Everyone involved knew this was going to be an innovative and challenging project calling upon the expertise, talent and creativity of Las Vegas architect Dan Juba and all workers hired to complete this task. The resort will be slanted because of the pyramid shape, yet the rooms had to be comfortable, spacious, and people will have to not only want to stay at the resort but gamble there as well. On top of that, this pyramid was going to be an accurate depiction of ancient Egypt. Ground-breaking for this one-of-a-kind resort was on March 16, 1992 with the opening planned for October of 1993. The budget for this project was less than $290 million.

Exhaustive research was conducted for cultural and historical accuracy in authentic Egyptian ornamentation and detailed artistry.

In June of 1993, Bennett stated that construction crews had reached the 27th and 28th floors. The last 60 to 70 feet of the pyramid were scheduled to go on in one piece.

In mid 1993, Luxor staff staged a pre-opening party for invited guests that benefited the Starlight Foundation and the Nathan Adelson Hospice of Las Vegas. Events included a $100-an-entry blackjack tournament, with all proceeds going to the above charities. Prizes included a trip for two to Luxor, Egypt, with first-class travel arrangements.

On October 15, 1993, the black pyramid named after Upper Egypt's most exotic tourist destination, Luxor, opened. Luxor Las Vegas, 30 stories tall with 2,526 rooms, and 120,000 square feet of casino space became the second largest hotel in the United States. The cost of this project came close to $340 million.

Luxor, an onyx-hued pyramid which is a marvel of modern construction, became a distinctive landmark in Vegas. Rising 350 feet into the sky and crowned with the world's brightest beam of light, Luxor at night guides people across the desert toward Las Vegas from miles away. The 40 billion candlepower xenon beam of light is visible to pilots 250 miles away in Los Angeles. The atrium in the middle of the pyramid can hold nine Boeing 747s stacked one on top of another. Juba applied what is called "basic tenents of Egyptian architecture" to provide a truthful encounter with ancient Egypt.

Luxor has three type of rooms. Standard and Pyramid rooms, and Jacuzzi Suites. Rooms have a color TV with remote, pay movies, cable, air conditioning, telephone, computer hook-ups, alarm radio, TDD equipment upon request, iron and hair dryer available upon request, hair dryers in all tower rooms and roll-aways and cribs available upon request with no charge.

Shortly after building, it was noticed that a corner of the Pyramid was sinking. Engineers were called in to repair the problem.

In 1993 and 1994, Pharoah's Dinner Theatre showcased Winds of the Gods.

In 1995, it was advertised that a 10 story sphinx shot lasers from its eyes, and images of King Tut were projected on a water screen.

During this year Nefertitti's Lounge showcased American Superstars musical revue, Beehive, Loretta Holloway, Wayne Newton, and The Next Movement. Pharaoh's Dinner Theatre showcased Winds of the Gods, and Le Ice Show featuring medal winning figure skaters from all over the world.

Le Ice Show was a Willy Bietak Production presented by Arena International Bookings. It featured National Canadian Champions Julie Brault and Norm Proft. With a company of 35, Le Ice also added exciting specialty acts such as daredevil skater Steve Taylor who jumped through fire, and Don Otto, the national dividing champion who combined his talent with comic antics. Also in the show was Vladimir, the Soviet immigrant whose skills as a flier were never really used well in the low-ceilinged showroom at the Stardust where he was part of Enter the Night. The other non-ice performer was Paris Red, who was a former Star Search winner in the female singing category.

Luxor's 90x50 foot skating surface was not as big as a full-sized Olympic rink, but it was big enough to allow a lot of high-powered skating.

Luxor announced that it will lose its arena-style showroom by the end of 1995 when the area is converted to convention space and a new theater-style room was built outside the pyramid.

The new year was brought in with the Manhattan Transfer. This show was $125 per person including two drinks or split of champagne, tax and gratuity.

In 1996, Luxor made her acting debut in the movie Synthetic Pleasures.

On April 16, 1996, Luxor spent $5.5 million dollars renovating its existing 312-seat facility to become one of 20 IMAX Theaters in the world. Projected on a screen measuring nearly seven stories high, the IMAX films have frames that are 10 times the size of conventional 35mm film, resulting in awe-inspiring 2D and life-like 3D images. The Theater also features a 15,000-watt sound system, an eight channel, multi-dimensional, digital surround sound system, and Personal Sound Environment head set, the latest technology in 3D sound. The headsets also feature Liquid Crystal Display 3D viewing technology.

During this year, the tour operator Canadian Holidays had selected Luxor for top honors in outstanding customer service. The award was based on the number of customer complaints v. commendations from guests who made reservations through Canadian Holidays.

Artist's rendition and the construction

In June of 1996, it was announced that Luxor would be adding two towers adding approximately 2,000 rooms to the resort.

On September 25, 1996, Luxor was put in the center of a tragedy when a woman jumped from a 26th-floor balcony about 1:00pm, and landed at the entrance to the buffet area.

In 1996, Nefertiti's Lounge showcased Beehive, '60s Musical Revue, and Coco & The G's.

On April 17, 1997, belly dancers undulated to the sounds of Middle Eastern music as officials at Luxor celebrated the completion of the hotel's $650 million dollar expansion and renovation. The expansion included 1,950 new rooms, including 237 suites, in a 22-story ziggurat-shaped structure to the north of the main pyramid; a moving walkway that connected Luxor with Excalibur; an architectural redesign of Luxor's interior; and a full-service meeting and convention facility. Also added was the 35 foot high replica of the great Temple of Ramesses II, which serves as the gateway to the hotel, is another new feature.

Renovations included a new lobby with its expanse of marble flooring and Egyptian murals which conveys the spaciousness of the Nile Valley. The Nile River ride was removed to create more space to improve traffic flow.

Our goal was to replicate the sense of Egyptian architecture on a grand scale using simple shapes and strict geometric organization about a central axis, the new two towers complement the dynamic pyramid and were designed to allow for unimpeded views from the majority of hotel rooms." - Architect Dan Juba

The Oasis Spa was expanded to 12,000 square feet and includes 16 treatment rooms for facials, massages and body treatments. The men's and women's lounges include various amenities such as hot and warm whirlpool baths, and steam and sauna rooms. Oasis holds lockers, showers, Jacuzzi, sauna, state-of-the-art weight room, steam room and cardiovascular machines.

On October 17, 1997, Luxor was once again put in the center of a tragedy when a prostitute was found dead in a guest room.

Everyone noticed one thing about Luxor, at night it would disappear. Only the light beam coming from the top can be seen. Looking from down the Strip, it looked like the light belonged to the Excalibur next door. In the City of Lights this is a sin. Luxor realized that something had to be done to compete with the other resorts that glowed and glittered at night.

On New Years Eve of December 31, 1997, after two months of installing the system, the Luxor joined the City of Lights by coordinating a $1 million lighting project. Four years in research and development, the Starlight Lighting System is comprised of 3,000 strobes, 4,000 circuit boards and 2,000 computer chips. The lighting is comprised of 5-foot-long lighting cylinders that are plugged into each other and run up all four corners of Luxor. Each cylinder contains several strobe lights as well as circuit boards to guide operation.

Because of the Luxor's unique design, 108 cylinders were used on each corner. The lighting system runs up the pyramid, and a sound system is installed just outside the structure at ground level, which are connected to integrated computer systems. The command center is located on the 30th floor. The system is set on a timer, so that the system will operate automatically. The programs contain 150 special effects designs that will be used on different occasions. Installation of the lighting system progressed slowly and tediously, often hampered by high winds and inclement weather.

Bee Engineering, the same firm that designed the mechanical squeegee apparatus used to clean Luxor's exterior windows, designed and installed break-away brackets to hold the cylinders into place along the corners of the building. If any pressure is exerted on the brackets, the cylinders pop out and then dangle from their electrical cords.

"We designed it that way, so that the system is easily repairable, if something, like the window washing system, strikes one of the cylinders all you would have to do is snap the bracket back into place. We can make the whole pyramid rock to the sound of Jingle Bells. We can make each corner put on light shows to different songs. With this system, we can do anything we want to do." - Norman Lamb, Bee Construction

Also introduced New Year's Eve was the Egyptian-themed nightclub known as Ra, after the Egyptian sun god. The club opening and all the partying related to it formally concluded two years of Luxor renovations that cost some $400 million and added 2,000 rooms, among many other things. Ra featured a center stage, a state-of-the-art light and sound syste, two massive bars and a central dance floor surrounding by comfortable booths and tables. Music was provided by DJ Hollywood. In addition, the club included VIP booths, two cigar lounges and a 110-seat sushi and oyster bar, and valet service at the south entrance to the hotel. Because it is named after Ra, everyone at the VIP party received a pair of sunglasses upon entering. George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars performed live at the VIP opening night party. clinton amazed everyone when he walked on stage dressed only in a diaper.

During this year Nefertiti's Lounge showcased Coco & The G's, Tommy Deering, Loretta Holloway, and Jeneane & Drew.

In May, 1998, Luxor was ranked in the top 50 resorts in the United States by Gourmet magazine. The survey results were broken down into 10 regions of the United States with Luxor Las Vegas ranking among the top five destinations in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States region.

Luxor once again appeared before the camera. A graphic on the side of the pyramid left by an asteroid was applied to the building by Touchstone Pictures, a division of Disney, on June 29, 1998, to promote the film, "Armageddon," which opened July 1, 1998. The asteroid stayed on the east face until July 6th.

In 1998, Luxor showcased Imagein, A Theatrical Odyssey. Produced by Dick Foster Productions, Imagine is a 90 minute musical and visual experience featuring graceful hand-balancing routines of Dimensions in Flight; the daring maneuvers of Aerial Expressions, who fly inches above the audience with little more than wrist straps for support; and the amazing Liao Nin Star Acrobatic Art Troupe, who utilize bungee straps and horizontal bars in the grand finale. Imagine consists of more than 30 costumed dancers combining jazz, acrobatics and modern dance.

Ante-Room Lounge showcased harpist Lisa Coffey.

In addition to the IMAX Theater, Luxor offers "In Search Of The Obelisk", a realistic motion-based simulator ride to the dig-site of a subterranean civilization; Games of the Gods Arcade offering fast cars, villains, race and even ski in a near virtual-reality; and Kareoske Recording Studio where everyone can star in their own music video.

Luxor also showcased impressionist Bill Acosta in Lasting Impressions with impressions of such notables as Bill Clinton, Ross Perot, George Bush, Katharine Hepburn, Rodney Dangerfield, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ray Charles and Liberace to name a few. Classic song medleys by "guests" as diverse as Nat King Cole, Jerry Lewis, Neil Diamond, Julio Iglesia, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin and even Sean Connery can be seen. It has been mentioned that audiences can expect to hear at least one voice every sixty seconds in Acosta's 75 minute show.

Two nightclubs in the Luxor are Ra, which features a state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, live DJ and live entertainment on selected nights, and Nefertiti's Lounge which features two live bands nightly.

For gaming, Luxor has 2,600 slot, video poker and video keno machines. Gaming tables include 69 Blackjack, 11 Roulette, 8 Dice, 5 Pai Gow Poker, 4 Mini Baccarat, 2 Baccarat, 2 Progressive Pai Gow Poker, 1 Pai Gow Game and one Big 6/Wheel of Fortune.

Located at Luxor's Attractions Level, King Tut's Tomb and Museum is the only full-scale authentic reproduction of Howard Carter's 1922 discovery outside of Egypt. A 15 minute self-guided walking audio tour of the museum allows visitors to explore the remarkable contents of the fabled tomb, from the young king's sarcophagus to the illustrious guardian statues. Each of the crafted works in the museum was reproduced in Egypt using the same gold leaf and linens, pigments, tools and 3,300 year-old artisan methods. Once completed, the pieces were brought to Luxor and positioned as they were originally discovered. Dr. Omar Mabreuck, a renowned Egyptologist who created the Pharaonic Village in Egypt, oversaw the production of the museum pieces, which took more than six months and 50 people to assemble.

"The museum is a tribute to the artisans of the day. Modern-day artisans designed these incredible reproductions because we wanted this museum to be an homage to Egypt's treasures, not an exploitation." - Dr. Omar Mabreuck

Luxor's restaurants include: Isis, Sacred Sea, Luxor Steakhouse, Papyrus, Pharaoh's Pheast Buffet, Pyramid Cafe, Nile Deli, International Grounds, Luxor Food Court (Luxor Coffee Company, McDonalds, Little Caesar's Pizza, Swensens, and Nathans Hot Dogs).

Luxor's pool is open year-round and is one of the largest in Las Vegas. Guests can rent private cabanas and rafts as well as purchase sunglasses and tanning products.

Shops and Service including Kristina's - a full service men's and women's salon, Jewels of the Nile, Cairo Bazaar, Exclusivo, Tie & Cigar Shop, Tiny Tuts, The Vegas Store, The Ice Cream and Candy Store, Dandera's Bath & Body, Treasure Chamber, Scarab Shop, Luxor Logo Shop, Tut's Treasures, Sobeks Sundries, Innerspace, Imagine and Nile Newsstand.

Luxor now has 20,000 square feet of convention/banquet facilities that could break up into nine rooms.

On June 22, 1999, Luxor announced that Blue Man Group will debut there in March 2000. The Blue Man group is known for offbeat humor, tribal music and visual effects performed by three non-speaking blue-headed men.

Also in June of 1999, Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc., changed its name to Mandalay Resort Group.

For New Years Even Imagine, A Theatrical Experience included party favors and drinks. Tickets were $75.00. Funkytown played from 9:00pm to 12:15am, on the Attractions Level. Tickets were $10 and included party favors.

In 2000, Luxor Theater showcased Blue Man Group. The Pharaoh's Theater (was Luxor Live Theater) showcased A&E; Presents The Greatest Pharaohs, Lasting Impressions w/Bill Acosta, and Midnight Fantasy. The Luxor IMAX Theater showcased Fantasia/2000.

On January 13, 2001, Monte Carlo dealers voted 3-1 against representation by the Transport Workers Union. The union filed formal objections with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming fliers were circulated among dealers at the resort during the election that threatened mass layoffs if the dealers voted for organization. John Marz, Vice President of Marketing for Luxor, denied any improper activities had occurred. He suggested the union withdrew because it feared defeat, calling the union's move "anti-democratic." "We were rather disappointed they filed (for an election) in the first place, and we're more disappointed now," Marz said. "We believe we would have won overwhelmingly, and it would have been a devastating blow to the union."

On September 17, 2001, Mandalay Bay Group Donated $1 million to aid the families of fallen police officers and firefighters who died during the September 11th attacks. The donation was made in conjunction with efforts led by Clark County Sheriff Jerry Keller and Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments. The funds will be distributed to appropriate organizations at the direction of Sheriff Keller.

"Our hearts go out to every victim of this unspeakable tragedy, but especially to those who answered the call of those in need. If we can in some small way assist those who walk bravely and willingly into harm's way, we do so without hesitation." - Bill Richardson, Vice Chairman of the Board of Mandalay Bay Group

In 2001, Luxor Theater showcased Blue Man Group: Live at the Luxor. Pharoah's Theater showcased Midnight Fantasy Topless Revue. Luxor IMAX Theater showed three films daily. The Anteroom Lounge showcased long time Strip star Tommy Deering.

In April 2002, Mandalay Resort Group announced they were bowing out of the American Gaming Association (AGA) when it membership expires in July of 2002 (they had been a member since 1995.) It is rumored that a company the size of Mandalay Bay usually pays in the neighborhood of $500,000 a year in dues. Industry watchers said the move reflected a growing feeling that giants MGM Mirage and Harrah's Entertainment Inc., have gained undue influence over the AGA's agenda.

"I view it as a setback for the industry because it's hard to have a unified voice if there's dissention among the leading companies, but industry conditions are very competitive, and relationships in some cases have gotten more strained over the years. Creating an organization like the AGA has been a political balance from day one." - Jason Ader, Bear Stearms Gaming Analyst

Also in May 2002 - Casino operators reached contract agreements with the union representing waitresses and housekeepers, virtually eliminating the prospect of a strike. The latest agreements between the Culinary Workers Union and the casinos were reached with Mandalay Resort Group, MGM Mirage, Park Place, Aztar Corp., and Harrah's. The new agreements cover about three-quarters of the 40,000 cooks, waitresses and housekeepers the union represents in Las Vegas. Under the new tentative contracts, workers will receive anaverage of $3.24 in increased hourly wages and benefits over the new contract's five-year life. Much of that will go to pay for higher health insurance costs, which workers will continue to receive free of charge.

On December 22, 2002, William Bennett passed away at Desert Springs Hospital following a lengthy illness.

In 2002, Luxor Theatre showcased Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor. Pharaoh's Theater showcased Midnight Fantasy; IMAX Theater showcased three films daily; Ra Nightclub showcased nightly entertainment; Nefertiti's Lounge showcased entertainment nightly.

In 2003, Luxor Theater will be showcasing Blue Man Group: Live At Luxor. Pharaoh's Theater will be showcasing Midnight Fantasy (dark Mondays); Luxor IMAX Theater will be showcasing three films shown dailys. Ra Nightclub will be showcasing nightly entertainment (closed Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays).