Once hailed as “The first resort of the 21st century in Las Vegas” The Mirage Hotel & Casino confirmed Wednesday that its iconic volcano outside its main entrance is dormant less than a quarter century into the new millennium.
The owner, Hard Rock International, announced that the hotel will cease operations on July 17 and reservations will be accepted until July 14. The iconic resort, with a jungle fantasy theme, was perhaps best known for the explosion of its 54-foot artificial volcano, according to the Siegfried magicians. and Roy, and his white tigers and dolphins.
“We would like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for giving us a warm welcome to Hard Rock after enjoying 34 years at The Mirage,” Jim Allen, president of Hard Rock International, said in a statement.
The resort is expected to be redeveloped into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas, with the volcano making way for a nearly 700-foot guitar-shaped hotel. The project is expected to open in spring 2027. A similar 638-room building The hotel is located in Hollywood, Florida..
The Associated Press reported that more than 3,000 employees will be fired. Hard Rock acknowledged that it would pay approximately $80 million in severance packages to union and non-union workers.
The Culinary and Bartenders Union has about 1,700 Mirage workers. He announced Wednesday that his workers have two options.
The first was a severance package of $2,000 for each year of service plus six months of pension and health benefits. The second option gives employees a smaller, undisclosed amount while maintaining seniority rights during the property's closing along with 36 months of recall rights for jobs at the new hotel.
“Culinary Union members at The Mirage have a strong union contract that ensures workers are protected even as the property closes its doors completely for three years, from July 2024 to May 2027,” said Secretary Ted Pappageorge. -treasurer of the Culinary Union. in a statement on Wednesday.
The new hotel is expected to employ nearly 7,000 employees, according to Hard Rock management, while 2,500 jobs are expected during the reconstruction process.
Hard Rock said all reservations after July 14 will be canceled and guests should contact the guest services department or reservation agency for a refund.
The Mirage's closing is the second on the Strip this year.
In April, the 66-year-old Tropicana closed its doors to make way for a 30,000-seat stadium expected to serve as the home of the Oakland Athletics.
The opening of the Mirage by casino magnate Stephen A. Wynn in 1989 was hailed as the beginning of a new era of mega resorts. It was the first hotel to open since the MGM Grand in 1973.
Wynn shelled out $600 million, then the most expensive casino project, for the sprawling 103-acre property.
Its gleaming white and gold 30-story towers were said to make neighboring Caesars Palace look “Retiring in comparison.” Traffic occasionally stopped on the strip as engineers tested 40-foot-high gas flames every few minutes.
“People just got out of their cars and walked over to see what was going on,” a limo driver said at the time.
The hotel included a 20,000-gallon fish tank in its lobby and 3,049 rooms.
Its animals, and its white tiger habitat, brought fame and infamy to the resort, even in 2003. when a tiger seriously injured magician Roy Horn.
The Mirage's opening began a wave of construction and remodeling at the complex that included the debut of Circus Circus' Excalibur in June 1990, the $250 million renovation of Caesars Palace, and the opening of the Treasure Island in 1994.
