Jump to content

The Mirage: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 36°07′16″N 115°10′31″W / 36.12111°N 115.17528°W / 36.12111; -115.17528
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Undid revision 1235222893 by 71.38.46.24 (talk) No need for "was", as "defunct" is already in the lead. The resort is not torn down, yet.
→Hard Rock rebranding: Adding additional details about the payoff of the $1.6 million in progressive jackpots in the resort's final days.
Line 84: Line 84:
The Mirage was expected to continue operating throughout the renovation and expansion project,<ref>{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Gaming Commission approves Hard Rock's acquisition of The Mirage |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/gaming-commission-approves-hard-rocks-acquisition-of-the-mirage-2695660/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 16, 2022}}</ref> with completion by early 2028.<ref name=Know>{{cite news|title=What we know, don't know about the Mirage's transition to Hard Rock|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|first=McKenna|last=Ross|date=January 9, 2024|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/what-we-know-dont-know-about-the-mirages-transition-to-hard-rock-2978549/|access-date=April 6, 2024}}</ref> However, in May 2024, Hard Rock announced that the Mirage would permanently close on July 17, 2024 to expedite the project. The company expects to provide $80 million in severance pay to its 3,000 Mirage staff being laid off,<ref>{{cite news |title=The Mirage casino, which ushered in an era of Las Vegas Strip megaresorts in the '90s, is closing |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/mirage-casino-ushered-era-las-vegas-strip-megaresorts-90s-closing-rcna152736|access-date=10 July 2024 |work=NBC News}}</ref> and to open Hard Rock Las Vegas by the end of May 2027.<ref name="Mirage closing">{{cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/mirage-a-landmark-strip-resort-prepares-to-vanish-3051360/|title=Mirage, a landmark Strip resort, prepares to vanish|last=Katsilometes|first=John|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=May 15, 2024|accessdate=May 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mirages-non-union-workers-could-get-smaller-severance-when-resort-closes-3066492/|title=Mirage’s non-union workers could get smaller severance when resort closes|last=Ross|first=McKenna|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=May 15, 2024|accessdate=June 13, 2024}}</ref>
The Mirage was expected to continue operating throughout the renovation and expansion project,<ref>{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Gaming Commission approves Hard Rock's acquisition of The Mirage |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/gaming-commission-approves-hard-rocks-acquisition-of-the-mirage-2695660/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 16, 2022}}</ref> with completion by early 2028.<ref name=Know>{{cite news|title=What we know, don't know about the Mirage's transition to Hard Rock|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|first=McKenna|last=Ross|date=January 9, 2024|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/what-we-know-dont-know-about-the-mirages-transition-to-hard-rock-2978549/|access-date=April 6, 2024}}</ref> However, in May 2024, Hard Rock announced that the Mirage would permanently close on July 17, 2024 to expedite the project. The company expects to provide $80 million in severance pay to its 3,000 Mirage staff being laid off,<ref>{{cite news |title=The Mirage casino, which ushered in an era of Las Vegas Strip megaresorts in the '90s, is closing |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/mirage-casino-ushered-era-las-vegas-strip-megaresorts-90s-closing-rcna152736|access-date=10 July 2024 |work=NBC News}}</ref> and to open Hard Rock Las Vegas by the end of May 2027.<ref name="Mirage closing">{{cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/mirage-a-landmark-strip-resort-prepares-to-vanish-3051360/|title=Mirage, a landmark Strip resort, prepares to vanish|last=Katsilometes|first=John|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=May 15, 2024|accessdate=May 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mirages-non-union-workers-could-get-smaller-severance-when-resort-closes-3066492/|title=Mirage’s non-union workers could get smaller severance when resort closes|last=Ross|first=McKenna|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=May 15, 2024|accessdate=June 13, 2024}}</ref>


[[Nevada Gaming Commission|Nevada gaming regulations]] require that The Mirage award its $1.6 million accumulated [[progressive jackpot]] before its closure, with the casino paying out about 75% as slot machine jackpots and the other 25% via table games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas Strip hotel must give out $1.6M to gamblers before closing next week |url=https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/vegas-strip-hotel-closing-next-week-19565440.php |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=SF Gate}}</ref>
[[Nevada Gaming Commission|Nevada gaming regulations]] require that The Mirage award its $1.6 million accumulated [[progressive jackpot]] before its closure, with the casino paying out about 75% as slot machine jackpots and the other 25% via table games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vegas Strip hotel must give out $1.6M to gamblers before closing next week |url=https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/vegas-strip-hotel-closing-next-week-19565440.php |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=SF Gate}}</ref> On July&nbsp;9-11, the casino gave away $200,000 in slot machine jackpots, while on July&nbsp;12-13 it gave away $250,000, and on July&nbsp;16 it gave away $100,000; the remaining $400,000 was given away at the table games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Campa |first=Andrew |title=Las Vegas’ Mirage Hotel & Casino to pay out final jackpots before closure, totaling $1.6M |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 10, 2024 |accessdate=July 18, 2024 |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-07-10/las-vegas-famed-mirage-hotel-and-casino-pays-out-final-jackpots}}</ref>


==Legal cases==
==Legal cases==

Revision as of 12:25, 18 July 2024

This article is about the hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. For other uses, see The Mirage (disambiguation).

The Mirage
The Mirage is located in Las Vegas Strip
The Mirage
The Mirage is located in Nevada
The Mirage
Location Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Address 3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening dateNovember 22, 1989; 35 years ago (1989-11-22) (as The Mirage)
May 2027 (tentative; as Hard Rock Las Vegas)
Closing dateJuly 17, 2024; 5 months ago (2024-07-17) (as The Mirage)
ThemePolynesian
No. of rooms3,044
Total gaming space90,548 sq ft (8,412.2 m2)
Permanent showsSiegfried & Roy (1990–2003)
Love (2006–2024)
Center Stage Comedy
Signature attractionsVolcano
Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Aquarium lobby
Notable restaurantsRenoir (1999–2004)
B.B. King's Blues Club (2009–2012)
Tom Coliccio's Heritage Steak
Osteria Costa
The Still Crafts, Drafts & Eats
Otoro
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerVici Properties
Operating license holderHard Rock International
ArchitectJoel Bergman
Renovated in1995, 2002, 2004–2006, 2008, 2024–2027
Coordinates36°07′16″N 115°10′31″W / 36.12111°N 115.17528°W / 36.12111; -115.17528
Websitemirage.com

The Mirage is a defunct casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by Hard Rock International. The 65-acre property includes a 90,548 sq ft (8,412.2 m2) casino and 3,044 rooms.[1]

Golden Nugget, Inc., led by developer Steve Wynn, purchased the future land of the Mirage in 1986. A hotel-casino, the Castaways, occupied a portion of the property and was demolished to make way for the Mirage. The resort opened on November 22, 1989, after two years of construction. It was the world's most expensive resort, completed at a cost of $630 million. It was also among the world's largest hotels. The Mirage was the first megaresort to open on the Las Vegas Strip, and its success prompted a building boom in the 1990s for other large resorts along the Strip.

The Mirage opened with several non-traditional attractions for a Las Vegas casino, including animal habitats for dolphins and tigers, and an indoor tropical forest display. Its primary attraction is an artificial volcano that erupts nightly, providing free entertainment in front of the resort. In 1990, the Mirage debuted a magic show by Siegfried & Roy, who performed there for nearly 14 years. The resort also hosted Cirque du Soleil's first Las Vegas show, Nouvelle Expérience, which opened in 1992. Cirque du Soleil would return to the property in 2006, with the debut of Love, a show featuring music by the Beatles.

Wynn departed the property in 2000, when his company was acquired by MGM Grand. Hard Rock International took over operations in December 2022, becoming the first tribal gaming operator on the Strip. The company intends to rebrand the resort as Hard Rock Las Vegas. The property will receive a complete renovation and expansion which will include a new guitar-shaped hotel tower, taking the place of the volcano attraction. The Mirage closed on July 17, 2024, and is expected to reopen with its new name by May 2027.

History

Background

A portion of the Mirage property was once occupied by a nightclub known as the Red Rooster.[2] It opened in 1930, on what would become the Las Vegas Strip.[3] The following year, it became the first Strip business to receive a gaming license.[3][4][5] It was later purchased by actress Grace Hayes in 1947, and became the Grace Hayes Lodge.[2] It was demolished in 1959,[6] although Hayes continued living in a house located on the property.[7] Another portion of the land was occupied by a hotel-casino known as the Castaways.[8]

Casino owner Steve Wynn had considered building a resort on the Strip to be known as Victoria Bay, but the project was canceled in 1981, due to high costs.[9] Three years later, he thought about building a resort in downtown Las Vegas, on 50 acres of railroad land that would later become the site of the Clark County Government Center. Wynn's plan to build in downtown were scrapped after the railroad declined his $50 million offer for the land, asking twice that amount.[10]

Wynn eventually purchased the Castaways and nearby acreage in October 1986.[11][12][13] Wynn's purchase included Hayes' house, which was vacated and demolished along with the Castaways to make way for a new casino resort.[7][14][8] Wynn sold his Golden Nugget Atlantic City resort, and used the profits to fund his new project.[15]

Name

Numerous names were considered for Wynn's project,[16] including Bombay and Bombay Club,[17] which had been rejected by the end of 1986.[18] "Wynn" was considered as a name, and would later be used for the Wynn Las Vegas resort.[15]

Wynn unveiled plans for the tropical-themed resort, temporarily known then as the Golden Nugget, in June 1987. He said the project would be renamed at a later point to match its South Seas theme.[19][20] The project's working title came from Wynn's Golden Nugget hotel-casino in downtown Las Vegas. Wynn did not intend to have two Golden Nuggets in Las Vegas, believing they would become known as "the old one" and "the new one", the former of which he found undesirable for the downtown property.[21]

The final name was announced in December 1988: The Mirage.[16] The name emphasized the resort as an oasis in the Nevada desert.[15] To avoid confusion, Wynn purchased the rights to the Mirage name from two local businesses, the La Mirage Casino and the Mirage Motel. Both received $250,000 to change their names.[21][22]

Development

Construction began in November 1987.[23] General contractors included MarCor Development Company and Sierra Construction Corporation, the latter of which worked on the hotel tower.[24] The project had an early cost of $550 million,[25] although it went over budget.[22] With an ultimate cost of $630 million,[26] the Mirage was the world's most expensive hotel-casino ever built, until the opening of Trump Taj Mahal a few months later in Atlantic City.[27] Much of the Mirage project was financed by Drexel Burnham Lambert.[28][29][30] Financier Michael Milken, an executive of the company, helped fund the project by selling $525 million worth of mortgage bonds.[31] The Mirage was the first Las Vegas resort to be built with the money of Wall Street through the use of junk bonds.[32] This financing method would later be adopted by other casino developers throughout the U.S.[33]

Bobby Baldwin oversaw major aspects of the project with Wynn,[15] and would later serve as the Mirage's president,[34] after previously serving in the same position at the Las Vegas Golden Nugget.[15] To prepare for the opening, Baldwin and others spent nearly a year visiting 250 companies – in fields such as hospitality and dining – to gather information and advice. Dissatisfied with the current public relations firm, Wynn hired Hill & Knowlton eight weeks before the opening. Despite the company's objections, Wynn refused to allow media tours and the release of early images, wanting to keep the resort a surprise for the opening.[15] The Mirage hired nearly 6,400 employees.[35] Wynn emphasized customer service to the workers, who underwent a month of job training before the opening.[34]

Operation

The Mirage opened at 12:00 p.m. on November 22, 1989.[26][30][24] Wynn previously scheduled a December 26 opening, but changed these plans after securing the Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Durán III boxing match at the resort for December 7.[30][36] He intended for the Mirage to become a popular venue for boxing matches, competing with other Las Vegas resorts.[21][36] Within hours of the opening, a casino customer hit a $4.6 million jackpot on a $1 slot machine.[37]

The resort had non-traditional features for a Las Vegas gaming property, and Wynn considered them to be the primary attractions,[38][39] saying the Mirage would not be dependent on its casino like other properties.[40] Its signature attraction was an erupting artificial volcano, providing free entertainment to pedestrians in front of the resort.[29] Other attractions included a dolphin habitat and a lush jungle display located beneath a domed atrium. In addition, the resort featured a magic show by Siegfried & Roy, and the duo's white tigers were on display in the resort while not performing.[38][39] Financial analysts and gaming executives were skeptical of the Mirage, which needed to make an unprecedented $1 million per day to cover its expenses.[28][41][42][15] The property would end up exceeding expectations,[38][43][27] and gaming would become less of a focus for future Strip resorts.[44]

The Mirage was the first new resort to be built on the Strip in 16 years,[31] after the completion of the MGM Grand (now Horseshoe) in 1973.[22] The Mirage was also the first megaresort to open on the Strip,[1] and was the second in the Las Vegas Valley after the opening of the International Hotel in 1969.[45][46] The Mirage's success prompted a building boom for other large Strip resorts during the 1990s.[47][48][1] Prior to the Mirage's opening, the city was experiencing a decline in tourism, especially following New Jersey's legalization of gambling in Atlantic City.[22][1] Las Vegas tourism increased 16 percent in 1990, which remains one of the largest year-over-year increases in the city's history as of 2024.[33]

Due to the Mirage's success, Wynn borrowed an additional $100 million in 1990, to add more features. These included a parking garage, more high-roller villas, and an expansion of the pool area.[15][49] Wynn also partnered with singer Michael Jackson to design a mountain and water attraction at the Mirage. It would resemble Diamond Head, Hawaii, and would include pools, a water slide, and high-roller villas. It would cost up to $15 million, and would be built behind the resort. It was scheduled to open later in 1990,[50] but ultimately went unbuilt.[51]

The Mirage in 2005

Wynn owned the resort through his company, Golden Nugget Inc., which he renamed Mirage Resorts in 1991.[52] A $55 million renovation took place in 1995.[53] As of 1997, it was the most profitable resort on the Strip.[54] Wynn left the property and Mirage Resorts in 2000, when the company was acquired by MGM Grand Inc., later renamed to MGM Mirage.[55][56][57] The hotel rooms were renovated in 2002, and a major renovation took place from 2005 to 2006, to help the Mirage compete with newer resorts. The project included several new restaurants and a nightclub, among other changes. It was the largest renovation since the resort's opening.[58][59][60]

A $100 million renovation took place in 2008, updating the casino floor and hotel rooms, while adding several restaurants.[61] In 2009, Phil Ruffin bought the adjacent Treasure Island Hotel and Casino from MGM Mirage. He subsequently made offers to buy the 65-acre Mirage, but was rejected.[62][63] MGM Mirage was renamed MGM Resorts International in 2010.[64][65] Twenty years after its opening, the Mirage remained popular despite being overshadowed by newer and more-luxurious resorts.[38][10]

Ownership of the Mirage, along with many other MGM properties, was transferred in 2016 to MGM Growth Properties, while MGM Resorts continued to operate it under a lease agreement.[66] Vici Properties would later acquire MGM Growth, including the Mirage, in 2022.[67]

Hard Rock rebranding

In 2019, Hard Rock International expressed an interest in buying property on the Las Vegas Strip for a new Hard Rock resort, following the 2018 sale and proposed rebranding of the original Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.[68] In November 2021, MGM Resorts announced that it was in the early process of selling the Mirage's casino operations. The company already operated nine other resorts, and was in the process of adding a tenth. CEO William Hornbuckle, who helped oversee the Mirage's opening, said the resort "just fell pretty far down in the spectrum of how much in capital we'd allocate to it in any given period of time in the near future. And so we just took a strategic decision to sell it".[69]

In December 2021, Hard Rock agreed to purchase the Mirage's operations from MGM Resorts for $1.075 billion. Under the deal, Hard Rock would lease the property from Vici and would rebrand the Mirage as the Hard Rock Las Vegas. MGM would keep the "Mirage" name and license it to Hard Rock for up to three years, until the rebranding takes effect.[70][71][72] The Mirage will receive a full renovation as part of the rebranding,[71] with rooms being completely gutted and remodeled.[73][74]

Hard Rock also intends to construct a guitar-shaped hotel tower on the property, like the Seminole Hard Rock in Florida.[1][75] The new tower will replace the Mirage's volcano,[76] prompting a Change.org petition to save the attraction from demolition.[77][78][79] This effort was unsuccessful, and the volcano will be demolished once construction begins on the Hard Rock transition.[80] The guitar tower is expected to rise 660 feet.[81] Hard Rock's previous proposal for a 998-foot tower was rejected by the county.[82] The redesigned tower would add 596 rooms for a new total of 3,640.[83][84] Construction is expected to take two and a half years.[85] The casino and convention facilities will also be expanded.[82][84][86]

Hard Rock's purchase was finalized on December 19, 2022,[87] making it the first tribal gaming operator on the Las Vegas Strip.[74][88] Under the new ownership, additional slot machines and table games were soon added in an effort to increase gaming revenue. Stages were also added to two bars for nightly entertainment, consistent with Hard Rock's music theme.[89]

The Mirage was expected to continue operating throughout the renovation and expansion project,[90] with completion by early 2028.[85] However, in May 2024, Hard Rock announced that the Mirage would permanently close on July 17, 2024 to expedite the project. The company expects to provide $80 million in severance pay to its 3,000 Mirage staff being laid off,[91] and to open Hard Rock Las Vegas by the end of May 2027.[92][93]

Nevada gaming regulations require that The Mirage award its $1.6 million accumulated progressive jackpot before its closure, with the casino paying out about 75% as slot machine jackpots and the other 25% via table games.[94] On July 9-11, the casino gave away $200,000 in slot machine jackpots, while on July 12-13 it gave away $250,000, and on July 16 it gave away $100,000; the remaining $400,000 was given away at the table games.[95]

In 1992, guest Joseph Canterino said he was beaten and robbed by two men on the hotel's 16th floor. The men, who were never found, took more than $70,000 according to Canterino, who said the incident made him nervous to leave home. He sued the Mirage, alleging inadequate security.[96][97][98] After a decade of litigation, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled in the resort's favor.[99]

In 1997, Mirage executive Laura Choi traveled to South Korea to collect gambling debts for the resort. However, she was arrested for violating the country's law on debt collection, which prohibited citizens from allowing money to go overseas if the amount exceeded $10,000. According to the Mirage, the money was supposed to be collected in other countries through a number of legal avenues. An investigation into Choi and the Mirage was launched by multiple agencies. Choi said Mirage Resorts was aware of her actions and encouraged them, while the company called Choi a rogue employee and declined to provide legal assistance. After 79 days in prison, she returned to the U.S. and was fired. State gaming regulators alleged that Choi's actions were supported by Mirage Resorts, which eventually paid a $350,000 fine. The company later alleged that Choi embezzled money, and that she conspired with Wynn's casino rival, Donald Trump, to obtain guest lists and divert customers from the Mirage to Trump's properties instead. Choi, meanwhile, filed wrongful termination lawsuits against the company. The two settled in 2001.[100][101][102]

In 1997, the Mirage was sued by 11 cocktail waitresses alleging weight discrimination from Wynn and the resort.[103] The suit referenced a 1995 meeting that some of the women had with Wynn,[104] who allegedly told them, "You're too fat, and I'm embarrassed to have you working here".[105] The incident would later become known as the "Fat Meeting", and the women became the subject of weight-related jokes among co-workers.[103][104] Two women agreed to $5,000 settlements in 1998, and another withdrew from the case.[104] It ended in May 2003, after the remaining women agreed to settlements with MGM Mirage.[106][107]

In 2003, several resort employees were fired after failure to file months' worth of currency transaction reports.[108][109] One former employee in particular would become the primary focus of a state investigation, which found that he had lied to his supervisors about mailing the reports, concealing the fact that he was actually months behind on the work. Nearly 15,000 reports had gone unfiled, and the Nevada Gaming Commission issued a record $5 million fine against MGM Mirage. CEO Terry Lanni considered it the most embarrassing incident in the gaming industry during his 26-year career.[110][111][112] Two other ex-employees sued the company, alleging wrongful termination in the case.[113]

Design and plant life

Exterior and interior of the dome

The Mirage was designed by Joel Bergman,[114][54] who led Wynn's design firm Atlandia.[15] The firm also included interior designers Henry Conversano and Roger Thomas,[15][34][115] and architect DeRuyter Butler.[15] Don Brinkerhoff and his landscape company, Lifescapes International, also worked on the resort.[34][116] In addition to his team, Wynn also took design suggestions from his wife Elaine.[34] The team was heavily involved in every design aspect of the project,[117][15] which underwent numerous revisions, particularly in relation to its hotel tower.[15] Wynn's team did extensive studies of several local resorts – Bally's, the Las Vegas Hilton, the Flamingo, and the adjacent Caesars Palace – and sought to combine their best features into one property.[10][34][15]

Unlike other casinos at the time, the Mirage's pedestrian entrances were built back away from the Las Vegas Strip, with the volcano serving as an attraction to pique the interest of pedestrians and lure them inside.[34][118] This was done at the suggestion of Elaine Wynn: "Steve wanted to build the Mirage right off the sidewalk, and I said that we had to push it back, that people wouldn't get the benefit of the architectural design if they didn't have a frame of reference".[119] Wynn had the property layout designed for convenience to guests, allowing them to quickly access amenities.[15]

The Mirage has a South Seas/Polynesian theme.[24][120][121] Wynn said, "There had been a terrible sameness to the properties of Las Vegas. The public couldn't differentiate between the Sands, the Dunes, the Aladdin, the Sahara. I wanted to take it to a new level".[117] Describing his vision, Wynn said, "Think of the harsh Southern Nevada desert, and then you see a waterfall, something out of the South Pacific or the island of Kauai. It's not supposed to be there, and that was the intention".[38] He was partly inspired by the 1958 film South Pacific.[39] The volcano and waterfall features were added as a contrast to the city's usual neon lights. Wynn said, "I'm burned out on neon. I think it's cheap. To me, neon is yesterday Las Vegas".[30]

Upon its opening, the exterior included 10 acres of landscaped lawns and pools,[118] featuring 1,000 palm trees and 40,000 scrubs.[24] Other plant life included pine trees and ferns.[51] The Mirage had a staff of 60 gardeners to oversee the various plant life around the property.[118] The resort includes a nine-story domed atrium which covers an indoor tropical rainforest display.[30] It has a combination of fake and real plant life,[114][118] including orchids and 70-foot palm trees.[30][118] A 40-foot Washington palm was injected with formaldehyde to preserve it, and a steel rod was inserted up its trunk to angle it over a stream in the atrium.[118] Brinkerhoff handled the design and landscaping for the atrium,[34] which was inspired by a project that Wynn planned in Atlantic City, before cancelling it in 1985.[15]

By 2019, the resort's tropical theme had been scaled back.[34]

Features

Mirage hotel tower in 2019
Lobby aquarium

With 3,049 rooms,[29][30] the Mirage was among the world's largest hotels when it opened, surpassed by the Las Vegas Hilton (3,174) and the Rossiya Hotel in Moscow (3,200).[40][122][123] The hotel tower, standing 29 stories, was built out in a Y-shape layout,[31] copying the design used at the Las Vegas Hilton.[15] The Mirage popularized the Y-shape design, which was later copied by Las Vegas' Treasure Island, Monte Carlo, and Mandalay Bay resorts. The hotel's top five floors are used for high roller rooms and penthouse suites.[31][30][10] The exterior windows are made of 18-karat gold,[114] and the suite floors are distinguished with uninterrupted glass panes, whereas the lower floors have white streaks between them.[15] The white-and-gold color scheme had previously been used at the Golden Nugget.[15]

Since its opening, the hotel has featured a $1.2 million aquarium tank, built behind the check-in stand.[30][124] The aquarium was conceived by Conversano to distract guests and relax them while waiting to check in.[15][125] It contains hundreds of fish, and is a popular attraction.[126][127]

The Mirage's casino measures 90,548 sq ft (8,412.2 m2).[128] It opened with 2,300 slot machines and 115 table games.[24] A high-limit area was added at the last minute, having been overlooked prior to that point.[15] The Mirage was the first Las Vegas casino to use security cameras full-time on all table games.[129] In 1997, Mirage Resorts spent $150 million on artwork which was displayed in the resort's high-stakes gaming area.[130] The casino added a new high-limit gaming area in 2004, featuring design work by artist Dale Chihuly.[58][59]

The Mirage also has 300,000 sq ft (28,000 m2) of convention space.[63] Other resort features have included a tattoo parlor,[131] and a clothing store by the Kardashian family.[132] The Mirage-Treasure Island Tram travels between the two resorts.[133]

Revolution entrance

The Jet nightclub was added in 2005, operated by The Light Group. The 16,500 sq ft (1,530 m2) club was divided across three rooms. It featured projection imagery and 120 LED ceiling tiles.[134] The club operated until 2011, when it was renamed 1 OAK,[135][136] standing for "one of a kind". The club featured artwork by Roy Nachum.[137] It closed in early 2020.[138][137]

Revolution, an $11 million nightclub themed after the Beatles, was added in 2006, to accompany the resort's opening of the Beatles-themed show Love by Cirque du Soleil. It was a joint venture between Apple Corps and Cirque du Soleil, marking the latter's first Las Vegas nightclub. The 7,000 sq ft (650 m2) club fit up to 400 people. The entrance was marked by 10-foot-tall capitalized letters spelling out the club's name, with "EVOL" spelled backwards to form the word "LOVE".[139] The club closed in 2015.[140]

The resort includes a topless pool area known as Bare Pool Lounge, opened in 2007.[141][142] It is also operated by The Light Group.[143] It features DJ music, and is popular among local residents,[144] as well as celebrities.[143][145]

Volcano

Volcano attraction

The Mirage opened with an artificial volcano attraction, located in front of the resort.[30] It became a signature attraction for Las Vegas.[77][79][116] The volcano, free to the public and visible to pedestrians, erupts regularly each night.[118][146][147] Gas jets provide the flames for the volcano,[118] which has water flowing down its sides into a lagoon,[30][117] covering 4.5 acres (1.8 ha).[114][127] Natural gas pipes, 8 inches (200 mm) in width, are used in conjunction with a recirculating system to give the appearance that the lagoon is on fire.[117] In addition, whitewater from the volcano is covered in red lighting to simulate lava.[148]

Originally, the lagoon area was to include a dormant volcano.[77] Lighting designer David Hersey, who was hired to light the resort, suggested making the volcano erupt.[15] Wynn had been satisfied with the lagoon feature as-is,[15] and he was concerned that an erupting volcano would look underwhelming.[117] However, he approved the idea after seeing a scale model.[15] Hersey designed the attraction with Brinkerhoff.[117][34] They added a texture to the rock formations to produce micro bubbles in the water, fulfilling Wynn's desire to have whitewater in the attraction, as it allowed for adequate lighting.[117][34] Wynn disliked the sulfuric odor given off by the volcanic eruptions, so a piña colada scent was added.[30][117][34]

Lagoon area

In 2005, the design firm WET was hired to begin planning an upgrade of the volcano.[58][60] The company spent two years developing a fire-shooting device for the revamped volcano.[148] It closed in February 2008, to allow for the $25 million upgrade to take place.[149] The volcanic structure, made of steel, was stripped down to receive a new exterior.[150] It reopened at the end of the year. The improved volcano shoots water 12 feet (3.7 m) high, while 120 flamethrower devices spout out flames on the lagoon. The attraction is choreographed to music by Mickey Hart and Zakir Hussain.[151][152] WET's redesign was inspired by the Fountains of Bellagio, another choreographed attraction by the company.[148]

In 2015, MGM reduced the number of daily volcanic eruptions as a potential cost-saving measure.[153] Super Bowl LVIII was held in Las Vegas in 2024, and was broadcast by CBS, owned by Paramount Global. To promote the game and Paramount media franchises, the Mirage's volcano and lagoon area were temporarily transformed into an interactive Alpine-themed mountain attraction depicting the Paramount Pictures mountain logo.[154][155][156]

Animal habitats

Dolphin habitat, 2019

A $14 million dolphin habitat opened at the Mirage on October 19, 1990,[157] serving as an educational and research center.[158][159] The habitat consisted of four pools providing a total of 2.5 million gallons, exceeding government regulations.[158] The facility included tours, and visitors could interact with the dolphins and become trainers for a day.[160] It was a popular educational attraction among schoolchildren.[158][161] It originally featured five bottlenose dolphins, including four from Marathon, Florida and one from Texas.[157] As of 2008, three dolphin generations had been born at the attraction,[162][163] and a fourth began in 2019.[164][165] The attraction did not feature wild dolphins.[158]

On November 13, 1996, the Mirage opened the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy, an outdoor attraction showcasing six types of animals which were featured in the magicians' show at the resort.[166] These included Bengal tigers, white tigers, white lions, a snow leopard, a panther, and an Asian elephant.[167][168][169] Siegfried & Roy also ran a breeding program for big cats, particularly white lions and tigers, which resided at the Secret Garden.[170][171][172] The $15 million attraction, covering 2.5 acres (1.0 ha), was built next to the property's dolphin habitat.[167] By 2002, the dolphin area had become part of Siegfried & Roy's attraction, now known as Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.[173] The attraction covered 10 acres, and received 500,000 annual visitors as of 2017.[174]

White tiger habitat, 2006

In addition, the white tigers from Siegfried & Roy's magic show were on display for free while not performing. A first-floor hallway near the resort's southern entrance featured a glass wall, allowing guests to watch the tigers in an enclosure.[175][118][34] The tiger habitat was designed in all-white by Brinkerhoff,[118] and was built for approximately $5 million.[176] It opened with the resort in 1989, and was closed in November 2007, replaced by the BLT Burger restaurant. The tigers were moved to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden to encourage more visitors there.[177][178]

Several animal-rights groups criticized the habitats.[169][176][179][180] In 2009, Born Free USA and the World Society for the Protection of Animals accused the Mirage of using its dolphin habitat for entertainment and profit rather than education. Fourteen dolphins had died at the habitat since its opening, five of them stillbirths or young deaths. Others died from respiratory problems. Later in 2009, the Mirage imported two new dolphins, despite criticism from the groups.[181][182][183] After extensive inspections, American Humane certified the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat in 2017, stating that it represented "the gold standard for animal welfare". It was one of 14 animal attractions worldwide to receive the certification, and the first in the western U.S.[174][180]

MGM closed the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat in September 2022, following three more dolphin deaths that year. Hard Rock International subsequently determined that the attraction would not be part of its future plans for the resort, with the animals relocated to new homes.[184][185] Three of the habitat's dolphins were returned to SeaWorld San Diego, which had loaned them to the resort years earlier.[186] Others were relocated to Coral World Ocean Park in the U.S. Virgin Islands.[187] The big cats were moved to animal sanctuaries in Oregon and Texas.[188]

Restaurants

The Mirage opened with five fine-dining restaurants, including the Italian-themed Ristorante Riva. It also had middle-class eateries such as the Bermuda Buffet and the 24-hour Caribe Cafe.[120][121] To keep costs down, a single kitchen was built in the center of the property to service the restaurants.[15] In 1998, the Mirage revamped its restaurants and added several new ones. Among them was Onda, an Italian restaurant by chef Todd English that replaced Ristorante Riva.[189][190][191]

Chef Alex Stratta oversaw Renoir,[192][193] a restaurant featuring paintings by the French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir.[194] It opened in 1999.[195] A year later, Renoir became one of the first Las Vegas restaurants to win a Five-Star rating from the Mobil Travel Guide.[196][197] It also won the AAA Five Diamond Award in 2001 and 2002.[198][199] Renoir closed in November 2004, after Stratta declined to renew his contract.[200][201] It was replaced by a Chinese restaurant known as Fin.[202][203][204] A Japanese restaurant, Otoro, would also open at the property.[205]

Carnegie Deli at the Mirage

Several restaurant changes were made in the mid-2000s.[59] A new buffet, designed by Adam Tihany, was added in 2004.[58][206] Carnegie Deli, a popular Manhattan establishment, opened another location at the Mirage in 2005, also with a design by Tihany.[207][208] Like its predecessor, the Mirage location was also popular.[209] It eventually closed in 2020, to make way for a new eatery.[210][211][212]

B.B. King's Blues Club opened a location at the Mirage in November 2009, replacing the Caribe Cafe.[213][214] The club operated through a lease agreement with the Mirage, although the two had a strained relationship.[215] In particular, the club accused the resort of overcharging for cleaning services such as dishwashing. The Blues Club filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011, and fought in court to avoid being evicted.[214][216][217] It eventually closed in November 2012.[218]

Chef Tom Colicchio opened a 220-seat steakhouse, Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak, in 2013.[219] Meanwhile, chef Michael LaPlaca took over Onda and renamed it Portofino the following year.[220] It also served Italian food,[221] and briefly offered a $100 lasagna topped with 23-karat gold flakes and shaved white diamond truffles.[222][223][224] The restaurant closed in 2017,[221][225] and LaPlaca opened a larger Italian restaurant, Osteria Costa, elsewhere in the resort.[226]

BLT Burger operated for eight years before being replaced in 2016 by a resort-run restaurant, LVB Burgers & Bar.[227] An 8,000 sq ft (740 m2) sports bar – known as The Still Crafts, Drafts & Eats – was also opened in 2016.[228]

Live entertainment

The Mirage showcased boxing matches in its early years, competing against the Las Vegas Hilton and the adjacent Caesars Palace.[21] Matches at the resort included:

Cirque du Soleil performed its first Las Vegas show at the Mirage starting in 1992. The show, Nouvelle Expérience, was performed in a 1,300-seat big-top tent, built behind the resort. The temporary $5 million tent was air-conditioned, fire-proof, and had a cement foundation to withstand strong winds.[233][234][235] Wynn and Cirque du Soleil would partner again for Mystère, which opened at Wynn's Treasure Island resort in 1993.[236]

Two additional theater venues were being added in 1999, at a cost of $100 million. One theater was to be used for the show Miss Spectacular, which ultimately went unproduced. Another stage was built for impressionist Danny Gans,[237][238] who began entertaining at the Mirage in 2000.[239][240][241] A ballroom was converted into the 1,265-seat Danny Gans Theatre, at a cost of approximately $15 million.[242][240] Gans' contract ended in early 2009, when he moved to Wynn's new Encore Las Vegas property.[243] Ventriloquist Terry Fator replaced Gans and took over his former theater space, operating a popular puppet show for more than 10 years.[244][245][246] Amid declining ticket sales, Fator closed his show in 2020 and sought a smaller venue.[247]

Other entertainers at the Mirage have included Paul Anka,[248] Dennis Miller,[249] Lewis Black,[250][251][252] George Lopez,[253] Bill Burr,[254] and Matt Goss.[255][256] Several individuals have performed one-man shows at the resort, including Larry King (2011),[257] Terry Bradshaw (2013),[258] and Al Pacino (2014).[259][260] Magician Shin Lim has performed at the Mirage since 2019.[261][262][263] A comedy club, known as Aces of Comedy, debuted in 2010,[264] and was rebranded Center Stage Comedy in 2023.[265]

Siegfried & Roy

Siegfried & Roy onstage with their lions.

Illusionists Siegfried & Roy signed a $58 million contract with the Mirage,[30] and began performing there on February 1, 1990.[266][267] Their magic show included several white tigers, and it took place in a 1,500-seat theater,[30][120] known as Theatre Mirage.[268] The show was produced by Feld Entertainment.[267] The duo would become a top attraction for Las Vegas and the Mirage,[269][270][271] which added a statue of them on the property grounds.[272] In 1995, because of their success, Theatre Mirage was renamed after Siegfried & Roy.[268]

On October 3, 2003, Roy Horn was injured during a performance when one of the tigers, Mantacore, bit him by the neck and dragged him offstage. Horn reportedly suffered a stroke during surgery for his injury.[272][273][274] Horn later said that he suffered a dizzy spell during the show, thinking it may have been the start of the stroke, and stated that Mantacore was attempting to save him: "I fell over. Mantacore saw that I was falling down. So he actually took me and brought me to the other exit where everybody could get me and help me".[275] MGM Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman said, "If that animal intended to harm Roy, it would have lasted two seconds, and there would have been no need for a hospital".[276]

Horn was left partially paralyzed from the stroke.[275] Several days after the attack, the Mirage announced that the show would not resume.[277][267] The duo had given 5,750 performances at the Mirage,[267] and the closure affected 267 workers.[267][278] For six months, the resort's roadside sign on the Las Vegas Strip continued to advertise Siegfried & Roy's show as a tribute.[279][280][281] Mantacore became a permanent resident in the resort's Secret Garden attraction,[282] after Horn insisted that the animal be spared.[275]

The entry road leading onto the property was named Siegfried and Roy Drive in 2020, honoring the duo and their impact on the resort's success.[283]

Love

Main article: Love (Cirque du Soleil)
Hotel tower advertisements for Love
Beatles Love sign at the Mirage Hotel in 2019

Overall resort profits were hurt following the cancellation of Siegfried & Roy's show. In August 2004, their former theater was gutted to make way for a $100 million venue, which would accommodate a Cirque du Soleil show based on the Beatles, in partnership with Apple Corps. The show had been in development for years.[284][285] The revamped theater includes 2,000 seats,[286] the largest of any Cirque du Soleil stage in Las Vegas.[287] It has 6,000 speakers.[285]

The show, titled Love, opened in June 2006 and features music by the Beatles.[288][289][290] Giant banners advertising the show were added onto the hotel tower.[289] The show has been successful, receiving eight million visitors as of 2016.[291][292] It closed on July 7, 2024, as part of the Hard Rock transition.[293]

Cher's 1991 CBS special Cher Extravaganza: Live at the Mirage was taped during stops of the singer's 1990 Heart of Stone Tour.[294] The Mirage's theater was used for a scene in the 1992 film Pure Country.[295][296] The Mirage is prominently featured at the end of City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold. The resort is also featured in the 1996 film Sgt. Bilko.[297] Wynn allowed portions of the Mirage to be closed for production of the 1997 film Vegas Vacation,[298] which features the resort prominently,[299] including its pool area,[300] and its Siegfried & Roy show.[299][301][302]

In 2000, filming took place there for the season-five finale of Nash Bridges.[303] The Mirage is also one of three Las Vegas casinos robbed in the 2001 film Ocean's Eleven,[304] and is featured in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, under the name "The Visage".[305] In 2009, the Love theater was featured in the finale episode of The Amazing Race 15.[306] Various areas of the resort, including its roadside sign, were also featured in the finale episode of The Amazing Race 24, aired in 2014.[307]

The musical group The Killers named their 2020 album, Imploding the Mirage, after the resort.[308]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Schulz, Bailey (December 14, 2021). "MGM will sell iconic Las Vegas Mirage Hotel in $1 billion deal". USA Today. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Schumacher, Geoff (2020). Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia, and Palace Intrigue, Revised and Expanded. University of Nevada Press. ISBN 978-1-948908-61-0. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Stoldal, Robert (August 1, 2014). "Ace of clubs". Nevada Public Radio. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "Slot Machines Barred Where Minors Loiter". Las Vegas Review-Journal. April 1, 1931. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  5. ^ "Question of the Day". Las Vegas Advisor. February 27, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  6. ^ "Column". Las Vegas Review-Journal. December 17, 1959. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Famed Las Vegas hostess dead at 93". UPI. February 2, 1989. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Teary-Eyed Dealers Bid Casino Farewell". San Jose Mercury News. July 20, 1987. Retrieved November 19, 2019 – via NewsLibrary.
  9. ^ Hawley, Tom (July 20, 2016). "Before The Mirage, Wynn dreamed of building Victoria Bay". KSNV. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d Friess, Steve (November 20, 2014). "How the Mirage remade Las Vegas". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  11. ^ "Deals on the Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 5, 1986. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  12. ^ "Castaways sold to group". Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 18, 1986. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Summa sells Strip property". Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 29, 1986. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  14. ^ "Wynn plans Strip resort". Las Vegas Review-Journal. October 30, 1986. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Schwartz, David G. (April 30, 2014). "Without Compromise". Vegas Seven. pp. 26–31. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Steve Wynn's new Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. December 10, 1988. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  17. ^ "Vegas resort". Reno Gazette-Journal. May 28, 1987. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "New hotel may feature the tropics". Las Vegas Review-Journal. December 7, 1986. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  19. ^ "Streets of Las Vegas". The Desert Sun. June 13, 1987. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Plans for Golden Nugget on the Strip, 1987". Vintage Las Vegas. September 15, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d "$500,000 gambled on a name: Casino executive pays heavily for a 'Mirage'". The Palm Beach Post. December 11, 1988. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  22. ^ a b c d "Wynn credits staff for success". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 22, 1999. Archived from the original on December 26, 2002.
  23. ^ "Reno lures younger, more affluent tourists". Reno Gazette-Journal. November 20, 1987. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b c d e Burbank, Jeff (November 23, 1989). "The Mirage opens its doors". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  25. ^ Stevenson, Richard W. (May 3, 1988). "High-Stakes Wager in Las Vegas". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "The Mirage opens doors to public". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 22, 1989. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Glitzy Mirage a dramatic financial success in first year". Reno Gazette-Journal. Associated Press. November 20, 1990. Retrieved May 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ a b Stevenson, Richard W. (November 16, 1989). "Golden Nugget's Roll of the Dice". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  29. ^ a b c Furlong, Tom (November 21, 1989). "Gambling on a Mirage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Wynn unveils his $630M Mirage Siegfried and Roy have $58M contract". Associated Press. November 23, 1989. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ a b c d Smith, Hubble (November 22, 1999). "The Mirage Was For Real". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 20, 2002.
  32. ^ Harden, Blaine; Swardson, Anne (March 6, 1996). "High Stakes Ride on Casino Growth". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  33. ^ a b Danzis, David (July 12, 2024). "How Steve Wynn financed Vegas' first mega resort". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lovat, Oliver (November 20, 2019). "Botanic, Volcanic, Dynamic, Historic: The Mirage Turns 30". Global Gaming Business Magazine. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  35. ^ Stutz, Howard (November 22, 2009). "Opening day employees still at work at The Mirage recall exciting time". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  36. ^ a b c Anderson, Dave (December 8, 1989). "Sports of the Times; The Mirage Threatens Arum, King". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  37. ^ "New Casino Produces $4.6 Million Jackpot". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 24, 1989. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  38. ^ a b c d e Stutz, Howard (November 22, 2009). "The Mirage turns 20 today". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  39. ^ a b c Morris, J. D. (June 8, 2016). "Mirage 'changed everything': How integrated resorts can remain dynamic". VegasInc. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  40. ^ a b Campbell, Don (June 28, 1987). "Las Vegas Building Boom Defies Doom Predictions". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  41. ^ Greenspun, Brian (October 17, 1998). "Bellagio inspires new era for Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  42. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (June 5, 2016). "UNLV conference to explore impact of the Mirage, 25 years after its opening". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  43. ^ Rudner, Dennis (November 22, 2019). "The Mirage defied the odds, celebrates its 30th birthday". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  44. ^ Danzis, David (July 11, 2024). "Mirage's influence cannot be 'overstated' as Las Vegas prepares to say goodbye". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  45. ^ Schumacher, Geoff (2004). Sun, Sin & Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas. Stephens Press. p. 77. ISBN 9781932173147.
  46. ^ Langley, Monica (December 2, 2006). "Why a gambler, snubbed by GM, folded his hand". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 25, 2018. (subscription required)
  47. ^ Hawley, Tom (November 20, 2019). "Las Vegas' first mega-resort arrives on the Strip". KSNV. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  48. ^ Hirsch, Jerry (May 31, 2003). "Vegas' Tourism Boom Now a Hard-Luck Story". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  49. ^ "Mirage borrows to expand". Reno Gazette-Journal. October 6, 1990. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Michael Jackson joins Mirage deal". Standard-Speaker. Associated Press. May 1, 1990. Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ a b Binkley, Christina (2018). Winner Takes All: How Casino Mogul Steve Wynn Won-and Lost-the High Stakes Gamble to Own Las Vegas. Hachette Books. ISBN 978-0-316-48790-0. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  52. ^ "L.V.'s Golden Nugget to be Mirage Resorts". Reno Gazette-Journal. May 24, 1991. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  53. ^ "Mirage Betting Bigger is Better : Recreation: Steve Wynn has built two of the world's largest hotels and is planning two more". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 14, 1995. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  54. ^ a b Berns, Dave (October 11, 1997). "Taking Things to a New Level". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 16, 2000.
  55. ^ Pollack, Andrew (March 7, 2000). "MGM Grand to Acquire Mirage Resorts for $4.4 Billion". The New York Times.
  56. ^ Strow, David (June 2, 2000). "MGM may change name to reflect Mirage brands". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  57. ^ Leong, Grace (April 19, 2001). "Mirage waitresses win legal victory in discrimination case". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  58. ^ a b c d Robison, Jennifer (August 2, 2005). "Major renovation slated for Mirage: New restaurants, more fiery volcano planned". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 17, 2005.
  59. ^ a b c Benston, Liz (August 3, 2005). "Mirage hopes to tap the trendy crowd with new clubs, eateries". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  60. ^ a b Stutz, Howard (January 5, 2006). "Whole New Vision: New places to dine, dance mark makeover of The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 10, 2006.
  61. ^ Stutz, Howard (January 13, 2009). "Penn National says it's not buying The Mirage — right now". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  62. ^ "Treasure Island owner may have eyes on The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. December 28, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  63. ^ a b Stutz, Howard (November 10, 2015). "Treasure Island owner says MGM Resorts rejected $1.3B offer for Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  64. ^ "Company asking for name change: MGM Resorts International". Las Vegas Sun. April 20, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  65. ^ "MGM Mirage changes name, now MGM Resorts International". Las Vegas Sun. June 15, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  66. ^ "MGM Growth Properties LLC announces closing of initial public offering and full exercise of underwriters' option to purchase additional shares" (Press release). MGM Growth Properties. April 25, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2022 – via PR Newswire.
  67. ^ Eli Segall (May 2, 2022). "Casino landlord Vici closes $17B buyout of MGM Resorts spinoff". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  68. ^ Seeman, Matthew (October 22, 2019). "Report: Hard Rock CEO considering buying Las Vegas Strip property". KSNV. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  69. ^ Lochhead, Colton (November 3, 2021). "MGM Resorts 'in early stages' of selling The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  70. ^ Horwath, Bryan (December 13, 2021). "Hard Rock to buy, rebrand Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  71. ^ a b Lochhead, Colton (December 15, 2021). "Mirage to be transformed into 'brand-new resort' on Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  72. ^ Lapan, Tovan (December 20, 2021). "For Hard Rock, the Mirage deal in Las Vegas makes 'perfect sense'". Travel Weekly. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  73. ^ Radke, Brock (January 6, 2022). "Impossibly, it's time to say goodbye to Las Vegas Strip mainstay the Mirage". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  74. ^ a b Stutz, Howard (December 15, 2021). "Indy Gaming: Hard Rock development plans will 'completely gut' The Mirage". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  75. ^ DiMichele, Angie (December 13, 2021). "New guitar-shaped hotel planned as Seminoles and Hard Rock buy The Mirage in Las Vegas". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  76. ^ Palmeri, Christopher (December 14, 2021). "Hard Rock to Say Goodbye to Mirage's Volcano, Eyes NYC Casino". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  77. ^ a b c Lochhead, Colton (February 7, 2022). "The Mirage's iconic volcano will soon erupt no more". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  78. ^ "Mirage Hotel volcano, icon on Vegas Strip, to get demolished". Associated Press. January 24, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  79. ^ a b Clark, Lauren (January 26, 2022). "Petition to save The Mirage Volcano gathers signatures as tourists want it to stay". KSNV. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  80. ^ Horwath, Bryan (December 16, 2022). "Hard Rock says it will do away with Mirage volcano with rebranding". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  81. ^ Segall, Eli (March 8, 2023). "Guitar-shaped hotel tower on Strip heads to county for vote". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  82. ^ a b Stutz, Howard (December 8, 2022). "Hard Rock to operate The Mirage through 2023 before 'billions' in renovation". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  83. ^ Roberts, Alyssa (December 7, 2022). "Plans for giant, guitar-shaped hotel at site of Mirage revealed by Hard Rock executives". KTNV. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  84. ^ a b Velotta, Richard N. (December 7, 2022). "Hard Rock reveals plans to close The Mirage, gut and expand property". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  85. ^ a b Ross, McKenna (January 9, 2024). "What we know, don't know about the Mirage's transition to Hard Rock". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  86. ^ Horwath, Bryan (December 8, 2022). "Hard Rock CEO details plans for revamping Mirage in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  87. ^ "Hard Rock takes over operations of The Mirage hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip". KTNV. December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  88. ^ Stutz, Howard (December 16, 2022). "Regulators allow Hard Rock to operate The Mirage; sale to close Monday". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  89. ^ Ross, McKenna (March 24, 2023). "'New energy': Hard Rock Las Vegas president teases Mirage changes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  90. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (December 16, 2022). "Gaming Commission approves Hard Rock's acquisition of The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  91. ^ "The Mirage casino, which ushered in an era of Las Vegas Strip megaresorts in the '90s, is closing". NBC News. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  92. ^ Katsilometes, John (May 15, 2024). "Mirage, a landmark Strip resort, prepares to vanish". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  93. ^ Ross, McKenna (May 15, 2024). "Mirage's non-union workers could get smaller severance when resort closes". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  94. ^ "Vegas Strip hotel must give out $1.6M to gamblers before closing next week". SF Gate. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  95. ^ Campa, Andrew (July 10, 2024). "Las Vegas' Mirage Hotel & Casino to pay out final jackpots before closure, totaling $1.6M". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  96. ^ "Man awarded $5.8 million in lawsuit against Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. April 11, 1997. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  97. ^ "Attorneys question impartiality of judge in Mirage case". Las Vegas Sun. June 7, 1997. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  98. ^ Gang, Bill (June 19, 1997). "Disputed Mirage case takes twist". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  99. ^ "Mirage wins retrial in beating case". Las Vegas Sun. March 20, 2002. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  100. ^ Lei, Richard (July 11, 1999). "The Woman Who Rocked Vegas". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  101. ^ Strow, David (July 30, 1999). "Mirage debt collection figure disappoints Korean media". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  102. ^ Leong, Grace; Strow, David (August 7, 2001). "Mirage debt scandal figure settles". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  103. ^ a b Bates, Warren (May 24, 1997). "Mirage facing weighty legal issue". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 16, 2000.
  104. ^ a b c Geer, Carri (June 15, 1998). "Two waitresses accept Mirage deal in discrimination lawsuit". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 25, 2000.
  105. ^ Binkley, Christina (2018). Winner Takes All: How Casino Mogul Steve Wynn Won-and Lost-the High Stakes Gamble to Own Las Vegas. Hachette Books. ISBN 978-0-316-48790-0. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  106. ^ Geer Thevenot, Carri (May 7, 2003). "Cocktail Waitresses' Lawsuit: Deal closes book on 'Fat Meeting' case". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 29, 2004.
  107. ^ Radke, Jace (May 7, 2003). "Last cocktail waitress in weight lawsuit against Mirage settles". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  108. ^ "Mirage facing reporting penalty". Las Vegas Sun. February 25, 2003. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  109. ^ Benston, Liz (June 13, 2003). "Mirage woes prompt audit review". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  110. ^ Benston, Liz; Velotta, Richard N. (May 22, 2003). "Mirage probe 'embarrassing' to company, chief executive". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  111. ^ Benston, Liz (December 3, 2003). "Mirage figure gets probation, judge calls sentence 'silly'". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  112. ^ Smith, Rod (December 17, 2003). "Anti-Money Laundering Laws: Report details failures". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 6, 2005.
  113. ^ Benston, Liz (June 2, 2003). "Officials fired in scandal suing Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  114. ^ a b c d Brown, Patricia Leigh (October 21, 1990). "Fantasy Hotels: Excess Is All". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  115. ^ Abramovitch, Ingrid (July 8, 2014). "A Las Vegas Casino Design Mastermind Shares His Secrets". Elledecor.com. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  116. ^ a b Horwath, Bryan (December 4, 2019). "30 years after Mirage opening, architect reflects on building megaresorts". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  117. ^ a b c d e f g h Gorman, Tom (December 12, 1993). "With Castles and Casinos, Pirates and Pyramids, The New Las Vegas is Betting On High-Stakes Style". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  118. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Raver, Anne (July 11, 1993). "Fooling With Nature". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  119. ^ Goldman, Andrew (May 4, 2012). "How Elaine Wynn Survived 45 Years in Sin City". The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  120. ^ a b c "Las Vegas' Mirage Casino Hotel is king of the strip". Scripps Howard News Service. May 27, 1990. Retrieved May 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  121. ^ a b Smith, Rod (October 26, 2003). "Mirage's South Seas schtick may fade away". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 27, 2004.
  122. ^ "Roads". The Sacramento Bee. March 5, 1990. Retrieved May 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  123. ^ Macy, Robert (May 27, 1990). "Excalibur takes aim at Middle America". Daily Press. Associated Press. Retrieved May 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  124. ^ Macy, Robert (November 4, 1989). "The $630 million Mirage resort creates an unforgettable image". The Fresno Bee. Associated Press. Retrieved May 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  125. ^ Katsilometes, John (December 28, 2022). "Elaine Wynn: Mirage was 'a wonderful experiment'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  126. ^ Padgett, Sonya (January 3, 2008). "Live Art: Flipping Over Fish". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008.
  127. ^ a b Reinhold, Robert (April 23, 1991). "Battle Lines Drawn in Sand As Las Vegas Covets Water". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  128. ^ "Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage". Nevada Gaming Control Board. March 6, 2018. p. 7. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  129. ^ Arnold M. Knightly (February 25, 2007), Blink and you'll miss him, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Page 1E.
  130. ^ Pulley, Brett (January 12, 1998). "Casinos Paying Top Dollar To Coddle Elite Gamblers". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  131. ^ "Mario Barth opening tattoo parlor at The Mirage, magician Paul Vigil leaves King Ink". Las Vegas Sun. March 21, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  132. ^ Retrieved May 5, 2022:
  133. ^ Akers, Mick (April 19, 2019). "Tram between TI and Mirage on Las Vegas Strip back in operation". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  134. ^ Clarke, Norm (December 16, 2005). "Fasten seat belts, Jet is ready to fly". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 30, 2005.
  135. ^ "Mirage's Jet nightclub to close, reopen on New Year's as '1OAK'". VegasInc. August 24, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  136. ^ Clarke, Norm (September 1, 2011). "Mirage to turn off Jet club next week". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  137. ^ a b Stapleton, Susan (January 27, 2020). "The Mirage Loses 1 OAK Nightclub in March". Eater. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  138. ^ Katsilometes, John (January 26, 2020). "Las Vegas Strip nightclub 1 Oak closing, programming to continue". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  139. ^ "John Katsilometes takes a spin through Revolution, the new Beatles-themed club at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. December 12, 2006. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  140. ^ Stapleton, Susan (October 12, 2015). "Hello, Goodbye to The Beatles Revolution Lounge". Eater. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  141. ^ "Grin and Bare It". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 4, 2007. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  142. ^ "Busting Out". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 29, 2007. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  143. ^ a b Finnegan, Amanda (July 5, 2011). "5 uniquely Las Vegas pool parties". VegasInc. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  144. ^ Przybys, John (April 22, 2010). "Bare pool lounge at Mirage offers 'European-style sunbathing' for uninhibited guests". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  145. ^ Przybys, John (June 19, 2009). "Mirage's Bare an upscale pool lounge that promises what its name implies". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  146. ^ Zwick, Barry (November 17, 1991). "Las Vegas Erupts in Bargains". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  147. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (December 12, 2008). "What are the best free tourist attractions on the Strip?". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  148. ^ a b c "Las Vegas resort to give Mirage's volcano new fire". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 11, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  149. ^ "Mirage volcano to erupt in December after facelift". Las Vegas Sun. September 10, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  150. ^ Stutz, Howard (September 11, 2008). "Raised From the Dead". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  151. ^ Jones, Jay (December 7, 2008). "A walk of flame at the Mirage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  152. ^ "Improved volcano rekindles Mirage's economic hopes". Las Vegas Sun. December 8, 2008. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  153. ^ Piercall, Kimberly (July 13, 2015). "Mirage volcano times: Volcano in Las Vegas to erupt less frequently". Las Vegas Sun. Associated Press. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  154. ^ Steinberg, Brian (November 1, 2023). "Paramount Will Build Las Vegas 'Mountain' to Tout Shows During Super Bowl". Variety. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  155. ^ Overton, Stephanie (November 1, 2023). "Paramount to build mountain on Strip's Mirage Volcano for Las Vegas Super Bowl week". KLAS. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  156. ^ Ross, McKenna (January 17, 2024). "Mirage begins replacing volcano with mountain for Super Bowl attraction". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  157. ^ a b "5 dolphins join Mirage menagerie in Las Vegas". Reno Gazette-Journal. Associated Press. October 21, 1990. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  158. ^ a b c d "Picabo, dolphin born at Mirage, dies". Las Vegas Sun. July 8, 2004. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  159. ^ Shine, Conor (July 20, 2011). "At 17 days old, Mirage's newest dolphin making a splash". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  160. ^ Garman, Rick. "Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat in Las Vegas". Frommers. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  161. ^ Ross, McKenna (July 11, 2024). "Not quite a zoo: How the Mirage made exotic animals part of its brand". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  162. ^ "Mirage puts baby dolphin on display". Las Vegas Sun. September 12, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  163. ^ "Mirage dolphin gets name in employee contest". Las Vegas Sun. October 15, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  164. ^ Dinant, Jason (August 28, 2019). "Baby dolphin born at the Mirage". KTNV. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  165. ^ Szydelko, Paul (September 9, 2019). "Mirage welcomes a baby dolphin". Travel Weekly. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  166. ^ "Illusionists let everyone in on their 'secret'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 14, 1996. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  167. ^ a b Nadler, Art (November 14, 1996). "'Secret Garden' habitat for rare animal breeds". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  168. ^ "White tiger suffocated by mate in outdoor habitat". Las Vegas Sun. January 17, 1997. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  169. ^ a b "Activists ask that Mirage elephant be retired". Las Vegas Sun. August 15, 2000. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  170. ^ "Twin tiger cubs are newest addition at Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. August 16, 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  171. ^ Jones, Jay (July 22, 2014). "Las Vegas: Three white lion cubs take up residence at the Mirage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  172. ^ Forgione, Mary (September 11, 2015). "Photos: 4 baby tigers make their Las Vegas debut at Siegfried & Roy's". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  173. ^ Padgett, Sonya (October 13, 2002). "Selling the Strip: Bright Ideas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2005.
  174. ^ a b Brean, Henry (April 29, 2017). "Secret Garden attraction at The Mirage earns animal welfare certification". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  175. ^ Bell, Joseph N. (April 14, 1990). "The Desert's Latest Mirage Isn't Worst Sight in Vegas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  176. ^ a b "Animal rights group wants hotel to find new home for tiger". Reno Gazette-Journal. Associated Press. September 16, 1990. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  177. ^ "MGM Mirage to replace white tiger habitat". UPI. November 11, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  178. ^ "Big cats' habitat out, burger joint in at Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 11, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  179. ^ Visconti, Katie (August 31, 2014). "Demonstrators protest dolphin captivity at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  180. ^ a b Jessie, Faith (April 25, 2017). "Mirage animal habitat becomes 14th in world with American Humane Seal of Approval". KSNV. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  181. ^ "Animal rights groups try to halt Mirage from importing dolphins". Las Vegas Sun. June 10, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  182. ^ Manning, Mary (August 12, 2009). "Feds permit MGM Mirage to import 2 dolphins". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  183. ^ Finnegan, Amanda (June 4, 2009). "Mirage dolphin dies from lung infection complications". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  184. ^ Radke, Brock (November 10, 2022). "Wild animals are becoming a smaller part of the Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  185. ^ Lewis, Linsey (November 22, 2022). "Mirage's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat to permanently close after more than 30 years on Las Vegas Strip". KLAS. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  186. ^ Katsilometes, John (February 15, 2023). "Mirage dolphins relocating to Sea World". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  187. ^ "Last three dolphins from Mirage Las Vegas relocated to sea sanctuary". KSNV. May 23, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  188. ^ Lane, Taylor (July 6, 2023). "Meow-ving out: Siegfried & Roy's big cats leaving The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  189. ^ Paskevich, Michael (October 7, 1998). "The Mirage taking new look at its dining offerings". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 1, 1999.
  190. ^ Stevens, Muriel (October 9, 1998). "Mirage restaurants remodel, welcome renowned chefs". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  191. ^ White, Ken (June 6, 2001). "Onda chef opts for more American-style Italian fare". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 14, 2001.
  192. ^ Whitely, Joan (October 6, 1999). "Stratta likes to keep the food simple and honest at Renoir". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000.
  193. ^ Stevens, Muriel (August 22, 2003). "Renoir chef gets innovative with dishes". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  194. ^ Stevens, Muriel (November 26, 1999). "Delightful treats await diners at Renoir at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  195. ^ White, Ken (September 24, 1999). "Double Duty: Renoir dishes up French fare, classic artwork". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000.
  196. ^ Stevens, Muriel (January 14, 2000). "Five-star winners at Bellagio, Mirage are five-star worthy". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  197. ^ "Renoir, Picasso lauded by Mobil". Las Vegas Sun. March 29, 2002. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  198. ^ "MGM Mirage's Picasso, Renoir restaurants appeal to AAA's palate". Travel Weekly. January 10, 2002. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  199. ^ "Bellagio, Picasso, Renoir given elite status by AAA". Las Vegas Sun. November 19, 2002. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  200. ^ "Five repeat as winners of AAA's top rating". Las Vegas Review-Journal. November 13, 2004. Archived from the original on December 22, 2004.
  201. ^ Clarke, Norm (November 16, 2004). "Bellagio: 10 stars under one roof". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 19, 2004.
  202. ^ Nosek, Barbara J. (January 5, 2006). "It's no illusion, the Mirage is up for a major makeover". Travel Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  203. ^ "Fin offers many Asian cuisines, with Chinese focus at dinner". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 29, 2006. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  204. ^ Radke, Brock (April 17, 2013). "Now's the time to revisit or explore the restaurants at Mirage". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  205. ^ Harris, Jason (August 10, 2017). "The new Otoro evolves Japanese cuisine at the Mirage". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  206. ^ Clarke, Norm (May 30, 2004). "Beatles spinoff headed for Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 30, 2004.
  207. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (October 6, 2004). "Restaurant changes afoot at Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 6, 2004.
  208. ^ White, Ken (March 2, 2005). "Taste of famous Carnegie Deli comes to The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 6, 2005.
  209. ^ Radke, Brock (April 2, 2018). "Carnegie Deli still packs in the pastrami-loving crowd at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  210. ^ Horwath, Bryan (November 6, 2019). "Carnegie Deli, with its famed sandwiches, set to close at Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  211. ^ Horwath, Bryan (November 10, 2019). "Carnegie Deli looking for new home in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  212. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (November 6, 2019). "Carnegie Deli to close in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  213. ^ Patterson, Spencer (September 10, 2009). "B.B., meet The Beatles". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  214. ^ a b Green, Steve (June 10, 2011). "B.B. King's club seeks time to work out financial problems in Las Vegas". VegasInc. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  215. ^ O'Reiley, Tim (September 5, 2012). "B.B. King's at Mirage may be facing last call". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  216. ^ Green, Steve (February 25, 2011). "Bankrupt B.B. King's blues club, Mirage in invoicing dispute". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  217. ^ Green, Steve (October 11, 2011). "B.B. King's, Mirage still fighting over lease terms". VegasInc. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  218. ^ Toplikar, Dave (November 5, 2012). "Beleaguered B.B. King's plans to close this month". VegasInc. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  219. ^ Feldberg, Sarah (August 12, 2013). "Tom Colicchio taps chef Anthony Zappola for Heritage Steak at the Mirage". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  220. ^ Stapleton, Susan (February 20, 2014). "Onda Ristorante Shall Now Be Called Portofino". Eater. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  221. ^ a b Mancini, Al (July 14, 2017). "Mirage to close Portofino, open Italian spot in Samba's space". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  222. ^ Stapleton, Susan (December 30, 2014). "Only in Vegas: $100 diamond and gold lasagna". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  223. ^ Knapp Rinella, Heidi (December 8, 2014). "The Mirage wants you to pay $100 for this lasagna". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  224. ^ Stapleton, Susan (December 8, 2014). "Meet The Ultra-Swanky $100 'Diamond and Gold' Lasagna at Portofino". Eater. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  225. ^ Martin, Bradley (December 26, 2017). "Last Call for Portofino at the Mirage". Eater. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  226. ^ Begley, Jim (February 22, 2018). "Opening alert: the Mirage's new Italian spot, Osteria Costa". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  227. ^ "LVB Burgers and Bar opens at Mirage; Tivoli Village, The Park add eateries". VegasInc. April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  228. ^ Formoso, Julie Ann (March 25, 2016). "Popular L.V. dive bar to take a breather, while sports bar set to surface at Mirage". VegasInc. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  229. ^ Feour, Royce (August 29, 1997). "Mirage awarded Holyfield-Moorer". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 29, 1999.
  230. ^ Anderson, Dave (March 20, 1991). "Sports of the Times; How Clean Are Vegas Back Rooms?". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  231. ^ Gustkey, Earl (June 28, 1991). "Rematch Shapes Up for Tyson". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  232. ^ Juipe, Dean (May 16, 1996). "No fear in Pendleton camp". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  233. ^ "Cirque betting it can wow Las Vegas". The Gazette. November 12, 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  234. ^ "Cirque in the Sun". The Gazette. November 14, 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  235. ^ "In Depth: Show by Show". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 30, 2005. Archived from the original on November 13, 2005.
  236. ^ Clarke, Norm (June 17, 2003). "'Mystere' worker recalls uncertain times during show's birth". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 10, 2003.
  237. ^ Scherzer, Barbara (June 29, 1999). "Vegas' Mirage goes legit". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  238. ^ Thompson, Gary (November 23, 1999). "Entertainment highlighted on Mirage's 10th anniversary". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  239. ^ "Vegas headliner moving to Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. August 2, 1999. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  240. ^ a b "Danny Gans is finally set to open at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. March 30, 2000. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  241. ^ Weatherford, Mike (January 12, 2006). "Danny Gans cuts performance schedule at The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 13, 2006.
  242. ^ White, Ken (August 4, 1999). "Gans gains new fans at Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000.
  243. ^ Fink, Jerry (January 30, 2009). "Gans shapes encore show for Wynn". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  244. ^ Weatherford, Mike (May 14, 2008). "The Mirage, Fator sign deal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  245. ^ Katsilometes, John (September 5, 2017). "Terry Fator's success at The Mirage is the real deal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  246. ^ Radke, Brock (March 25, 2019). "Terry Fator celebrates 10 years at the Mirage with an all-new show". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  247. ^ Katsilometes, John (March 4, 2020). "Terry Fator leaving Mirage on Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  248. ^ Delaney, Joe (May 18, 2001). "Anka and audience connect during Mirage show". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  249. ^ "Review: Dennis Miller takes umbrage at The Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. July 22, 2002. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  250. ^ Katsilometes, John (April 24, 2011). "Lewis Black plays the Mirage, and, wow, if he doesn't have company". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  251. ^ Miller, Ken (September 28, 2011). "Lewis Black on a rant at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  252. ^ Katsilometes, John (November 7, 2012). "Lewis Black banks on angst in his return to the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  253. ^ Katsilometes, John (October 28, 2011). "In Las Vegas, it really is 'Lopez Tonight,' as he takes the stage at Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  254. ^ Katsilometes, John (June 25, 2014). "Bill Burr's latest Las Vegas comedy stop is the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  255. ^ Radke, Brock (December 8, 2017). "A new show at the Mirage means more than a change in venue for Matt Goss". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  256. ^ Katsilometes, John (August 14, 2019). "Matt Goss reaches 10th anniversary on Las Vegas Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  257. ^ Katsilometes, John (February 22, 2011). "In one-man show, storyteller Larry King has Mirage by the tale". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  258. ^ Katsilometes, John (June 30, 2013). "Terry Bradshaw's one-man show at The Mirage is another mad scramble". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  259. ^ "Las Vegas: Al Pacino to bring one-man show to the Mirage". Los Angeles Times. July 2, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  260. ^ Katsilometes, John (August 17, 2014). "A frenetic, powerful and unforgettable night with Al Pacino at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  261. ^ Radke, Brock (January 10, 2019). "'America's Got Talent' winner Shin Lim finds a home at the Mirage". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  262. ^ Katsilometes, John (May 19, 2021). "New contract, theater upgrade in Shin Lim's Mirage return". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  263. ^ Radke, Brock (June 30, 2021). "Shin Lim brings big and bold new tricks to his Mirage spectacular". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  264. ^ Adams, Mark (October 21, 2011). "Daniel Tosh signs on for Mirage residency". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  265. ^ "The Mirage announces comedy club rebranding for 'Aces of Comedy'". KSNV. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  266. ^ "Siegfried & Roy Sign New Contract". Associated Press. February 27, 2001. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  267. ^ a b c d e Smith, Rod (October 11, 2003). "'Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage': Show officially ends". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 28, 2005.
  268. ^ a b "No mirage". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. May 27, 1995. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  269. ^ Katsilometes, John (February 23, 2001). "Top Cats: Siegfried & Roy, MGM MIRAGE agree to lifetime contract". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  270. ^ Koch, Ed (October 6, 2003). "Siegfried & Roy are symbolic of Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  271. ^ Stutz, Howard (November 22, 2009). "Illusionists say The Mirage inspired them for 13 years". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  272. ^ a b Navarro, Mireya; Holson, Laura M. (October 6, 2003). "Onstage Attack Casts Pall Over Las Vegas Strip". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  273. ^ Simpson, Jeff (October 7, 2003). "Economic Impact: Mirage to take big hit". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 29, 2004.
  274. ^ Weatherford, Mike (October 8, 2003). "Doctor calls Roy's survival 'all but miraculous'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 17, 2003.
  275. ^ a b c "Roy Horn: Tiger 'Saved My Life'". People. September 16, 2004. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  276. ^ Simpson, Jeff (October 11, 2003). "Wynn says video shows tiger was not attacking Roy". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 29, 2004.
  277. ^ Benston, Liz (October 7, 2003). "Show's end likely to cut profits only modestly at MGM MIRAGE". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  278. ^ "Roy's tiger freed from isolation". Las Vegas Sun. October 14, 2003. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  279. ^ Clarke, Norm (November 14, 2003). "Waiting for sign at The Mirage". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 9, 2004.
  280. ^ Clarke, Norm (March 26, 2004). "Gans on, Siegfried, Roy off marquee". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 13, 2004.
  281. ^ Benston, Liz (March 26, 2004). "Siegfried & Roy to be cut from Mirage's marquee". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  282. ^ Mihailovich, Steven (October 17, 2003). "White tiger to retire to the big garden". Las Vegas Business Press. Archived from the original on October 20, 2003.
  283. ^ Horwath, Bryan (August 27, 2020). "Road to Mirage named for magic duo Siegfried and Roy". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  284. ^ Mihailovich, Steven (November 24, 2004). "Mirage looks forward to yesterday with Beatles at Cirque". Las Vegas Business Press. Archived from the original on November 27, 2004.
  285. ^ a b Weatherford, Mike (June 2, 2006). "Sowing the Seeds of 'Love': Roots of Beatles-themed Cirque show can be traced to a Montreal garden party in 2000". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006.
  286. ^ Smith, Rod (April 9, 2006). "The show is coming yeah, yeah yeah". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on April 12, 2006.
  287. ^ Radke, Brock (October 18, 2017). "Go behind the scenes for free at 'The Beatles Love'". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  288. ^ Clarke, Norm (June 2, 2006). "Show might be 'Love' at first sight". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006.
  289. ^ a b Light, Alan (July 3, 2006). "Las Vegas Extravaganza Basks in Genuine Beatles". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  290. ^ Rockwell, John (July 10, 2006). "Cirque du Soleil: A Beatles Love-In From Las Vegas to Eternity". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  291. ^ Lewis, Randy (July 16, 2016). "Beatles family reunites at revamped 10th anniversary of 'Love' show in Las Vegas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  292. ^ Kozinn, Allan (August 1, 2016). "In Las Vegas, All You Need Is 'Love' and Eight Million Beatles Fans". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  293. ^ Katsilometes, John (April 9, 2024). "Cirque official on closing of 'The Beatles Love': 'It wasn't our decision'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  294. ^ O'Connor, John J. (February 4, 1991). "A Potpourri Of Cher's Mood Swings". The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  295. ^ "Strait fans appear in film, by George". The Hanford Sentinel. July 5, 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  296. ^ "Fans and extras troop to George Strait film debut". The Hanford Sentinel. October 24, 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  297. ^ "Films". Reno Gazette-Journal. September 14, 1995. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  298. ^ Archerd, Army (July 29, 1996). "Mouse sinks teeth into Chinese market". Variety. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  299. ^ a b "Shooting Stars". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 17, 1997. Archived from the original on July 19, 1997.
  300. ^ Gorman, Tom (August 24, 1996). "Against the Odds". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  301. ^ Macy, Robert (July 24, 1996). "Chevy Chase no cool cat around giant tiger". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  302. ^ "Lion cubs get royal treatment on Tonight Show". Las Vegas Sun. February 6, 1997. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  303. ^ Maddox, Kate (April 21, 2000). "Marino on track to team with Pitt". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  304. ^ Epting, Chris (December 30, 2003). "Reel Las Vegas". NBC News. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  305. ^ Stein, Martin (November 25, 2004). "Playing Las Vegas". Las Vegas Weekly. Archived from the original on November 30, 2004.
  306. ^ Pawlowski, A. (December 7, 2009). "On 'The Amazing Race' trail in Las Vegas". CNN. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  307. ^ Bacle, Ariana (May 19, 2014). "The Amazing Race season finale recap: Flying High". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  308. ^ Rolli, Bryan (August 19, 2020). "The Killers' Brandon Flowers Talks New Album 'Imploding The Mirage' And His Quest For Eternity". Forbes. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Mirage.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_Mirage&oldid=1235260189"