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.

MidTown Construction Update

Check out construction progress of various projects in Midtown!

Rumor Mill: Shea's Expanding in Midtown

Just a quick rumor I heard at Shea's Tavern in Midtown; Midtown Eats will eventually be moving over to Cheney Street to a new building near Death and Taxes. This, I  knew already. This makes sense, since both venues are run by Sadie and Ivan.

Then I heard that Shea's will be taking over Midtown Eat's restaurant space, opening a new restaurant, and the new kitchen wil serve both Shea's and the new restaurant.

This way, Shea's can remain a smoking venue.

New Mixed Use Project Begins Construction

A new mixed use project on the corner of 10th and Virginia will plant the seed for a much-needed university district between UNR and downtown, and bring a little of bit of Midtown north.

MidTown Neighborhood Walk - Tons of Construction!

It's amazing how many projects are happening right in a three-block radius of me. I took my dog for a walk through my very active neighborhood ... check out the photos!

The Kings Inn Has a Nice Pool Deck

As I reported from the RAAB meeting two weeks ago, the Kings Inn pulled a demo permit and is in the process of renovating the Kings Inn into apartments.

Something New Going in JP Mapes Location?

Quick blurb: I noticed a new alcohol license on tap for Wednesday's city council meeting for 50 North Sierra Street, Suite 103, which was JB Mapes' former location which has been closed a while. Anyone know what might be going in this space? The business is unnamed in the license application, only that Anthony Kranz is applying for it and it will be a restaurant and bar.

UPDATE: My snoops are telling me Anthony Kranz has two new businesses registered.....Ten & H2O with Bryan Bjork (address at 50 Sierra # 103), and High Desert Pizza and Sports with Sandra Saville.