Historic Motel and Old Town Parcel on Route 66 to Get $15.9M Makeover

By Anca Gagiuc

A historic motel along Route 66, currently left to crumble, will get a consistent makeover as part of an ongoing plan to revitalize a section of the popular highway. The Pueblo-style El Vado Motel will begin transformation in 2016.

Palindrome Communities, a partnership between the Sawmill Community Land Trust and Portland-based Pacificap, was chosen for the redevelopment of the iconic El Vado and an adjacent parcel near Old Town. The proposal consists of a mixed-use development that includes a boutique motel, an amphitheater, a community food court, a small-events center, and a hub of affordable housing, according to a news release. The upgrade costs are estimated at $15.9 million.

El Vado Motel was built near Albuquerque’s Old Town in 1937 and closed in 2005. In 1993 the property was listed on the state Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.

“The El Vado Motel is a great opportunity to preserve a historic Route 66 gem while encouraging economic redevelopment near Old Town. We are excited about the Palindrome selection. Their proposal mixes a variety of uses, includes a high-quality design and respects the surrounding neighborhood. This bold redevelopment initiative will continue a resurgence in the Old Town area,” Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said.

Photos courtesy of the City of Albuquerque.