Venetian. Amenities included tattoo parlor, a clothing store by the Kardashian family, nightclubs and a one-time topless pool area.
The Mirage opened a $14 million dolphin habitat in 1990 for educational and research purposes. By 2019, four generations of dolphins had been born there.
The Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy was an outdoor attraction showcasing six types of animals that were featured in the magicians' show, including Bengal tigers, white tigers, a snow leopard and an Asian elephant.
The Mirage was the scene of an infamous 2003 incident in which Roy Horn was mauled by a seven-year-old white tiger while performing the duo's show. He survived, but was severely injured, and the show closed soon after.
The current Beatles-themed attraction, which brought Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr together for public appearances throughout its 18-year run, will draw its final curtain July 7.
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