Renovations on Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be finished by fall

A two-year renovation project on the once-troubled Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be completed by the autumn. The motel at 701 Central Ave. (aka Route 66) will have 52 guest rooms, 16 residential suites and several businesses. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque filed this report: According to RoadsideArchitecture.com, the Imperial Inn opened in the early 1960s … Continue reading Renovations on Imperial Inn motel in Albuquerque likely will be finished by fall

El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque

The same developer who revamped the El Vado Motel and Monterey Motel in Albuquerque also will transform another Route 66 motel in that city — the Imperial Inn Motel. According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the motel will become a mix of residential, restaurants and retail: The city announced Saturday it is moving forward … Continue reading El Vado Motel developer to revamp Imperial Inn Motel in Albuquerque

City of Albuquerque breaks ground on Imperial Inn redevelopment plan

The City of Albuquerque this week broke ground on a $7.6 million redevelopment project for the Imperial Inn Motel along Route 66. According to KRQE-TV in Albuquerque: The plans for the Imperial Inn on Central, just west of I-25, include 52 guest rooms and 16 residential suites, along with space for a dozen businesses including … Continue reading City of Albuquerque breaks ground on Imperial Inn redevelopment plan

Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations

The historic Monterey Motel and its attached MOMO Lounge are expected to reopen Aug. 4 after extensive renovations and redesigns that bring the property back to its earlier roots, according to a local newspaper. The Paper in Albuquerque published many details about how Rupal Engineer of Design Plus LLC tackled the face-lift for the Route … Continue reading Monterey Motel in Albuquerque likely to reopen Aug. 4 after renovations

Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September

Renovations on the historic Monterey Motel in Albuquerque will be completed by September in its conversion to a higher-end hostel. Downtown Albuquerque News recently talked to Chad Renneker, a Portland, Oregon-based developer who also brought El Vado Motel back to life as a boutique motel with a taproom and several shops. The bunk beds will … Continue reading Monterey Motel renovations in Albuquerque will finish by September

Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

Two Albuquerque businesses, including the Monterey Motel, on Friday received the Heritage Award from the New Mexico Route 66 Association. The association stated in a news release the Monterey was honored “in recognition of the preservation and retro-nouveau adaption of a classic Route 66 motel, originally opened as David Court in 1946 – renamed Monterey … Continue reading Two Albuquerque businesses receive Heritage Award from New Mexico Route 66 Association

More details emerge about restoration of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque

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: … Continue reading More details emerge about restoration of Monterey Motel in Albuquerque

Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday

Today marks what is considered by many as the 95th anniversary of the creation of U.S. Highway 66, aka Route 66. As one who has run this website for 16 years and been involved on Route 66 for more than 20, I’ve got a few random thoughts from my time of reporting about this fabled … Continue reading Thoughts on Route 66 on its 95th birthday

Motel Safari in Tucumcari to receive New Mexico Route 66 Association Heritage Award

Motel Safari in Tucumcari, New Mexico, later today will receive the 2020 New Mexico Route 66 Association Heritage Award because of its historic-friendly preservation. The association stated in a news release Wednesday the award comes “in recognition of numerous renovations to the Classic Googie Style Motel, a New Mexico Route 66 landmark.” The award ceremony … Continue reading Motel Safari in Tucumcari to receive New Mexico Route 66 Association Heritage Award

Monterey Motel in Albuquerque to be restored

It was speculated this would happen, and now it’s confirmed: The same development group that revamped El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will restore the nearby Monterey Motel, once known as the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel. KOB-TV got the scoop. Chad Rennaker of Palindrome Communities told the station the Monterey restoration project would begin late this year. … Continue reading Monterey Motel in Albuquerque to be restored