Opened in 1989, the Mirage was the largest hotel in the world at the time, with just a bit over 3000 rooms. With the price tag of $630 million, it was also the most expensive hotel and casino to ever be built. While other Las Vegas hotels and resorts have surpassed the Mirage in both these categories, none of its successors can outshine its contribution to the birth of modern Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
Namely, the Mirage was conceived at a time when Las Vegas began to lose its appeal, with tourists flocking to Atlantic City to gamble. This decline that began during the 1970s took its toll on the city, which desperately needed exciting new projects to reestablish itself as the go-to destination it once was. As it turned out, the Mirage was just what Vegas needed to regain its old glory and become more popular than ever. This is why the Mirage is affectionately called the father of today\u2019s Las Vegas.<\/p>\n