Historic Adelaide Hall in downtown Fort Smith to be demolished

There was hope a Nov. 6 fire at Adelaide Hall in downtown Fort Smith would not be the end of one of the city’s most historic buildings. But it is not to be. The building that most recently housed the Bricktown Brewery restaurant will be demolished.

The Fort Smith Central Improvement Business District (CBID) Board on Thursday (Nov. 21) approved the demolition of the W.M. Fishback/Adelaide Hall Building at 318  Garrison Ave.

The resolution is required by the city before owners of the building can proceed with demolition. Rick Griffin with Griffin Properties told CBID board members that a fire Nov. 6 completely destroyed the building.

“The fire compromised the entire structure. We are going to have to tear it down completely. We can’t find any way to save any parts of the building,” Griffin said.

Demolition will begin as soon as all the necessary permits are approved, Griffin said, adding that they intend to get it done “sooner rather than later.” Fort Smith-based Griffin Properties intends to rebuild the building once demolition and cleanup is complete, Griffin said.

“We are presently removing everything we can that’s pretty and nice that we can reuse,” Griffin said. “We will rebuild and attempt to replicate what is there today. I want to build back something that I’m proud of. … When we came across the (Garrison Avenue) bridge, this was one of the first things we would see. Today it’s a train wreck, but we want it to be that (visible structure) again.”

Griffin said they are in the process of redesigning a replacement building and hope to see construction begin in the spring. Bricktown Brewery has stated they want to remain partners with the Griffin family and keep their presence in Fort Smith.

“They want to come back and be downtown,” Griffin said.

Built by William Meade Fishback in 1871, the building was the second oldest building on Garrison Avenue. Developer Richard Griffin restored the building in 1994, and its first tenant was the Varsity Grill restaurant. In the summer of 2014, Oklahoma City-based Bricktown invested more than $750,000 in renovations to remodel for its restaurant brand.

Oklahoma City-based Bricktown issued a statement Nov. 8 stating they were dedicated to rebuilding and coming back stronger to continue serving the food and experiences guests have come to love.

“Griffin Properties, our landlord, has been instrumental in launching the rebuilding process, demonstrating the same dedication and partnership they have shown us over the past 10 years. Their support during this time has been invaluable, and we are grateful for their commitment to helping us restore what we have built together,” the statement said.

According to Bricktown, the restaurant company was Oklahoma’s first brewpub and first restaurant to brew craft beer. The company opened its first restaurant in 1992 and operates 21 restaurants in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.