Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Fall Opening Might Be Pushed Back

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas may not open doors this coming fall, as originally planned, property officials said in a statement late last week.

The former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas was shuttered in February to undergo its planned eight-month transformation into Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The property was expected to commence operations under its new ownership and brand in October or November. However, its opening might now be pushed back to a later date.

Richard Bosworth, CEO of JC Hospitality, said late last week that the “ownership group is carefully evaluating the previously announced fall 2020 opening date.” JC Hospitality purchased Hard Rock Las Vegas in the spring of 2018, unveiling plans to remodel and relaunch it as a Virgin Hotels property.

Mr. Bosworth said last week that the transformation process remains on schedule, but the planned launch of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas may not happen this fall. The official explained that a possible change in plans could occur due to health and safety regulations enforced to help curb the spread of Covid-19, current market conditions, and recent event convention cancellations in Las Vegas.

Opening Date Should Be Announced Next Month

Mr. Bosworth said that a date for the opening of what would now operate as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas should be established by mid-September.

When it opens doors for guests and visitors, the remodeled Hard Rock Las Vegas will feature 1,500 rooms and suites across three hotel towers, a casino, meeting and convention facilities, an indoor live music and entertainment area with capacity for about 4,500 people, multiple food and beverage facilities, and more.

The casino portion of the resort will spread across 60,000 square feet of space. The gambling facility will be operated by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, the casino and hospitality arm of Connecticut-based Mohegan Tribe.

Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will be the first tribal casino in Sin City. It will feature slot machines, table games, and a sportsbook. News emerged last month that the sportsbook at the casino will be operated by Betfred USA Sports, the US division of British bookmaker Betfred.

The sports betting facility will feature a state-of-the-art video wall, luxury seating, over-the-counter betting, and self-service kiosks.

While Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will replace the now shuttered Hard Rock Las Vegas, a new Hard Rock property could open doors in Clark County, Nevada at some point in future, as Hard Rock International purchased in May all rights to the Hard Rock brand in Las Vegas.

The Florida-based gaming and hospitality giant acquired full rights to “memorabilia, signage, and merchandise, along with intellectual property rights for affiliated restaurants and entertainment trademarks and website domain names”, which means that it is no longer restricted from developing, owning, operating, and licensing a Hard Rock-branded property in Clark County.

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