As Las Vegas transforms into a global resort destination, the Neon Museum will present a special program this fall looking at the origins of one of the city’s most influential properties. Former casino executive Steve Wynn will reflect on the creation and long-term impact of The Mirage at a scheduled event on October 22 at the Golden Nugget.
Steve Wynn to Reveal the Mirage Story at Neon Museum Event
The evening presentation, titled “Reflections of The Mirage,” will cover the period from the late 1980s to early 1990s, when the ambitious project evolved from concept to reality. The discussion will focus on how the resort changed the expectations for hospitality, entertainment and large-scale development on the Las Vegas Strip, organizers say.
The museum’s leadership says the session will offer historical perspective on the risks and decisions that went into the project. The museum’s chief executive said The Mirage was a defining moment in the city’s evolution and Wynn’s contribution to Las Vegas’ global reputation remains significant. He also said the discussion will be a focused look at the years surrounding the resort’s opening, providing an in-depth examination of a critical period in local history.
The Mirage, which opened in 1989, was the most expensive casino resort ever built at the time, with costs totaling about $630 million. Its opening brought a new model for integrated resorts, with luxury hotel rooms alongside big-name entertainment and immersive attractions. Its most recognizable features included a man-made volcano that erupted nightly, a wildlife habitat linked to a headline illusionist act, and early collaborations with Cirque du Soleil.
Neon Museum Event Highlights The Mirage’s Role in Las Vegas Transformation
Industry observers widely credit The Mirage with starting a wave of large-scale developments that reshaped the Las Vegas Strip in the 1990s. The resort was a combination of spectacle and luxury, bringing in a broader audience and aiding in the rebranding of Las Vegas as a destination for high-end experiences, not a budget destination.
The upcoming program will also revisit the financial and creative challenges of making the project a reality. Wynn is expected to share personal anecdotes about the design process, funding challenges and operational strategies that helped shape the resort’s early success, organizers say.
The event is made more significant by the fact that it will be Wynn’s first public appearance in Las Vegas in several years. His city career ended in 2018 after allegations of misconduct that he has repeatedly denied.
The event will raise money for the Neon Museum’s preservation efforts. The nonprofit that preserves historic signs and artifacts has added several items from The Mirage to its collection, ensuring pieces of the landmark property will be available for public viewing even with its closing in 2024.