El Cortez (Reno) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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El Cortez Hotel
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Hotel in 2012
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Location | 239 W. 2nd St., Reno, Nevada |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | George A. Ferris & Son |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002078 |
| Added to NRHP | June 13, 1984 |
The El Cortez Hotel is a famous historic building in Reno, Nevada. It is located at 239 West 2nd Street. This beautiful hotel was built in 1931. It was designed by the well-known Reno architects George A. Ferris & Son. The hotel is a great example of the Art Deco style. Because of its special design and history, the El Cortez Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
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The El Cortez Hotel: A Historic Reno Landmark
The El Cortez Hotel is a really special building in Reno. It stands seven stories tall. When it was built, it was considered a very important example of Art Deco architecture. It also showed off the amazing work of the Ferris & Son architecture firm.
What is Art Deco?
Art Deco is a popular design style that was big in the 1920s and 1930s. Think of sleek, modern shapes, geometric patterns, and rich decorations. The El Cortez Hotel shows this style with its cool, low-relief terra cotta designs. Terra cotta is a type of baked clay used for building and decorating.
A Tall Story: Reno's First Skyscraper
For many years, the El Cortez Hotel was the tallest building in all of Nevada! Imagine that – a building in Reno being the tallest in the whole state. It held this record until 1947. That's when another famous Reno hotel, the Mapes Hotel, was finished and took its place as the tallest.
From Casino to Modern Hotel
The El Cortez Hotel has seen a lot of history. From 1941 to 1951, a casino called the Trocadero Casino was located inside the hotel. For many years after that, the El Cortez continued to operate as a hotel, welcoming guests from all over. In 2014, a company called The Siegel Group bought the El Cortez. It continues to be an important part of Reno's history and skyline.
