After 34 years in operation, The Mirage hotel and casino revealed plans to close on July 17, 2024. But fans of the iconic Las Vegas resort shouldn’t mourn just yet. Resort President Joe Lupo revealed that the closure is part of a larger plan to retheme the resort as Hard Rock Las Vegas, with plans including a 5,000-seat theatre and 25 restaurants. The closure also has had some negative effects, including the layoff of about 3,300 employees.
The Mirage has had a storied Vegas history, being the home of classic Las Vegas entertainers Siegfried & Roy for 14 years, beginning in 1990. The Mirage also hosted Cirque du Soleil’s first Vegas show Nouvelle Expérience and the Beatles show Love. The show received over 8 million visitors between its opening in June of 2006 and 2016. Love will close permanently on July 7, ending its 18-year run.
The land that The Mirage sits on was originally purchased by developer Steve Wynn in 1986. The resort opened three years later in 1989 after the demolition of the hotel-casino The Castaways, which originally sat on the land.
The Mirage’s opening was noticeably more opulent than other Vegas resorts at the time, including habitats for live animals such as dolphins and tigers. The dolphin habitat also served as an educational and research center. Other animals like white lions, snow leopards, panthers and an Asian elephant were housed at the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy, an outdoor attraction themed to the famous entertainers. The Secret Garden and dolphin habitat have been closed since September of 2022, following the relocation of the animals to new homes.
Hard Rock International has run operations for the property since December of 2022, so the change of name doesn’t come as a surprise to Vegas insiders. The resort was purchased from MGM Resorts International in a sale that exceeded $1 billion. What is yet to be seen is how the rebranding will look for guests. Plans include a complete renovation and expansion, which will include the addition of a guitar-shaped tower to be completed by the planned reopening in 2027.