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A well-known Las Vegas resort, famous for its striking design, is auctioning off some of its most memorable artworks, such as parts of a faux volcano and a glass sculpture made by a renowned artist.
The Mirage Hotel & Casino first opened in November 1989 and quickly established itself as a hotspot along the Vegas strip.
But, about 34 years after its heyday, the first-of-its-kind 3,000-room megaresort shut down in July 2024.
The 80-acre property was taken over by the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which is on track to open its doors in 2027.
Currently, the Hard Rock is offering over 300 distinctive items from the closed resort, with some pieces anticipated to fetch as much as $75,000 at auction.
“The Mirage has always been a landmark destination, showcasing a vast array of art pieces that contributed to the resort’s distinctive ambiance over the years,” stated Joe Lupo, President of Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
“This auction presents a unique opportunity for collectors, Las Vegas fans, former visitors who cherished The Mirage, and history buffs to own genuine pieces from this illustrious resort.”
The Mirage Collection includes cherished decorations, such as the pair of bronze mermaids and brass dolphins that welcomed guests entering the Polynesian-themed venue.
The Mirage Hotel & Casino (pictured) first opened in November 1989 and quickly established itself as a hotspot along the Vegas strip
Other items up for grabs include chunks of the hotel’s famous pina colada-scented faux volcano (pictured) – which was an instant hit among guests
The Mirage (pictured) closed last year after 34 years in operation. It will be replaced by a Hard Rock
The mermaids are predicted to sell for up to $60,000, while the dolphins are estimated by the auctioneers, Prime Auctioneers, to reach up to $30,000 in sales.
Other items up for grabs include chunks of the hotel’s famous pina colada-scented faux volcano – which was an instant hit among guests.
Each night while the trailblazing resort was up and running, the artificial volcano would ‘erupt’ with water, fire, flashing lights and sound effects in front of the main entrance.
Most notably, a pina colada scent was sprayed through the air to mask the awful smell of the natural gas needed to create the volcanic illusion.
Multiple chunks of the stone from the 54-foot nighttime attraction are listed on the auction website, each expected to sell for up to $400.
But some eager bidders have already raised the price to more than $500 for some of the pieces.
One of the Mirage Collection’s rarest additions is a stunning glass ceiling fixture made by famed American artist Dale Chihuly.
Chihuly is known for his use of vibrant colors and organic shapes in his one-of-a-kind pieces.
The Hard Rock has decided to put more than 300 unique pieces – including a blown glass sculpture by famed artist Dale Chihuly (pictured) – up for bid
The red and brown piece once on display in the Mirage is expected to sell for up to $75,000, though its current highest bid is $18,000
The red and brown piece once on display in the Mirage is expected to sell for up to $75,000, though its current highest bid is $18,000.
The Mirage Collection’s auction is set for September 20, but interested buyers can cast absentee bids online until then.
‘We consider it an honor to handle the auction of items from the legendary Mirage Hotel & Casino, and we’re grateful for our partnership with Hard Rock,’ Guy Bengal, auctioneer at Prime Auctioneers, Inc., said in a statement.
