The changing face of Reno Tahoe is on display, from a redeveloped downtown corridor to new destination shopping venues, to multi-million dollar hotel and casino developments. Here is a sneak peek into recent, current and future projects taking shape around Reno Tahoe USA:
Hotels and Casinos | |
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa (Reno)Atlantis Casino Resort Spa recently completed a $100 million expansion, including a 27,000-square-foot addition with a new Grand Ballroom, eight new meeting/break-out rooms and a high-tech executive boardroom. The new Manhattan Deli serves up authentic New York deli-style menu items in Atlantis recently completed construction of a pedestrian Sky Bridge connecting the casino resort to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, offering convenience to convention attendees. |  |
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (Reno)The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino has completed a $90 million transformation. Suites were remodeled as part of the project complete with leather and suede upholstered furniture, flat-screen televisions and floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms. The addition also added fine dining including Charlie Palmer Steak, Fin Fish and Briscola. The property boasts several new bars and lounges, including the trendy Pearl Champagne Lounge and the Reserve wine bar, serving over 80 different wines and champagnes. Grand Sierra is one of the largest convention center resorts in the country and recently completed $5 million in renovations to the 200,000 square feet of meeting space. |  |
Peppermill Hotel Casino (Reno)The Peppermill unveiled a new all-suite hotel tower and a 62,000-square-foot ballroom which was part of a $400 million expansion/renovation. The new Tuscany hotel tower added 600 rooms to raise the property's total room count to 1,635. Suites range in size from 550 square feet to 2,200 square feet and offer contemporary luxury amenities such as pillow-top king-sized beds, custom-made furniture, marble showers and European-style soaking tubs. The clear-span Tuscany ballroom raised the property's convention space to a total of 102,000 square feet. The expansion includes a Tuscan garden where guests are able to unwind with cabanas, Jacuzzis and three pools. The garden also serves as an outdoor setting for private events and parties. Honoring the old-world tradition of restorative spa treatments, improvements include a three-story spa and salon in addition to a new nightclub and steakhouse. |  |
The Legends Bay Casino-Resort-Spa (Sparks)Legends at Sparks Marina is Northern Nevada’s premier Outlet Shopping Destination. Located along the shores of Spark Marina just off I-80 at Exit 20 (Sparks Blvd), the center is anchored by Scheels, the world’s largest all sports store (240,000sf) and features unique themed restaurants and top name brand outlet stores including Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Adidas, Gymboree, Nine West, Osh Kosh B’Gosh, Forever 21, BCBG Max Azria, Ann Taylor, Jones New York, Nike, Volcom and more. Legends features exquisite landscaping, fountains and fireplaces along with unique artistic sculptures representing famous Nevada Legends. |  |
The Ritz Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe Resort (North Lake Tahoe)The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe is the newest resort development in the Lake Tahoe area. The $300 million project, situated mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski area, offers a five-star guest experience with ski-in, ski-out access with ski valet services, a restaurant by a renowned San Francisco celebrity chef, a 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and preferred access to the Old Greenwood and Coyote Moon golf courses. A private gondola will connect guests to the nearby Village at Northstar. The year-round destination includes 170 guest rooms, 23 private residences and 78 fractional ownership units. |  |
Hilton Garden Inn (Reno)The 135-room Hilton Garden Inn in south Reno opened recently on a 2.5-acre site. Well-suited for business travelers, the five-story property houses a 24-hour business center, the Great American Grill and in-room hospitality centers with refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers and other amenities. Groups are able to host meetings and banquets in the property’s 1,920 square feet of flexible meeting space. The new Hilton Garden Inn Reno is a part of the Hilton Family of Hotels and Honors. |  |
Holiday Inn Express and Suites (Reno)Brand new Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Reno is less than a mile away from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Conveniently located off US-395, a half-mile south of I-80, the hotel is a short distance from downtown Reno, the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, National Bowling Stadium, Reno-Sparks Convention Center and the University of Nevada, Reno. Select rooms have views of the Sierra Nevada, jetted bathtubs or a private whirlpool. The hotel features complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet, a meeting room, a hot breakfast buffet served daily, a health and fitness center, business center, guest laundry, indoor pool and whirlpool. |  |
Hyatt Place at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (Reno)The Reno-Tahoe International Airport has leased land directly adjacent to the airport and construction has started on a six-story, 127-room, all-suite Hyatt Place hotel. Intermountain Management of Monroe, La. will manage the approximately $15 million property which was completed in 2009. Catering to business travelers, the property will be customized with stone, wood and mountain decor, and does not include a casino. |  |
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS | |
Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (Sparks)The RTC CENTENNIAL PLAZA in Sparks began serving bus passengers in October 2008. Following eight years of planning, the new, state-of-the-art facility honors the rich traditions of the city, its rail past and its promising future. Planning for a new transit center, RTC 4TH STREET STATION, is also underway in downtown Reno and is set to open in fall 2010. | 200.jpg) |
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (Reno)The Reno-Tahoe International Airport just completed a 22-month construction program that has resulted in a faster and more efficient travel experience in the ticket lobby. Blending the latest high-tech security screening with a new baggage check-in system, an entirely new ticket lobby will connect all of the airport's airline ticket counters to the new system. Construction is also underway on a new air traffic control tower at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The FAA expects construction to end in late 2010. The new tower is located on the east side of the airport. |  |
DESTINATION IMPROVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS | |
Downtown Ballroom (Reno)Construction is complete on a 28,000-square-foot, $25 million ballroom. Located in downtown Reno, the ballroom adds to a downtown meeting complex that also includes the adjacent Reno Events Center and National Bowling Stadium. The facility has a commercial kitchen with the capacity to prepare banquets for more than 1,900 guests and can seat 2,900 for a general session. Column-free meeting space is divisible into six self-sufficient rooms with heating, air conditioning, Internet access and audio-visual controls. The facility is managed by Downtown Management Co. LLC, which is owned cooperatively by the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Circus Circus Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino. |  |
Golden Eagle Regional Park (Sparks)The construction of Golden Eagle Regional Park in Sparks, is the largest public works project in the history of the City of Sparks. The state-of-the-art facility is situated on approximately 140 acres east of Wingfield Springs, south of Vista Boulevard. The complex features 1.4 million square feet of artificial turf - the largest single installation artificial turf project in North America. The park is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels and will serve national sports tournaments. |  (photo by Matt Turley) |
Nevada Discovery Museum (Reno)Scheduled to open in 2011, the $18 million Nevada Discovery Museum is about families, fun and learning. This hands-on museum is designed to inspire the curiosity, creativity and understanding that leads to the lifelong success of children and their families as they experience the joy of learning together. Located in the former Reno City Hall at the corner of Center and Liberty streets with convenient onsite parking, the 55,000-square-foot museum will feature everything from space and science to art and archeology, all with a Northern Nevada flare. It will include nearly 18,000 square feet of permanent and traveling exhibit space and over 5,000 square feet of ongoing program space to ensure a fun and enriching experience for students, families and visitors. |  |
Post Office Plaza (Reno)The city of Reno has reached an agreement to purchase the 1934 downtown post office with plans to create an historic mixed-use center for restaurants, shops and office space. Designed by Frederic DeLongchamps, a renowned Nevada architect, the art deco post office is in a key riverfront location along the south bank of the Truckee River. The city plans to create a public plaza behind the post office that will extend the existing pedestrian RiverWalk by two blocks as well as expand the Truckee River Whitewater Park. |  |
Reno Ballpark District and Triple A Baseball Stadium (Reno)A Triple A baseball stadium will serve as the anchor of an $81 million ballpark district that brings new retail, business and entertainment options to downtown Reno. The ballpark is home of the Reno Aces, a Pacific Coast League team. The project is being developed by SK Baseball, a partnership of Stuart Katzoff, a New York real estate developer, Jerry Katzoff (Stuart’s father) and Herb Simon, a shopping center developer and owner of the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. |  |
Reno City Plaza (Reno)A mixed-use, one-acre public plaza has been developed at the corner of Virginia and First streets in downtown Reno. The plaza includes an 85-foot by 180-foot rectangular seasonal ice rink. A proposed cable-supported elliptical canopy will be suspended from two styled pylons over the rink. The design also includes a four-story, 42,000-square-foot building with restaurants and ice skate rentals, to be constructed in the future. |  |
ReTRAC Project (Reno)The project to lower more than two miles of railroad track through downtown was the largest public works improvement ever undertaken in Northern Nevada and has resulted in an improved downtown area that is safer and cleaner with more areas to use for economic development. Construction of the first phase was completed in 2005. Now a project to cover the tracks is almost complete, creating two blocks of new real estate between Virginia and Sierra streets in downtown Reno. It will serve as a new gathering place offering green areas, open space as well as opportunities for more shops, dining or entertainment. |  |
Truckee River Whitewater Park Expansion (Sparks)The year-round downtown Reno Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield offers adventure in the heart of the casino and arts and culture districts. The $1.5 million park is more than 2,600 feet long and beckons kayakers, rafters, swimmers and water enthusiasts to test out the class 2-3 rapids and the 11 drop pools, providing easy access for kayaking maneuvers with a consistent supply of fresh water. The success of the first element of the Truckee River Whitewater Park is now followed by a second installment of whitewater adventure. The City of Sparks has constructed a whitewater park at Rock Park. Along with pools for kayaking, tubing and rafting for all skill levels, the improvements include riverbank landscaping, shade structures, play structures, parking and better access for people with disabilities. The river trail system will also be rerouted. The nearly $900,000 contract was awarded to Reno Tahoe Construction, Inc., and was opened to the public in summer 2009. | |
West Street Market (Reno)Downtown Reno's new West Street Market is designed to serve as a gathering place that will provide a unique experience centered around food, friends, shopping, entertainment and demonstrations. The 8,494-square-foot indoor market includes 15-18 permanent prepared food and fresh food vendors as well as areas for artists, demonstrations, entertainment, education and other programming. The outdoor plaza includes a circular fireplace and will serve as a gathering place for various vendors, artists and entertainment. Current tenants include Brickhouse Bakery (Fresh Baked Goods), Wine Bar, Great Basin Community Co-op (Fresh Produce), Mikonos, Se7en Tea House & Bar, La Marenda (Great Italian Cooking), Downtown Marketplace & Deli, Great Basin Basket CSA, Nevada EcoNet, Sundance Books, Silver Trends Jewelry, Jada’s Jewels. Weather permitting, every Wednesday night the market features an “Eco Market” produced by Nevada EcoNet, every Friday night will feature an “Artist Market” and Saturday mornings will feature a Farmer’s & Chef’s Market. |  |
Virginia Street Reconfiguration Project (Reno)The length of Virginia Street, from 10 North Virginia Street Plaza to Fourth Street, recently underwent a dramatic reconfiguration. Contributing to the revitalization of downtown Reno’s entertainment core, the $10 million project narrowed the street to create wider, more pedestrian-friendly sidewalks that are now lined with shade trees and flower baskets. | |
Virginia & Truckee Railway Reconstruction (Carson City/Virginia City)Recognizing the opportunity to recreate history and to provide a major tourist attraction for the State of Nevada, the Tri-County Railway Commission was created by the Nevada Legislature in 1993 to raise funds, acquire rights-of-way and administer the reconstruction of the Virginia & Truckee Railway from Gold Hill to Carson City. Three of five phases of construction will be complete by 2009, with the remainder of the project’s timeline to be determined. |  |
RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS | |
Cabela’s (Reno)Cabela’s®, known as the World's Foremost Outfitter® of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, opened its 25th store off of Interstate 80 west of Reno in November 2007. The massive 150,000-square-foot store is the only Cabela’s in Nevada, California or Oregon. Showcasing thousands of products from its world-famous catalog, the store also features educational and entertainment attractions including hundreds of animals in museum-quality dioramas, a two-story Conservation Mountain with running waterfalls and stream and 26,000-gallon aquariums stocked with live fish. |  |
The Legends at Sparks Marina (Sparks)Legends at Sparks Marina is Northern Nevada’s premier Outlet Shopping Destination. Located along the shores of Spark Marina just off I-80 at Exit 20 (Sparks Blvd), the center is anchored by Scheels, the world’s largest all sports store (240,000sf) and features unique themed restaurants and top name brand outlet stores including Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Adidas, Gymboree, Nine West, Osh Kosh B’Gosh, Forever 21, BCBG Max Azria, Ann Taylor, Jones New York, Nike, Volcom and more. Legends features exquisite landscaping, fountains and fireplaces along with unique artistic sculptures representing famous Nevada Legends. | |
The Summit (Reno)The Summit lifestyle center is located at the intersection of U.S. 395 and the Mt. Rose Highway. The Summit opened in March 2006 and features 70 stores and restaurants, many of which are exclusive shopping and dining options in the Reno-Tahoe region. A 16-screen Century Theatres complex was added in May 2007. Centered around great shopping and food, the Summit features flowers, fountains, patios, and fire pits for a fun shopping experience for the whole family. |  |
