Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Construction on the Bellagio began in May 1996, and the resort officially opened on October 15, 1998. Developed by Steve Wynn’s Mirage Resorts on the former site of the Dunes Hotel and Casino, Bellagio was designed to bring a new level of architecture, art, dining, and entertainment to the Las Vegas Strip.
Quick Answer
Construction on the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas began in May 1996, and the resort opened on October 15, 1998. The approximately $1.6 billion project was developed by Steve Wynn’s Mirage Resorts on the former Dunes Hotel site and was inspired by the lakeside town of Bellagio, Italy.
Key Takeaways
- Bellagio construction began in May 1996, and the resort opened on October 15, 1998.
- The original development cost was approximately $1.6 billion.
- Steve Wynn and Mirage Resorts developed Bellagio on the former Dunes Hotel and Casino site.
- The resort was inspired by Bellagio, Italy, and its original architecture is associated with Marnell Corrao Associates.
- Bellagio has 3,933 guest rooms, including 512 suites, according to MGM Resorts.
- Its best-known attractions include the Fountains of Bellagio, “O” by Cirque du Soleil, the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.
When Was the Bellagio Hotel Built?
MGM Resorts states that construction on Bellagio began in May 1996. The resort opened to the public on October 15, 1998, after a construction period of about two and a half years.
The project reportedly cost approximately $1.6 billion. At the time, that made Bellagio one of the most expensive resort developments ever completed. Its scale reflected Steve Wynn’s goal of creating a property that combined a luxury hotel and casino with fine art, elaborate gardens, chef-led dining, and large theatrical attractions.
Bellagio opened on October 15, 1998, on the former site of the Dunes Hotel and Casino.
What Was on the Site Before Bellagio?
The Dunes Hotel and Casino was one of three major resorts that opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 1955. Steve Wynn acquired the property in 1992, and much of the Dunes was demolished in a widely watched implosion in October 1993.
After several years of planning and construction, Bellagio opened on the same site. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Special Collections documents this transition from the Dunes to Bellagio.
Who Built and Designed Bellagio?
Casino developer Steve Wynn conceived Bellagio, and his company, Mirage Resorts, developed the original property. Mirage Resorts was Bellagio’s developer at the time of construction; it is not the resort’s current operating company.
The original architecture and design-build work is associated with Marnell Corrao Associates. The firm’s portfolio describes Bellagio as a resort inspired by European villages and designed as a complete destination experience. WET, the water-feature design company, created the Fountains of Bellagio.
Note: Mirage Resorts developed the original Bellagio, but MGM Resorts International operates the resort today. Historical developer, building owner, and current operator are not necessarily the same entity.
The Architecture and Design of Bellagio
Bellagio’s design draws inspiration from the town of Bellagio on Lake Como in northern Italy. Its warm exterior colors, formal gardens, lakefront setting, curved walkways, and European-style details were intended to create a refined resort atmosphere rather than a single casino-themed building.
The front of the property overlooks a lake covering more than 8.5 acres. This water feature forms the setting for the Fountains of Bellagio and creates a wide separation between the resort entrance and Las Vegas Boulevard.
Inside the lobby, visitors pass beneath Dale Chihuly’s Fiori di Como. The large installation is made from colorful hand-blown glass forms arranged across the ceiling. Chihuly’s official chronology identifies it as the artist’s largest sculpture at the time it was installed in 1998.
Marble surfaces, detailed ceilings, fine artwork, floral displays, and carefully planned public spaces continue the European-inspired theme throughout the resort. The design also guides visitors toward the casino, conservatory, shops, restaurants, theater, pool area, and guest-room towers without making every attraction feel like part of one open room.
The Fountains of Bellagio
The Fountains of Bellagio are the resort’s best-known public attraction. More than 1,200 fountains perform on a lake covering more than 8.5 acres, with water, music, and lighting coordinated for each presentation.
The display spans more than 1,000 feet, and its tallest water effects can reach as high as 460 feet. Musical selections vary and may include classical music, opera, jazz, popular songs, and music created for special events.
As of July 2026, the regular schedule listed by Bellagio is:
- Monday through Friday: Every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., then every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: Every 30 minutes from noon to 7:30 p.m., then every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Pro Tip: Check Bellagio’s official fountain page on the day of your visit. Show times can change, and outdoor performances may be canceled because of wind, weather, maintenance, or special events.
Entertainment and Dining at Bellagio
| Resident Production | “O” by Cirque du Soleil |
| Free Attractions | Fountains of Bellagio and Conservatory & Botanical Gardens |
| Art Attractions | Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art and Fiori di Como |
| Dining Examples | Spago, LAGO, PRIME Steakhouse, The Mayfair Supper Club, and CARBONE Riviera |
| Guest Rooms | 3,933 rooms, including 512 suites |
Bellagio’s signature resident production is “O” by Cirque du Soleil. The aquatic show premiered on October 15, 1998, on the same day Bellagio opened. Its purpose-built theater combines acrobatics, artistic swimming, diving, stage effects, and live performance around a large pool.
Cirque du Soleil lists the show’s running time as approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. Because schedules and dark dates change, visitors should confirm the current calendar before purchasing tickets.
Bellagio also offers casual restaurants, cafés, lounges, fountain-view dining, and chef-led dinner venues. Current examples include Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, LAGO, PRIME Steakhouse, The Mayfair Supper Club, and CARBONE Riviera. Restaurant lineups, chefs, menus, and hours can change, so fixed totals quickly become outdated.
The Luxury Accommodations at Bellagio
Bellagio has 3,933 guest rooms, including 512 suites, according to MGM Resorts. Accommodations are spread across the resort’s hotel towers and range from standard king and two-queen rooms to large multiroom suites.
Some rooms face the Fountains of Bellagio and the Las Vegas Strip, while others overlook the resort, pool area, surrounding mountains, or city. Room features vary by category, but current Bellagio accommodations commonly emphasize modern furnishings, marble bathroom finishes, seating areas, and updated in-room technology.
Larger suites may include separate bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas, powder rooms, multiple bathrooms, wet bars, and enhanced concierge support. Travelers should review the exact room description before booking because layouts, views, occupancy limits, and included amenities differ by room type.
Art, the Conservatory, and Cultural Attractions
Art was a central part of Bellagio’s original concept. The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art opened with the resort in 1998 and continues to host temporary exhibitions organized with museums, private collections, and cultural institutions. The displayed collection changes, so visitors should not expect the same artists or objects on every trip.
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is a 14,000-square-foot indoor attraction that changes throughout the year. Its horticulture and engineering teams create seasonal displays for spring, summer, harvest, the winter holidays, and Lunar New Year.
Between major displays, the Conservatory may close for several days while crews remove one installation and build the next. Bellagio publishes current show and dark dates on the attraction’s official page.
Bellagio’s Role in Pop Culture
Bellagio became recognizable far beyond Las Vegas through movies, television, advertising, and live broadcasts. Its curved façade, lake, fountains, lobby, and casino floor give filmmakers an immediately identifiable Las Vegas setting.
The resort is especially associated with the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven. Bellagio serves as one of the central casino targets in the story, and the film’s closing sequence places the main characters in front of the fountains.
Later screen appearances and broadcasts continued to use Bellagio as a visual symbol of the Strip. The fountains are particularly effective on camera because they combine a recognizable location with movement, music, light, and a wide view of the resort.
Bellagio’s Impact on Las Vegas Tourism
Bellagio arrived during a period when major Las Vegas resorts were becoming full destination complexes rather than places centered almost entirely on casino gaming. Its combination of rooms, art, theater, gardens, dining, shopping, pools, and a free outdoor attraction helped demonstrate how one property could appeal to hotel guests and day visitors at the same time.
The fountains also created a major public attraction along the sidewalk. A visitor does not need a hotel reservation, restaurant booking, or show ticket to watch them, which makes Bellagio a frequent stop for first-time Las Vegas travelers.
Bellagio’s success also encouraged competition among Strip resorts in architecture, entertainment, restaurants, public attractions, and room design. Its influence can be seen in the continuing effort by Las Vegas properties to offer memorable experiences beyond the casino floor.
Bellagio Today and Its Future
Bellagio remains open as a luxury resort and casino operated by MGM Resorts International. The property continues to update its rooms, restaurants, entertainment venues, public spaces, and guest services while retaining its Italian-inspired identity.
In February 2026, Bellagio announced a remodel of its 55,000-square-foot spa. Construction was scheduled to begin in March, with the redesigned spa planned to open in November 2026. Announced changes included updated treatment rooms, men’s and women’s facilities, lounges, corridors, and food-and-beverage offerings.
The Conservatory also incorporates reuse into its operating model. Bellagio states that its teams repurpose living plant materials when possible as displays change. These established practices provide a more reliable picture of the resort’s direction than unsupported predictions about future expansions.
Note: Bellagio was not completed in a single calendar year. Construction began in May 1996, the original resort opened in October 1998, and later expansions and remodels continued to change the property.
Sources
- MGM Resorts Frequently Asked Questions — construction dates, room count, lake size, and Bellagio’s design inspiration.
- UNLV Special Collections: Dunes Hotel and Casino Records — history of the Dunes and the transition to Bellagio.
- Marnell Companies Portfolio — Bellagio architectural and design-build background.
- Dale Chihuly Timeline — installation of Fiori di Como at Bellagio in 1998.
- Fountains of Bellagio — fountain dimensions, current schedule, and cancellation notice.
- MGM Resorts: Bellagio Spa Remodel — confirmed 2026 renovation plans and current MGM operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas built?
Construction on Bellagio began in May 1996. The resort officially opened on October 15, 1998.
Who designed the Bellagio Hotel?
The original architecture and design-build work is associated with Marnell Corrao Associates. Steve Wynn conceived the resort, and Mirage Resorts developed it.
How much did Bellagio cost to build?
The original Bellagio development cost approximately $1.6 billion, making it one of the most expensive resort projects completed at that time.
What hotel stood where Bellagio is now?
Bellagio was built on the former site of the Dunes Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1955. Much of the Dunes was demolished in an October 1993 implosion.
How many rooms does Bellagio have?
MGM Resorts lists 3,933 guest rooms at Bellagio, including 512 suites.
Are the Fountains of Bellagio free?
Yes. The outdoor fountain displays are free to watch. Scheduled performances can change or be canceled because of weather, maintenance, or special events.
Is the Bellagio Hotel still open?
Yes. Bellagio remains open as a hotel, casino, entertainment, dining, shopping, and cultural resort operated by MGM Resorts International.
