Reports of the Mirage's impending closure have been denied by Hard Rock.
The Mirage was sold to Hard Rock by MGM Resorts International to Hard Rock for $1.08 billion in December of last year. Real estate investment trust Vici Properties will retain ownership of the facility and will lease it to Hard Rock, while Hard Rock will acquire the casino's operations, according to the agreement.
The deal is scheduled to conclude before the end of the month, and last week the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) recommended to the Nevada Gaming Commission that it approve Hard Rock's licensure and acquisition of the casino.
Nevertheless, following this announcement, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Hard Rock plans to renovate the entire structure and invest billions in expansion and upgrades if the sale closes as anticipated.
The Review-Journal states that the resort would close and undergo extensive renovations in late 2023 or 2024, citing remarks made by Hard Rock CEO and President James Allen at this week's NGCB meeting.
Reportedly, this would entail boosting the hotel room count from 3,044 to 3,640, increasing the casino's size from 94,000 square feet to 174,000 square feet, and increasing the number of slot machines from 836 to 2,000, as well as the number of table games from 51 to 212.
It was also said that Hard Rock would build a 550-foot guitar-shaped tower to represent its brand instead of the famous volcano outside the casino.
"Any reporting to the contrary is inaccurate," Hard Rock responded in response to the report, adding that there are no present intentions to halt operation of the Mirage.
According to Hard Rock, Allen denied having any plans to close the property during the discussion, but did acknowledge that it might be an option in the future when asked specifically about it.
"At this time, we do not have formal plans to close the property. However, in the interest of complete transparency, that could be a possibility in about 18 months," Allen stated.
More information about the plans to convert the Mirage into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will be announced in late 2023, according to Hard Rock.