After 34 years of erupting with excitement, The Mirage Hotel and Casino closes Wednesday, making way for a Hard Rock Las Vegas transformation featuring a colossal guitar-shaped tower and a three-year-long renovation.

Opened by Steve Wynn in 1989 and once the world's largest hotel, The Mirage will bid farewell as it makes way for a 700-foot guitar tower under the Hard Rock Las Vegas banner, managed by Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. In a city renowned for its penchant for reinvention, this $1 billion transformation will uproot the iconic volcano and add 600 rooms to the Strip, signaling Las Vegas' continuing evolution. Slated for a 2027 debut, the new resort promises a melodious twist to its storied predecessor.

The Mirage's grand debut in 1989, bankrolled by casino mogul Steve Wynn, heralded a new age for Las Vegas. Costing a then-unfathomable $630 million to construct, it was the largest hotel in the world at the time. It wasn't just the size that drew in the crowds; it was the allure of an elaborate facade and volcanic eruptions that beckoned tourists into a world of extravagance.

The Mirage's impact on the Las Vegas landscape was seismic, metaphorically speaking. It set a new benchmark with its opulence and grandeur, influencing the blueprint for future developments along the Strip. The Bellagio, Venetian, and countless other havens for chance and luxury were inspired by the standards set by The Mirage. In fact, if The Mirage were a person, it would be the stylish grandparent all the younger resorts look up to and try to emulate.

The hotel didn’t just lead the charge in terms of architectural magnificence. Entertainment at The Mirage, too, set high standards. Most notably, the Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show 'Love' graced the venue for 18 memorable years, mesmerizing audiences with its acrobatic tributes to the legendary band's music. The show ended its spectacular run earlier this month, putting a fitting exclamation point on another chapter of The Mirage's storied history. It's almost as if the hotel decided it was time to 'Let It Be.'

However, all great stories must come to an end. MGM Resorts, which acquired The Mirage in 2000, marked the end of an era by selling the property for over $1 billion in 2022 to Hard Rock International. The transition is as much a reflection of business pragmatism as it is of sentimental passing of the torch. The new proprietors are set to bring their signature flair to the Strip with a transformed venue set to reopen in 2027.

Hard Rock’s ambitious plans for the new resort include a 700-foot-tall guitar-shaped hotel tower. The iconic volcano, a centerpiece since the hotel’s inception, is to be sacrificed to make room for these changes. While some lament the end of the volcano's fiery reign, others are already buzzing with anticipation for what a guitar-shaped landmark might add to Vegas' eclectic skyline.

The transition will add 600 rooms to the already expansive 3,044 available at The Mirage, accommodating an even larger influx of rock 'n' roll enthusiasts and casino aficionados. During its three-year renovation period, the venue will undergo extensive updates, with promises of modern amenities and attractions aimed at keeping it relevant in an ever-competitive market. By 2027, The Mirage will have had such a facelift that even its iconic volcano might not recognize it!

Importantly, the baton pass from The Mirage to Hard Rock Las Vegas marks a noteworthy milestone in Las Vegas history. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, who acquired the Hard Rock brand in 2007, becomes the first Native American group to operate a property on the Las Vegas Strip. This is more than a corporate reshuffling; it's a landmark moment for diverse representation in the glittering world of Vegas. Talk about hitting the jackpot of cultural milestones!

A sense of nostalgia was palpable as 127 employees who had been with The Mirage since its opening, gathered to mark its last day. Ceremonies and heartfelt farewells were all part of the day's proceedings as these seasoned staff members reflected on decades of memories made within the hotel's hallowed halls. For many, the closing of The Mirage is not just the end of a workplace but the end of a significant chapter in their lives. As one longtime employee jokingly remarked, 'I've been here so long, I half expected to find a hidden treasure map in the back office!'

But in true Las Vegas fashion, the city refuses to dwell on the past for too long. Reinvention is the lifeblood of Vegas, and closing The Mirage is just another step in the city's endless quest for the next big thing. As nostalgic as some might be for the hotel's iconic volcano and storied past, many are equally eager to embrace the new era ushered in by Hard Rock Las Vegas.

As the curtain falls on The Mirage, one can't help but be reminded that in Las Vegas, change is a constant companion. With its new guitar-shaped beacon set to strum up excitement and fresh notes, Hard Rock Las Vegas aims to strike a chord with both old fans and new visitors. One thing is for sure: come 2027, the Strip will have yet another story to tell.