Rivers Casino Pittsburgh has completed its refurbishment just in time for its 15^th anniversary. The renovations cost Rush Street Gaming, the property’s owner, some $6.6 million and are are line with the company’s desire to cement the Pennsylvanian casino resort as a leading destination for tourism and gaming.

The investment was primarily focused on improving the property’s event capabilities. As a result, much of the money was allocated toward an expansion of the resort’s ballrooms.

Rivers Casino Adds a New Ballroom and Meeting Rooms

The refreshment of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh included the creation of a new events room called the Bridges Ballroom. Spanning some 7,044 square feet, the new facility overlooks the Ohio River, providing guests with a pleasant and romantic atmosphere.

In addition, the Bridges Ballroom features both indoor and outdoor space, as well as a balcony over the river and a beautiful view of the riverfront, Mount Washington and, as the facility’s name suggests, the iconic Fort Pitt and West End bridges.

Bridges, according to the property, can also be temporarily separated into three smaller rentable spaces. These include the 1,844-square-foot West End Room, the 1,164-square-foot Fort Duquesne Room and the 4,036-square-foot Fort Pitt Room.

In addition to the Bridges Ballroom, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh has also added four new private meeting rooms. These include the 1,140-square-foot Clemente Room, the 472-square-foot Warhol Room, the 470-square-foot Carson Room and a 348-square-foot executive boardroom.

The new facilities can be rented separately, combined or as pre-function areas for events taking place in the Bridges Ballroom.

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh Continues to Improve Its Offering

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh noted that the location of the Bridges Ballroom is a strategic one, considering its proximity to The Event Center and Rivers Ballroom. The former of these two facilities opened in 2019, offering a vast 25,000-square-foot grand hall. Since its opening The Event Center has cemented itself as a favorite for expositions and ticketed shows in Western Pennsylvania.

The Rivers Ballroom, meanwhile, and was also refurbished. Opened in 2011, the facility boasts a 7,873-square-foot inaugural banquet space which has now been “refreshed and reappointed.” Now sporting all-new carpets and finishings, the Rivers Ballroom is ready to welcome guests.

The renovations started in the autumn of 2023 when the casino resort also added a full-service Starbucks Coffee next to its arrival elevators. At the end of 2023, the property also added a dedicated lounge for Rush Rewards Players Club members who achieve the highest-tier status.

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The iconic Mirage hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip will shut its doors this summer, marking the end of an era for a property that played a pivotal role in transforming Sin City into a premier luxury resort destination.

The closure on July 17 will pave the way for extensive renovations and new construction on the 80-acre (32-hectare) property. In 2027, the site will reopen as the Hard Rock Las Vegas featuring a hotel tower shaped like a guitar, rising nearly 700 feet (about 210 meters) above the Strip.

“We’d like to thank the Las Vegas community and team members for warmly welcoming Hard Rock after enjoying 34 years at The Mirage,” Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, said in a statement on Wednesday.

This will be the second casino on the Strip to close this year. The Tropicana Las Vegas ceased operations in April after 67 years to make way for a $1.5 billion baseball stadium, planned as the future home of the Oakland A’s, who are relocating.

From Polynesian Themes to Mega Resorts

The Mirage, developed by former casino mogul Steve Wynn, opened its doors in 1989 with a Polynesian theme, becoming the Strip’s first megaresort. This milestone spurred a building boom on the famous boulevard throughout the 1990s. The Mirage’s volcano fountain was among the first of the Las Vegas Strip’s sidewalk attractions, setting a trend that would later include the Venetian’s canals and the Bellagio’s dancing fountains.

For years, tourists flocked to the Mirage to witness Siegfried and Roy taming white tigers or to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil performance set to Beatles music. The final performance of the Beatles-themed show, which brought Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr back together for public appearances during its 18-year run, will also be in July.

Employee Transition and Future Plans

Hard Rock International announced that more than 3,000 employees will be laid off, with an expected $80 million in severance payouts. The Culinary Workers Union, representing about 1,700 Mirage employees since its opening, stated that last year’s contract ensures laid-off workers will receive $2,000 for each year of service. Additionally, the contract offers these workers the option to be called back to work and retain their seniority when the hotel reopens.

“Culinary Union will continue to ensure workers are protected and centered in the property’s future,” the union stated.

The Mirage made history in 2022 as the first Strip property to be run by a Native American tribe. Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, purchased the Mirage from MGM Resorts in a cash deal worth nearly $1.1 billion. At the time, Hard Rock assured that the property would remain operational under the Mirage brand while renovation plans were finalized.

The Mirage is currently accepting no bookings beyond July 14, with all reservations past that date to be canceled and refunded.

Source: “Mirage, a landmark Strip resort, prepares to vanish”. May 15, 2024.

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