The transformation of the Tropicana has begun, and the public said farewell last week to one of the Strip’s historic gaming establishments.

Story continues below

The next property headed for big change: The Mirage.

You have to imagine that there will be a greater outcry of support for The Mirage than the Tropicana because its history is fresher in people’s minds.

The Mirage is embedded in Las Vegas history as the Strip’s first megaresort, generally defined as a property with more than 3,000 rooms.

Built by Steve Wynn and opened in 1989, The Mirage provided many firsts for the casino industry — the first to be financed through Wall Street “junk bonds,” the first to include onsite wildlife habitats for dolphins and for Siegfried &Roy’s white tigers.