Mike Higdon

mhigdon@rgj.com

A new 28-unit condominium in downtown Reno will start construction later in March or early April with an opening date set for late 2016. The bottom floor will include two retail spots, which developers hope to fill with a deli and a bar.

"We're willing to take a risk in this area," said Don Clark, principal at Cathexes Architecture and Don J Clark Group building the housing.

Clark and wife Susan Clark, described the neighborhood north of the Powning Conservation District as diverse, but also said it is ready for new development.

The housing project will butt up against Castaway Inn, a weekly motel, to the south and the train trench to the north. The builders are also right next door. The plot of land is currently a vacant lot, so the construction won't require any demolition.

Reno delays decision on UNR and historic homes' future

They will sell the 28 units within the five-story building. The bottom floor retail will share space with gated parking with living units above them. The units will range from 730 to 2,150 square feet with prices comparable to The Montage. For legal reasons, they could not disclose prices, but are taking reservations.

"There has been no new product downtown for long time and we know the market needs sales," Don Clark said. "We're raising the bar on design and construction. We're changing the conversation for Reno, that 'We can have nice things'."

3rd Street Flats, upscale apartments, opening at former Kings Inn

Update: Downtown student housing to open fall 2018

He said it's important to start projects like this in downtown and prove to the city that it can grow and attract new business and people.