As the sun sets on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Hotel and Casino, a beloved icon of the city's entertainment landscape, is preparing to take its final bow. After 34 years of captivating visitors with its tropical-themed grandeur and iconic attractions, the resort is closing its doors on Wednesday, marking the end of an era.
The Mirage, opened in 1989 by casino mogul Steve Wynn, ushered in a new era of luxurious resorts on the Strip, setting a new standard for opulence and entertainment. Its signature feature, the exploding volcano, became a must-see attraction, drawing crowds to witness the mesmerizing display of fire and water. Beyond the volcano, the Mirage also hosted other quintessential Las Vegas experiences, such as Siegfried and Roy's white tigers show and a Cirque du Soleil production set to the music of the Beatles.
Architects involved in the Mirage's design recall the resort's intention to create an oasis-like atmosphere amidst the chaos of the Strip. Nowhere in Las Vegas before you would walk in and there would be craps tables there or there would be a small lobby and then there would be a casino, but in this particular facility, we said 'no, you are not in a casino, you are in this beautiful tropical engineered place that made you feel good about yourself,' and that is what it was for so many years, said Mirage architect Paul Steelman.
The Mirage's closure marks the end of an era, as the resort will undergo a three-year renovation to emerge as the Hard Rock Las Vegas in 2027. The new property will feature a soaring 700-foot-tall hotel tower in the shape of a guitar, similar to the brand's flagship property in Florida.
The transition from the Mirage to the Hard Rock Las Vegas is a bittersweet moment for the city, as the resort's legacy has been etched into the fabric of Las Vegas. MGM Resorts, which acquired the Mirage from Wynn in 2000, sold the property in 2022 for more than $1 billion to Hard Rock International, paving the way for the transformation.
In the final days of the Mirage's operation, the resort has been hosting a farewell event, offering gamblers the opportunity to win a share of a $1.6 million cash prize, in accordance with Nevada state law. This gesture serves as a fitting sendoff for a resort that has captivated generations of visitors and left an indelible mark on the Las Vegas experience.
As the Mirage prepares to close its doors, the city and its residents bid farewell to a beloved icon, one that has stood as a testament to the enduring allure and evolution of the Las Vegas Strip. The Mirage's legacy will live on, even as a new chapter begins with the arrival of the Hard Rock Las Vegas, a testament to the city's unwavering spirit of reinvention and innovation.
