The new owners of Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino have scrubbed plans to keep the off-Strip resort partially open during the $200 million-plus transformation that will turn it into the Virgin Hotel Las Vegas by the end of next year.
Plans now call for the property to close entirely when the remodeling gets under way the first week of February.
“We determined that a phased closing of four months, followed by a total closure of four months was not efficient from a construction process nor could we provide a hospitality service experience our guests deserve,” said Chief Executive Officer Richard Bosworth, a partner in the ownership group, J.C. Hospitality. “Therefore, an approximate eight-month closure would be most efficient and ensure a timely opening prior to January 2021.”
Construction could be completed as early as October, according to local news reports, but is more likely to conclude around a planned November relaunch accompanied by a grand opening party.
The hotel’s 1,650 employees, meanwhile, have been offered a 10-week retention bonus to entice them to remain with the new brand.
“Those employees will all be recalled,” Bosworth said. “The ownership group is paying for them to return, and we want them to return.”
J.C. Hospitality has contracted with AEG Presents to operate the Joint, the property’s popular entertainment venue and joined Hilton’s Curio Collection customer service program. Food and beverage, nightlife and gaming partners will be announced later this year.
Management said also that conventions previously booked in conjunction with the city’s CES mega-show next January will remain under contract.
