Luxor Las Vegas
Luxor Las Vegas is a casino hotel at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, instantly recognisable for its 30-story black glass pyramid and the sky beam that shoots vertically from its apex, described as the most powerful man-made beam of light on earth. Opened in October 1993 with an ancient Egyptian theme, Luxor was one of the defining resorts of the Las Vegas themed-megaproject era, featuring a full-scale replica of the Great Sphinx, hieroglyphic-decorated interiors, and the world’s largest atrium by volume inside its hollow pyramid structure. Today the property is owned by Vici Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International.
At a glance
- Type
- Casino hotel resort
- Period
- Opened October 15, 1993
- Style
- Ancient Egyptian theme; pyramid designed by Veldon Simpson
- Location
- Las Vegas Strip, Paradise, Nevada, United States
- Coordinates
- 36.0956° N, 115.1758° W
- Owner / Operator
- Vici Properties / MGM Resorts International
- Casino floor
- 120,000 sq ft (11,148 m²)
- Rooms
- Over 4,000 hotel rooms across the pyramid and two tower wings
Overview
Luxor Las Vegas takes its name and architectural cue from the ancient Egyptian city of Luxor (ancient Thebes), home to the Karnak and Luxor temples. The resort’s 30-story pyramid is clad in reflective black glass and contains the world’s largest atrium by volume, approximately 29 million cubic feet, with hotel room corridors running along the inner walls and accessed by inclined elevators called inclinators. A massive replica of the Great Sphinx guards the entrance, while the sky beam at the pyramid’s apex, powered by 315,000-watt xenon lamps, is visible on clear nights from aircraft over Los Angeles.
History
Luxor was developed by Circus Circus Enterprises and designed by architect Veldon Simpson. Construction began in 1992 at a cost of approximately $375 million, and the resort opened on October 15, 1993. Circus Circus Enterprises was later acquired by Mandalay Resort Group, which merged with MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts International). During the mid-2000s the company undertook a significant rebranding, moderating the Egyptian elements in favour of a more contemporary nightclub-and-entertainment offering. The physical pyramid and sphinx remain iconic landmarks, but much of the original interior theming has been updated.
What you see
The exterior pyramid and sphinx ensemble is best appreciated from across the Strip or from the I-15 freeway to the west, where the scale of the black glass structure is most apparent. Inside, the atrium’s sheer volume is the dominant spatial experience, with natural light flooding the interior during the day and the sky beam illuminating it from above at night. Two hotel towers flank the pyramid, added in 1997 to increase room capacity. A covered pedestrian bridge connects Luxor to the adjacent Excalibur to the north and Mandalay Bay to the south.
Cultural significance
Luxor Las Vegas is an emblem of the themed-resort boom that briefly made Las Vegas a family-friendly entertainment destination in the 1990s, and its pyramid silhouette is one of the most photographed skyline elements of the American West. The sky beam has become a cultural landmark in its own right, referenced in film, television, and literature as a symbol of spectacle and the particular grandeur of the Strip. The resort’s subsequent partial de-theming also illustrates the tension between heritage identity and commercial reinvention that many Las Vegas properties face.
Practical information
- Address
- 3900 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119, United States
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
- Website
- Check official website for current rates and show schedules
Getting there
Luxor is at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, adjacent to Excalibur to the north and Mandalay Bay to the south, connected to both by covered pedestrian bridges. The Deuce RTC bus stops on Las Vegas Boulevard directly outside. Harry Reid International Airport is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the south-east, among the closest Strip hotels to the airport, with taxi and rideshare pickups readily available.