Las Vegas: Hard Rock's guitar-shaped tower project gets construction greenlight from Clark County

Hard Rock International's proposed guitar-shaped hotel tower to be developed at The Mirage, has moved yet another step forward. The Clark County Zoning Commission, approved on August 16 a step that gives a green light for construction development.

Hard Rock's plans for the resort, which it now operates since a deal was struck last year, call for a 600-room, 660-foot-tall project along Las Vegas Boulevard.  According to planning documents, the future guitar-shaped hotel will feature 49,000 square feet of gaming area and 96,000 square feet of retail and restaurants. The resort will also feature a pool, spa, fitness center, and salon.

Rendering of Hard Rock's guitar-shaped project in Las Vegas

Earlier this year, Hard Rock representative Jennifer Lazovich told commissioners the high-rise would be built "right where the existing volcano is." She also indicated the company plans to “modernize and theme” the rest of the property to match the guitar tower. Her client said it plans to turn The Mirage into a Hard Rock-branded resort.  

The proposed tower is designed to resemble black-to-back guitars with “brightly lit strings” and would feature floor-to-ceiling glass panes, according to a letter to the company from Lazovich, a land-use attorney with law firm Kaempfer Crowell.

The Mirage in Las Vegas

Hard Rock acquired The Mirage’s operations from MGM Resorts International in December for more than $1 billion in cash. Casino landlord Vici Properties owns the Mirage’s real estate and has said in its lease with Hard Rock calls for an initial annual rent of $90 million.

Hard Rock unveiled plans for a guitar-shaped tower on the property in late 2021 when its acquisition of the Mirage was first announced. The company is known for its giant decorative guitars, and it already built a 450-foot-tall guitar-shaped hotel tower in Florida that resembles the one planned for Las Vegas. 

Until Hard Rock International finishes renovation and rebranding, the resort will continue to operate as The Mirage.