Downtown Project setting up headquarters on Fremont Street

The Downtown Project is expanding its downtown presence.

The downtown revitalization group led by Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh is setting up its headquarters at 515 Fremont St. in what was once a check-cashing business between The Griffin and Beauty Bar.

Resort Gaming Group on July 5 finalized the purchase of the building for the Downtown Project's use. Resort Gaming Group CEO Andrew Donner said he paid approximately $800,000 for the parcel. Resort Gaming Group acquired the property from Nationwide Check Service Inc., which in 1993 bought the building for $240,000, according to Clark County property records.

Donner said the deal to buy the building has been in the works for the last six months.

Hsieh told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the building will house the Downtown Project's offices in the back and a pop-up retail shop in front. For customers in the market for a Le Thai T-shirt, the shop will sell apparel branded with downtown businesses' logos. Hsieh said he hopes to take over the space in the next month.

Resort Gaming Group is also Zappos' landlord. The company purchased the former City Hall for $18 million and is leasing it to the online retailer. Zappos is renovating its future headquarters and plans to move in late next year.

A company affiliated with Hsieh and the Downtown Project, Fremont LV Blvd. LLC, in February acquired the 7-Eleven building at the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard. That building is home to the still-vacant 7-Eleven parcel as well as The Griffin and Downtown Cocktail Room lounges.