It’s a tall drink of water, the seven-story building housing the Vault restaurant, to open later this fall in the 1909 Citizens Building at the corner of Central Avenue and Bridge Street in Hot Springs. The restaurant gets its name from the building’s original purpose: It was Citizens National Bank.

If the food is as yummy as the exterior — white Tiffany brick, a large arched entrance and blue back-lighting on the letters spelling out Vault and V over the wrought-iron doorway — it should be a Spa City hit.

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Austin native Michael Easley, formerly of Cache, Maddie’s and 1620 restaurants in Little Rock, will bring an eclectic touch to a menu of fresh fish, shellfish, prime meats and more, general manager Randy Womack said.

The restaurant’s been a while in the making since the building wasn’t plumbed for a kitchen. The main kitchen will be in the basement; the first floor will have a “show kitchen,” Womack said, and the six booths with a view will be able to order from a special menu and visit with the chef.

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The owners of the building — Jason Taylor and Dr. Daron Praetzel — hope to have the restaurant open by November. The Rhythm and Rocks Jazz Bistro is open on the second floor. The third floor is office space, and floors four through seven have been developed as apartments.

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