The historic Bow & Arrow Lodge motel in Albuquerque has been placed on the market for $1.425 million.
According to Albuquerque Business First (subscription required), the Route 66 motel was recently revitalized and reopened before being put up for sale.
King Capital Commercial Real Estate is listing the 27-room motel at 8300 Central Ave. It notes the listing is well below replacement cost.
Route 66 Times reports the motel opened in 1941 as the Urban Motor Lodge, but it was changed to its current moniker not long after that. The motel was once listed by Duncan Hines as a quality lodging option.
The current Bow & Arrow neon sign, installed in 1959, is the second iteration at that property.
(Image of the Bow & Arrow Lodge sign by Tadson Bussey via Flickr)
News stories about the poor condition of this property are found easily on the web. https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/city-of-albuquerque-shuts-down-bow-and-arrow-lodge/
From the City of Albuquerque’s web site:
Cleaning Up Central: City Closes Another Crime-Ridden Motel
Problematic Property Bow and Arrow Lodge closed after inspection finds numerous violations.
February 20, 2025
ALBUQUERQUE – Central Avenue now has one less problematic motel. The City ordered the Bow and Arrow Lodge to shut its doors following an inspection on Wednesday, February 19 that revealed numerous violations and serious risks to the safety of tenants and the surrounding area. The Bow and Arrow Lodge had become overridden by crime, with APD and AFR responding to over 100 calls for service at the motel in 2024. During the inspection, APD cleared 4 felony warrants and made 1 arrest. The City is now shutting down this neighborhood nuisance.
“Businesses that willingly engage in criminal activity will not be tolerated in this city,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Let me be clear: If you endanger our community, we will take decisive action to hold you accountable.”
Bow and Arrow Lodge was previously in the ADAPT (Abandoned and Dilapidated Abatement Property Team) program from June 2022 to September 2023. While there was a reduction in crime while they were in the program, the lodge has fallen back into negative cycles of disrepair and illicit activity.
Since January 2024 APD has responded to the Bow and Arrow Lodge for:
2 aggravated assault and battery
2 armed robberies
4 recovered stolen vehicles
2 shootings
29 ShotSpotter calls for service totaling 52 rounds fired
Violations at the Bow and Arrow Lodge included:
Exposed wiring, electrical hazards, inadequate heating, and missing electrical covers.
Fire hazards such as missing and disabled smoke alarms and blocked exits.
Hazardous plumbing, major plumbing issues in units, broken bathroom fixtures, and inadequate hot water.
Dangerous disrepair including a leaking roof, water damage, and evidence of a roach infestation.
Drug paraphernalia, including needles, was found throughout the complex grounds.
The tenants of the Bow and Arrow Lodge included elderly, long-term residents, and families paying between $80 and $120 per night to stay in dangerous living conditions. Many units lacked necessities and safety features, as noted above.
“Public safety is our top priority. This is another example of a good property that was allowed to decline instead of being properly maintained,” said Planning Department Director Alan Varela. “We will continue to take action against problematic properties to keep our neighborhoods safe.”