UPDATE MARCH 30: Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson announced Friday that Virgin will rebrand the Hard Rock hotel-casino.
RELATED: A look at Hard Rock hotel-casino's history in Las Vegas
The Hard Rock name will remain until the rebranding is complete. The new name will reportedly be Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The rebrand is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
Virgin will rebrand @HardRockHotelLV. Iconic name will remain until rebranding is complete. pic.twitter.com/AXvGRp6OnD
— Nina Porciuncula (@NinaReports) March 30, 2018
As far as memorabilia, Branson says "We will treasure it. We will choose, maybe some bits may be going into storage. But by and large, it's part of history. We've got a responsibility to look after it."
RELATED: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino memorabilia on display
Branson refused to reveal how much he paid for the Hard Rock during a press conference on Friday. He said that he did not wanted to turn the presser into a "boring business meeting."
Branson's airlines, Virgin Atlantic, began flying between Las Vegas and London in 2000 and Branson is a frequent visitor.
RELATED: Fake rendering pokes fun at possible Virgin rebrand of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
ORIGINAL STORY: Vital Vegas is reporting that the Hard Rock hotel-casino has been bought by Sir Richard Branson.
The Hard Rock will be part of the Virgin hotel chain. Details of the alleged sale have not been made public yet.
Virgin Hotels got its start in 2010 and is based in Florida.
