Hard Rock’s Guitar Tower Gets County OK: Las Vegas Strip’s Coming Attraction
Hard Rock International recently received approval from the Clark County Commissioners to build a massive guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Las Vegas Strip. The iconic and innovative design is expected to “forever change the skyline of the Strip” and will replace the Mirage volcano once completed.
This milestone marks a significant step for Hard Rock International’s expansion in the Las Vegas market. The 600-room high-rise hotel tower has drawn inspiration from the Seminole Hard Rock casino-resort’s guitar tower in Hollywood, FL, which opened in 2019 as part of a $1.5 billion expansion.
Upon its completion, the Las Vegas Strip’s guitar tower will boast a unique design and feature six high-powered light beams projection of at least 20,000 feet into the sky, much like its Floridian counterpart.
The approval for the guitar tower’s construction showcases the Las Vegas Strip’s continuous growth and evolution as developers and operators seek new ways to captivate tourists and make their mark on the world-famous skyline. With its innovative design and nod to the brand’s musical legacy, the Hard Rock guitar tower is poised to become an iconic and welcomed addition to the vibrant Las Vegas Strip in the coming years.
Hard Rock’s Guitar Tower: Concept and Design
Architectural Features
The Hard Rock’s Guitar Tower, planned for the Las Vegas Strip, is an ambitious project featuring a massive, 542-foot guitar-shaped hotel tower. The unique design comprises back-to-back guitars, providing a visually striking centerpiece for the resort. The innovative tower structure will have approximately 600 rooms and a total casino floor space of 48,234 square feet source.
The tower’s design will require tight controls and a flexible approach to meet its challenging architectural demands.
Influence on Las Vegas Skyline
The addition of the Hard Rock’s Guitar Tower is expected to introduce a new landmark that will be easily recognizable and instantly become an iconic part of the Vegas skyline.
With the Mirage in Las Vegas ultimately being rebranded as the Hard Rock Hotel, the completion of the guitar tower will usher in a new era for the famous location as it continues to attract visitors from around the world.
County Approval Process
Regulatory Challenges
As part of the approval process for the guitar-shaped tower, Hard Rock International still needs to obtain a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to the tower’s height. The organization submitted the necessary forms and is currently awaiting final approval from the FAA source. Yahoo News report.
Stakeholder Support
Hard Rock International garnered support from Clark County Commissioners, who approved the permits and designs during a zoning commission meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The design of the tower received an overall positive response from the commission.
The approval of the guitar tower brings the ultimate demise of the Mirage volcano one step closer and suggests that local stakeholders are supportive of the project moving forward. At this point, however, no date has yet been set for the volcano’s demolition or for construction to begin. It’s currently projected, however, that neither of these things will happen until sometime in 2024.
Guitar Tower’s Impact on Las Vegas Strip
Tourism and Entertainment
The introduction of the Hard Rock Hotel’s guitar tower will significantly impact the Las Vegas Strip’s tourism and entertainment industry. As a visually striking addition to Las Vegas Boulevard, the guitar tower will attract both new and returning visitors who are curious to see the final result for themselves. Undoubtedly, this will boost overall Las Vegas tourism numbers for years to come.
The likely-to-be-remodeled Mirage hotel and the addition of the new guitar tower will provide ample accommodations for tourists seeking a unique and memorable stay in Las Vegas. Moreover, the remarkable design of the tower is likely to spur innovation among other Vegas hotels and entertainment venues on the Strip, encouraging them to keep up with the competition and explore creative ways to draw in visitors.
Economic Significance
Investments in large-scale projects like the guitar tower contribute to the local economy by creating job opportunities, both during construction and once the facility becomes operational. Additionally, these kinds of projects help to sustain the ongoing economic growth of Las Vegas as a leading destination for tourism and entertainment worldwide.
As the demand for accommodations and entertainment in the area increases, the guitar tower’s presence will encourage more businesses to open near the Strip, creating a ripple effect of economic development in the region.
In summary, the Hard Rock Hotel’s guitar tower will impact the Las Vegas Strip through increased tourism, heightened interest in local entertainment, and lasting economic benefits for the region.
Projected Timeline and Construction
Hard Rock International acquired The Mirage in Las Vegas for $1.08 billion in December 2021, with plans to transform the property into a Hard Rock branded resort featuring a guitar-shaped hotel tower. The Mirage will remain operational until 2023, after which the extensive renovation and construction process is planned to commence.
Future Major Milestones
Some key future milestones in this project include:
- Likely closure of The Mirage in 2024 for renovations and construction.
- Construction of the 600-room guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Las Vegas Strip (Review Journal).
- Completion of renovations, enlargements, and rebranding of the existing property.
- Official opening of the Hard Rock Las Vegas, scheduled for possibly late 2025 or early 2026 (Resortx).
Anticipated Challenges
As with any significant construction project, the Hard Rock’s guitar tower on the Las Vegas Strip is expected to face a few challenges:
- Height waiver: The 542-foot tall guitar tower requires a height waiver from the FAA. This approval process is still underway.
- Construction timelines: Ensuring that construction and renovation timelines are met to minimize the impact on the surrounding businesses and tourist activities on the Strip.
- Coordination with existing operations: Managing the transition between The Mirage’s ongoing operations and the commencement of Hard Rock’s renovation and construction work.
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Conclusion
Overall, the guitar tower’s approval serves as yet another testament to Las Vegas’ constantly evolving landscape, reflecting a continuous drive for innovation and diversification. As the city continues to cater to the ever-changing demands of its visitors, the Hard Rock guitar tower is poised to become a staple attraction on the Las Vegas Strip.
