Farewell to the Legendary Mirage in Las Vegas After 34 Years
Experience the end of an era as the iconic Mirage Hotel and Casino, home to the famous volcano on the Las Vegas Strip, prepares to close its doors after thriving for over thirty years in the bustling city of lights.
The Mirage Hotel and Casino, located on the Las Vegas Strip, known for its iconic volcano, is set to close down after over 30 years in operation.
The 3,000-room resort will be shutting its doors on July 17 for a three-year renovation that will completely remove any traces of the Mirage's tropical theme.
Opened in 1989 by casino mogul Steve Wynn, the Mirage marked the start of a new era for luxury resorts on the Strip. It was the first resort to feature a sidewalk attraction - a volcano. This innovative feature inspired other resorts like the Bellagio and Venetian to create their own attractions, such as dancing fountains and canals.
The Mirage recently announced exciting news on their Facebook account. They expressed their anticipation for a new era as Hard Rock Las Vegas takes over, promising to bring entertainment, innovation, and top-notch hospitality to the Strip. The Facebook post has been flooded with comments sharing fond memories of the iconic Mirage.
The Mirage was not only known for its volcano but also for other iconic Las Vegas attractions like Siegfried and Roy’s white tigers show and a Cirque du Soleil performance featuring Beatles music.
The resort is scheduled to reopen in 2027 under the name Hard Rock Las Vegas. The new design will include a striking 700-foot-tall hotel tower shaped like a guitar, inspired by their Florida property. Unfortunately, the volcano will be demolished to make room for additional hotel rooms.
An electric company worker changing ballasts and lamps on the "Welcome to Las Vegas," sign on July 28, 2005.
An electric company worker changing ballasts and lamps on the "Welcome to Las Vegas," sign on July 28, 2005.
Joe Cavaretta/AP
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MGM Resorts purchased the Mirage from Wynn in 2000 and recently sold it to Hard Rock International for over $1 billion in 2022. This marks Hard Rock's second venture in Las Vegas, as they previously owned the now-Virgin Hotel located off the Strip.
Starting in July, more than 3,000 Mirage employees will unfortunately be laid off. However, Hard Rock has committed to providing over $80 million in severance packages. The Culinary Workers Union, which represents about half of the Mirage's employees, announced that affected workers will receive $2,000 for each year of service and will have the option to return when the hotel reopens.
Guests with reservations at Mirage beyond July 14 will be cancelled and refunded. Casino chips must be used at Mirage by that date, but can be exchanged at Treasure Island for another 120 days after the resort closes.
Editor's P/S:
The closure of the Mirage Hotel and Casino marks the end of an era for Las Vegas. The resort, known for its iconic volcano and other attractions, has been a staple of the Strip for over 30 years. It is sad to see it go, but the new Hard Rock Las Vegas promises to bring a new level of entertainment and innovation to the city.
The Mirage was more than just a hotel and casino. It was a place where memories were made and dreams came true. Countless people have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions at the Mirage. The resort has also been the setting for numerous movies and TV shows. It will be missed by many, but its legacy will live on in the hearts of those who experienced it.
