The historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque is moving closer to reopening — probably sometime in May — after a lengthy redevelopment on the long-closed Route 66 property.
While in Albuquerque earlier this week, we dropped by to check on progress on the property, which is being converted into a boutique motel with food pods, retail stores and other amenities.
Workers at the site at 2500 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) labored on installing a pool, amphitheater and event center.
A woman at El Vado’s main office refused to give an opening date for the motel.
But two workers at Southwest Cactus, the one of the stores in the complex, surmised El Vado likely would open before Memorial Day.
Other stories operating one the north side of the El Vado complex are Merc 66, Metal and Spa Arogya, with more slated to open in the coming weeks.
And El Vado itself has a website that’s up and running.
The main lobby of the motel is being converted into El Vado Taproom, featuring Ponderosa Brewing Co. brews and other craft beers. A food pod that serves fresh pretzels will be just outside of the taproom. The taproom also will have a window where guests at the motel can walk up and order a beer.
We weren’t shown the inside of the motel’s overnight guest rooms, but an office worker there said they were enlarged to include the carports. Tinted one-way glass covers the carport openings, giving the first-glance illusion of the carports still being there.
El Vado is part of an $18 million project, with $3 million in aid from the city.
Irish immigrant Daniel Murphy opened El Vado Auto Court Motel in 1937. It was cited as one of the best examples of pre-World War II motels in New Mexico. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
El Vado closed in 2005 after new owner Richard Gonzales said he wanted to bulldoze it for luxury townhouses. The city seized the property a few years later after a fight to save the motel.
Thank you for the update on the EL VADO MOTEL Complex. With all of the great shops, food and brew – alongside the boutique motel – this is going to be a huge success! I’m glad I got to stay at the El Vado back in the early 1990s with then inn keeper Ali Hakum. That motel stay was a great experience, so I’m looking forward to my next stay at the El Vado sometime in 2018-2019.
It’s nice to see the progress. The shops look interesting. Will definitely stop by when in the area.