Built at a cost of $1.6 billion, it was the world's most expensive resort up to that point. Construction began on November 1, 1995, with Marnell Corrao Associates as general contractor.īellagio opened on October 15, 1998, with 3,005 rooms in a 36-story tower. However, Wynn changed the project plans in 1995, instead theming it after the village of Bellagio, near Lake Como. Plans were announced in 1994 to replace it with Beau Rivage, a French-themed resort. Wynn's company, Mirage Resorts, purchased the Dunes in 1992. Bellagio was conceived by casino owner Steve Wynn, and was built on the former site of the Dunes hotel-casino. and operated by MGM Resorts International. oʊ/ bə- LAH-zhi-oh) is a resort, luxury hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.