The iconic Mirage casino resort in Las Vegas is set to close on July 14. This week, Clark County began issuing the first permits relating to its subsequent partial demolition and rebuild as Hard Rock Las Vegas.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida-owned Hard Rock Entertainment purchased the long-time Las Vegas Strip venue in 2022. It paid $1 billion in cash to MGM Resorts, and will pay $90 million a year in rent to the real estate owner, VICI Properties.
Hard Rock plans to demolish the iconic Mirage volcano attraction and replace it with a brand-new, giant guitar-shaped hotel tower. It aims to open Hard Rock Las Vegas in 2027.
This week, Clark County issued permits for initial construction preparations. That included certifying contractors’ dust control measures for the planned demolition on the Mirage Volcano.
Some of these permits reference November 17 as a deadline date for work to begin. That’s according to Clark County Building Department records obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Volcano Implosion
The Mirage’s Volcano was the first giant free attraction built right on the edge of Las Vegas Boulevard. The casino resort was the most expensive hotel in the world when it opened in 1989, and its success ushered in a new, booming era for Las Vegas in the 90s.
Now, much of the casino resort, including the volcano, is set to be demolished before the end of the year. Las Vegas-based PENTA Building Group has been tasked with the removal of the volcano structure and laying the groundwork for the 600-foot glass guitar tower.
Vegas Civil LLC has been given a permit to begin grading work, where any irregularities in the land are assessed and fixed before construction starts.
Planned Upgrades
Records suggest the biggest job of the construction will be podium building, on which the massive hotel tower will sit. The guitar-shaped glass building will hold 600 guest rooms, bringing the new resort’s total to 3,600.
It is unknown how much of the existing Mirage resort will be retained, outside of the giant volcano, which we know is going. Departures could include the Mirage’s rainforest atrium and its giant fish tanks behind the main check-in desk.
We do know the new resort’s footprint will be significantly expanded. The operator has said that Hard Rock Las Vegas will employ 6,000 people, which is double the current Mirage staff.
The 3,000 existing workers are being laid off. However, they will be getting a severance package of some $2,000 per year of service. They will also be offered the opportunity to attend job fairs with HR representatives from dozens of other Las Vegas casinos in attendance.
That will include “all the neighbors and then some,” according to Jon Lucas, Hard Rock Nevada CEO and executive vice president.
The Mirage joins Tropicana Las Vegas on the list of venerable Sin City casino resorts to close in 2024.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
