Courtyard Apartments opening Aug. 27
Main Street Siloam Springs and the Williams Courtyard Apartments are hosting a grand opening and tour of the Williams Building in downtown Siloam Springs from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at 114 East University Street.
The completion and opening of the Courtyards celebrates a significant building rehabilitation project within the Siloam Springs historic district, resulting in thirteen new upscale residential apartments, as well as six restored commercial spaces. The opening celebration will feature live music, light refreshments and building tours. Tours will be hosted by owner and developer
live music, light refreshments and building tours. Tours will be hosted by owner and developer Bruce Williams at 2:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
The Williams Building was originally built as the Morris Hotel in 1899, and operated as a bank and office building. Early in the 20th century, it became the Youree Hotel, a business which operated until 1970 when a fire damaged much of the building. The third floor was never restored after the fire, but the first floor has been home to the landmark City Barber Shop (purportedly the longest running barber shop in Arkansas) and other commercial tenants. Today the whole building, including the second floor and full basement, have been completely restored to the highest standards of modern building, style and architecture while preserving many of its historic features.
The Williams Building features several unique historic features, including a beautiful courtyard, loft balconies and balconettes, and a fully restored basement with exterior entrance. The basement also contains an entrance to a cave, the center of much local lore.
The Williams Building is the most recent and significant development in what amounts to a remarkable story of reinvestment and revitalization of downtown Siloam Springs. Over fifteen major building rehabilitation projects have been completed in the last seven years, and three more are in the works. Twenty-five new businesses have opened and sustained business in that same time period, including award-winning restaurants and local retail shops.