The old Fitzgerald's hotel casino next to the Reno Arch, shut down in November of 2008, is being resurrected as CommRow. The renovation is being directed by Fernando Leal* of DRW Fitzgerald Real Property LLC and calls for turning the property into a sporting complex primarily devoted to rock climbing. Construction is already under way and if all goes as planned, CommRow will open around Labor Day 2011 with the world's tallest climbing wall (197 feet) on the front of the building facing Virginia Street. Inside will be a bouldering park, several eateries offering healthy fare, live entertainment venues, over 100 hotel rooms to open early next year, and no gambling.
Old Fitzgerald's casino in downtown Reno, Nevada.
Photo © Stan White
Also wound into the deal is the purchase of the closed Fitzgerald's parking garage across the street. Leal's company currently owes the city hundreds of thousands in back rent on the property, which would be forgiven if the $2.5 million deal goes through. The city bought the property for the train trench project and is in hock for $6 million in bonds. The complex deal would help cut Reno's loses and give CommRow the parking it needs.
Check out Downtown Reno Makeover for more pictures and details of the CommRow project.
*Fernando Leal is the developer who put together the Montage condo project. The financial meltdown forced him to return the property to the lender, but under his direction the old Golden Phoenix hotel casino was transformed into a beautiful building. New Montage owners have stepped in and are actually selling units. If Leal can pull off CommRow with the same quality as the Montage, it will be a great addition to downtown Reno.
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal, CommRow, Downtown Reno Makeover .
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Comments
A sad time indeed,to see the Fitz finally go down. This will be interesting,rock climbing in Reno.