The iconic volcano at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, a landmark on the Las Vegas Strip, will soon disappear as the resort prepares for a three-year renovation. The 3,000-room resort, which opened in 1989 and was a pioneer in luxury resorts on the Strip, will be shutting down on July 17.
The Mirage was the first resort to introduce sidewalk attractions like the volcano, which inspired other resorts such as the Bellagio and Venetian to create their own unique features. The resort also hosted popular shows such as Siegfried and Roy’s white tigers and a Cirque du Soleil production set to Beatles music.
In 2000, the Mirage was bought by MGM Resorts and recently sold to Hard Rock International for over $1 billion. Hard Rock has committed to paying over $80 million in severance to the more than 3,000 Mirage employees who will be laid off starting in July. Affected workers will receive $2,000 for each year of employment with the option to return once the hotel reopens as Hard Rock Las Vegas in 2027.
Guests with reservations at the Mirage after July 14 will have their bookings cancelled and refunded. Casino chips from the Mirage must be used by that date but can be redeemed at Treasure Island for an additional 120 days after the resort closes. The demolition of the volcano will make room for additional rooms at Hard Rock Las Vegas, which will feature a new guitar-shaped hotel tower that stands 700 feet tall.
