When it comes to construction, remodels, and re-branding of properties in Nevada, most of the attention goes to Las Vegas. However, Reno is currently going through important and big changes of its own. Lately, announcements have been coming left and right regarding real estate in Reno, and this week is no different.
For nearly three decades, the Knights Inn has been empty in downtown Reno, and has served no purpose other than to exist, and slowly decay. Enough was enough for Amador “Chi Chi” Bengochea of Bentar Development, who purchased the property late last year. Bengochea began a remodel on February 11, and said he’d be happy to get the project done for $8 million.
“I was just driving by here and it looked like a real interesting building,” he said. “A lot of people won’t even touch this place, but I think I can do a real good job with it.” The building will be turned into more than 100 new apartment units. Bengochea said the building has “good bones” too. “I’m in construction, and when I look at a concrete building sitting here for as long as it has, I didn’t want it to go to waste,” he said.
Nearby residents are polarized on plans to turn the site into apartment units. Ron House of Reno would have preferred to see the building torn down and rebuilt. “I mean, it’s an eyesore, it’s been like that for a long time. As to what they should put there, I don’t know.” House added, “I think we have enough apartments around, you know?”.
Others, such as James Lawson, a nearby resident is excited. “I used to come here 40 years ago,” Lawson said regarding Knights Inn. “I’ve been seeing it sit here for a long tie, but they’re building a lot here and that’s bringing life back to Reno.”
City Manager Andrew Clinger recently said “We want to create an environment where people want to live and where people want to work. There’s not a lot of apartment units in the downtown area, and that’s one of the characteristics of the younger generation. They like the urban life, and they want to live in an urban area.”
Meanwhile, a strategic aesthetic upgrade came about at the Nugget Casino Resort recently. The hotel’s revised marquee is now without “John Ascuaga’s”, as Carlton Geer’s company, Global Gaming & Hospitality acquired the complex over a year ago from the Ascuaga family, who were owned the property for over 50 years.
With a full understanding of how great an impact this changing of the guard will have on the community, Geer decided to slowly implement changes, as to not completely shock, and possibly upset the casino goers. “What’s interesting to me is how afraid people are of change,” Greet said. “All of us romanticize the past. We always remember the good things. Memories are selective that way.”
The $23.12 million purchase has led to several changes on the property as well. Trader Dick’s restaurant was replaced with Gilley’s Saloon and Dance Hall, in addition to the removal of the 36-foot-tall prospector statue, known as “Last Chance Joe”, an icon since 1958, and relocating it to the nearby Sparks Heritage Museum and Cultural Center.
A $50 million renovation will also include “high-energy” carpeting, which will go in the casino pit area, as well as a VIP lounge for slot and table gamblers. Later this year, crews will start renovating the 1,382 guest rooms, hitting full stride after summer.
