Mandalay Bay

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Mandalay Bay
MandalayBayLogo.svg
Mandalay Bay Hotel Las Vegas (July 15 2008).jpg
Location Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Address 3950 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening dateMarch 2, 1999; 22 years ago (March 2, 1999)
ThemeTropical
No. of rooms3,209
Total gaming space135,000 sq ft (12,500 m2)
Permanent showsMichael Jackson: One
Signature attractionsMandalay Bay Convention Center
Michelob Ultra Arena
Shark Reef
House of Blues
Mandalay Beach
Notable restaurantsAureole
Alain Ducasse Rivea
Charlie Palmer Steak
Fleur by Hubert Keller
Kumi
Lupo
Red Square
RM Seafood
Stripsteak
Border Grill Las Vegas
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerMGM Growth Properties
The Blackstone Group
Operating license holderMGM Resorts International
Renovated in2002, 2007
Coordinates36°5′30″N 115°10′29″W / 36.09167°N 115.17472°W / 36.09167; -115.17472Coordinates: 36°5′30″N 115°10′29″W / 36.09167°N 115.17472°W / 36.09167; -115.17472
Websitemandalaybay.com

Mandalay Bay is a 43-story luxury resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It is owned by MGM Growth Properties and The Blackstone Group and operated by MGM Resorts International. One of the property's towers operates as the Delano; the Four Seasons Hotel is independently operated within the Mandalay Bay tower, occupying five floors (35–39).

Mandalay Bay has 3,209 hotel rooms,[1] 24 elevators and a casino of 135,000 square feet (12,500 m2). Adjacent to the hotel is the 2-million-square-foot (190,000 m2) Mandalay Bay Convention Center and the 12,000-seat Michelob Ultra Arena. The Mandalay Bay Tram connects the resort to its sister properties, Excalibur and Luxor, all three of which were constructed by Circus Circus Enterprises before its sale to MGM.

History[]

View from Mandalay Bay hotel looking north (2014)

In 1995, Circus Circus Enterprises bought the Hacienda for $80 million and an adjacent 74-acre (30 ha) site for $73 million.[2] They closed the Hacienda on December 1, 1996, and razed it a month later on New Year's Eve.[3][4] Plans for the tropical-themed "Project Paradise" were revealed the same day, with an estimated budget of $800 million to $1 billion.[5] In February 1998 the project was renamed Mandalay Bay to evoke the exotic tropical romanticism of the poem "Mandalay."[6]

Problems arose during construction because of excessive and uneven settling of the soil beneath the building; the core of the building sank by 17 inches (430 mm), while one of the wings had settled by only 2 inches (51 mm).[7][8] Rumors about the severity of the issues depressed Circus Circus's stock price.[7] The problem was solved by installing 536 micropiles (200-foot-long metal pipes filled with grout, each capped with a hydraulic jack) below the building, at an estimated cost of $8 million to $10 million.[7][9][10]

The resort opened on March 2, 1999, with grand opening festivities that included the Blues Brothers (Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, and John Goodman) leading a procession of 200 motorcycles to Mandalay Bay's front doors, and a concert by Bob Dylan at the House of Blues.[11][12]

In June 1999, Circus Circus changed its name to Mandalay Resort Group.[13]

Construction of a major convention center at Mandalay Bay had begun in June 2001, with its opening originally set for mid-2002.[14][15] After a delay in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center opened in January 2003.[16][17] With 1.5 million square feet (140,000 m2) of space, it was the fifth largest convention center in the nation.[18]

On May 23, 2002, the Mandalay Resort Group announced a second 1,122-room hotel tower, with a cost of at least $200 million.[19] Construction began on the project in September 2002. The name of the tower, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, was revealed in October 2003.[20] The tower opened on December 17, 2003.[21]

In February 2005, Mandalay Resort Group was sold to MGM Mirage (later MGM Resorts International). The acquisition was finalized on April 25, 2005.

On October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire from a room on the 32nd floor of the hotel, killing 60 and wounding 867. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in modern U.S. history.[22]

In January 2020, MGM Resorts announced that it would sell the Mandalay Bay to a joint venture consisting of MGM Growth Properties and The Blackstone Group. MGM would own 50.1 percent of the joint venture, and Blackstone would own the remainder. The Mandalay Bay would be leased to MGM Resorts, which would continue to operate the resort.[23][24] The deal was finalized a month later.[25]

Hotels[]

Four Seasons Hotel[]

Five floors (floors 35–39) of the main hotel building are occupied by the five-star and AAA Five-Diamond Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.[26]

Delano Las Vegas (adjacent building)[]

The resort's second tower, with 45 stories and 1,117 suites, previously operated as THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, now operates as Delano Las Vegas. Each suite is at least 750 square feet (70 m2).

Attractions[]

Shows[]

A production of the classic Broadway musical Chicago debuted at Mandalay Bay's 1999 grand opening and ran for one year.[27][28] Storm, an original production show featuring Latin music, ran from April 2001 to July 2002.[29][30][31][32] Mamma Mia! was a long-running stage production at the resort from 2003 to 2009.[33][34] The show was replaced with Disney's The Lion King, which opened on May 15, 2009. Its run ended in 2011 to make way for Michael Jackson: One, by Cirque du Soleil, which opened May 2013.[35]

Another popular attraction is the House of Blues, a venue for live music and a restaurant, with a capacity of approximately 1,800. On the top floor of the hotel is the House of Blues Foundation Room, featuring a dining room, private dining rooms, and a balcony looking down the Las Vegas Strip.

Mandalay Beach[]

Mandalay Bay pool

Mandalay Beach is an 11-acre (4.5 ha) pool area with three heated pools, a wave pool with connecting pool for small children, and a lazy river that features a small waterfall. The wave machine was designed and manufactured by Scottish Company Murphys Waves Ltd and features 1.6 million gallons of water and waves in 45 to 90 second intervals with heights ranging anywhere from two to four feet. The wave machine can actually produce surfing waves up to 10 feet high but these are only ever used during special events. Consequently, it has a strict 48" height requirement. The European-style pool, called Moorea, features its own private bar as well as the allowance of female guests to bathe topless. As a result, Moorea is separated from the rest of the pool by smoked glass windows and an over-21 requirement. There are also two restaurants at the Beach. The pool area won the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Reader's "Best Pool of Las Vegas" award for seven years in a row.[36] One pool remains open throughout the winter months.

In keeping with the resort's tropical theme, it features a saltwater aquarium, the Shark Reef Aquarium, which contains the third largest tank in North America. Shark Reef Aquarium contains numerous other exhibits, including two tunnel-shaped, walk-through aquariums.

Michelob Ultra Arena[]

The Michelob Ultra Arena, a 12,000-seat arena, hosts major events including concerts, boxing matches, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and UFC events. It has played host to the Latin Grammy Awards several times, and the Miss Universe pageant.

Mandalay Bay Convention Center[]

This 1-million-square-foot (93,000 m2) facility is one of the largest privately owned convention centers in the world. It has several ballrooms ranging in size up to 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2), and can support up to 75 breakout sessions.

The Shoppes at Mandalay Place[]

The Shoppes at Mandalay Place is a 310-foot (94 m)- long retail sky bridge on the north side of the property that connects to the Luxor.[37][38]

Restaurants[]

There are 24 restaurants at the resort.[39] Michael Mina, Alain Ducasse, Rick Moonen, Charlie Palmer, Hubert Keller, Wolfgang Puck, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger are all associated with restaurants on the property.

  • Aureole
  • Bayside Buffet
  • Beach Bar & Grill
  • Burger Bar
  • Border Grill
  • Charlie Palmer Steak
  • Citizens (Formerly Red, White, and Blue)
  • Fleur
  • Foundation Room
  • Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta (Formerly Wolf Grill)
  • House of Blues at Crossroads
  • House of Blues Restaurant
  • Hussong's Cantina
  • Lupo
  • Mizuya
  • Alain Ducasse Mix
  • Noodle Shop
  • Orchid
  • Raffles Café
  • Restaurant RM
  • Rx Boiler Room
  • Red Square
  • Ri Ra Irish Pub
  • RM Seafood
  • Seabreeze
  • Slice of Vegas
  • Michael Mina Stripsteak
  • 3940 Coffee + Tea
  • Della's Kitchen
  • Franklin
  • Sports Book Grill
  • Verandah at Four Seasons
  • Starbucks – 2 locations

Bars and lounges[]

  • Evening Call
  • Eyecandy Lounge
  • Foundation Room
  • Franklin
  • Mix Lounge
  • O.N.E. Oasis Bar
  • Hazel Coffee + Cocktails (formerly Orchid Lounge)
  • Sports Book Lounge

References[]

  1. ^ "Mandalay Bay Fact Sheet". Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  2. ^ "Circus Circus buys hotel, land in Las Vegas". Dallas Morning News. March 7, 1995 – via NewsBank.
  3. ^ "Hacienda goes quietly into night". Las Vegas Sun. December 2, 1996 – via NewsBank.
  4. ^ "Historic Hacienda hotel is now history". UPI. January 1, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  5. ^ Berns, Dave (January 1, 1997). "Circus Circus creating Paradise on south Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  6. ^ Ward, Greg (2002). The Rough Guide to Las Vegas (2nd ed.). London: Rough Guides. p. 20. ISBN 1-85828-890-8. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c Thompson, Gary (August 20, 1998). "Mandalay Bay settling halted". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  8. ^ Berns, Dave (July 9, 1998). "Mandalay Bay foundation to get a boost". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  9. ^ Richards, T.D.; Kartofilis, D. (February 17, 2006). "Micropile Underpinning of the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino" (PDF). Nicholson Construction Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2014.
  10. ^ Leong, Grace (February 25, 2000). "Mandalay sues insurer over sinking costs". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  11. ^ Macy, Robert (March 2, 1999). "Public eyes new $1 billion resort; Wall Street watches for the numbers". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  12. ^ Weatherford, Mike (March 4, 1999). "Bono enlivens Dylan's House of Blues show". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  13. ^ Thompson, Gary (June 18, 1999). "Circus Circus holders clear name change". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  14. ^ Strow, David (April 27, 2001). "Mandalay Bay plans mammoth center". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  15. ^ "Road work to tie up traffic". Las Vegas Sun. June 11, 2001. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  16. ^ "Convention center opening pushed to January 2003". Las Vegas Sun. October 16, 2001. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  17. ^ "First convention at new venue showcases pool, spa industry". Las Vegas Sun. January 6, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  18. ^ Jones, Chris (January 4, 2003). "Drawing on business travelers". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  19. ^ Benston, Liz (May 24, 2002). "Mandalay building all-suite tower". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  20. ^ "Company finalizes name for new tower". Las Vegas Sun. October 15, 2003. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  21. ^ Scherzer, Barbara (December 19, 2003). "New tower, THEhotel, opens at Strip resort". Las Vegas Business Press – via NewsBank.
  22. ^ Nestel, M.L.; Miller, Andrea (October 3, 2017). "These are the 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern US history". ABC News. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  23. ^ Sayre, Katherine; Gottfried, Miriam; Lombardo, Cara (January 14, 2020). "MGM Resorts Agrees to Sell MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay to Joint Venture Including Blackstone". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  24. ^ "MGM Resorts selling MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay for about $2.5B". Associated Press. January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  25. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (February 14, 2020). "MGM's REIT anticipates more growth after Mandalay, MGM Grand deals". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  26. ^ "Guest rooms and suites". Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. June 9, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2006.
  27. ^ "'Chicago' toddles into Vegas". Las Vegas Sun. March 3, 1999. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  28. ^ Paskevich, Michael (February 27, 2000). "'Chicago' to close after impressive showing on Strip". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  29. ^ Maddox, Kate (April 10, 2001). "Yet another 'Storm' warning". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  30. ^ Delaney, Joe (April 20, 2001). "Taking the wind out of 'Storm's sails". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  31. ^ Clarke, Norm (July 14, 2002). "'Storm' to end Mandalay Bay run July 28". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  32. ^ Delaney, Joe (August 1, 2002). "Short-term future clouded at Mandalay Bay Theatre". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  33. ^ Weatherford, Mike (February 18, 2003). ""Mamma Mia!" makes big splash on opening weekend". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
  34. ^ Arseniuk, Melissa (January 5, 2009). "After six years, curtain closes for 'Mamma Mia!'". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  35. ^ "Cirque: Michael Jackson show to debut at Mandalay Bay in 2013". Las Vegas Weekly. April 21, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  36. ^ "Best Pool". 2006 Best of Las Vegas survey. Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2006.
  37. ^ Stapells, Cathy (November 4, 2007). "Escada, Gucci, Dior, oh my!; Vegas takes shopping to a new level". The Toronto Sun.
  38. ^ "The Shoppes at Mandalay Place". Mandalay Bay. 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  39. ^ "Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas". Mandalay Bay.

External links[]

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