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Historic DowntownThe Tavern (Hotel Hay, c. 1887) 205 ParkThe Hotel Hay is the oldest remaining hotel in the Central Avenue Historic District. It was one of the first hotels constructed of brick rather than a wood frame. It has water closets on each floor and claimed to be the only steam-heated hotel of its time. The 87-foot wide facade is embellished with a tall, elaborate cornice, pilasters and quoins of pressed metal. Majestic Hotel, 1902 Majestic Hotel, 1926 Park CentralNorth of the newer Majestic, the first Majestic was built on the site of the Avenue Hotel. Distinguishing features that remain are rounded projecting corners (formerly domed), the 54th-floor bulls-eye windows and Palladian-inspired windows. Note the doors that previously opened onto balconies that were removed. The 8-story 1926 Majestic connects to the first Majestic and sits on the site of the 1830's Whittington House. Sanders and Ginocchio (also designers of the Howe/DeSoto hotel), incorporated cast ornament on the top and bottom floors the inset panels, the running banding, the corner quoins and cornice projections. Urns top the entrance parapet. Tillman's Antiques (McTague Building, 1891) 118 CentralBuilt in 1891 by Gambler William McTague, this 3-story brick structure has a prime pressed metal facade. The original storefront is gone, but note the foliated relief above the windows and the massive projecting cornice detailed with modillions, finials, date of construction, etc. Douglas Building, 1891 120-124 CentralThe Douglas Building's massive bracketed and pedimented pressed metal cornice bears original owner's name. Brick pilasters flank one-over-one windows with transoms. A meat market and grocery were early building uses. The Wheatley family is currently restoring the second floor for two apartments. Upper level open for viewing during tour. 
Mountain Valley Water Building (circa 1910) 150 CentralNational headquarters for Mountain Valley Spring Water, this historic building is the recipient of an award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in recognition of exceptional accomplishment in the preservation, restoration and interpretation of America's architectural and cultural heritage. A prime example of the Classical Revival style. Faded Rose, 1889 210 CentralStarting at the top, note metal arc with date of construction and elaborate cornice supported by paired brackets. Originally a saloon with furnished rooms above. Restored by architects Taylor/Kempkes. Metal pilasters separate the 3-bay, 3-story one-over-one, double-hung windows. Note the arched label moldings over windows. Second floor restored offices open for architectural tour and by appointment. 
Medical Arts Building, 1929 236 CentralIn 1929, this magnificent 16-story tiered Art Deco structure was the tallest building in Arkansas - 180 feet above street level - and retained that distinction until the Tower Building was built in 1960. Brick pilasters with carved stone caps divide the facade into five bays of different heights - bays stop at the 12th floor, 15th floor and the penthouse level. Note the bas-relief carving and bronze grille (over the transom) at the front entry. 
Wax Museum (Southern Club, 1893) 250 CentralThe Romanesque Revival style is reflected in the "Southern Club" building, opened to be a lavish gambling club. Built by Hot Springs businessmen Charles Dugan and Dan Stuart, it thrived until gambling ceased in 1967. Note the band of molding below the six second-story arched windows separated by pairs of column with Romanesque capitals. The center parapet stone features a carved ribboned shield in relief. Existing front and canopy added during 1940's remodeling, replacing three large arches originally spanning the first floor facade. Dugan-Stuart Building, 1904 256-264 CentralLooking above altered first-floor storefronts, the Dugan-Stuart Building remains a testimony to early 20th century architecture. Built in 1904 to house medical offices, this building has two identical splayed wings, capped with a massive cornice with dentils and modillions. Note rich terra cotta embellishing the top corners. Windows in each wing, in sets of three, have banded brick forming pilasters between them. Fifth-floor windows are arched, note the round windows between them. Originally between the two halves was a column-supported pediment entranceway one could enter to go to the basement bowling alley. 
New Ohio Club (Ohio Club, 1905) 336 CentralThe Ohio Club features a domed-roof bay window, transoms and pressed metal facade. Originally owned by Otis McGraw to be a private club and gambling saloon, the New Ohio Club retains the original Italian mahogany back bar. Thompson Building, 1913 340-346 CentralBest representation of Classical Revival style on Central Avenue. Richly ornamented white glazed terra-cotta facade. Architect George Mann (of Arkansas State Capitol fame) design includes two cornices. Fluted Corinthian columns rise above first floor to support massive cornice above fourth floor richly detailed with modillions, dentils and frieze. Note the metal panels with bas-relief ornamentation between windows. Granny's Kitchen (Hale Block, partial, c. 1910) 362 CentralThe Hale Block (360-366) underwent a major remodeling in 1956, but under the wood planking, original transoms and cast iron pilasters remain. Interior cafe restoration by Dennis Magee revealed previous structural history. The building served as an auction house after the balcony was added in 1911. Goodwin's Gifts & Gallery (Spear Building, 1905) 370 CentralThe Spear Building has a pressed metal front with pilasters separating pairs of double-hung windows. Note metal cladding above the windows pressed to resemble stone. The projection above the cornice bears name of builder, E.O. Spear. Previously housed a drug store, an Oriental goods store and Lord's auction house. R. Groden Studio (Hotel Deparis, 1930) 404 1/2 CentralFollowing the destructive 1928 fire, Henry Fellheimer built this property. Note the cast-iron pilasters salvaged from the United States Hotel that existed in the same block circa 1800's. Original transoms remain. Tour second floor featuring recent restoration now housing R. Groden Studio. Candlelight Galleria (Simon Mendel Building, c. 1910) 424 CentralA survivor of the 1928 fire, the Simon Mendel Building housed a ladies clothing and millinery store for more than 50 years. Note four arched double-hung second floor windows with fan-like transoms. Purchased in 1991, by Milton Duke and Anne Marcus, first floor restoration completed. Second-floor restorations underway soon. Hot Springs Art Center (Gaines Building, 1890) 514 CentralThe Gaines Building, adorned with pressed metal has a central cantilevered bay window. Note the cornice and ornamental pediment crowning the building. Housed the Cafe d'Orleans and Billiard Hall in 1891; more recently, the Vegas Club. Purchased in 1989 by Dr. Paul and Suzanne Tucker and restored to temporarily house the Hot Springs Art Center. Taylor's Contemporanea (Stitt Building, 1895) 516 CentralThe Stitt Building retains original tooled limestone facade, bay window projection with ogee-shaped roof. Note original cast iron pilasters at each corner. Samuel H. Stitt, born in 1843, built and owned the first Arlington and Eastman Hotel and was co-founder of Mountain Valley Spring Water Co. The building housed the Clyde Hotel (1940's), the Moses Mendel Dry Goods Store and the Western Union Telegraph Office. Tour second-floor private residence. Restoration in process, nearing completion. The Art Foundation (Rix-Adamson Building, 1886) 520 CentralThe oldest building on the downtown historic district, the Rix-Adamson Building was built by Charles H. Rix and Ida Adamson. Note decorative brick moldings over second-floor window groupings and metal cornice of urn-shaped finials and small pediment with stained glass window that top the second-story facade. Home to Steigler Brothers Bookstore for 40 years and Eddy Hotel. Building bought and restored in 1988 by Italian artist Benini. Angel's Restaurant (Security National Bank, 1923) 606 CentralThe Security National Bank was built in 1923, one of six major banks at that time. The original dressed stone, rare for the town, is still evident in the front and side facades. A dentillated cornice rests on that, and above that, a stone parapet wall. The original front entrance, flanked by two 2-story tapered round columns, was removed for existing store-front; however, historically relevant restoration of this building under the direction of Taylor/Kempkes Architects will be underway soon. Alvin Hotel, 1905 (Sumpter - Little Building) 610-614 CentralDesigned by Charles L. Thompson, this building possesses a distinctive textural quality to its facade achieved by the juxtaposition of banded and smooth brick suffices. Housed the Hotel Amis in 1910 and the Central Hotel in 1915, but was originally built by banker John Sumpter and Hot Springs Federal Reservation superintendent William J. Little for offices. In 1991, purchased by Hot Springs Arts Center and targeted for restoration for the new arts center. Creative Frames (Schneck's Drug Store, 1915) 624 CentralThe recent removal of the corrugated metal covering the front facade revealed the same arched fenestration and decorative brickwork at the cornice evident on the side facade. Built in 1915, on the site of the Passmore Apothecary, by G.E. Schneck, the building originally was topped by a corner Jacobean dome matching another at the north end of the 620 Central building. Maxine's Int'l Coffeehouse (McLaughlin Building, c. 1894) 700 CentralJ.H. McLaughlin built this corner building to house one of the mast active saloons of its time. In 1912, the second floor held the Hot Springs Business Men's Social Club, alias Maxine's bordello. Elaborate pressed metal facade continues around the corner. Note three double hung windows separated by colonettes resting on bases adorned with bands, brackets and center projection bearing McLaughlin's name. Palmer's Gallery, c. 1890 800 CentralThree-story turn-of-the-century building with Italianate brick facade. Cast-iron corner columns are fluted and decorated with rosettes and harp-like emblems. Brick pilasters on the top floors define three bays recessed beneath segmented brick arches. The double-hung, arch-top windows have segmented brick arch heads. Second-story facade exposed in September 1991 after being hidden for decades under modernized stucco cover. Chapel Hotel 816-820 CentralThe Chapel Hotel is a three-bay building of buff-face brick featuring continuos stone window lintels and sills, and corbelled brick detailing on the facade. The bays are expressed by the three raised parapets, orderly fenestration between bays and three storefronts at the building's base. The Chapel Hotel, sold in 1992, is scheduled for historic restoration soon with street-level storefronts and multi-level condominiums. 
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