Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: Inside the Mirage’s Guitar Hotel Transformation

The Mirage is becoming Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and it is shaping up to be the Strip’s next true landmark. Rising on the site where the Mirage’s volcano once erupted, the new resort is anchored by a 660-foot, guitar-shaped hotel tower and is targeting a fourth-quarter 2027 opening. It is one of the most ambitious rebuilds on the Strip, a roughly $4 billion project that will bring the Hard Rock brand back to Las Vegas at full scale. Here is what is happening on the site, what to expect inside, including a newly approved 2,000-seat theater, and when Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will actually open.

What Happened to the Mirage?

The Mirage, the resort that helped launch the modern Strip when it opened in 1989, closed on July 17, 2024. Hard Rock International, backed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, took over operations and immediately began converting the property. Demolishing the signature volcano attraction was one of the first tasks, clearing the front of the site for the new tower.

The Guitar Hotel: A New Strip Landmark

The centerpiece is a guitar-shaped hotel tower modeled on the popular Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. The Las Vegas version stands 660 feet across 42 stories, holding about 675 of the resort’s rooms. It was originally proposed at nearly 998 feet before Clark County officials scaled it back. The final structural beam was installed on May 1, 2026, a major milestone that put the tower’s silhouette on the skyline.

What to Expect Inside Hard Rock Las Vegas

The resort is being rebuilt as a full-scale destination, not just a rebrand. Early details include:

Rooms: roughly 3,700 total across the property, including the 675 in the guitar tower.
Casino: about 174,000 square feet of gaming with 2,000 slot machines and 212 table games.
Access: the tram connecting the site to Treasure Island is set to reopen when the resort launches.

Expect the music-forward identity Hard Rock is known for, from memorabilia to live entertainment, positioned squarely in the heart of the Strip.

A New 2,000-Seat Theater Joins the Plan

In summer 2026, Clark County approved plans for a purpose-built 2,000-seat theater at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, adding a dedicated live-entertainment venue to what has grown into a roughly $4 billion redevelopment. The theater is planned for the western portion of the site near the guitar tower, giving the resort its own room for concerts and residencies rather than leaning on a shared showroom. For a brand built on live music, a standalone theater signals how central entertainment will be to the finished resort, and it adds one more marquee reason to be on that stretch of the Strip when the doors open.

When Will Hard Rock Las Vegas Open?

As of mid-2026, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is targeting a fourth-quarter 2027 opening, a few months later than earlier estimates. With the tower topped off and interior work ramping up, the timeline points to a 2027 debut. Opening dates on projects this size can move, so the smart play is to plan flexibly and watch for an official date announcement.

Planning a Trip Around the Opening

A new marquee resort means a surge of demand for nearby rooms, nightlife, and tables the moment it opens. When Hard Rock Hotel & Casino sets its date, our team can build a trip around it, from where to stay on that stretch of the Strip to securing access at the surrounding venues.

Start with our Las Vegas hotels hub for center-Strip options, browse nearby nightlife on our Vegas nightclubs guide, and let our VIP concierge team handle the details when opening weekend arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mirage now Hard Rock Hotel & Casino?
Yes. The Mirage closed on July 17, 2024, and is being rebuilt as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino by Hard Rock International.

When is Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opening?
The resort is targeting a fourth-quarter 2027 opening as of mid-2026.

Is Hard Rock Las Vegas getting a theater?
Yes. Clark County approved plans in summer 2026 for a new 2,000-seat theater at the resort, part of a roughly $4 billion redevelopment.

How tall is the Hard Rock guitar tower?
The guitar-shaped hotel tower stands 660 feet across 42 stories and holds about 675 rooms.

How many rooms will Hard Rock Las Vegas have?
About 3,700 rooms in total, including the 675 inside the guitar tower.

What happened to the Mirage volcano?
The volcano was demolished early in construction to make room for the new guitar-shaped tower at the front of the site.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is set to be one of the defining Strip openings of the decade, and the guitar tower will be visible from across the valley. When the doors open in 2027, let Red Carpet VIP plan the trip so you experience it without the opening-weekend chaos.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal (2K-seat theater approval), Las Vegas Review-Journal, Casino.org.