By Kate Silver

Luxor transforms itself into a sleek and hip place to play.

Just outside Luxor, a family of eight is posing for pictures in front of the stately black obelisk. It's a scene that happens hundreds of times a day, as often as in front of the fountains at Bellagio and the volcano at The Mirage. Luxor is Vegas, a tribute to its style, creativity and imagination.

Inside the property, which is one of the largest hotels in the world, the famous pyramid is transforming, shedding its old image marked by hieroglyphs and mummies and emerging as a sleek and hip place to play.

While in the past Luxor stuck very literally to its Egyptian theme, it's now refocusing by developing dynamic, new venues that guests will love and remember. Signs span the property advertising what's to come, and what an exciting year it will be.

"Luxor is responding to current trends and designs by evolving in its own way to cater to our guests' desires. We're adding new energy and excitement," said Luxor President and COO Felix Rappaport.

With new bars, clubs and a new show, energy and excitement are understatements. "We want people to come here, experience our amenities, tell their friends, and bring people when they come again. It's about making this property fun," said Rappaport.

To do that, Pure Management Group has brought in a Vegas version of LAX, one of LA's hottest nightclubs, backed by investors like Christina Aguilera and DJ AM. Designed by the über-hip Thomas Schoos, it has already become a hotspot for celebrities such as P. Diddy, Paris Hilton and Adrian Grenier.

Also by Pure Management Group is Noir Bar. This sexy and mysterious nightspot, marked by dark leathers and layered crystals, is different from any nightlife Las Vegas has seen. Intimate and exclusive, only those who make it on the list can enter the speakeasy-inspired candlelit bar.

One celebrity neighbor who will be popping in to these two hotspots is Criss Angel. Angel will be featured in the newest show produced by Cirque du Soleil. Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil, had long dreamed of re-creating the traditional magic show. Five years were spent researching and developing just how to go about doing that, and the results were melded with the skills and artistry of Criss Angel, who has been creating his own unique magic since he was six.

"I've spent 15 years creating and evolving a concept that the world of entertainment has never seen," said Angel. "Now, I'm thrilled to be working with Cirque du Soleil, Felix Rappaport and his amazing team at Luxor. This collaboration is destined to become one of the most exciting shows in Las Vegas, redefining magic the way Cirque du Soleil redefined the circus." The show will open in the summer of 2008.