The closed Desert Sands Motel of Albuquerque, perhaps best known for being used in a scene in the Oscar-winning movie “No County for Old Men,” was torn down last month after three fires since May.
The Albuquerque Journal reported the Route 66 motel was razed in early December. Construction equipment reappeared on the site last week, but plans for the land remained unclear.
A photograph by the newspaper showed the motel’s sign still standing.
The newspaper, citing a city spokeswoman, said the property owner paid for the demolition of the motel.
An arson fire in May extensively damaged the motel, which primarily was used for long-term housing. Two other fires occurred after the motel closed. The city imposed an Oct. 1 deadline to make a good-faith effort to repair the property or demolish it.
The Desert Sands was built in 1957. More about the “No Country for Old Men” scene at the motel is found here.
(Image of the Desert Sands Motel sign in 2013 by Thomas Hawk via Flickr)
The fires and damages are the responsibility of the owner. CABQ expedited the demolition to build high rise apartments.