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Mountainaire Hotel

Mountainaire Hotel

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Built: 1947 | Abandoned: 1990's
Historic Designation: National Register of Historic Places (2004)
Status: For Sale
Photojournalist: Michael Schwarz


2014-07-05 11.15.40The Mountainaire Hotel, AKA “the Mountaineer Hotel,” is one of the finest examples of Art Moderne architecture in the area and perhaps even in the state. The twin buildings were constructed in 1947 during the motor tourism era of Hot Springs. Constructed of white brick and clay tile, with concrete floors and asphalt roofs, the buildings are each four stories tall. Containing 28 units and decks on the third and fourth floors. Alvin I. Albinson was a contractor and owner of the towers, moving to Hot Springs to dip his feet into the growing tourism. He originally envisioned a five-building complex but only two were completed, managing the property for 20 years. His son, Alvin I. (Al) Albinson Jr., turned the twin buildings into apartments and later a nursing home. By the mid-1990s, all business ventures had failed and the property was abandoned.

Mountainaire Hotel

The district in which the buildings are located was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 11, 2004. Unfortunately, this did not do much to save the deteriorating buildings as they were placed on Arkansas’s Most Endangered Historic Places list in 2007.

Low Key Arts

Mountainaire Hotel
“Low Key at the Mountainaire this weekend” with artist Lauren Larsen Photo: Leslie Newell Peacock (Arkansas Times)

Bill Solleder of the Hot Springs non-profit, Low Key Arts, held an art exhibition “So Many Open Houses,” in September of 2011. It was a fundraiser for the organization, and the exhibition featured the work of nearly 40 artists who created art installations in the various rooms, stairways and hallways of this historic hotel.

Mountainaire HotelA rather hair-raising piece came from a Tennessee artist, Jessica Wohl. Entitled Mountainaire Hotel, her installment was a temporary exhibit featuring a hairy staircase.

“The Mountainaire Hotel is a striking example of Art Moderne architecture in Hot Springs, and truly is a structure that people are always curious about. Being abandoned for 20 years, Low Key Arts – a nonprofit arts organization – initiated a two-day exhibition of installations in the empty hotel. I was fortunate enough to be one of the artists invited to participate.” Jessica mentioned to Rob Alderson of ItsNiceThat.com.

Restoration Efforts

The pair were sold most recently in 2016 by Ann Mayle, who planned to turn them into condos while restoring them back to the original architecture. The process was long and many efforts were made, including our outreach with their Facebook page and with our History Rescue Program, we helped clean up and secure the property in 2017. However, money became an issue as the process slowly took place. We were rooting for Ann and her efforts and we tried to help draw in interest and help, but unfortunately, the building is up for sale once again.

These buildings sold to new developers on Oct. 29th, 2020. The new developers have plans to transition these two buildings into single family units. The new developers want to make sure that everyone is aware that if they are caught on the property, it will be considered trespassing. DO NOT GO HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION.




Bibliography
“Mountainaire Hotel Historic District.” National Register for Historic Places registration form. On file at Arkansas Historic Preservation Office, Little Rock, Arkansas. Online at http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/National-Register-Listings/PDF/GA0067.nr.pdf (accessed July 25, 2019).
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1 year ago

[…] after a really cool, Art Moderne style hotel on Park Avenue in Hot Springs. One of the coolest buildings off the main drag. I’ve admired […]

TerriLynn Sullins
TerriLynn Sullins
1 year ago

I would love to stay here in the future!!! I too have been in love with these too buildings for so long. I’m so excited!!! I would pay to tour the building while we are in town next weekend!!!

Amber Henson
3 years ago

These buildings sold to new developers on Oct. 29th, 2020. The new developers have plans to transition these two buildings into single family units. The group has asked me to have this removed from the site and wants to make sure that everyone is aware that if they are caught on the property is will be considered trespassing. We appreciate everyone’s concerns, but feel certain these have made it to the right hands.

David Fendley
David Fendley
3 years ago

It was “abandoned” as far back as the 1970s when I was in high school. Classmates used to go in there to look around. A couple of guys made a film project there at that time. A lot of people have seen promise in those buildings. But no one has ever done anything with them.

Ben s
Ben s
Reply to  David Fendley
3 years ago

Do you know where we could see this film? I would love to see what the mountainaire looked like back then. Omg!

Dirk S
Dirk S
3 years ago

Such an odd building architecturally.. the way there were so many small rooms I assumed it was some kind of sanitarium.
It looks like it would be a nightmare to bring back into compliance.

John Brawner
John Brawner
3 years ago

Many GOOD friends lived here , MANY GOOD TIMES !

Amanda Palmer
Amanda Palmer
3 years ago

The former owner, Al Albinson was my great uncle. Married to my grandmother’s sister Virginia. We lived here years ago when we first moved to Arkansas. I always loved to explore this great building as a kid.

Angie Ezekiel
Angie Ezekiel
Reply to  Amanda Palmer
3 years ago

Do you have any pictures of the buildings, or the interiors, from your time living there?

Eric
Eric
3 years ago

I run around there when I was living on park ave when I was 13 to 17 years old

Colt
Colt
3 years ago

I personally think that the mountainaire hotel would make a great public art gallery/studio for different forms of art. Both visual, and musical art. It would be a great place for independent artists to come and share their work. The Artists could each rent one room, and that would be their own gallery/studio for the public to come Experience.

LeSonja
LeSonja
3 years ago

My husband’s Aunt and her husband looked into buying these buildings for multiple family homes. They were told they had to be single family homes. That may have something to do with the ability buy them and rehab them.

Sharon
Sharon
3 years ago

Sad to say but like many wonderful old buildings, this one is probably a money pit and it will likely take more than private funds to do a proper restoration. This is what government grants are for. Maybe a public/private partnership. Hopefully this example of period architecture can be saved.

Rebecca
Rebecca
3 years ago

I’ve always liked that old building. I thought some guys bought it to renovate it several years ago but if they did it must have fell through. Such a neat style.

Debra Cady
Debra Cady
3 years ago

I love the history of Hot Springs. I have some things from some stores in Hot Springs. My Dad had the City Bakery. With his mom an dad. It was at 705 central ave. I remember the K-mart, Otasco store, Bruges chif. Buster mooned car lot!

900STX
900STX
4 years ago

We stopped and looked at these buildings just a few days ago Nov. of 2019.
Sad to say both the buildings are still falling apart and up for sale.
The big white house next door is also abandoned an falling apart.

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7 years ago

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Cheryl Grisham
Cheryl Grisham
8 years ago

Love the history of our town. Would love to see explore and take pictures for our history! ! Thank you for the opportunity.

Sahreth Baphy Bowden
9 years ago

If I ever come into money…it is my dream to aquire these old apartment buildings…Don't know why, but I have always loved this place ever since I first passed it.

Graham
Graham
9 years ago

I'm visiting Hot Springs and my jaw dropped when we drove by this gorgeous property. How can anyone allow such a beauty to go to waste is beyond me. Bought for $35,000 in 1994, for sale now for $200,500, and the person who owns it should be in jail for such a travesty. It's got gorgeous bones but the owner won't get a red cent if he continues to let her rot and the building falls in on itself.

Maryjane Jeffcoat
10 years ago

does anyone know where i can find more information for this place?

Jill Blanchard
Jill Blanchard
Reply to  Maryjane Jeffcoat
3 years ago

call chris at rix realty. he has bought several properties in that area. and is vey knowledgeable.

Allison Sehika
10 years ago

Did a shoot at the Arlington Hotel and I couldn't stop staring into this place the whole time! I really wanted to go in, does anyone know if it's possible to do a shoot there? Or at least outside of the building?

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