Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas: The End of an Era and the Beginning of a New Chapter

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas: The End of an Era and the Beginning of a New Chapter

The iconic Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has finally closed its doors after 35 years, marking the end of an era and paving the way for Hard Rock International's new Guitar Hotel. This transformation is expected to bring about a new chapter in the history of Las Vegas, where sports and entertainment have become the main draws for tourists.

Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen expressed his gratitude and humility at the opportunity to remake this legendary integrated resort. "When Steve and Elaine Wynn opened The Mirage in December 1989, it changed not just Las Vegas, but it changed the way people look at gaming. It became a true destination," he said.

The Mirage was the Wynns' first megaresort, the largest hotel in the world at that time. This week, Steve Wynn wrote a tribute to the groundbreaking property, as reported in the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "In the prior 16 years, no completely new hotel had been built in Las Vegas… However, in the next decade following the 1989 arrival of Mirage, we rushed into a virtual doubling of the town's capacity and became the fastest-growing city in America. To call The Mirage a catalyst would be an understatement."

As The Mirage ceases operations, approximately 3,000 employees will lose their jobs. However, Hard Rock International hopes to rehire many of them when the new resort launches in spring 2027.

The future of Las Vegas is expected to revolve around luxury touch points, high-end dining, and high-priced sports packages. Hard Rock International has extensive experience providing these amenities, with successful properties in Florida, Atlantic City, New Jersey, New York, and over 70 countries worldwide.

The company's vision for its Las Vegas property is modeled after the highly successful Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood in South Florida. Throughout the Sunshine State, Hard Rock enjoys a near monopoly on gambling. However, in Las Vegas, competition is fierce, requiring frequent room renovations, facility upgrades, and new amenities to attract not only bachelor parties and girls' weekends but also midweek bread-and-butter convention crowds.

The closure of The Mirage could provide an opportunity for its neighbors to capitalize on the increased demand. CBRE analyst John DeCree estimates that the loss of nearly a million room nights annually will give other properties a boost. The Strip has already lost another 400,000 room nights annually with the closure of the Tropicana.

Hard Rock's entry into the Las Vegas Strip may bring stiff competition to its neighbors when it reopens in spring 2027. However, its highly anticipated Guitar Hotel is expected to attract top artists for long-term residency, offering visitors an unparalleled entertainment experience., the end of an era has begun at The Mirage, making way for Hard Rock's new Guitar Hotel and marking a new chapter in Las Vegas' history. As the company looks forward to reopening its doors in spring 2027, it is expected to bring about a new level of excitement and entertainment to the Strip.

Rendering of proposed future Guitar-shaped hotel tower at the Hard Rock Hotel &Casino Las Vegas. Credit: Renderings courtesy of Hard Rock International