Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected

A rival developer's appeal of the city of Albuquerque's decision to award a redevelopment contract for the historic De Anza Motor Lodge was rejected Monday night during the regular council meeting, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The winning contractor, Anthea, will spend a projected $8.2 million to renovate the Route 66 motel into extended-stay lodging, … Continue reading Appeal of De Anza decision is rejected

De Anza developer responds to appeal

Deep in an Albuquerque Business First story about developers Bill and Anna Smith of Construct Southwest and Anthea LLC, they respond to the charges in an appeal from a rival over the redevelepment of De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque. The Anthea developers submitted the winning $8.2 million proposal in March to redevelop the historic … Continue reading De Anza developer responds to appeal

Route 66 Malt Shop loses its lease

The Route 66 Malt Shop restaurant, in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque, lost its lease on the property it is situated, and its future appears uncertain. According to Albuquerque Business First, the lease ends July 31: Sperry Van Ness/Walt Arnold Commercial Brokerage adviser and retail specialist Glenn Wright is now marketing the 1,920-square-foot space for … Continue reading Route 66 Malt Shop loses its lease

Albuquerque’s Aztec Motel sign taken down

The sign for the Aztec Motel, the only remainder of the historic Route 66 motel in Albuquerque that was torn down in 2011, was taken down Friday, according to several sources that included one eyewitness. The fate of the sign remains uncertain, although the city's Route 66 Action Plan mentions including it as part of a pocket … Continue reading Albuquerque’s Aztec Motel sign taken down

66 Motel in Flagstaff converted into affordable rental housing

The historic 66 Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, is being turned by a nonprofit group into a place for affordable rental housing until its residents can save enough money for better rentals or a down payment on a home. And the nonprofit, ANEW Living, wants to do the same thing to other distressed motels along Route … Continue reading 66 Motel in Flagstaff converted into affordable rental housing

Albuquerque board approves ‘condotel’ plan for De Anza

The Albuquerque Development Commission on Thursday approved an $8.2 million plan to convert the long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge into a condominium and hotel hybrid, according to Albuquerque Business First. It won out over four other proposals, including a $12.4 million plan by an investing group to turn De Anza into a boutique motel that … Continue reading Albuquerque board approves ‘condotel’ plan for De Anza

New documentary delves into Nob Hill’s history

A new, 12-minute documentary was produced about the Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque, which set to mark its 100th anniversary next year. This video contains some boosterism, but it also has a lot of history and vintage photos about that now-hip section of town, including about its founder, "Colonel" D.K.B. Sellers. And, since Route 66 … Continue reading New documentary delves into Nob Hill’s history

De Anza being used in a Tina Fey movie

Found this little brief on KRQE-TV in Albuquerque: A historic Route 66 sight (sic) is now the background for a movie set [...] the De Anza Motor Lodge on Central is part of the new Tina Fey movie shooting here in New Mexico, which is supposed to be the Middle East. The movie is based … Continue reading De Anza being used in a Tina Fey movie

Proposals for De Anza should be revealed by mid-March

Proposals to redevelop the historic but long-closed De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque will be revealed sometime in mid-March, when the Albuquerque Development Commission reviews them. Richard Metcalf, commercial real estate columnist for the Albuquerque Journal, reports the proposals are essentially sealed documents under state law. The secrecy is meant to prevent behind-the-scenes lobbying. However, … Continue reading Proposals for De Anza should be revealed by mid-March

Albuquerque’s new shopping center sign is a throwback

Albuquerque has a new shopping center along its Route 66 corridor, but its main sign will spark memories of the previous business there. The Trade Winds Shopping Center recently finished construction, and it has a sign that's reminiscent of the original Trade Winds Motel sign at that location. It looks like neon, but it's actually … Continue reading Albuquerque’s new shopping center sign is a throwback