The iconic Mirage hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip is set to close on July 17, marking the end of an era for a property that played a significant role in transforming Sin City into an ultra-luxury resort destination. The closure will pave the way for major renovations and construction on the 80-acre property, which will reopen in 2027 as the Hard Rock Las Vegas, featuring a hotel tower in the shape of a guitar soaring nearly 700 feet above the heart of the Strip. Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, expressed gratitude to the Las Vegas community and team members for welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying 34 years at The Mirage.
The closure of The Mirage follows the shuttering of the Tropicana Las Vegas in April, making it the second Strip casino closure this year. The Tropicana closed after 67 years to make room for a $1.5 billion baseball stadium planned as the future home of the relocating Oakland A’s. The Mirage, developed by former casino mogul Steve Wynn, opened in 1989 with a Polynesian theme as the Strip’s first megaresort, sparking a building boom on the famous boulevard in the 1990s. Its volcano fountain, one of the first sidewalk attractions, was a popular feature along the Strip.
The Mirage was known for hosting various entertainment acts, including Siegfried and Roy taming white tigers and Cirque du Soleil performances set to a Beatles soundtrack. The closure of the Beatles-themed show, which brought Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr back together for public appearances throughout its 18-year run, is also set for July. Hard Rock International announced that over 3,000 employees will be laid off, with plans to pay out $80 million in severance. The Culinary Workers Union, representing about 1,700 Mirage employees, stated that laid-off workers will receive $2,000 for each year of service under a contract won last year.
In 2022, the Mirage became the first Strip property to be operated by a Native American tribe after Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, purchased it from MGM Resorts in a nearly $1.1 billion cash deal. The Mirage was expected to remain open and operate under the Mirage brand for several years while renovation plans were finalized. The Mirage is no longer accepting bookings past July 14, and any reservations beyond that date will be canceled and refunded. The Culinary Union has stated its commitment to ensuring that workers are protected and prioritized in the property’s future, given the impact of the closure.
The closure of The Mirage marks the end of an era for the historic hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Its transformation into the Hard Rock Las Vegas, complete with a guitar-shaped hotel tower, signifies a new chapter for the property and the city itself. The legacy of The Mirage, featuring iconic attractions and entertainment acts, will be remembered as a cornerstone of Las Vegas’ evolution into an entertainment and resort destination. The impact on the thousands of employees affected by the closure highlights the importance of supporting workers during transitions in the hospitality industry. As the city continues to adapt and evolve, the closure of The Mirage represents both the end of a storied chapter and the beginning of a new era in Las Vegas’ vibrant history.
