The surprising legend of Outlets at Legends
When RED Development opened Outlets at Legends in 2008, some locals rolled their eyes at the center’s aspiration to become an upscale outlet destination. Residents recalled the outlet mall in the same location that failed years earlier. Fueling doubt was an economy heading into recession and the rise of online shopping.
“It looked like a long shot to some,” recalls commercial center developer and general contractor Frank Lepori. “Fortunately the Sparks City Council and city leaders recognized the caliber of RED Development’s master plan and commitment.” RED got off to a great start by securing Scheels All Sports, the world’s largest store of its kind, as their major anchor. They maintained that momentum, and today they have more than 50 retailers and restaurants. RED brought in anchors like Best Buy, Lowes, Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Nike and Defy Gravity as well as an IMAX cinema with 13 screens plus an IMAX screen.
Sparks-based Frank Lepori Construction turned over another anchor this summer: Paul Evert RV, a full-service national retailer selling new and used motor homes, fifth wheelers, and travel trailers. With a 19,800 sf showroom and six service bays on a 7-acre parcel, the new store at 399 Legends Bay Drive “is an RV mecca,” says Frank.
Paul Evert RV under construction in Outlets at Legends in Sparks, NV
Lepori Construction has a total of $10.5 million in contracts at Legends for 2019 with Evert RV, Defy Gravity gymnasium, a multi-tenant building on Fish Drive and diverse tenant improvements: All Fired Up clay studio, Modern Acupuncture, Great Full Gardens restaurant, Imbib Custom Brew, Juice Box Yoga, Matress FIRM store front, and a few parking lots. “I salute RED/Legends for providing the local contractor community the opportunity to work on great projects,” adds Frank. “Keeping the work local has certainly been good for our economy.”
The new Defy opened above Nike early in 2019.
Lepori’s volume of projects in 2017 and 2018 at Legends totaled more than $10 million and included Burlington Coat Factory with 40,000 sf of interior space, an additional 18,000 sf cold shell, our first multi-tenant building at Legends, and site construction. Previous major Legends projects by the Lepori team include Old Navy and Discount Tires.
The Lepori team delivered Burlington in 2018 on a 150-day schedule.
“Legends has something for everyone in the family, and I couldn’t be happier that the Lepori team has been involved,” add Frank. “If you grew up in Sparks like I did, you are amazed at Legends and all it offers. I really admire the way RED has come through on their promise of an upscale outlet destination project of the highest caliber.”