RENO, NV—The sale of the prominent Harrah family estate, Rancharrah, has closed escrow, paving the way for Reno Land Development Company to move forward with its plans to develop the property.
Reno Land Company received community input into its design plans over the past year and the Reno-based developer says with the purchase it intends to preserve the ranch's unique heritage.
"This is a momentous occasion - one in which only came to fruition through the extraordinary vision of John Harrah, Bill Harrah's son," said Chip Bowlby, owner and managing partner of Reno Land Development. "It was his personal quest to ensure that Rancharrah was passed into the hands of a developer that would carry forward that iconic vision of what he intended Rancharrah to become."
"Rancharrah has become an important part of my family's legacy," said John Harrah. "I am confident and secure in knowing that Reno Land Development Company will build upon all that I imagined and worked toward in bringing Reno a spectacular and memorable community setting."
In July, community development plans were unanimously approved by the Reno Planning Commission, Reno City Council and the Regional Planning Commission. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring.
With a 141 total acres of approved development, land plans call for 117 acres to be dedicated to residential (691 lots) and 25 acres designated to commercial/office/medical and retail uses. Thirty percent or 43 acres has been dedicated to landscaped open space.
The residential portion will consist of seven distinct villages - displaying a mix of design variations from urban residential to estate-style lots. Rancharrah recently took home the coveted 43rd Annual DeBoer Award for "Outstanding Plan for an Individual Project" at the American Planning Association conference.
Development plans also call for the iconic Rancharrah mansion and the equestrian center to be highlighted as centerpieces of the master-planned community.
Bill Harrah originally purchased the land in 1957 and dubbed the Camelot-like area "Rancharrah." Son John later rebuilt the main house as an equine-themed mansion and built the equestrian center, where it is recognized as one of the nation's leading cutting-horse facilities. Reno Land Development Company and its affiliated companies build master-planned communities throughout Idaho, Nevada and California.