Old bathtubs removed from the former Carson Tahoe Hotel on North Carson Street on Wednesday. The hotel is being renovated and rebranded.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
The new owner of the vacant Carson Tahoe Hotel (formerly known as the City Center Motel) at 800 N. Carson St., plans to remake the four-story lodging property into a City Express by Marriott.
Bal Gosal, co-owner of the property and principal of Capitol City Hotel NV LLC, told the Appeal on Tuesday demolition had started on the fourth floor. The nearly 38,000-square-foot structure was constructed in 1966, according to the Carson City Assessor’s website.
A commercial interior demolition permit including asbestos removal was issued by the city Feb. 14, covering work for 89 rooms and the lobby. Gosal said asbestos removal was performed by a licensed company, and the next steps will be bringing the hotel up to City Express by Marriott standards.
This could take more than a year, he explained, as renovation will include new flooring, paint inside and out and new furniture.
Gosal stressed the building will stay a hotel. In November, Capitol City Hotel NV LLC purchased the property for $3 million from Jennifer Bernard, Gregory Maffi and Terry Maffi, according to the assessor’s site.
Despite plans in 2022 to rebrand the hotel for a national franchise, the hotel has been inactive since February of that year, Visit Carson City officials previously told the Appeal.
Parent company Marriott International described the City Express brand as “Marriott's entry in the midscale segment” that “opens up development growth opportunities in many new markets including urban, suburban, secondary and tertiary markets throughout North and South America.”
Based in Reno, Gosal was optimistic about the Northern Nevada lodging market and his investment in downtown Carson City.
“It will be something Carson can be proud of,” he said.
Wednesday, Visit Carson City, whose office is located immediately south of the hotel, was likewise enthusiastic.
“We’re excited to see new energy and investment coming to this property,” said David Peterson, Visit Carson City executive director. “Having it come back online will be a great addition to the lodging options in Carson City and a positive sign of continued growth and revitalization in our downtown area.”