The Pincolini (Mizpah Hotel) was built in three stages. The original five-bay structure was built in 1922. Major additions were added in 1925 and 1930 resulting in a three-story, ten-bay, brick commercial block with retail space on the ground floor and a hotel above. Before it was destroyed by fire in 2006, it was a well-preserved example of an early 20th century residential hotel, an architectural type which was once common to downtown Reno.

The Pincolini Hotel was significant for its historical association with Reno's Little Italy, a district which served as the center for Italian commercial and community activity in Reno. Little Italy was noted for its commercial diversity which included grocery stores, liquor stores, insurance agencies, a travel agency and hotels.

The Pincolini family, immigrated to Nevada from Parma, Italy, between 1896 and 1905.

Joseph Pincolini, the first family member to settle in the Reno area, purchased the San Rafael Ranch. The Pincolini family acquired substantial agricultural acreage in northern Nevada and were among the first in northern Nevada to employ mechanized farming methods which allowed the Pincolini's to realize substantial profits from farming.

Source: Adapted from the NRHP Nomination Form submitted in 1984.

In 2006, the Mizpah Hotel was a residential hotel. On the night of October 31, a tenant placed a mattress against one of the doors and set it on fire.

The hotel was destroyed. Twelve people died.

A tenant pleaded guilty to twelve counts of first degree murder and one count of arson. She testified that she had been drinking and taking drugs that night and didn't even remember the fire.