Las Vegas Is Building a $5 Billion Guitar — Here’s Why

“What does it take to erase one of Las Vegas’ most iconic landmarks—and replace it with a 660-foot electric guitar? For 35 years, the Mirage Volcano lit up the Las Vegas Strip. Now, its legendary site is undergoing a transformation that could cost as much as $5 billion, creating one of the most ambitious resort developments in the city’s history. At the center stands Hard Rock’s extraordinary guitar-shaped hotel, featuring 675 rooms, thousands of tons of steel, and illuminated strings designed to reach 20,000 feet into the sky. Behind it, the original Mirage tower is being completely reinvented, forming part of a massive 3,660-room resort. But the engineering is only half the story. Why would a company invest billions in land it doesn’t own? And can this architectural gamble redefine Las Vegas once again? Join Future Atlas 2050 as we explore the megaprojects, engineering breakthroughs, and bold ideas reshaping our world. The future of Las Vegas is rising and its biggest gamble is still ahead.”