Talent pool, Bay Area proximity draw Web firm to Reno

The fast-growing media company that's opening its first branch office in Reno was drawn by the talent in the region as well as its proximity to northern California.

MyNewPlace, the second-largest Web site for apartment and home rentals in the United States, will open the Reno office in mid-March.

The company headquartered at San Francisco leased 3,000 square feet at the building at 300 E. Second St. MyNewPlace expects to employ about 20.

Snow Conant, social marketing manager for the company, said MyNewPlace has focused its recruitment efforts on college campuses in the region, although it also expects to employ higher-level staff as well.

"We feel there is a huge talent market there," Conant said. "We are looking for smart, passionate people who want to help build a great business." (Learn more about the company at www.mynewplace.com).

The company's office in Reno will handle client services and some marketing initiatives.

Conant said the company also selected Reno for the branch office because it's close enough to San Francisco to allow easy travel between the two offices.

MyNewPlace was founded in 2005 by John Helm, who previously had founded AllApartments/SpringStreet. That site was the No. 1 Web site for apartment rentals and relocations before it was sold to Homestore in 1999.

The site now draws more than 3 million visitors a month. MyNewPlace is backed by nine investors, including a combination of technology-related venture funds along with several real estate companies.

Helm said the company's growth, a result of a strengthening market for rentals as well as the company's development of online marketing tools for landlords, led to its search for a branch office location.

Basin Street Properties, owner of the building at 300 E. Second St., looks to draw operations from more California companies to help fill its downtown properties.

"More and more companies that have a presence in California continue to find ways to do business in northern Nevada because of the business-friendly environment the region has worked so hard to create," said Scott Stranzl, Basin Street's vice president of leasing.

The 11-story building across Second Street from Reno Aces Ballpark recently was renamed the Jones Vargas Center to reflect the law firm that will be its signature tenant.