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
Tag: Albuquerque
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
‘Singing Road’ already needs to be restriped
Barely three months after it was first installed, the New Mexico Department of Transportation will put new markings on the pavement of the "Singing Road" section of Route 66 east of Albuquerque because the old markings apparently have worn off. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque explains the problems involved with a set of rumble strips that allow … Continue reading ‘Singing Road’ already needs to be restriped
New Route 66 signs coming to Albuquerque
About a half-dozen new signs that join the Route 66 logo with a roadrunner will be installed in Albuquerque by the end of March, reported KRQE-TV in Albuquerque. The road runner, incidentally, is the state bird of New Mexico. The mockup of the multipurpose directional sign, which is partly designed to direct tourists to attractions … Continue reading New Route 66 signs coming to Albuquerque
Bus hits Route 66 column in Albuquerque
A wayward vehicle apparently caused a city bus to veer out of control and strike a decorative Route 66 column Friday at Central Avenue (aka Route 66) and Unser Boulevard on Albuquerque's west side, reported the Albuquerque Journal. “This bus was driving southbound on Unser,” said Officer Simon Drobik, spokesman for APD. “From what witnesses … Continue reading Bus hits Route 66 column in Albuquerque
Albuquerque motel destroyed by fire
Fire destroyed the former Mountain Lodge motel Thursday afternoon along Route 66 on the east edge of Albuquerque, reported the Albuquerque Journal and other media outlets. The motel had been converted into apartments. No one was hurt in the blaze, but five people reportedly were rendered homeless. The structure was a total loss. Here is … Continue reading Albuquerque motel destroyed by fire
Willem Bor builds more Route 66 miniatures
Willem Bor, a roadie from the Netherlands who's been building detailed scale models of Route 66 landmarks, has made a few more in recent months as gifts to fellow Mother Road fans. The first is a miniature of the ruins of the Painted Desert Trading Post in eastern Arizona. He gave the model to Route … Continue reading Willem Bor builds more Route 66 miniatures