In the heart of the evolving Granary District of Salt Lake City, Fisher Brewing Co. thrives with patrons enjoying drinks and lively conversations, enriching the atmosphere. Nearby, the historic Fisher Mansion, once the abode of brewery founder Albert Fisher, stands empty, its windows boarded, while it gazes across the Jordan River.
In a twist of fate, the operators of the revived Fisher Brewing Co., which ceased beer sales in 1967, have expressed potential interest in relocating to the Fisher Mansion, the site where the brewery’s legacy began.
Tim Dwyer, co-owner of the brewery, shared, “We would have interest in it, pending details about build-out, lease terms and timeline.”
City staff have initiated informal discussions with the brewery about possibly operating a location within the mansion. Mayor Erin Mendenhall has proposed the idea of transforming the mansion’s ground floor into a bar or restaurant, while dedicating the upper floors to nonprofit offices. Dwyer confirmed the brewery’s tentative interest in utilizing the mansion, which still features a commercial kitchen from its previous life as a halfway house, as City Council members contemplate allocating additional funds for the mansion’s restoration.
Historically, the Fisher Mansion has played a crucial role in revitalizing the Jordan River corridor, given its location and unique architecture. Albert Fisher, an immigrant from Germany, established the brewery in 1884, even before Utah attained statehood. By 1893, his success allowed him to enlist the services of Richard Kletting, the future architect of the Utah Capitol, to design the mansion. The imposing brick structure, accentuated by a Fisher family crest and a sweeping stone porch, reflects the grandeur of that era.
Adjacent to the mansion once stood the original Fisher brewery, unfortunately demolished in the 1980s; the site is now occupied by an Enbridge Gas building.
Dwyer, along with three partners, rejuvenated the brewery in 2017, repurposing an old auto shop in the Granary District at 300 West and 800 South. Their successful expansion in 2022 significantly increased production capacity, tripling its output.
Despite the excitement surrounding the possibility of relocating to the mansion, Dwyer emphasized that numerous challenges lie ahead before any serious considerations can be made about opening a location there. The city-owned mansion requires extensive rehabilitation to make it suitable for business operations.
Dwyer highlighted the need for clear zoning and use standards from the city to facilitate the establishment of an alcohol-related business in the mansion. He expressed concerns that city regulations might prohibit a bar or restaurant on city-owned property.
However, the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services dispelled these concerns, indicating that they have previously issued liquor licenses to businesses operating within publicly owned properties. For example, the Tin Angel restaurant, located inside Salt Lake County’s Eccles Theater, holds a full-service restaurant license, permitting them to serve alcohol alongside meals.
Moreover, spokesperson Michelle Schmitt assured that the mansion would not face issues regarding proximity to schools or churches, as state law dictates specific distances for alcohol-serving establishments from such locations. She recommended that prospective bar and restaurant operators liaise with her department regarding any concerns about location restrictions before pursuing licenses.
While Fisher Brewing looks favorably at the prospect of revitalizing the mansion, city officials are currently utilizing resources from a $3 million bond to stabilize the structure, which sustained damage during the March 2020 earthquake. There is still substantial work required ahead.
“Custom repair work is needed for windows, walls and historic wood finishes, along with basic upgrades for heating, cooling and plumbing systems,” noted Sofia Jeremias, spokesperson for the city’s Community and Neighborhoods Department.
Part of the city’s plan includes a $400,000 proposal in the fiscal 2026 capital improvement program budget aimed at tackling these upgrades, pending approval from City Council members. Additionally, a separate proposal for $500,000 to assist with mansion renovations did not receive support from Mayor Mendenhall and was not included in the council’s maximum funding amount for capital improvements this year.
The city’s proposal highlights that further work remains necessary, such as restoration of the stone railing surrounding the porch.
Jeremias also indicated that the city plans to send out a request for proposals from potential tenants by the end of the year, with future occupants likely tasked with finding extra funding to address additional upgrades.
City Council member Alejandro Puy described the ongoing efforts to return life and beauty to the mansion as arduous. “Sometimes it feels like pulling teeth. But it is not because anybody in particular is a problem, but the funding and lack of visioning of what we want to see there and then the timelines of a city, sometimes make it frustrating as far as how long things take,” Puy shared.
Nevertheless, he expressed optimism about the progress being made, noting that the mansion is no longer stagnant.
Fisher Brewing is also actively engaging in the preservation of the mansion’s legacy. They have organized an annual event, the Fisher Mansion Beer Garden, every September, with a portion of the event’s proceeds benefiting the Friends of Fisher Mansion, a nonprofit dedicated to the building’s preservation. This year’s event is scheduled for September 20-21.
The Friends of Fisher Mansion have conducted a health assessment of the historic structure, with plans to present their findings at Fisher Brewing on July 23.
Dwyer made a heartfelt statement about the mansion, saying, “It’s really an important part of Salt Lake history. It’s a very beautiful building, architecturally, and it deserves to be used, and it deserves to be rehabbed so it can be used.”
image source from：sltrib
