We will believe when we see it in reality rather than in renderings shared with media …
If it does come to completion what do you think of these looks for new promises for the vacant former Harrah’s revamp, including a grocery, we fear, by these initial looks, will be overpriced.
There are also plans for 282 apartment units in all, a fitness center, a corporate office, and coworking space with an orange color scheme, across two prime downtown Reno city blocks in dire need of “activation.”
Construction on the on again off again back on again revitalization with a new team and with new money is now promised to begin in September.
“This project will transform Reno,” the new head person in charge Tommy Ahlquist of Ahlquist LLC now says, after taking over from CAI Investments, which had made similar promises in 2020.
“Ushering in a New Era of Revitalization – Madison Capital Group Becomes the Majority Owner, Manager and Developer of the Former Harrah’s Casino in Downtown Reno, Nevada,” a blog post on the Ahlquistdev.com website indicates.
“Marking the beginning of the single most transformative project of this century for downtown Reno, Madison Capital Group proudly announces its groundbreaking partnership with one of the Mountain West’s premiere developers, Ahlquist LLC (“Ahlquist”), in bringing a new mixed-use development to downtown Reno called, “Revival,”” it says not lacking the hyperbole of previously broken promises for this location.
The Harrah's hotel-casino was closed in March 2020 after it was sold to Las Vegas-based CAI Investments for over $40 million. Work was underway to redevelop the property into an expansive mixed-use development named Reno City Center before it stalled and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year.
Our Town Reno Citizen’s Forum, July 2025