MGM Resorts announced the sale of the Mirage to Hard Rock International almost a year ago. This week, Hard Rock representatives went before the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) to obtain regulatory approval.
The NGCB recommended Hard Rock International for approval to take over operations of the Mirage from MGM Resorts. The company will go before the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) on Dec. 22 to receive final approval. The deal between Hard Rock and MGM should close shortly thereafter.
During the nearly four-hour NGCB meeting, Jim Allen, chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International, shared information about the company as well as plans for the future of the Mirage.
The presentation offered insight into how Hard Rock plans to transform the Mirage. Allen did not disclose a specific timeline for the project, but he did share some rough estimates.
Rough timeline for Mirage Las Vegas transformation
Hard Rock does not plan on closing the Mirage during construction. However, Allen says that could change if necessary.
Allen says the company plans to have all architectural drawings done during the summer of 2023. Once the construction concepts are finished, Hard Rock will take construction bids.
The bidding process should take two to three months before construction begins. This rough timeline could mean structural changes at the Mirage won’t start until late 2023 or early 2024.
Construction should take between 26 and 30 months.
Hard Rock has a three-year lease on the Mirage name. It’s believed the Mirage will become Hard Rock in 2025.
The property name could change by then, but construction could continue beyond that date. Again, we’re looking at very rough timelines right now.
There will be one change guests will see immediately when Hard Rock takes over the Mirage. Since MGM Rewards is leaving with the old operator, the Mirage will use Hard Rock’s Unity rewards program.
Hard Rock hotel plans
Hard Rock Las Vegas will be very different than Mirage. The changes start with a new hotel tower.
As previously mentioned, the volcano in front of the Mirage on the Vegas Strip is going away. The company is planning to build an all-suite guitar tower to take its place.
Allen says the guitar tower will have about 800 suites. The guitar tower will be somewhere between 500-660 feet tall. The exact height is pending zoning approval.
This tower hotel will also have its own infinity pool that overlooks the Vegas Strip.
Plans call for the Mirage will be gutted from top to bottom. All rooms inside the current hotel tower at The Mirage will be completely renovated.
There are numerous options for how and when the existing hotel tower will be updated. For example, the company could close individual sections of the three-wing hotel tower.
Hard Rock plans to have 3,640 hotel rooms when all construction is completed. This is nearly 600 more hotel rooms for the property.
The Villas at the Mirage will remain. Hard Rock will update these to current guest expectations.
The Villas are some of the most exclusive hotel rooms in Las Vegas. Each villa has butler service, different numbers of bedrooms, and its pool and outdoor space.
The current pool area at the Mirage will be destroyed and remade in the Hard Rock’s vision.
Hard Rock casino floor plan
Hard Rock plans to gut, expand and reconfigure the Mirage casino floor.
The current casino at the Mirage is 94,000. The casino floor will be expanded to a total of 174,000 square feet.
When construction is complete, Hard Rock will have 2,000 slot machines. That’s more than double the 864 slots at the Mirage today.
Table games at the property will more than quadruple when construction is finished. Hard Rock will eventually have 212 table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette. The Mirage currently has 51 tables.
Hard Rock will have a small Vegas Strip casino with 200 slot machines and 12 table games. There will also be private gaming space near the Villas.
BetMGM will continue to operate the sportsbook at the Mirage. Hard Rock will eventually take over operations, but there’s no timeframe for this.
The new operator will increase the number of restaurants at the property from 18 to 21.
Hard Rock will be rockin’
The property will receive a traditional entertainment venue. Not surprisingly, the property will be home to Hard Rock Live for bands, comedians, and other performers.
The company has partnerships with different promoters so it’s not entirely possible to speculate on resident artists.
Hard Rock plans to build a music memorabilia museum outside of the property near Treasure Island. This will feature music memorabilia from all genres. The company purchased the memorabilia and Hard Rock Las Vegas name in 2020.
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