URBAN UPDATE

“There is no culture here!” One could expect to hear this cry from a recent transplant to Las Vegas who is overwhelmed by the overkill of casinos, glitz, neon and endless headliners. In fact, Las Vegas is awash with culture fueled by locals who are determined to use the wealth and visibility of the city to draw amazing cultural events and ongoing cultural activities to counter this assumption. The Arts District where our local artists have gathered to share their work is one of the great cultural gems of Las Vegas, and it is located downtown.

From paintings to photography to pottery, and everything in between, the galleries of the Arts District are numerous and diverse. And as the Arts District has grown in popularity, the downtown Real Estate market has grown and changed around it. There is a complementary relationship between the two that lends itself to selling Real Estate in the downtown area.

Steve Franklin is a Las Vegas REALTOR®, but his last name isn’t on his business cards. He is known by his colleagues, clients and friends simply as Downtown Steve. A downtown resident for eight years and a REALTOR® for five, Downtown Steve has become somewhat of an expert on the downtown market, and he has a burning passion for the area. “I have always found reemerging urban areas to be fascinating and brimming with opportunity for homeowners, investors, and proprietors,” he says. “I love the idea of helping people make money in Real Estate, and for the right person, a somewhat traditionally downtrodden area that’s on the upswing can change people’s financial lives.”

Downtown Steve believes that the Arts District plays an important role in improving the quality of life for downtown residents, and that it will only benefit from the growing high-rise market. “Part of the city requirements with high-rises is ground-floor retail space. That ground-level space will turn into more cafes, galleries, florists, beauty salons, specialty shops and so on. With that, you will see fewer street creeps and more cool peeps,” he says. “Additionally, as more people live, work and play around the Arts District, it will stabilize the area even more, enticing even more people to feel comfortable to come enjoy all the area has to offer—every day of the week, not mainly on First Friday. I view that as a good thing for the Arts District as a whole.”

The First Friday he speaks of is an event that happens each month showcasing all that the Arts District has to offer. First Friday has been a popular attraction to those who appreciate art since its inception in 2002. Somewhat reminiscent of block parties from college years, it’s a more sophisticated street fair constructed around some of the best art galleries in the city. In addition to the galleries themselves, there are a wide variety of tents, food vendors, street performers, bands and local businesses that contribute to the party atmosphere, and the city provides tour buses that make stops throughout the area every 15 minutes.

First Friday was created by Cindy Funkhouser, owner of The Funk House, a downtown Las Vegas art and antiques store. She originally came up with the idea from a trip to Portland, OR, and that city’s First Thursday. “I was already showing a different artist every month in the back of The Funk House,” she says. “I didn’t see any reason we shouldn’t try to get all of the galleries and other businesses in the area to be open one evening a month.”

While Cindy didn’t have any specific expectations when it came to attendance, the inaugural First Friday drew 300 people, and six years later, the event consistently attracts between 7,000 and 10,000 each month.

Cindy has watched the Arts District grow as a direct result of First Friday. “More artists and galleries have been attracted to the area,” she says. “I think First Friday gave some people the inspiration they needed to open a gallery or studio space here. They realized people would come down here to see art and be part of a community experience.” When it comes to downtown Real Estate, Cindy believes that the effects of First Friday will be beneficial to the area. “In the long term,” she says, “I think First Friday will be one of the factors that contribute to rising property values in the area.”

Downtown Steve has already seen this rise in property values, and he doesn’t understand the naysayers who question the value of investing in downtown Real Estate. “I just have to smile and think to myself, you'll wish you would have bought something, anything downtown back in 2004 to 2009—back in the old days when things were still affordable. The Arts District is a perfect example. See what $700,000 gets you there today. It’s about what $150,000 to $200,000 would have gotten you five years ago.”

While the downtown area continues to grow and improve each day, the Arts District and First Friday are doing their part to provide a cultural experience to residents and visitors alike, as well as a boost to the downtown Real Estate market.

For more information on First Friday, visit www.firstfriday lasvegas.org. Downtown Steve can be reached by calling (702) 524-1597.

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