MGM Grand, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South

The site was first occupied by the Bonanza Hotel (1967-1973). It was later renamed the New Bonanza Hotel and Casino shortly before construction on the MGM Grand began.

The $106 million, 26 story, 2,100 room MGM Grand Hotel opened to the general public on December 23, 1973, employing over 4,000 people. The MGM was built with a movie land theme. In front, lay the broad roofs of the casino, shopping arcade, and lobby, punctuated by the Aztecan truncated pyramid of the main showroom. The room tower was topped by an irregular pattern of windows and balconies, finished in mirror glass, indicating the variety of suites and rooms inside. The 60,000 square foot casino was finished in the oversized gilt floral swirls and baroque ornament of a 1920 movie palace. In 1985, the Bally Entertainment Corporation purchased the MGM for $550 million, changing its name to the Bally Grand in 1986.

Kirk Kerkorian sold both the Flamingo and the International Hotels to the Hilton Corporation to finance construction of the MGM Grand Hotel. At the time of it's opening on December 23, 1973 the Grand Hotel  opened with 2100 rooms. five restaurants, and two showrooms making it the largest resort in the world.

Located at 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South at Flamingo Road, the MGM Grand shared the corner with the Dunes, Flamingo, and Caesars Palace. Opening night featured Dean Martin in the 2,100 seat Celebrity Showroom.

The MGM Grand Hotel had a major fire that claimed the lives of eighty-four people on November 21st 1980. The hotel was sold to Ballys in 1986.

MGM Grand - Reno - 1978-1986

After his success with the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Kirk Kerkorian built another Grand Hotel at 2500 East Second Street in Sparks (Reno). The MGM Grand Hotel opened in 1978. It was sold along with the Las Vegas Casino to Ballys in 1986.

MGM Grand, 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South
The $106 million, 26 story, 2,100 room MGM Grand Hotel opened to the general public on December 24, 1973, employing over 4,000 people. The MGM was built with a movie land theme. In front lay the broad roofs of the casino, shopping arcade, and lobby, punctuated by the Aztecan truncated pyramid of the main showroom. The room tower was topped by an irregular pattern of windows and balconies, finished in mirror glass, indicating the variety of suites and rooms inside. The 60,000 square foot casino was finished in the oversized gilt floral swirls and baroque ornament of a 1920 movie palace. In 1985, the Bally Entertainment Corporation purchased the MGM for $550 million, changing its name to the Bally Grand in 1986.

Chip scans courtesy of Ross Poppel and Silver State Treasures

MGM Grand TCR# N1908 $1 New 1980s	MGM Grand TCR# N1904 $5 New 1970s	MGM Grand TCR# N4623 $5 New 1976
3645 Las Vegas Blvd S	3645 Las Vegas Blvd S	3645 Las Vegas Blvd S

MGM Grand Reno TCR# N4767 $1 New 1978	MGM Grand Reno TCR# N5240 $5 New 1978	MGM Grand Reno TCR# N4595 $25 New 1978	MGM Grand Reno TCR# V2985 $500 New 1978
2500 East 2nd St	2500 East 2nd St	2500 East 2nd St	2500 East 2nd St

On November 21, 1980, the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, experienced the worst fire in the United States since the 1946 Winecoff Hotel fire. Originating in the deli, the fire quickly spread throughout the casino. Smoke propagated through the egress passageways. The automatic fire alarm system either did not activate or did not sound; most guests became aware of the fire situations after they saw or smelled smoke, heard shouting from other occupants, or saw or heard the fire department rescuers.

An investigation into this fire concluded that several factors contributed to the resulting devastation. The level of fuels available within the casino, the building configuration, and the lack of fire–resistant barriers contributed to the rapid growth and development. The lack of fire extinguishments at the start of the fire allowed the fire to develop to a dangerous level. The vertical openings within the building enabled smoke to spread with little effort. The means of egress were compromised by shoddy construction; smoke infiltrated into the smoke–proof enclosures and stairwells, as well as through the HVAC system.

This fire resulted in the deaths of 85 people, injuries to approximately 600, and more than $300 million in damages.

The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas was not equipped with a complete sprinkler system and was not required to be by Nevada law.

The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas reopened about a year after a November 21, 1980, fire had left 85 dead and 500 injured. Included in the $50 million reconstruction: An extra $5 million for the very latest in fire-protection devices. The MGM fire started at a short circuit in wiring behind a refrigerated pastry display case, wiring that had been improperly installed. It spread unseen in its early stages, thanks in part to poor construction work and in part to breaches in firewalls  and holes made after the building went into service, to accommodate new ductwork and wiring. . It took years to settle the $1 billion in death and injury claims at MGM.