Significant changes are on the way to The Mirage. Hard Rock International unveiled the newest plans to completely change the hotel and casino from top-to-bottom following the completion of Nevada Gaming Control Board approval. Their new vision is focused on creating a more spacious destination. It would be accomplished by building a guitar-shaped hotel tower, remodeling the pool, and establishing a music museum.
Jim Allen’s Statement
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jim Allen gave a statement. He stated that they intend to overhaul the public end of the property as part of the rebranding effort.
Previously, Hard Rock spent more than a billion dollars. He purchased an agreement with MGM Resort to buy the property in 2021. A final decision from the Nevada Gaming Commission was expected at the end of December 2022.
Currently, the officials from Hard Rock have disclosed the redesign’s concept stage. The disclosure is 33 years after Steve Wynn opened the property during the mega-resorts era of the 1980s. More than 800 hotel rooms in the expansion phase of the project have been incorporated into the new layout. Some of the existing accommodation units of the former Mirage will be upgraded to conform to the new brand identity. A potential to double the number of slot machines and quadruple the total number of table games could be achieved in the upcoming redesign, compared to its current size.
In the proposed upgrades, the blueprint features an additional 80,000 square feet of gaming area. Also 83,000 square feet of meeting space. Along these, the casino itself will include 1,200 new slot machines and 161 table games, based on the floor plan. The theater’s capacity will increase from the current 3,300 seats to a few several decks with a 6265 seating area. The new design’s 174,000 square feet of casino floor will be nearly double the existing 94,000 square feet of gaming space.
Hard Rock and MGM Commitment
Both Hard Rock and MGM are committed to providing employees with the support they need during the transition period to the new operator and will continue to receive the benefits they afforded them in the past. Allen said that Mirage staff members would retain their jobs. It’s difficult to say if there will be any layoffs in the near future, pending further review of the construction process. He was certain at least 18 months of operational service would be in place by the time Hard Rock took over.
Joe Lupo, a seasoned casino executive, was named the President of Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas after a stint at the helm of their Atlantic City operation.
Steve Wynn spent nearly $700 million to build the Mirage in 1989. It was the first of the many high-rise resorts to come.
