Nevada’s first hoped for Kimpton-branded boutique hotel has been held up by owners of the Frisch house, initially built in 1906, not wanting developers to dig up their adjoining yard to replace an aging sewer line.
Their resistance is delaying the already COVID slowed down 20-story Reno Kimpton planned to be “a mixed-use project with around 270 rooms, 50 private Kimpton condominium residences, 60,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.”
Meanwhile, the City of Reno is seeking “an acceptable sewer realignment plan” from Las Vegas based developer CAI Investments, a partner in the Kimpton project, in that same area.
Court proceedings are getting in the way though as trustees of the Theresa Frisch Trust sued the city in August, trying to get Nevada’s federal district court to prevent Reno from cutting off existing sewer service to the Frisch House, which has several office tenants. Lawyers indicated to Our Town Reno city officials have replied they’ve offered to pay for a new sewer line.
Previously, in 2019, the Kimpton project led City Council to change its shade ordinance, loosening requirements to build tall buildings in downtown areas. The modification came despite opposition from many community members and the long standing Trinity Episcopal Cathedral which took that issue to court, and are still pursuing that matter legally.
We contacted several lawyers working on these cases but none wanted to be quoted directly for an article.
CAI Investments already made headlines recently after pulling out from plans to renovate the Harrah’s Reno hotel-casino.
They are being represented by attorney Garrett Gordon who also does work for Jacobs Entertainment.
At one point, CAI Investments had this blurb on its website concerning the Kimpton Project: “Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle Collection, joined CAI Investments, key stakeholders and local officials on Friday, May 13 for a ceremonial groundbreaking event to mark the progress on its new hotel in Reno, Nevada. When it opens in late 2024, the new Kimpton in Reno will become the first newly constructed non-gaming hotel built in the city. With a prime location in the heart of Downtown and across the street from the Truckee River and Wingfield Park, the hotel will become a beacon for boutique hospitality in the “Biggest Little City in the World.””
For now, the location is weeded out and fenced off, a familiar look for many well publicized projects in downtown Reno in recent years.