Take a good look at this building on your left. It’s impossible to miss-the old Reno Main Post Office, standing proud since 1933. You can thank Frederic J. DeLongchamps, a local architect with a flair for the dramatic and a taste for Art Deco… or at least, “Starved Classical” style, as the experts call it. Think of it as Art Deco on a tight budget, but it still has that crisp, confident government vibe. They built this place for $363,660, which-if you’re curious-that’s around $8 million in today’s dollars.
Back in the day, it was more than mail and parcels; this was Reno’s gateway to the world. Imagine folks lining up here, checking their mail by hand, sharing small-town gossip. In the ‘80s, someone decided the place was a bit drafty and put in a dropped ceiling-nothing says progress like new lighting and a lower power bill.
Fast forward to now, and the post office has morphed into a trendy hotspot-home to offices, restaurants, and a funky underground market called The Basement. Reno sure knows how to keep things fresh.
Alright, when you’re ready, just walk west for about two minutes and you’ll find yourself at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.
