Two business partners have revived what they say is the longest continually operating motor court motel in the United States, and hope their example sparks a revival in the once-popular family lodging option.
Hector Amaya purchased the Best Court Motel, 638 Ouachita Ave., in February 2017. With the help of his business partner, Jimi Brazil, the duo dedicated a year and a half to restoring the motel to its former glory. It opened at the beginning of July, and Amaya said that business is booming.
"It has been incredible. The response we've had has been breathtaking," Amaya said.
The Best Court Motel first opened in 1933 as part of a nationwide boom in motor courts. As cars became more affordable, families began driving everywhere, but cities were not equipped with sufficient parking spaces, Brazil said. Motor courts, which included garages and parking spaces, began popping up across the country.
The doors of Best Court Motel stayed open until the recent renovation, making it the longest continuously operating motor court in the United States, Amaya said, which is why, given that much history, he said he felt it was important to save it.
Amaya's main focus in the renovation process was to keep the unique architectural details intact. Amaya and Brazil said they travel the country looking for properties with unique architectural features in need of saving. After finishing a project in Miami, they came to Hot Springs and found several court motels in that they said were in desperate need of saving. The lengthy history of the Best Court caught Amaya's attention immediately.
"It was ready to be razed. The floors were awful and it was really just in bad disrepair," Brazil said.
"We have this calling to preserve great American architecture. We take on projects that people tell us can't be done," he said.
The outside of the units remained much the same. Amaya decided to keep the iconic red roof and yellow Acme brick and fill in the pool to make more room for guest parking, but the work needed on the inside proved to be a daunting task. During the renovation, the inside of each unit was stripped to the studs. Amaya said they rewired all the electrical systems, fixed plumbing issues and eventually converted them into upscale boutique cottages.
"It was a big relief (to finish) and we are very proud of what we accomplished and how it turned out," Amaya said.
Each unit also features unique touches inside -- the nightstands are replicas of the originals and the paint on the trim is original, as well. Each room features two handcrafted and painted lamps that pay homage to the racing culture of the city and the national park.
Room rates range from $99 and $269, depending on the size. Amaya said he wanted to remain affordable but also offer a higher-quality product.
In addition to the motor court, Amaya also purchased a small cafe attached to the motel. He plans to reopen the cafe, and obtain a liquor license, to fill a void for finer Southern cuisine. The Best Cafe will open will serve cafe-style food and be open until 2 a.m.
Brazil said he and Amaya hope to wake up the community and spark a change throughout Hot Springs, focusing on cleaning up storefronts and finer details often noticed by tourists.
Brazil noted that two other local motor courts, the Alpine Inn and Cottage Court, have also undergone renovations. He said he feels like the owners "really get it" and will be vital to the local revival of the motor court.
"This is an amazing city and it just needs to be polished. There is so much history in the old buildings and if they are not saved, this will become (like) any other town in America," Brazil and Amaya said.
Local on 08/06/2018