Miracle Mile Shops
Miracle Mile Shops is an enclosed shopping, dining, and entertainment complex connected to Planet Hollywood Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Miracle Mile Shops is an enclosed retail and entertainment complex on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It is directly adjacent to and connected with Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, occupying approximately 475,000 square feet and extending for about 1.2 miles in a circular layout. The property contains more than 150 stores, restaurants, attractions, and live-entertainment venues, and functions as one of the major tourist-oriented shopping destinations associated with a Las Vegas resort. The complex opened on August 17, 2000, under the name The Shops in Desert Passage. It was developed as the retail component of the rebuilt Aladdin resort and shared the resort's Arabian and North African-inspired design. TrizecHahn held a two-thirds interest, while the Sommer Family Trust, led by real-estate developer Jack Sommer, held the balance and also owned a majority interest in the Aladdin. The original project was intended to compete with the Forum Shops at Caesars and was developed at a reported cost of $290 million. Desert Passage opened with approximately 130 stores and 14 restaurants. Its early concept emphasized an immersive themed environment, including sky-painted ceilings, Moroccan lamps, individualized architectural facades, a faux ship, a simulated rain attraction, and daily performances by acrobats, musicians, dancers, and other entertainers. Retailers associated with the opening period included Aveda, Clinique, Hugo Boss, Sephora, Tommy Bahama, and Z Gallerie. The property also introduced several tenants to the Las Vegas market, including Build-A-Bear Workshop. The initial operating period was difficult. The Aladdin entered bankruptcy in 2001, and the mall experienced weak sales, vacancies, and lower-than-expected traffic. Some tenants criticized the property's advertising, leasing strategy, lack of a major anchor retailer, and reported visitor figures; management disputed those claims. The mall's commercial difficulties led to the informal nickname “Deserted Passage.” A food court known as Alakazam Food Court closed in 2002, while several restaurant and entertainment concepts also changed or shut down over time. In December 2003, David Edelstein and RFR Holding acquired the property for $240.5 million through Boulevard Invest, with Urban Retail Properties appointed to manage it. The acquisition coincided with plans to transform the Aladdin into Planet Hollywood Las Vegas. Renovation work began in 2006, and the property adopted the name Miracle Mile Shops on May 1, 2007. The repositioning moved away from an exclusively luxury-oriented image and sought to offer a broader mix of accessible fashion, dining, entertainment, and visitor experiences. The renovation, reported to have cost more than $60 million, introduced a brighter Gensler-designed environment and removed the original cobblestone flooring after visitor complaints. The rebranding improved the property's commercial performance. Reported annual visitation rose from approximately 15 million in 2004 to 22 million by 2009, with tourists accounting for about 90 percent of visitors. The tenant mix subsequently expanded beyond traditional retail to include restaurants, attractions, theaters, bars, and experiential concepts. Tipsy Robot, a venue featuring robot bartenders, opened in 2017. Entertainment venues have included the V Theater, Saxe Theater, and other performance spaces. Boulevard Invest sold Miracle Mile Shops in 2016 to an affiliate of Institutional Mall Investors LLC, a joint venture associated with Miller Capital Advisory and the California Public Employees' Retirement System. Planning for another major renovation began in 2017. Although work was initially planned for 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed construction. A phased renovation began in January 2022 while the mall remained open. Improvements included new flooring, ceilings, lighting, seating areas, sound equipment, light shows, and extensive LED signage. More than 20,000 square feet of LED screens were added to exterior and interior areas. The renovation retained selected elements of the former Desert Passage design, including painted ceilings, Moroccan-style facades, and the ship facade. The complex reported approximately 26 million annual visitors in 2022 and nearly 470 million cumulative visitors since its original opening. In 2023, it had approximately 170 tenants. The updated entertainment program included an enhanced Rain Show and the Lost City Show, a free three-dimensional projection attraction near the V Theater. A new food-hall concept, Miracle Eats, began opening in phases in 2025, adding fast-casual and regional food operators near the property's south entrance. Miracle Mile Shops remains positioned as a high-traffic Las Vegas visitor destination combining shopping with dining, themed architecture, digital media, and live entertainment.
History
Miracle Mile Shops originated as The Shops in Desert Passage, a retail component of the rebuilt Aladdin resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Plans were announced in 1997, and the approximately $290 million complex opened on August 17, 2000. TrizecHahn owned two-thirds of the project, while the Sommer Family Trust, associated with developer Jack Sommer, held the remaining interest. The mall was designed by RTKL Associates with an Arabian-themed environment intended to complement the Aladdin, including painted-sky ceilings, Moroccan lamps, themed facades, a faux freighter, a rain attraction, and programmed live entertainment. The original property opened with about 130 stores and 14 restaurants. Its early tenants included Aveda, Clinique, Hugo Boss, Sephora, Tommy Bahama, and Z Gallerie, while entertainment and dining offerings included Commander's Palace and the Blue Note Jazz Club. The Alakazam Food Court was an early component but closed in 2002 after weak business. The mall's performance was affected by the Aladdin's financial difficulties and 2001 bankruptcy. Vacancies and disappointing sales led to criticism from some tenants, who alleged that the property lacked sufficient advertising and a strong anchor tenant. Management disputed those accusations. Following the Aladdin's planned conversion into Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, David Edelstein and RFR Holding purchased the mall in December 2003 through Boulevard Invest for $240.5 million. Renovation began in 2006, and the property was renamed Miracle Mile Shops on May 1, 2007. The new concept sought to broaden the audience beyond luxury shoppers, emphasizing affordability, variety, entertainment, and a brighter visual environment. The renovation cost more than $60 million and included a Gensler-designed update and the removal of cobblestone flooring. Traffic and sales subsequently improved, with reported annual visitation reaching 22 million by 2009. The property changed ownership again in 2016, when Boulevard Invest sold it to an affiliate of Institutional Mall Investors LLC, a joint venture associated with Miller Capital Advisory and CalPERS. A further modernization was planned from 2017, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed construction. Renovation work began in January 2022 in phases so that the mall could continue operating. The work introduced updated floors, ceilings, lighting, seating, audio, light shows, and more than 20,000 square feet of LED screens. Selected Desert Passage elements were preserved, including Moroccan-style facades, painted ceilings, and the ship facade. By 2022, the property reported approximately 26 million annual visitors and nearly 470 million cumulative visitors since opening. Its tenant count reached approximately 170 by 2023. The complex continues to combine retail with restaurants, theatrical venues, bars, and free attractions. Its entertainment portfolio has included the V Theater and Saxe Theater, while newer offerings have included Tipsy Robot, an automated cocktail venue, the updated Rain Show, and the Lost City Show. Miracle Eats began opening in phases in 2025, extending the property's food-and-beverage offer with a group of fast-casual and specialty dining operators.
- 2025
Miracle Eats begins phased opening
[1]A new food-hall area began opening near the south entrance with multiple fast-casual and specialty dining tenants.
- 2022
Modernization project begins
[1]Phased renovation work began after pandemic-related delays, adding upgraded finishes, technology, lighting, sound, and digital signage.
- 2016
Ownership transfers to Institutional Mall Investors affiliate
[1]Boulevard Invest sold the mall to an affiliate of Institutional Mall Investors LLC.
- 2009
Reported visitation reaches 22 million
[1]Annual visitation was reported at approximately 22 million, compared with about 15 million in 2004.
- 2007
Miracle Mile Shops name adopted
[1]The property was renamed Miracle Mile Shops on May 1 after a major repositioning connected with the Planet Hollywood resort conversion.
- 2003
Boulevard Invest acquires the mall
[1]David Edelstein and RFR Holding purchased the property through Boulevard Invest for $240.5 million.
- 2002
Alakazam Food Court closes
[1]The 15,000-square-foot food court closed after poor business; the space later became a sequence of restaurant and theater uses.
- 2001
Aladdin files for bankruptcy
[1]The financial problems and bankruptcy of the connected Aladdin resort contributed to weak traffic and sales at Desert Passage.
- 2000
The Shops in Desert Passage opens
[1]The property opened on August 17 with approximately 130 stores, 14 restaurants, and an Arabian-themed design.
- 1997
Plans for Desert Passage announced
[1]Plans were announced for a large themed shopping complex to accompany the rebuilt Aladdin resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
Products and positioning
A large, tourist-focused Las Vegas Strip shopping and entertainment destination combining accessible retail, restaurants, themed design, live shows, and immersive digital attractions.
Shopping · 2000
Retail stores
The core offer consists of a broad collection of fashion, beauty, accessories, jewelry, gifts, souvenirs, and specialty retailers. Early tenants included Aveda, Clinique, Hugo Boss, Sephora, Tommy Bahama, and Z Gallerie. The post-2007 repositioning emphasized a wider affordability range rather than an exclusively luxury tenant mix.
Dining · 2000
Restaurants and food venues
Dining has been a substantial part of the complex since opening, ranging from destination restaurants and bars to food-court and fast-casual concepts. Historical venues included Commander's Palace, Blue Note Cafe, and Alakazam Food Court. Later additions included experiential concepts such as Tipsy Robot and the Miracle Eats food hall.
Entertainment · 2000
Live entertainment
The property integrates theatrical and live-entertainment uses into its retail layout. Venues and attractions have included the Blue Note Jazz Club, V Theater, Saxe Theater, the Rain Show, and the Lost City Show. The entertainment program helps position the complex as an attraction as well as a conventional shopping mall.
Food hall · 2025
Miracle Eats
Miracle Eats is a food-hall development near the mall's south entrance that began opening in phases in 2025. Announced operators include Chipotle Mexican Grill, Tacotarian, Fat Tuesday, Carnegie Pizza, Lobster ME, Irv's Burgers, SoulBelly BBQ, and Dave's Hot Chicken.
Brand decisions
2022
Phased modernization and digital-media upgradeStrategyBackground
A further renovation had been planned after 2017 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The property sought to update its visitor environment while remaining open.
Action taken
Work proceeded in phases and added new flooring, lighting, ceilings, seating, sound equipment, upgraded shows, and more than 20,000 square feet of interior and exterior LED screens.
Aftermath
The updated complex retained selected Desert Passage design elements while expanding its role as a digitally enhanced shopping and entertainment destination.
2007
Repositioning from Desert Passage to Miracle Mile ShopsStrategyBackground
The original Arabian-themed mall experienced weak early performance amid the Aladdin resort's financial problems and was being redeveloped alongside the resort's conversion to Planet Hollywood.
Action taken
The property adopted the Miracle Mile Shops name, renovated its interiors, brightened the design, removed disputed cobblestone flooring, and pursued a broader and more affordable tenant mix.
Aftermath
The repositioning was followed by stronger reported traffic, with annual visitation rising to approximately 22 million by 2009.
Renovation cost. More than $60 million (2006-2007 renovation)
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