The Monterey Motel in Albuquerque, next door to the redeveloped and equally historic El Vado Motel, is undergoing renovations that will take it back to its original look.
Above is a vintage postcard of the motel, back when it was called the Monterey Court.
The Albuquerque Journal had some details about the work being done:
While the motel is currently in the demolition phase, developer Chad Rennaker said once it is completed, the motel will have more rooms and an additional building with hostel-like rooms that sleep multiple people.
Like the El Vado, which Rennaker also revitalized, the Monterey Motel will be restored to resemble what it looked like when it was built in the 1930s.
“The rooms are going to be restored, and they’re going to be very nice and upgraded with everything,” he said. […]
The Monterey will have a pool and a bar once it opens.
Rennaker expects the redevelopment to be finished by June and begin renting rooms by July.
According to “The Route 66 Encyclopedia,” the motel opened as the David Court in 1946. It was renamed Monterey Court by 1954.
Norman Bugg owned and operated the Monterey Motel for about 25 years. Miroslaw and Boguslawa Elencwajg later acquired the motel and renamed it Monterey Non-Smokers Motel. The couple kept up its high quality standards.
The motel was sold in 2017 to Sundance Village Limited Partnership, the same group from Portland, Oregon, that owns El Vado Motel. The group reverted Monterey Non-Smokers Motel to its Monterey Motel name.
(Image of Monterey Court postcard courtesy of 66Postcards.com)
FIVE STARS! Reminds me of the Boots Motel. Similar classic motor court architecture.
I’m a bit confused by “While the motel is currently in the demolition phase” followed by “the Monterey Motel will be restored to resemble what it looked like when it was built in the 1930s. The rooms are going to be restored….”
I recall the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore being “restored” some years ago. From what I read, the bedrooms were very much gutted, in the cause of modernisation. All fur, and no french knickers.
The latest release of The Route 66 Podcast features a talk with Chad Rennaker, who has successfully restored the El Vado Motel and is moving onto other properties in Albuquerque. He talks about literally stumbling on the El Vado auction by the city, old Route 66 buildings having a soul, an incredible find in the walls of El Vado during renovation, and future plans to incorporate upscale type hostels with his latest project.
http://www.Route66Podcast.com
I have a postcard and matchbook from the Monterey Court from the 1940s long before 1954.