El Cortez's Awning Comes Down, Exposes Beautiful Work Underneath

El Cortez's hideous awning that doesn't match the building at all, is coming down, much to the delight of Noble Pie Parlor owners Trevor Leppek and Ryan 'Pie Face' Goldhammer.

Siegel Weighing Two Options for Awnings at El Cortez

So the word on the street is Siegel Group is demolishing the current awnings over the retail businesses on the first floor, and is looking at two options moving forward.

I also can't wait to see what they come up with for window options, since the Historical Resources Commission recommended they come up with window replacements that have a bit more of a historical feel than 1970s style slider windows.

A Day of Sneak Peeks Part 3: Plans for the Virginian

A Day of Sneak Peeks Part 3: Plans for the Virginian.

The Virginian is the long-closed hotel casino located on Virginia Street just north of City Hall and First Street, on the east side of Virginia Street. On the same day I was checking out Ross Apartments and the Shelter, Downtownmakeover fan Matt Orchowski went on a tour of the Virginian, snapped some photos, and learned some surprising facts about the building.

Virginian Offers Up Retail Space on Loopnet

The Virginian is looking for a few good retail and food venues for its ground-floor and basement levels of the upcoming Virginian renovation. Check out the cool photos of the Virginian, still frozen in time, posted on their ad. Amazing!

Siegel Group Buys Nevadan

Siegel Group buys Nevadan, plans 'transient housing' for both the Nevadan and Virginian, according to News 4. Is this a good or bad thing? Read on.

Siegel Group Replacing Windows on El Cortez

As the El Cortez's renovations continue, they are replacing most of the electrical and now are replacing all the windows on the El Cortez. Some history buffs in town emailed me, worried that doing this could remove the El Cortez from the list of registered historic landmarks.

The El Cortez is not bound or required to preserve the building's history, but it would be a nice thing to do in the process of renovating it.

Apparently they did not have the required permit to do this, the city found out, and put a stop-work-order in. Submitting a permit to replace the windows would have triggered a Historic Resources Commission review, which is now going to occur thanks to some keen eyes on the building.

Java Jungle and Jungle Vino Combining, Renovating

Matt down at Java Jungle / Jungle Vino has been hard at work undergoing a full renovation, and working with Siegel Group, the Truckee Lane Building's new owners.

Major Project Update

Lots of updates on some of downtown's biggest projects. Click to read!

Various Tidbits

Various news around downtown Reno and Midtown

Siegel Group Proposes to Enhance West Street Plaza, Fulton Park

As part of their redevelopment efforts for the Truckee Lane Building, located on First Street in downtown Reno, Siegel Group will be asking the council to acquire West Street Plaza and Fulton Park to improve them and make them more cohesive with their redevelopment plans for the building.

Siegel Group to Probably Acquire El Cortez Downtown

Siegel Group has had their eyes set on El Cortez for a while, as ReReno reported here months ago, but now it looks like the sale will be completed shortly.

Renderings for Truckee River Lane Building Rehab!

Check out these awesome renderings of what the Truckee River Lane Building may look like when Siegel Group is done renovating it.