Details for a $750 million expansion and renovation project were unveiled in March 2007.
The project would double the size of the resort with additional hotel rooms, convention space, and a larger concert venue.
The hotel expansion would consist of a 15-story tower with 550 rooms and a separate VIP tower with 400 suites.
The expansion was scheduled to begin construction in October 2007 for completion in mid-2009, although renovations to the existing hotel rooms and restaurants began immediately.
The Hard Rock remained open during the renovation project.
NRFC HRH, an entity of NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation, provided $100 million as part of a $1.36 billion loan that was used to finance the 2007 purchase and the subsequent renovation and expansion.

The Paradise Bay Club apartments would be closed for demolition to take place.
The apartments would be replaced by new parking for employees and guests, and the land would also serve as a temporary staging area for construction.
The expansion would ultimately utilize only 8 of the 23 acres, and the remaining acreage would be left vacant with the future possibility of development.
Meanwhile, the parking lot located in front of the resort along Paradise Road would be replaced by 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m²) of convention and meeting space, as well as the new and enlarged Joint.
The original Joint, capable of holding 2,000 people during concerts, would be opened up to make room for 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m²) of new casino space, for a new total of 65,000 sq ft (6,000 m²).
The new Joint was built on what used to be 300 parking spaces.

New York architect Mark Zeff designed the property's existing and future facilities.
Zeff wanted to give the resort an "elegant, young vibe."
A renovation of the hotel's 64 suites, located on the hotel's 11th floor, began in June 2007.
Zeff had four different redesigns which were implemented into the suites as a way of gauging how customers react to them, ahead of construction for the new hotel towers.
The new towers were intended to target boutique hotel customers who visit the Hard Rock but may stay at more upscale hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Hard Rock performed better than expected in the first full quarter of its new ownership.
The Paradise Bay Club apartments were closed in July 2007, and demolition was underway the following month.
A groundbreaking ceremony had been planned for August 7, 2007, but was postponed as hotel officials wanted to wait a few months for a backdrop that would be more photogenic.
In addition to a parking garage, the former apartment land would also be used for the new hotel towers.

Morgans was licensed to operate the casino in January 2008, ending its agreement with Golden Gaming.
Renovations on the upper-floor suites were finished, while lower-floor suites were in the process of being upgraded.
The resort initially performed well, despite the presence of construction vehicles and disruptions caused by the renovation work.
To prevent traffic problems, much of the construction work was ended each day around 12:30 p.m. By June 2008, construction was underway on the new, northern hotel tower, which had reached the fourth floor.
Later that year, construction began on the south tower.

During the Great Recession in 2008, Morgans Hotel Group began gradually reducing its equity in the Hard Rock joint venture, and the resort suffered financially as a result of the recession.
As of August 2008, Morgans held a 20 percent stake in the resort.
The Hard Rock took advantage of the recession by hiring skilled construction workers who otherwise would have been busy working on other projects, if not for the economic slowdown.
Construction proceeded ahead of schedule, with 1,600 workers and M.J. Dean as the general contractor.
The company had worked on a previous expansion of the Hard Rock as well.
Later in 2008, the Hard Rock experienced its largest quarterly revenue drop under its new ownership.
The poor revenue was attributed to decreased consumer spending as well as disruptions caused by the ongoing expansion work.

The 17-story north
Details for a $750 million expansion and renovation project were unveiled in March 2007. The project would double the size of the resort with additional hotel rooms, convention space, and a larger concert venue. The hotel expansion would consist of a 15-story tower with 550 rooms and a separate VIP tower with 400 suites. The expansion was scheduled to begin construction in October 2007 for completion in mid-2009, although renovations to the existing hotel rooms and restaurants began immediately. The Hard Rock remained open during the renovation project. NRFC HRH, an entity of NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation, provided $100 million as part of a $1.36 billion loan that was used to finance the 2007 purchase and the subsequent renovation and expansion.
The Paradise Bay Club apartments would be closed for demolition to take place. The apartments would be replaced by new parking for employees and guests, and the land would also serve as a temporary staging area for construction. The expansion would ultimately utilize only 8 of the 23 acres, and the remaining acreage would be left vacant with the future possibility of development. Meanwhile, the parking lot located in front of the resort along Paradise Road would be replaced by 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m²) of convention and meeting space, as well as the new and enlarged Joint. The original Joint, capable of holding 2,000 people during concerts, would be opened up to make room for 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m²) of new casino space, for a new total of 65,000 sq ft (6,000 m²). The new Joint was built on what used to be 300 parking spaces.
New York architect Mark Zeff designed the property's existing and future facilities. Zeff wanted to give the resort an "elegant, young vibe." A renovation of the hotel's 64 suites, located on the hotel's 11th floor, began in June 2007. Zeff had four different redesigns which were implemented into the suites as a way of gauging how customers react to them, ahead of construction for the new hotel towers. The new towers were intended to target boutique hotel customers who visit the Hard Rock but may stay at more upscale hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. The Hard Rock performed better than expected in the first full quarter of its new ownership. The Paradise Bay Club apartments were closed in July 2007, and demolition was underway the following month. A groundbreaking ceremony had been planned for August 7, 2007, but was postponed as hotel officials wanted to wait a few months for a backdrop that would be more photogenic. In addition to a parking garage, the former apartment land would also be used for the new hotel towers.
Morgans was licensed to operate the casino in January 2008, ending its agreement with Golden Gaming. Renovations on the upper-floor suites were finished, while lower-floor suites were in the process of being upgraded. The resort initially performed well, despite the presence of construction vehicles and disruptions caused by the renovation work. To prevent traffic problems, much of the construction work was ended each day around 12:30 p.m. By June 2008, construction was underway on the new, northern hotel tower, which had reached the fourth floor. Later that year, construction began on the south tower.
During the Great Recession in 2008, Morgans Hotel Group began gradually reducing its equity in the Hard Rock joint venture, and the resort suffered financially as a result of the recession. As of August 2008, Morgans held a 20 percent stake in the resort. The Hard Rock took advantage of the recession by hiring skilled construction workers who otherwise would have been busy working on other projects, if not for the economic slowdown. Construction proceeded ahead of schedule, with 1,600 workers and M.J. Dean as the general contractor. The company had worked on a previous expansion of the Hard Rock as well. Later in 2008, the Hard Rock experienced its largest quarterly revenue drop under its new ownership. The poor revenue was attributed to decreased consumer spending as well as disruptions caused by the ongoing expansion work.
The 17-story north
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas)