Why Wasn't the Mirage Required to Demo Like the Tropicana?

When Bally’s decided to close the Tropicana they were required to destroy the building within a certain time frame. Were the new owners of the Mirage given a similar deadline to destroy the Mirage? If not, why the disparate treatment?

This is an apples-and-oranges comparison.

In the case of the Tropicana, if Bally’s Corp. hadn't been required to drop the Trop, it could have left an empty building standing derelict and exposed to the elements. Any mandate to implode the venerable structures was reflective of a desire to avoid urban blight.

Despite the demolition of certain elements of the Mirage, Hard Rock International was never going to demolish the building. It's gutting most of it, but also remaking those spaces in new form as we speak. Some elements — including the volcano, aquarium, and dolphin habitat — are gone for good. Others will return in renovated form. Plus, a guitar-shaped hotel tower will be added. But the Mirage will be substantially the same property.

Also, deep-pocketed Hard Rock International is proceeding with a completion date (the second quarter of 2027). So there's no prospect of an empty Mirage eyesore blighting the mid-Strip for years on end. With Bally’s almost insolvent and having no firm plans for the Tropicana site, Clark County couldn't be so sanguine.

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Comments

VegasROX Feb-22-2025

Guitar monstrosity

Mirage will never be substantially the same property, again. The heart and soul is being gutted and with the guitar monstrosity going up, it will become the largest distraction on the strip. It will ruin views, up and down the strip, in both directions. Couldn't have picked a worse place to put that thing. What a loss for the strip and pooey on those who voted to allow it.

John Dulley Feb-22-2025

Hard rock

VegasROX it wasn’t clear but I think they meant the hotel building ‘will be substantially the same’. I’m holding off judgement on HR till It’s finished and see it in person. I’m definitely in the minority on this but I miss the old Tropicana much more than the Mirage.

John Hearn Feb-22-2025

Casino concept

How about a casino that combines all the best from our departed friends? A volcano, Caesar's Magic attraction, a Vacation Village spin-to-win wheel, unlimited fried food comps at those joints in Jean (I had to leave before I exploded). Maybe I'll pitch this to Elon.

Frank Nicosia Feb-22-2025

Bye mirage and hello HR

Used to love the mirage but in recent years it was nothing close to what it once was. I welcome HR and only hear good things from other locations it has. The guitar just might look damn amazing.

Lucky Feb-24-2025

Guitar neck width

Just how many rooms across will the neck of the guitar be?  Bet those cost more per night.  Maybe a view that has both directions in a very large suite?  HR does really well at their other properties.  Always clean, the food is pretty good, good entertainment.  The casino is very tight. In FL, they really cater to the elderly.  Wheel chairs and walkers all over the place, and if you ask, they will provide someone to help you get to your car, and even move around the casino.  My Dad was 100 the last time he went (he is gone now) and they were very kind and made sure he could get around from machine to machine, and the rest room.

Question of the Day - 22 February 2025

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