Reno’s Former Harrah’s Casino Gets New Life as “Revival”

For years, the former Harrah’s Reno casino hotel has stood vacant, a silent reminder of its once-thriving presence in downtown Reno. 

Five years after the property was offloaded as part of the Caesars Entertainment-Eldorado Resorts merger, a new vision is finally taking shape for the 928-room hotel and its expansive 40,000-square-foot casino space.

Long Road to “Revival”

Originally sold to Las Vegas developer Chris Beavor and his CAI Investments for $41.5 million, the property was set to be transformed into “Reno City Center,” a mixed-use development. 

However, Beavor’s plans fell through due to pandemic-related disruptions, rising labor costs, and inflation. 

In 2023, the property changed hands again, this time being acquired by Gryphon Private Wealth Management. 

However, the new ownership wasn’t able to materialize the “Reno City Center.”

Last month, a major shift occurred when Charlotte-based Madison Capital Group took over a controlling stake in the struggling project as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. 

With Madison’s investment, a new plan was set into motion.

No More Dice Rolling

Downtown Reno is currently experiencing a wave of redevelopment, spearheaded by Jacobs Entertainment’s transformation of the Sands Regency into J Resort and the ambitious “Reno Neon Line” project. 

Just three blocks east of this corridor, the former Harrah’s site is set to be reimagined as “Revival,” a mixed-use development that will bring fresh energy to the city.

However, as opposed to its historical predecessor, “Revival” will no longer roll the dice, as it won’t allow any form of casino gaming. 

Instead, it will include 300 market-rate residential apartments, corporate housing, a redesigned hotel, office spaces, retail shops, restaurants, bars, and even a grocery store. 

Plus, a ground-level outdoor plaza will be used to bring together these various elements, with the purpose of creating a vibrant community hub.

“We are excited to kick off Revival, a transformative project that honors the rich history of the Harrah’s property while looking toward the future. Breathing new life into this cornerstone property will play a key role in the continued revitalization of downtown Reno, further establishing it as a top city to live, work, and visit,” commented Madison Capital Group’s chief executive officer and founder, Ryan Hanks.

Harrah’s Reno was founded by William F. Harrah and first opened its doors on October 10, 1969. Over the decades, it grew into a global gambling powerhouse, going public in 1971 and later being acquired by Holiday Inn for $300 million after Harrah’s passing in 1978.

The company underwent significant expansion, rebranding as Harrah’s Entertainment in 1995 and later acquiring Caesars Entertainment for $10.4 billion in 2005. 

Today, Harrah’s name lives on across 17 properties worldwide, and its founder’s legacy is cemented in the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV, funded by a generous $5 million donation from his widow, Verna Harrah.