Iconic Burning Man Installation Lands At AREA15 In Las Vegas

While Las Vegas is known for out of the ordinary sights, it’s not every day you get to see a gigantic jet being transported through the streets of Sin City. 

A Boeing 747, once part of the “Big Imagination” art installation at the 2017 Burning Man festival, made its highly anticipated journey through Las Vegas on Wednesday to its new home at the expanded AREA15 District. 

Originally transformed into an immersive experience in the Nevada desert, the massive aircraft section will now become a permanent fixture at the wildly popular entertainment complex. The transport of the iconic jumbo jet piece marks a new chapter for the visionary art project, bringing a blend of aviation history and creative innovation to the heart of Las Vegas.

The “Big Imagination” team transformed a 1985 Boeing 747 into a stunning work of art that also functioned as a performance venue and nightclub. It landed at Burning Man in August 2017 where it wowed festival-goers. 

The 747 Project raised $86,558 back in 2016 to help support the project. According to Indiegogo’s website, “The 747 is a metaphor for your journey through life. Where are you going? What are your dreams? How can you make a difference in the world? Step inside and let your adventure begin.” 

The website also shared important information about the project as it was happening.

“Step 1: Purchase, clean out, and cut off the tail/wings of the 747 jet. Step 2: Reconstruct the upper deck and refinish the cockpit, cut the upper section of the fuselage, and prep the upper fuselage for transport,” the website explained. “Step 3: Reconstruct the lower deck interior, install the decks over the wings and upper deck canopies, unbolt the wings/landing gear and prep for lower fuselage transport.” 

On Wednesday morning, the jet was transported from Las Vegas Motor Speedway to its final destination at AREA15. 

Its transport was a spectacle, featuring a processional caravan and costumed AREA15 ambassadors.

The plane wowed spectators throughout its drive to AREA15. It departed from Las Vegas Motor Speedway and traveled to Las Vegas Blvd. to Cheyenne Ave, and drove on Rancho Dr, Decatur Blvd, Sahara Ave, Valley View Blvd, Meade Ave. to the expanded AREA15 District.

"The iconic journey that this aircraft has taken symbolizes the monumental expression of the fusion between art, technology, and experiential entertainment that defines AREA15, Winston Fisher, chief executive officer of AREA15 said, according to a press release.

"Once the centerpiece of the world's most avant-garde festival, this installation will now be permanently integrated into the AREA15 ecosystem, offering an entirely new way to experience nightlife and events in Las Vegas."

Following the exhibition at Burning Man in 2017, the Boeing 747 was purchased by late Zappos chief executive officer, Tony Hsieh. He originally brought the plane to Vegas with plans to repurpose it as a party venue. In 2022, Joshua Levine, the late founder of Fired Up Management and original curator of AREA15's open-air Art Island gallery, brokered its acquisition by AREA15, where the fuselage joins the growing collection of unique art installations.

The large section of the fuselage was transported on a flatbed truck in a caravan to the final destination of AREA15. It was met by tons of people and a celebration fit for a Boeing 747!

“We’re extremely excited to bring the Boeing 747 here to have a permanent home. It originally started at Burning Man in 2017,” Pearl Verzosa, executive director of marketing for AREA15 told The Blast exclusively.

“We have acquired it and given another monumental art piece a place to be in Las Vegas.” 

The journey to get the plane to AREA15 was a tough task, and while traveling through the city, many got the chance to see it up close as it passed by. The process from thought to final destination was a journey in itself.

“It took an army of project managers, construction teams, working with different groups, especially the city in order to figure out the best way to get it from point A to point B,” Verzosa shared. “We’ve actually had the plane for some time, even before the expansion. The project team has been working on this for a couple of months in order to make it happen. We actually have a few more pieces coming throughout the week, too.”

The plane will be part of the AREA15 expansion, which will add another 20 acres of fun. The plane’s home will be near the large buildings next to AREA15’s main building once it’s all said and done. 

AREA15, located just a few miles away from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, is where fun can be found for all ages.

AREA15 is an immersive entertainment and art complex that combines art installations, interactive play and experiences, live events, dining, and more!

Since opening its doors in 2020, this multisensory destination has grown by adding more attractions and fun and is currently in the process of growing even more.

With so many unique and fun experiences all in one location, AREA15 is a must when visiting Vegas. For more information about AREA15, visit their website.