Tax Credit Program Highlight: Fisk Medical Arts Building

History

The Fisk Medical Arts Building was developed by Charles A. Fisk, president of the Amarillo Bank and Trust Company, during an oil and gas boom in the Panhandle. The Fisk was one of several skyscrapers built in downtown Amarillo in the late 1920s. The building housed the bank headquarters on the first floor, while upper floors were available for lease to doctors and other medical practitioners. The architect, Guy Carlander, also set up office in the Fisk Building. The building is a good example of the Gothic Revival style, with Gothic-arch doorways and decorative terra cotta elements around the first floor and parapet. As ownership and tenants changed over many years, much of the building’s original interior fabric was lost. Some of the few remaining features include terrazzo flooring in the entrance lobby, elevator doors on the first floor, and a staircase. The building was developed into a hotel circa 2010, using the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits.

Rehabilitation Project

The new rehabilitation project was primarily focused on refreshing interior finishes throughout the building. Non-historic flooring and wall finishes throughout the lobby, corridors, and guest rooms were replaced. New lighting and fixtures were also installed. While this type of work does not impact historic elements, it keeps the building well-maintained and attractive to guests, which helps increase the lifespan of the building..