Marmot Properties Acquires Another Complex, Begins Marmoting

Marmot Properties Acquires Another Complex, Begins Marmoting

Adventures of a Snarkitect

I've been friends with blogger Mike McGonagle for years now, but few know how involved he actually is with the resurgence of Midtown.

Developer Blake Smith Snatches Up Waterfront Sales Office Property

Permit sniffer and good friend Mike McGonagle told me that S3 Renovation Investors, i.e. Blake Smith who recently built the Starbucks on Virginia Street downtown, and is constructing the Cov and an unnamed project on Sinclair and Stewart, has snatched up the lot on 2nd and Lake, where the half-built Waterfront Sales Office sits.

It would be sweet if he built some kind of mixed use live-work units in this spot.

Siena In Talks to Go Back to Its Roots

Only the most hardcore Reno natives would know that the Siena, back when it was the Holiday Hotel, actually opened up in 1958 WITHOUT a casino. It was a non-gaming hotel on the river, and the casino was only added later. Hotels like Harrah's downtown are casinos with a hotel added on, but the Holiday was a hotel first, with a casino added on.

Since 1999, the casino has literally not made a dime of money. I don't need a 'source' to tell me this, it's painfully obvious when you visit the Siena on a Friday or Saturday.

Yet, during the weekends, esepcially in the summer, the hotel portion often comes close to selling out.

So, it wasn't necessarily shocking when I learned from an unnamed source that Fernando Leal, developer of the Montage and CommRow (now Whitney Peak Hotel) has bought the Siena.

Salty Savory Sweet Coming to Cal Ave

You might have noticed tenant improvements happening at 100 California Ave, Suite 102. It will soon be home to a new unique store, something this retail corridor needs after losing several key retailers the past couple years.

Kings Inn To Become High End Apartments And Other News

A report back from the RAAB meeting with lots of exciting items.

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.

Midtown Construction Update - Sticks and 777 Center

Midtown Construction Update - Sticks and 777 Center.

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.

New Venues Headed to 1st and West

A couple of quick announcements:

1)      The old Beaujolais location 130 West Street has been rented out to a new business called “Crafted Palette”. This will be a high-end specialty coffee shop with light breakfasts’ in addition to a paint and sip venue in the late afternoon and evenings. Like them on Facebook here.

2)      123 W. First Street (Old Bugsy’s Bar Location); one side has been leased  to a business called “Derby Supply Company”.  This will be a 1930’s style barbershop. They are offering cocktails while one might be getting a true straight razor shave and haircut. Look for build-out to begin late Spring, early Summer.

New Project Slated for Corner of Sinclair and Stewart

Look for a new project coming to this corner of Stewart and Sinclair, on the border between Downtown, Midtown and the Wells Avenue Conservation district. I don't know much about the project yet, other than it will comprise of the empty lot next to the green Victorian, the space between the green Victorian and the smaller home on Sinclair, and then the small green home on Sinclair as well. It will be residential., and it's not a Marmot project.