One of the Las Vegas strip’s most recognizable landmarks, the Mirage Hotel and Casino, intends to shut down after over three decades in business in the area.
The Mirage currently hosts a 3,000-room resort and will stop all operations by July 17 in preparation for a renovation that will completely transform it over the course of three years.
Facebook Announcement
On Facebook, the Mirage announced the end of the current era and that it’s looking forward to seeing what will come.
“After 34 amazing years, The Mirage Hotel & Casino will be ceasing operations on July 17, 2024. Over the next two months, we will bid farewell to this economic and historic property and then we will commence an incredible transformation,” the post said.
Heartbreaking Response
The Mirage Facebook post was flooded with commenters expressing their heartbreak and memories of the establishment.
“My heart is so very heartbroken,” said Jean Clarke. “I loved The Mirage Hotel and casino. We would win all the time., but since Hard rock took over, machines got very tight,” said Jan Stephenson.
Hard Rock Takeover
This decision by The Mirage comes in the wake of being purchased by Hard Rock International in December 2022 for a reported $1 billion.
Hard Rock is the owner of the chain of famous Hard Rock Cafe restaurants and also owns several casinos and hotels.
Transformation
The Mirage will be losing its iconic facade and volcano, trading them in to be transformed fully into an original product by Hard Rock International.
“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 Facebook statement said.
The Mirage’s History
Over its multi-decade service to the Las Vegas strip The Mirage became known for many famous acts, including Siegfried and Roy and a Beatles version of Cirque du Soleil.
It was originally opened by Steve Wynn, a casino mogul, in 1989 and was part of a rising tide of luxury resorts that transformed the strip into the tourist attraction it is today.
Hard Rock Las Vegas
The plan is to have The Mirage emerge in 2027 as the newly christened Hard Rock Las Vegas, featuring a 700-foot-tall hotel tower in the shape of a massive guitar, much like how the iconic Hard Rock Cafe in Florida looks.
The Mirage’s famous volcano will be destroyed to make space for additional places for people to stay.
Keep the Volcano
In replies to the announcement by the Mirage on X, many supported the idea of protecting the Volcano, not wanting to see it go away with the transformation.
“Keep the volcano,” said one X user’s post that got over 70 likes. “Give it to the @NeonMuseum,” said another user.
Employee Layoffs
With The Mirage being shuttered in July, it will signal the layoffs of over 3,000 employees who work at the hotel and casino.
The Hard Rock will reportedly be paying more than $80 million in severance to these employees, around half being represented by the Culinary Workers Union.
Culinary Workers Union Statement
The Culinary Workers Union put out a statement about the planned closure of The Mirage detailing its bargaining efforts.
“Late last year, the Culinary Union negotiated for and won redevelopment and closure language to ensure workers have the option to choose either a service recognition bonus of $2,000 for every year of service, plus 6 months of pension and health benefits or a lesser amount while maintaining seniority rights for the duration of the property’s closure and 36-months of recall rights,” the statement said.
Guests Affected
This announcement will affect any guests who have reserved time at the Mirage beyond July 14. Those who had such reservations will have those reservations canceled and their money refunded.
Casino chips at the Mirage will need to be used by the July 14 date but are still able to be redeemed at the nearby Treasure Island for 120 days after The Mirage officially closes.
Closing Casinos
The Mirage’s announcement to close follows another recent closing of an iconic casino. The Tropicana Las Vegas closed last month in preparation for the construction of a ballpark for the Oakland Athletics.
This casino was also an iconic Las Vegas fixture, having been the third-oldest casino on the strip and operating for 67 years.
