When Jonathan Horne first saw what is now The Vault, a subterranean speakeasy-style bar at the Waymark Hotel in downtown Chattanooga, the entire space was flooded.
The Vault was for decades a functioning bank vault in the Chattanooga Bank Building at 736 Broad St. The building was constructed in 1927 as home to the Chattanooga Savings Bank and Trust Co.
Horne is vice president of Grace Construction, the local general contractor that transformed the historic bank building into a hotel in the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The building had sat dormant for more than 15 years as other hotel developers tried and failed to reinvigorate the property.
The Waymark began accepting guests in January and hosted a grand opening in February. The Vault in the basement is open 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and is closed Sunday and Monday. The intimate space features a full bar and snack menu.