1998What is the largest bronze sculpture in the Western Hemisphere?
The MGM Grand Lion, towering above the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada, holds the record as the largest bronze sculpture in the Western Hemisphere. Commissioned during a $250 million renovation of the MGM Grand in the mid-1990s, the 45-foot-tall, 50-foot-long bronze lion was created to honor Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s iconic mascot while respecting diverse cultural beliefs. Crafted from 1,660 bronze panels and weighing a staggering 50 tons, the sculpture was unveiled on February 16, 1998, and now stands as one of the most photographed landmarks on the Las Vegas Strip. The lion’s presence not only marks a feat of artistry and engineering but also a fascinating moment of cultural adaptation in the history of Las Vegas.
