British billionaire Sir Richard Branson is well known in his native England but less known in the United States although he has had several of his Virgin Group Companies operating in the United States such as Virgin Megastores (Closed), Virgin Cola (Closed), Virgin America (Airline bought by Alaska Airlines who are getting rid of the name), Virgin Mobile (Over the top cell carrier now just Sprint brand), Virgin Music (sold) as well as Virgin Airlines which still operates and flies to Las Vegas.
Sir Richard Branson for years has made it know that he would like to bring his Virgin brand to Las Vegas and has often said he would like to own a Las Vegas hotel and casino although it seems the right deal never came along. Well the rumors over the last few months about his interest in the off Strip Hard Rock seem to have been true as he announced that himself and some partners have purchased the property.
The Hard Rock would be under the Virgin Hotels brand which at this time only has one property in Chicago but at least ten more locations are planned around the world. The 1,500 room Hard Rock would most likely be the largest hotel in his chain and would most likely see the Hard Rock name gone from the property as well as the distinctive guitar sign with possibly a big Virgin V as a new sign for the resort.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino which opened in 1995 by developer Peter Morton who founded the Hard Rock Cafe chain as much known for its iconic t shirts with cities of restaurants around the world as much as for cafe. For many years the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was the first stop for rock fans as well as baby boomers with its nightclubs and, the original Las Vegas pool party Rehab which drew a younger crowd. But over recent years things seemed to have slowed a little maybe the baby boomers are cutting down on their trips to Las Vegas and, the Summer pool party scene is highly competitive with many resorts having similar Rehab style pool parties.
From what the new owners have said so far is the property will get an expensive make over with a planned opening date as a Virgin Hotel set for the end of 2019. If you are a fan of the current Hard Rock such as the huge guitar out front as well as the free to look at displays inside showing rock music artifacts as well as outfits and, guitars of the biggest names in rock you might want to plan a visit soon before the place is changed.
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