<P> Bellagio was conceived by Steve Wynn, and Atlandia Design (a Mirage Resorts, Inc. wholly owned subsidiary) managed the design, construction and furnishing of the facility, following the purchase and demolition of the legendary Dunes hotel and casino in October 27, 1993 after the grand opening of Luxor Las Vegas . Bellagio's design architect was DeRuyter Butler, and Peter Smith was the project executive . Construction on the Bellagio began in May 1996 . Bellagio had an original design and construction cost of US $1.6 billion . </P> <P> The interior design on the Bellagio was designed by Architectural Digest 100 four - time winner Roger Thomas . Roger Thomas is the executive vice president of design for Wynn Design & Development, and principal of the Roger Thomas Collection . </P> <P> Bellagio opened on October 15, 1998, just before 11 pm, in a ceremony that was reported to cost US $88 million . The VIPs invited to the grand opening were expected to donate to The Foundation Fighting Blindness US $1,000 a person or US $3,500 a couple, which entitled them to an overnight stay at Bellagio's suite rooms . Opening night's entertainment began with Steve Wynn giving a 40 - minute welcome speech followed by the opening of the Cirque du Soleil production O. Performing in Bellagio lounges that night were New York cabaret and recording artist Michael Feinstein, George Bugatti, and John Pizarrelli . When it opened, it was the most expensive hotel ever built . </P> <P> In 2000 it became an MGM Mirage property when Mirage Resorts merged with MGM Grand Inc. to create MGM Mirage . In 2010, the company was renamed MGM Resorts International in a move to go worldwide with its brands . </P>

When was the bellagio in las vegas built