The Mirage – The Revolutionary Resort that changed The Strip forever
Conceived in 1989, The Mirage Hotel and Resort changed the face of The Strip foregood. A revolutionary concept, the hotel provided the first all inclusive experience in which guests – in the words of its founder Steve Wynn – ‘never had to leave the premise again because everything there is to go after in terms of leisure and entertainment is brought to you under one roof’. The Volcano in front of The Mirage was not only the first appeal, but also the first free spectacle in Las Vegas.
History of The Mirage Hotel
The Mirage is a renowned hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It was built by developer Steve Wynn and opened on November 22, 1989. The Mirage is considered a pivotal landmark in the history of Las Vegas and is credited with igniting the era of modern mega-resorts on the Strip.
At the time of its construction, The Mirage was the most expensive hotel-casino ever built, with a price tag of around $630 million. It featured groundbreaking design elements, including a massive atrium with a rainforest theme, a 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium behind the front desk, and the iconic erupting volcano outside the main entrance.
One of the Mirage’s most notable features was the inclusion of the Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, where guests could view exotic animals and enjoy dolphin shows. This attraction became a major draw for visitors.
The Mirage also introduced a new era of entertainment in Las Vegas with its resident production shows. The hotel’s showroom was home to Siegfried & Roy’s legendary magic and animal act, which became one of the most popular and iconic shows in Las Vegas history.
In addition to its entertainment offerings, The Mirage boasted a large casino floor, upscale restaurants, and luxurious accommodations. Its success as a destination resort set a new standard for Las Vegas resorts, leading to the development of many other mega-resorts on the Strip.
The Mirage’s impact on the Las Vegas Strip was significant, as it marked a shift towards themed resorts and entertainment-focused experiences. Its success paved the way for other iconic resorts, such as the Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas, and many others.
Will The Mirage be blown up soon?
Since its opening, The Mirage has undergone several expansions and renovations to keep up with evolving trends and maintain its position as a premier destination on the Strip. It remains a popular choice for tourists and continues to be a symbol of the ever-evolving and dynamic Las Vegas entertainment scene.
Sticky rumors are portraying nightmare scenarios to many Las Vegas fans. Since the takeover of The Mirage by Hard Rock International, currently the official operator of the Hotel, stories about a possible demolition of the volcano and about a demolition of the complete resort have been circling The Strip.
A complete demolition of the property, at this time, seems unreasonable. Fact is that – although slightly outdated – the Hotel is in good shape and a possible makeover is more likely than a complete shutdown or blow up. Hard Rock is said to demolish the Volcano. The attraction has been out of operation for a long time and perhaps a guitar shaped tower, like the one in Miami, will take its place. If there is news to be shared around this, we will update this page.
