1870s Saratoga Building Damaged by Fire to Be Demolished

Officials in Saratoga Springs now say what’s left of a Victorian-era building severely damaged by a Thanksgiving morning fire will be demolished.

The Saratoga Springs City Council had hired a consultant to conduct an independent assessment of the building. The move had put the demolition of the vacant two-story, 1870s building on hold until the consultant could determine if any of the structure — including its Italianate-style facade — can be saved.

City officials on Wednesday said engineers determined the building should be torn down because it’s unsafe. Demolition is set to begin Thursday morning.

Fire officials say the blaze broke out early on the morning of Nov. 24 in a restaurant in an adjacent building in the heart of Saratoga’s downtown entertainment district.

No one was hurt, but three damaged bars and restaurants in neighboring buildings remain closed.