The soon-to-reopen De Anza Motor Lodge in Albuquerque likely will begin booking overnight guests in the hotel part of the business by early October.
An article in the Albuquerque Journal this week about De Anza and other developments in the Nob Hill neighborhood stated those who had reserved apartments at De Anza likely will be allowed to move in by mid-September.
A woman at De Anza who answered the phone Monday said the hotel likely would begin booking overnight guests by early October, before the city’s popular International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 5-13.
The Journal detailed the $9 million worth in renovations and changes at De Anza:
David Peters, property manager for the De Anza, said the old motel had fallen into disrepair and had a feral cat problem when the project began.
“It just hadn’t been taken care of for years,” Peters said.
The developers retained two buildings on the property – including the building that once housed the Turquoise Cafe – while building a new 40-unit apartment complex and boutique hotel. Of the 40 units, Peters said 15 will be used for short- and long-term hotel stays. […]
The goal of the project is to re-establish the De Anza as a landmark by maintaining the property’s unique characteristics, including its iconic neon sign and touches of Zuni Pueblo history throughout, while adding amenities like a gym and a small movie room that make the development more enjoyable for tenants, he said.
De Anza Motor Lodge also recently launched a website with more information about the complex. It stated this about the hotel:
Settle into a furnished apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable king size beds and a TV in the living and sleeping areas. This is a private gated community with secure parking and keyed access with one reserved parking space.
Maximize your stay with access to these exclusive community amenities: fitness and yoga center, outdoor patio with fireplace and grills, access to the community amenity room that features a movie room, library and complimentary coffee bar.
Charles Wallace, a Zuni trader and Indian art collector, built De Anza Motor Lodge in 1939. The city bought the closed property in 2003, and it needed three tries before it could find a redeveloper with the proper financing to begin the project.
(Screen-capture image from a video of the refurbished De Anza Motor Court sign)