Living downtown for Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite is a pretty easy choice. Both moved to Las Vegas in the 90’s; they both spent time living in the valley’s suburbs; and after many years of feeling disconnected from a community, and craving more of a close-knit, and urban feel, they moved downtown. The Cornthwaite’s, dubbed by local media as The First Couple of Fremont East and THE downtown power couple, love having a great relationship with their neighbors, as well as having a connection with the history of this great city.

“It’s fantastic to live close to the city’s core,” said Jennifer, who runs and co-owns with Michael and the El Cortez Hotel, Emergency Arts and The Beat Coffeehouse. It’s the hot spot for coffee and nibbles during the day and morphs into a casual place to have a drink in the evening.  Behind the coffee shop are dozens of mini galleries, retail spaces and creative offices inhabited by the valley’s emerging artists.  Together, Emergency Arts in the Fremont East District and The Beat offer a full-sensory experience. When she’s not busy running her newest venture, Jennifer is a contributing features writer to Seven Magazine.

Michael, who owns and operates the chic Downtown Cocktail Room that has become very popular with local downtown professionals and up-and-comers, has long been a downtown advocate and his quiet passion for the area is contagious. In fact, the Cornthwaites have such a presence downtown that Michael has earned the title of “the Mayor” of downtown.  “Oscar’s not threatened,” he said.  “We’re on the same team.”

According to Michael, quality of life and having no commute to work is something that is of such value. “It isn’t a question that we all spend a significant portion of our lives working,” he said.   “But as a resident of an historic neighborhood that’s in the center of the city with easy access to everything in the city, we enjoy a much more freeing life!”

“Supporting the arts, and the historic old downtown gives us such a sense of happiness living in Las Vegas,” said Jennifer.  “It’s easy to get lost in the cookie cutter homes and communities here, and maybe not enjoy all the amazing things living in Las Vegas has to offer. By living downtown, we feel part of a community, and close to our friends and fellow business owners.”

Photo:  Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite