Modern ‘refined, high-class’ vibe in works for Carson City's historic Jack’s Bar
The Nevada Builder’s Alliance took ownership of the historic Jack’s Bar earlier this year and CEO Aaron West is dedicated to turning it into a prime location for downtown Carson City.
According to West, the damage to the interior was so severe from years of misuse and decay, that the only parts to remain of the original establishment will be the exterior stone walls and cast iron columns.
However, West has decided to give an extra historical touch, as the name will circumnavigate returning to “Jack’s Bar,” but instead will become the “Bank Saloon,” which is what the bar first opened under in 1899.
The bar closed its doors — seemingly forever — almost two decades ago, but now it’s going to get a second chance at life.
“Going into the meeting with the historic society, I was a little worried people were going to be upset that we weren’t going for the original historic restoration,” said West. “It seems like our idea was received pretty well and I’m thankful for that. I hope they realize we want to make a first class establishment for downtown Carson City for a long time.”
Since they are going to have to completely rebuild the inside, said West, they want to make it as usable as possible, utilize the space and make it thriving for the downtown revitalization effort. He is working with Jeff Frame of Reno’s Frame Architecture, and Miles Construction of Carson City.
Currently, the plans are for a bar will to be up front, with a 20-person conference room that can open to the bar as well, with offices in the back for the Nevada Builder’s Alliance headquarters. The Alliance will apply for building permits at the beginning of the new year. It has not been determined when the refurbished saloon will open.
Renovations have been continuing since August when the previous tenants were evicted — tenants being a colony of pigeons who were not excited about having to find a new home after 30 years of illegal squatting.
Renovations have been carefully undertaken, as breathing in 30 years worth of bird droppings along with 1960s asbestos is not recommended.
The original plans were to do a full restoration of the original Bank Saloon, but unfortunately, documentation of what it looked like in its previous incarnation were lacking.
“Because we’re going about it in this new way, we’re going to have more of a contemporary feel,” said West. “We want to use natural materials, and reuse some of the wood we’re removing and use it in various elements. I’m toying with the idea of turning some of the reclaimed wood into the bar.”
Jack’s bar didn’t come around until the 1970s, when vinyl flooring and fake wood was put in.
“We definitely want to implement some historic feel and textures, but in a modern and progressive, up-scale way,” said West.
In Downtown Carson City and restorations of bars and restaurants in Reno, the look has remained on a similar blending path with a mixture of polished wood, and shiny steel, open beams.
West assures this won’t be the case with the Bank Saloon. “We don’t want to be an imitation of what’s already been done,” he said. “I’m not saying there won’t be those certain aspects, but we’re stepping it up a notch. We’re going to have refined finishes and be a first class establishment.”
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