Hard Rock International (HRI) has announced its plans to cease operations of The Mirage Hotel & Casino as of July 17, 2024, to begin the transformation of the property into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas (HRHCLV).
Under the development plans, Hard Rock will develop a new integrated resort featuring a nearly 700-foot guitar-shaped hotel towering in the center of the Las Vegas Strip.
“We’d like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying 34 years at The Mirage,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International. “We’d also like to thank the Unions, community leaders, local and state government organizations and the Gaming Commission for their support and fair negotiations over the past year. Also, we are grateful to MGM for assisting with our transition.”
Joe Lupo, President of The Mirage, said: “We are planning to host collaborative hiring events with other employers in the Las Vegas community over the coming months. Connecting the thousands of talented Mirage team members who provide outstanding service with new employment opportunities is a top priority.”
HRHCLV is expected to double the current number of jobs at The Mirage, says Hard Rock, while the renovation of the property will generate over 2,500 construction jobs. Hard Rock will pay about $80 million in severance packages for eligible union and non-union employees remaining with the property through the cessation of operations.
Guests with room reservations or show tickets beyond July 14, 2024, will be automatically canceled and refunded. Guests with reservations booked through a third-party provider or online travel agency will automatically be canceled. The third-party provider should be contacted directly for rebooking availability or possible refunds, the company said in a statement.
The redevelopment plan follows a January 2022 announcement by Hard Rock International regarding the rebranding of the resort. The transformation plans, which include the addition of the guitar-shaped tower, were met with both excitement and resistance, evidenced by a change.org petition with nearly 11,000 signatures aiming to preserve The Mirage’s iconic volcano feature.
The guitar tower, expected to have over 3,600 rooms and 174,000 square feet of casino space, received final approval on March 22, 2023. Hard Rock’s South Florida location served as an inspiration for the Las Vegas design.
The Beatles and Cirque du Soleil’s long-running show “The Beatles LOVE” will hold its final performance on July 7, 2024, marking the end of an era for The Mirage’s entertainment legacy. The collaboration has performed regularly at The Mirage since 2006.
Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge assured members that the union has secured protections and benefits for the 1,700 unionized hospitality workers affected by the closure. These include options for service recognition bonuses, pension and health benefits, seniority rights, and access to job training and placement services.
“Culinary Union members at The Mirage have a strong union contract, ensuring that workers are protected, even as the property closes its doors entirely for 3 years from July 2024 – May 2027,” said Pappageorge.
The Culinary Union will host multiple Rapid Response events at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas to support affected workers with resources such as unemployment assistance, job fairs, and union benefits.
