Luxor Las Vegas
An Egyptian-themed hotel, casino, entertainment and convention resort on the southern Las Vegas Strip.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Luxor Resort & Casino, commonly known as Luxor Las Vegas, is a large hotel and casino resort on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Its defining architectural feature is a 30-story black-glass pyramid accompanied by a monumental recreation of the Great Sphinx of Giza and an obelisk. The pyramid's interior contains one of the world's largest enclosed atriums by volume, while its inclined elevators travel diagonally along the structure's sloping walls. A powerful light installation, the Luxor Sky Beam, projects upward from the pyramid and has become one of the resort's most recognizable visual signatures. The property was developed by Circus Circus Enterprises, which announced the project in 1991 under the temporary name Project X. Construction began in April 1992, and the resort opened to the public on October 15, 1993. It initially contained 2,526 rooms, a casino, Egyptian-themed attractions, a simulated Nile River ride, a museum devoted to Tutankhamun, and a large lake and laser show. The development cost was reported at $375 million. Its opening formed part of a wave of family-oriented themed resort development that also included the contemporary launches of MGM Grand and Treasure Island. A major expansion and renovation completed in the mid-1990s added two ziggurat-shaped hotel towers, nearly 2,000 rooms, new gaming space, a high-end gaming area, retail facilities and Nevada's first 3D IMAX theater. During this period, the resort gradually reduced some of its original attractions and altered its interior theme. The Nile River ride was removed, and several science-fiction and city-themed casino areas were eliminated or redesigned. The property ultimately developed from a highly immersive Egyptian attraction into a broader, middle-market resort whose exterior retained the pyramid and Sphinx imagery while its interior became more contemporary. Circus Circus Enterprises changed its name to Mandalay Resort Group in 1999. MGM acquired Mandalay Resort Group in 2005, bringing Luxor into the MGM Resorts portfolio. MGM announced another approximately $300 million renovation in 2007, emphasizing updated rooms, restaurants, lounges, clubs and entertainment while intentionally moderating the historical theme. The strategy positioned Luxor as an accessible, modern casino resort rather than a museum-like attraction. The hotel rooms underwent further renovation in 2021. Luxor's business includes hotel accommodation, casino gaming, food and beverage, retail, exhibitions, nightlife, live entertainment and meeting or event facilities. Major entertainment associations have included long-running appearances by comedian Carrot Top, Blue Man Group and magician Criss Angel. The property also introduced an esports arena in 2018, described as the first such venue to open on the Las Vegas Strip. In 2022, VICI Properties acquired MGM Growth Properties, the real-estate investment vehicle that held numerous MGM resort properties. Luxor's real estate is now owned by VICI, while MGM Resorts continues to operate the resort under a lease arrangement.
History
Luxor Las Vegas emerged during the early-1990s expansion of themed megaresorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Developed by Circus Circus Enterprises, the property opened in 1993 with an unusually ambitious architectural concept: a black-glass pyramid paired with a monumental Sphinx-inspired entrance. Rather than treating its theme as interior decoration only, the resort made the building itself the attraction. The pyramid became a highly visible landmark and helped distinguish the property from conventional hotel towers. The resort was developed at the southern end of the Strip, an area that was becoming a concentrated resort district. Its location near Excalibur and Mandalay Bay allowed the properties to be connected through pedestrian routes and resort transportation links. This arrangement gave Luxor access to a larger destination complex while preserving its own name, architecture, casino, hotel inventory, and entertainment programming. Luxor's original Egyptian theme was extensive, covering the exterior, public spaces, signage, décor, and guest experience. As Las Vegas tastes and competitive conditions changed, the property gradually modernized portions of its rooms and common areas and reduced some of the more elaborate aspects of its original presentation. The central pyramid, Sphinx, and Sky Beam remained the key elements of the brand because they provided strong recognition and continued to serve as visual shorthand for the resort. The hotel's operating model expanded beyond casino gambling. In addition to guest rooms and gaming, Luxor developed restaurants, bars, retail areas, convention and meeting capabilities, nightlife, and ticketed attractions. Its entertainment program has changed over time. Blue Man Group became one of the best-known shows associated with the property, while Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition established a museum-style attraction focused on recovered objects and interpretive displays connected with the Titanic. Such offerings helped Luxor appeal to visitors who were not visiting primarily for casino play. Corporate ownership changed as the Las Vegas resort industry consolidated. Circus Circus Enterprises became part of Mandalay Resort Group, and MGM Grand Inc. acquired Mandalay Resort Group in 2005. The resulting MGM Resorts International portfolio included Luxor alongside several neighboring and competing Las Vegas resorts. Luxor consequently became a property brand within a large publicly traded hospitality and gaming company rather than an independent hotel company. In its current form, Luxor continues to operate as an active casino hotel and entertainment resort. Its accommodation includes rooms associated with the pyramid and additional connected or adjacent hotel structures. Public property descriptions have commonly characterized the resort as having more than 4,000 rooms. The property serves leisure travelers, casino guests, convention and event attendees, and visitors seeking recognizable Las Vegas attractions. It generally occupies a more accessible market position than the Strip's highest-end luxury resorts, while its scale and architectural identity give it a profile well beyond that of a standard budget hotel. The Luxor brand is geographically concentrated rather than internationally distributed. Its global recognition comes from the Las Vegas property's architecture and the city's international tourism reach, not from a network of similarly branded hotels in multiple countries. The pyramid, Great Sphinx replica, and Sky Beam remain the principal assets of the brand, while MGM Resorts provides the broader operating, reservation, loyalty, and portfolio infrastructure.
- 2005
Mandalay Resort Group is acquired
[3]MGM Grand Inc.'s acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group brings Luxor into the corporate portfolio that later operates under the MGM Resorts International name.
- 1993
Luxor opens on the Las Vegas Strip
[1]Circus Circus Enterprises opens the Egyptian-themed resort, centered on its distinctive black-glass pyramid and Sphinx-inspired entrance.
Blue Man Group becomes a resident entertainment offering
[4]Blue Man Group is presented at Luxor as a major resident entertainment attraction, adding a theatrical draw beyond casino gaming.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition operates at the resort
[4]The resort hosts Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, a ticketed attraction built around artifacts and interpretive material relating to the Titanic.
Products and positioning
A large, accessible themed casino resort that combines iconic architecture, gaming, entertainment, dining, and accommodation at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Hotel accommodation · 1993
Pyramid hotel rooms and suites
Accommodation located in or associated with Luxor's signature pyramid structure. The rooms form the core lodging product of the resort and are marketed through the property's Egyptian architectural setting, central Las Vegas location, and access to casino, dining, and entertainment facilities.
Casino gaming · 1993
Luxor casino
The resort's casino provides a range of regulated gaming activities, including slot machines and table games, supported by related bars, casino service, and player amenities. The casino is integrated into the wider hotel and entertainment complex rather than operating as a separate standalone brand.
Live entertainment · 1993
Luxor entertainment
Luxor has hosted resident productions, comedy, music, theatrical performances, and other ticketed attractions. Its best-known historical associations include Blue Man Group and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, though the exact entertainment lineup changes over time.
Food, beverage, and nightlife · 1993
Dining and nightlife
Restaurants, bars, lounges, and nightlife venues provide food and beverage services for hotel guests, casino visitors, and entertainment audiences. The mix of outlets changes as MGM Resorts refreshes the property's commercial offer.
Meetings and hospitality services · 1993
Meetings and events
Meeting and event spaces support business gatherings, social functions, group travel, and other organized events. This business complements leisure lodging and helps the resort serve multiple visitor segments during the year.
Controversies
2007
Pipe bomb attack in Luxor parking garage
A homemade explosive detonated in a vehicle in the parking garage, killing a food-court employee who investigators identified as the intended target. The casino and parking structure continued operating, and two men were later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
2007
Luxor parking-garage bombing
A homemade pipe bomb detonated in a vehicle in the Luxor parking garage on May 7, killing a young employee of a Nathan's Famous outlet. Authorities determined that the employee was the intended target in a personal dispute rather than that the attack was directed at the resort. Two perpetrators were convicted and received life sentences without parole in 2010. The resort was not evacuated and normal operations continued.
Brand decisions
2005
Transfer into the MGM Resorts portfolioM&ABackground
MGM Grand Inc. pursued the acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group as the Las Vegas gaming and resort sector consolidated.
Action taken
The acquisition placed Luxor under the ownership and operating structure that became MGM Resorts International.
Aftermath
Luxor continued as a distinct resort brand while benefiting from MGM Resorts' broader Las Vegas portfolio and operating platform.
Recent events
- 2022
VICI Properties acquires MGM Growth Properties[1]
M&A
VICI acquired MGM Growth Properties and consequently became the real-estate owner of properties including Luxor, while MGM remained the operating tenant.
- 2018
Luxor opens Strip esports arena[1]
Product launch
The resort added an esports venue described as the first arena of its kind on the Las Vegas Strip.
- 2007
MGM announces major Luxor renovation[1]
Other
MGM announced an approximately $300 million renovation intended to modernize the resort, add restaurants and nightlife and reduce the intensity of the interior Egyptian theme.
- 2005
MGM acquires Luxor through Mandalay Resort Group transaction[1]
M&A
MGM acquired Mandalay Resort Group, bringing Luxor into the company’s Las Vegas resort portfolio.
- 1996
Luxor expands with two hotel towers[1]
Other · Product generation
A major renovation and expansion added two 22-story ziggurat towers, nearly 2,000 rooms and new guest and gaming facilities.
- 1993
Luxor opens on the Las Vegas Strip[1]
Other · Product launch
The pyramid-shaped hotel and casino opened to the public after a private pre-opening event, launching with 2,526 rooms and a strongly Egyptian-themed visitor experience.
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