Exclusive: Legend of Mirage’s Windows Containing Gold Flake Was Complete B.S.
Everybody knows Mirage’s windows were created using 18-karat gold dust infused into the glass. It’s one of the most-repeated “facts” in modern Las Vegas history.
But here’s the thing: Everybody’s wrong.
Mirage’s windows have been removed as the resort is transformed into Hard Rock Las Vegas. Analysis of the windows shows no trace of gold, flakes or otherwise, according to our sources. This revelation isn’t just awkward; it’s downright shocking.
The story of Mirage’s gold windows is woven deeply into the fabric of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas has lots of lore that qualifies as what experts commonly refer to as “complete bullshit.”
No, Bugsy didn’t name the Flamingo after his girlfriend. No, one of the people in the “Crazy Girls” statue isn’t male. No, Imperial Palace wasn’t shaped like a swastika. No, prostitution isn’t legal in Las Vegas. No, casinos don’t pump in oxygen to keep gamblers alert. No, Golden Gate isn’t the oldest casino in Las Vegas. No, Roy’s tiger wasn’t trying to “protect” him.
The list of Las Vegas myths is endless.
Now, there’s another and it sort of turns the world on its head, especially for Las Vegas fanatics.
We’ve been repeating a fairy tale for 35 years.
The story of gold being used in Mirage’s windows is so well-known, and has been reported so often by presumably thorough and respected news organizations, it’s almost beyond comprehension that it’s simply untrue.
Early reports, and subsequent references to those reports, were consistently vague. No mention of how gold was “infused” into the glass, why that would even be a thing, how much gold was used or how much it cost, all missing from Mirage P.R. materials and news outlets at the time.
When we inquired with Hard Rock officials about the potential salvage value of the windows (there were a lot of them, after all, each peppered with a rare and valuable precious metal), we were informed they were well aware of the legend.
It would’ve been irresponsible to simply scrap the windows if there was gold present. Gold is currently priced at $5,337 an ounce. Even a small quantity of gold in each window could pay for quite a few new windows (blue, this time) for Hard Rock Las Vegas.
Here’s a look at Hard Rock Las Vegas, formerly Mirage.
So, Hard Rock had Mirage’s window glass analyzed.
The result? A Hard Rock official confirmed: “We could not validate any material value.”
Translation: Please refer to the previous “Zip. Zilch. Nada.”
Our response to this revelation involved several stages: Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance.
Science is science, just as marketing is marketing, and it seems the story about the gold flakes were just that: marketing.
When Mirage opened in 1989, it detonated the old Las Vegas playbook, replacing low ceilings and coupon books with volcanoes, white tigers and unapologetic excess.
Built by Steve Wynn at a then-unthinkable cost of $630 million, it was dismissed by skeptics as too lavish, too expensive, too risky to succeed.
Instead, Mirage redefined the Strip, proving a casino could be a luxury resort and igniting the megaresort era that followed.
The claim Mirage’s windows contained flecks of real gold meshed so seamlessly with Steve Wynn’s visionary swagger, nobody thought to question whether it was actually true or not.
The fact Mirage’s windows didn’t contain gold doesn’t really take anything away from the resort’s legacy. Steve Wynn had one, too, before his sexual proclivities, hubris, unchecked power and lack of self-awareness led to his downfall.
Just as the emperor had no clothes, Mirage’s windows had no gold.
Having our most cherished Las Vegas stories implode is bittersweet, but ultimately truth is more important than manufactured and mindlessly repeated fiction.
If Neo had chosen the blue pill, “The Matrix” would’ve been a much different, and much shorter, movie.
Our friend Corey Levitan is the undisputed king of Las Vegas myth-busting, and we almost feel guilty being the one to bust this one first. Emphasis on “almost.”
The 84-year-old Steve Wynn is still around and making Instagram videos (curated by his family, Wynn is blind). We can find no evidence he ever personally claimed Mirage’s windows contained actual gold. Maybe he’ll get around to explaining how this urban legend came about now that it’s been proven untrue.
There’s a lot Steve Wynn never owned up to, maybe this is the place to start.
Oh, and somebody please update the Wikipedia page. It’s embarrassing.
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