The Mirage

On this date, November 22, 1989 the Mirage Resort & Casino, initially scheduled for an opening in early December 1989, was opened early on November 22, 1989. At the time of its opening, The Mirage was the largest hotel in the world, with 3,044 rooms. The hotel tower, standing 29 stories, was built out in a Y-shape design, a concept that was later copied by Las Vegas’ Treasure Island, Monte Carlo, and Mandalay Bay resorts. The hotel’s top five floors were used exclusively for high roller rooms and penthouse suites.

The Mirage was proposed with an initial cost of $565 million. Financier Michael Milken helped finance the project by selling $525 million worth of mortgage bonds. The Mirage was the first resort that was built with the money of Wall Street through the use of junk bonds. The project went over budget,  and was the most expensive hotel-casino in history, with a construction cost of US $630 million. The Mirage was the first new resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in 16 years, after the completion of the MGM Grand in 1973. The Mirage was the first casino to use security cameras full-time on all table games.

Panoramic Photo of the Mirage in 1999

On May 31, 2000, the Golden Nugget, The Mirage (and all of Steve Wynn’s other properties) were sold to Kirk Kerkorian; the consolidated corporation was known as MGM Mirage and has been the largest casino corporation in Las Vegas since that date. The property is currently owned and operated by MGM Resorts International.

The post On This Date: November 22, 1989, The Mirage Resort Opened on the Las Vegas Strip first appeared on LasVegas360.com.

Paris, Bally’s on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo Road.

Caesars Palace’s Famous Fountain. Note: This fountain has been made famous for motorcycle jumping, attemps include:

• Dec. 31, 1967 – Evel Knievel (failed landing) he spent 29 days in a coma. 
• Sep. 16, 1980 – Motorcyclist Gary Wells (crashed into a wall after landing).
• Apr. 15, 1989 – Robbie Knievel -(success) 
• May 4, 2006 – Mike Metzger set a Guinness World Record with a 125-foot long motorcycle jump that included a back flip(show off) over a fountain at Caesars Palace May 4, 2006 

In front of Caesar’s Palace, looking north and south on the Strip. The Flamingo Hilton, Bugsy old hang out,located across the street. This lush landscape has been removed and the sidewalks widened.

Two Gladiators (statues), the most photographed guys in town, beneath Caesars Palace’s sign. (c.1999) long since removed.

Caesars Palace is located across the street from the famous Flamingo Hotel & Casino.

The Imperial Palace and O’Shea’s Entrance, Mirage Hotel and Caesars Palace looking north.

Caesars Palace and the Imperal Palace, Center Strip.

Caesars Palace and the Imperal Palace, Center Strip.

Caesars Palace, with the 360° OmniMax Theater, which has been long removed.

The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, opened January 1, 1992. Harrah’s located across the street.

The Flaming volcano at the Mirage with Treasure Island in the background and the Venetian Hotel on the right.

The Mirage Hotel and Casino opened on November 22, 1989. Note: Built by developer Steve Wynn, on the site that was formerly occupied by the Castaways. It cost $630 million in 1989 to build and was financed by the selling of junk bonds by Wall Street’s own Michael Milken. The Mirage was home to the Siegfried & Roy show from 1990-2003. 

The famous erupting volcano at the Mirage.

The lagoon in front of the Mirage.

The Venetian across from the Mirage and TI (Treasure Island)

The Venetian.

Las Vegas Newest Mega-Resort in 1999. The Venetian.

Buccaneer Bay at Treasure Island. Treasure Island was renamed to just TI.

The post Virtual Strip Tour: Caesar’s to Treasure Island (Ti) c.1999 first appeared on LasVegas360.com.