The aquarium behind the registration desk at the Mirage Hotel & Casino is one of RPT’s earlier projects in the hotel aquarium business, but it remains one of the most elaborate. When installed, the aquarium measured 53 feet (approx. 16.2m) long, 8 feet (2.4m) high, 6 feet (1.8m) wide, and required the acrylic to be 4 inches (10.2cm) thick. It holds 20,000 gallons (nearly 76,000 Liters) of saltwater and requires a diver to clean the tank.

After a recent update, the aquarium is now home to a new reef and marine life. One-thousand marine reef animals selected for their adaptability to different environments and compatibility with other species populate the tank. There are now 60 species represented in that reef, coming from places such as Australia, Hawaii, Tonga, the Red Sea, the Sea of Cortez, and the Caribbean.

RPT’s second project at the Mirage involved the fabrication and installation of a new outdoor infinity edge saltwater pool. The infinity edge dipping pool uses thick R-Cast™ acrylic sheets and incorporates a water feature. The pool allows water to cascade over one of the long sides, forming a soothing water wall with a basin below to capture and recirculate the water.

Date Completed: 1989 (aquarium); 2006 (pool)