LOS ANGELES— MGM Mirage said it may resurrect plans for a major new tower at its Bellagio casino that was put on hold two years ago when the company was formed through the merger of MGM Grand Inc. and Mirage Resorts, according to Reuters. A decision on the expansion, originally conceived under former Bellagio owner Mirage Resorts, is expected by the end of this summer. Sources familiar with the situation said the cost would be about $300 million. The reopening of the Bellagio plan was due in part to the resorts rapid recovery in recent months, following a sharp business downturn for all Las Vegas during the post-9/11 travel crisis. Bellagio is said to have returned to pre-9/11 business faster than MGM Mirage’s other properties. The new tower would have about 1,000 rooms, as well as other amenities that could include meeting space, stores and restaurants. The tower could be targeted at a higher-end customer than the current Bellagio, which is already among the more high-end resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. If the project goes forward, construction of the new tower would mark the latest sign of confidence in the Las Vegas turnaround since 9/11, said Reuters. Mandalay Resort Group earlier this year resumed work on a $235 million convention center at its flagship Mandalay Bay resort. Construction of the center had been halted after 9/11. Last month, Mandalay also said it would build a new $225 million luxury tower at Mandalay Bay. MGM Mirage earlier this year failed to win a casino license in in Macau near Hong Kong.
