Cal Neva Revitalization- The Cal Neva Villas Development

by Leave a Comment

 

Curtesy of Revitalize Cal Neva

 

The Proposed Plan

The Cal Neva Villas Development will be a hotel only project with no for sale product. Preserving the history and cultural heritage of the Cal Neva is a key focus of the revitalization efforts to preserve, revitalize, and secure the historic Circle Bar, Indian Room, casino, and showroom.
 
The Plan includes:
Revitalizing the Tower and the hotel rooms, with 216 rooms total rooms including the tower and villas cabins.

Preserving the historic lodge.

Restoring the iconic large boulders and historic fireplace.

Renovating the Theater with the latest technology and made available for concerts, speaker series, art performances, community events, and gatherings.

Offering a full-service restaurant, and multiple bar and dining experiences with locally-infused selections.

New additions to the  facility include a  wellness center with a full spa and indoor pickleball as well as outdoor spaces with native landscaping.

Several of the existing cabins and the wedding chapel, are no longer habitable and pose a safety hazard and will need to be removed. This area will be developed into The villas, which will provide multi-bedroom offerings for families and groups. They will be redeveloped on the same approximate footprint as the previous old Nevada-side cabins and duplexes.
 
 

Timeline

The revitalization is targeting a grand opening of 2026 to celebrate and honor Cal Neva’s 100th Anniversary.
 
Initial site work is underway to preserve the beloved historic lodge (formerly the Indian Room), Circle Bar and Celebrity Showroom. The structures had been abandoned for more than a decade with significant weather impacts requiring engineering assessments, structural upgrades, and environmental abatements, all of which are currently under way. Site work is also focused on enhancing stormwater systems and making utility upgrades to improve the surrounding environment and Lake health. Crews are also conducting forest health activities including ladder fuel reduction and wildfire mitigation to improve fire safety of the area. 

Update September 2024

A commercial permit for the “Cal Neva Villas” project was filed September 4, 2024, according to Washoe County records. The Crystal Bay business, which is owned by Denver-based real estate firm McWhinney, was described as a hotel and casino. The permit names Collaborative Design Studio as the contact for the project. The Reno-based architecture firm worked on the Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Heavenly Ski Resort’s Tamarack Lodge. SMC Construction Co. of Sparks is named as the primary contractor.
 

History

Plans to convert the Cal Neva into a luxury property have been in the works for years, with many failed ventures. In 2023, however, The Cal Neva was  acquired by Denver-based real estate firm McWhinney through a limited liability company called MH Tahoe Propco LLC. The sale price was $51.84 million, according to county records. Following its purchase of the Cal Neva, McWhinney also announced it will be working with real estate investment and management company Kor Group and luxury boutique operator Proper Hospitality in revitalizing the property.

McWhinney has plenty of experience in developing hospitality projects, including the Crawford Hotel at Denver Union Station plus several multifamily and mixed use properties.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Rankin Richey Team

For Nevada Call (775) 453-6289|Contact The Team|For California Call (530) 913-6020
531 North Lake Blvd Tahoe City, CA 96145