El Vado Auto Court

The El Vado Auto Court is a historic motel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, located along former U.S. Route 66. Built in 1937, it operated until 2005 and reopened in 2018 after renovations.[3] The motel was listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and National Register of Historic Places in 1993, and was also designated an Albuquerque city landmark in 2008.[4]

El Vado Auto Court
Albuquerque Historic Landmark
The motel in 2012, before renovations
Location2500 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Coordinates35°05′39″N 106°40′36″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1937
Architectural stylePueblo Revival
MPSRoute 66 through New Mexico MPS
NRHP reference No.93001214[1]
NMSRCP No.1570
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 22, 1993
Designated NMSRCPSeptember 17, 1993[2]

After nearly 70 years in business, El Vado was purchased in 2005 by a new owner who intended to clear the site for redevelopment. After a lengthy legal battle, the motel was designated a landmark by the Albuquerque City Council, granting it a measure of protection. Ultimately the property was sold to the city in 2010, launching the renovation efforts.[5]

The motel consists of a pair of long, one-story buildings separated by a landscaped courtyard (originally a parking lot). It is an example of Pueblo Revival architecture, with stepped massing, irregular parapets, vigas, and buttressed, stuccoed walls.[1][6] The 2016–18 renovations added a new swimming pool as well as several small retail spaces and a tap room.[7]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. "State and National Register Spreadsheet". New Mexico Department of Historic Preservation. Archived from the original (Excel) on February 18, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  3. Nelson, Kassi (July 13, 2018). "El Vado Motel prepares for grand opening". KOB-TV. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  4. McKay, Dan (January 8, 2008). "El Vado Becomes Landmark". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Sandlin, Scott (August 7, 2010). "City Finally Acquires El Vado". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. David J. Kammer (August 1993). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: El Vado Auto Court / El Vado Motel". National Park Service. Retrieved July 31, 2018. With accompanying two photos
  7. Sinovic, Steve (March 2, 2018). "Obstacles surmounted: El Vado renovation nears completion after unforeseen setbacks". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.