The original sign for Bally's, which was a modified version of the MGM Grand marquee, advertising Jubilee. Groundbreaking of the MGM Grand took place on Apwith a champagne party including many celebrities including people like Janet Leigh, Betty Grable, Chad Everett and Cary Grant. In 1972, Kirk Kerkorian, who was a famous architect previously responsible for the International (Now Westgate Las Vegas) purchased a chunk of land behind the failing Bonanza for $10 million and announced that a new resort and casino would be built as a partnering between the MGM movie company, which had been seeking for a new hotel since 1970. The casino suffered a major amount of ownership issues and would only last a few years. It was then bought by Larry Wolf, demolished, and was replaced with the 160-room Bonanza Hotel and Casino. History MGM Grand (1973 - 1986) Concept and Construction Įarlier, the property that sat before the MGM Grand was the Three Coins Motel, operating from 1962 to 1966. 1.3 Ownership from Caesars Entertainment.1.2.1 Ownership from Bally Manufacturing.