Hard Rock Hotel locks its doors as Las Vegas property preps for transformation

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is officially closed.

The off-Strip property locked its doors Monday evening, bringing an end to the hotel-casino's 30 years in Las Vegas.

Richard Bosworth, CEO of the property, called it a "surreal day" as he watched guests and employees leave.

PHOTOS: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino celebrates final weekend

He thanked the community for coming out to Hard Rock's final weekend, which included the Super Bowl. He said he hoped the resort would live on through other Las Vegas properties' features, like live performances on the casino floor.

"I hope [people] say that every single other casino-resort that they walked into carries the DNA of the Hard Rock," Bosworth said.

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The property will undergo renovations and rebranding to become Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Executives say they expect it to reopen later this year.