Major retailers lease in new center

Construction will start this autumn on a South Virginia Street shopping center that will house three major retailers new to northern Nevada Linens 'n Things, DSW Shoe Warehouse and David's Bridal.

The 137,000-square-foot South Virginia Commons will be on the last major piece of vacant property in the heavily retail district near Meadowood Mall and the Sierra Town Center, home to Target and Mervyn's.

The site, nearly 11 acres, is between the Comp USA shopping center and a Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

The center marks the first Nevada venture for Real Estate Affiliates, a southern California company.

It previously developed about a million square feet of retail spaces in California and Arizona.

"We think Reno is a wonderful town that is just beginning to come to the forefront for retailers," said Alan Gottlieb, president of Real Estate Affiliates.

He said the company likes the demographics of the residential neighborhoods in south Reno.

The population within five miles of the center is 110,000 with a median household income of nearly $40,000.

Additionally, Gottlieb said the site is attractive because of the number of offices nearby.

Construction is expected to begin this autumn with completion in next spring.

Linens-n-Things and DSW Shoe Warehouse each have leased 25,000 square feet with U.S.

395 visibility.

David's Bridal has leased a freestanding 10,000-squarefoot building that will front on South Virginia Street.

Roxanne Stevenson, the vice president of Grubb & Ellis Nevada Commercial Group who is handling leasing of the project, said other national retailers have expressed interest in the center.

Real Estate Affiliates' purchase of the land closed escrow in mid-July.