Working on the Strip: P1 Provides Plumbing Construction on Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Podium
Many of the projects our P1 Las Vegas teams work on are located on the famous Las Vegas “Strip.”
Working in this location comes with challenges unique to the Strip, including space limitations and “sharing” that space with multiple competitors.
The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas is taking over the former Mirage on the Strip, featuring a 400,000-square-foot casino podium as the base. It will include an overhauled 175,000-square-foot gaming space and sit below the 660-foot Guitar Tower.
The “podium” refers to the multi-level base of the resort complex. Podiums house the primary casino floors, restaurants, shopping, and amenity decks, and serve as the foundation for the iconic guitar design.
Project Manager Brian Maginness says P1 was awarded the Podium and spa-fitness portions of the building, and will also have the pool buildings for the pool deck.
The original underground contract value was $2,187,942, with an additional $9,999,277 received.
Brian says the project will probably finish at around $20,000,000.
The construction of the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Vegas is underway, featuring a 400,000-square-foot casino podium as the base.
“We are currently at 108 change orders, with the list growing larger each day, bringing an additional estimated $6,821,403,” he said.
“As with most Las Vegas projects, this one has been a plethora of changes, and will continue to grow with numerous venues coming through the end of 2026 for bid,” Brian said.
P1 also has to “share” the workload with other contractors on the project.
“Most - if not all - large mechanical/electrical contractors in Las Vegas have work in this project with the two GCs,” Brian said.
“This can make for an unusual coordination effort with several of our competitors, but fortunately, working on the same area with competitors has been a good experience overall.”
Brian also notes that limited space means coordination with vendor partners on deliveries requires even more dexterity.
“As with many projects these days, “just in time” (JIT) delivery is utilized to minimize congestion on the construction floor,” he explained.
“Our field leadership works with vendors to coordinate access with the numerous trades and other contractors working on site at the same time.”
Limited space on the Strip also means P1 has to set up shop in some unusual locations, since there is no room for construction trailer “cities”, or even construction trailers.
The Vegas team working on the Podium has been working out of the old Mirage ballrooms.
“Working in an office with a chandelier is definitely a first,” Brian said.
The project is slated for completion in October 2027, which sounds like a great time to plan a visit to Vegas.
Quick Facts:
- P1 Project Manager: Brian Maginness
- P1 Foremen: Jason Ondrisko, Theron Hamlen, John Ross, Clint Fausett, Aaron Brown
- Owner: Hard Rock International (Seminole Tribe of Florida)
- GC: McCarthy/Engineer: FEA/Architect: Klai Juba Wald
- P1 Performed: Plumbing Construction
- 400,000-square-foot casino podium with pool deck
- 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting/retail space
- 660 ft. tall Guitar Tower with 675 rooms
Our work: Left, in-wall rough for the gang restrooms water closets (large restrooms); Right: In-wall rough for the gang restrooms LAVs (large restrooms)
