Hard Rock International has purchased all rights to the Hard Rock brand in Las Vegas.
Yes, the company had to buy its own name back. It’s complicated.
While a tad counter-intuitive, the now-closed Hard Rock Las Vegas resort wasn’t affiliated with Hard Rock International (owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida).
We don’t have a photo of Hard Rock International, so this will probably add to the confusion. Hang in there.
The former Hard Rock Las Vegas is currently being transformed into Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Just as the owners of Hard Rock/Virgin, JC Hospitality and Richard Branson, were about to sell off their warehouse of memorabilia, Hard Rock International swooped in and bought the right to use the Hard Rock name in Las Vegas, as well as any associated intellectual property.
Technically, Hard Rock International purchased the rights from private equity firm Juniper Capital, which purchased the Hard Rock from Brookfield Asset Management. There will be a quiz.
Hard Rock International also got the majority of the memorabilia owned by JC Hospitality (about 20% was on loan and went back to the original owners).
The massive guitar that once adorned Hard Rock’s port cochere was also part of the deal. JC Hospitality confirmed, “The iconic Gibson neon guitar located at the porte cochere of the previous Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas was included in the transaction with Hard Rock International announced on May 13, 2020.”
Odds are good we’ll see the Hard Rock guitar in Las Vegas again.
Another iconic guitar sign, from the demolished Hard Rock Cafe (just outside the Hard Rock casino), is now on display at the Neon Museum.
Here’s the key element of the announcement: “Effective immediately, Hard Rock International and its affiliates will no longer be restricted from developing, owning, licensing, managing or operating any Hard Rock-branded casino and integrated resort within Clark County, Nevada.”
We’ve shared rumors for some time Hard Rock International was kicking the tires of a number of Las Vegas casinos, and now the tribe is clear to not only make a Las Vegas casino purchase but to call it Hard Rock Las Vegas.
At one time, Hard Rock International was rumored to have been in due diligence (quite far along in the purchase process) with Cosmopolitan. We should know, it was our rumor. The rumors perked up again last year.
We never met a Las Vegas rumor we didn’t like.
While the Cosmo deal fell through, a number of other Strip casinos are currently up for sale, including Planet Hollywood, Mirage, Cromwell, Tropicana and others.
Our sources have shared Hard Rock International has expressed some interest in Bally’s Las Vegas, especially the land.
We’ve also shared Palms is in the mix for a potential sale, and may not open again until it’s sold.
The wise never doubt our crystal ball. Or our industry sources. But mostly that first thing.
As for the former Hard Rock and future Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, we’re told demolition of the interior is substantially complete, and the next phase of the renovation has begun.
We shared exclusively that plans for Virgin Vegas would include a new hotel tower. That tower was to have had a Hard Rock element, but that plan’s been nixed due to the rights transfer.
The Virgin Hotels Las Vegas project is on schedule to open in November 2020.
Great write up at a time when Vegas needs to know everything will be back to normal soon.
I’m a Caesar’s Rewards member and have Labor Day week reservations at the Mirage plus two shows there. What will happen if Mirage sells?
Mirage is an MGM property. Mlife. Do you mean another resort?
And no matter where you’re staying, the shows are very likely NOT happening. Not by LDS.
Bringing the aesthetic and vibe of the old Hard Rock to the center of the strip in a bigger space?
Sign me up.
Twenty years ago I would have thought it was cool to have a Hard Rock casino on the strip. Now I’m older and not impressed by people willing to spend big money to be seen at a Hard Rock property and/or on the strip. So go ahead, convert one of the existing buildings to a Hard Rock, it won’t affect me.
I love the idea of a casino makeover with a legit theme, so I guess I’ll walk around like a Lookie Loo, but that’s about it. I don’t need $16 cocktails or $20 minimum 6:5 blackjack to enjoy Vegas.
Ballys would make sense a lot of land to work with there.
If anyone can bring back a cheesy (but fun) vibe to Las Vegas, it’s the Seminole Tribe. They recently expanded their Hard Rock property here in South Florida by adding a hotel tower shaped like a guitar.
It’s a 450-foot tall monstrosity with over 600 rooms that comes with a nightly light show. Before the virus temporarily closed it down, the strings of the guitar light up at night. They shoot up into the sky like the light on the top of Vegas’ Luxor pyramid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z97gyPdw4HU
(Or search “Guitar Hotel Florida” if you just want to see images.)
Whenever I drive by Ballys (which is daily) – I always think about how “tired” that place looks as a resort. It doesn’t mesh well. That is prime location. I would definitely dig it if it happened.
Personally, I don’t think the Mirage will or could ever be rebranded. It’s too Iconic!
I think this is wonderful. I currently work for The Seminole Tribe and I thoroughly enjoy them as my employer. They’re ranked as one of the top and best employers! I can’t wait until Hard Rock Las Vegas becomes official!
Cosmopolitan makes no sense but Ballys or Planet Hollywood would work. both are tired and need a refresh especially Ballys
I don’t know how they could separate Bally’s from Paris? Paris is an appendage of Bally’s, sharing back of house operations and the casino license.