Albuquerque's restored Route 66 icon, a 1937 Pueblo Revival motor court reborn as a boutique motel with local food pods and a taproom.
El Vado Auto Court Motel was established in 1937 by Daniel Murphy, an Irish-born hotelier who previously managed the downtown Franciscan Hotel. Murphy anticipated the realignment of Route 66, which cut 107 miles off the journey across New Mexico by routing the highway directly through Albuquerque. He constructed the Spanish Pueblo Revival-style motor court along Central Avenue near the Rio Grande. Designed to attract automobile tourists with its regional aesthetic, the original property featured 32 units, some with covered carports, arranged in two parallel buildings flanking a central auto court. After nearly seven decades of operation, the motel closed in 2005 and faced demolition by a developer. Following a preservation campaign, the Albuquerque City Council designated the property a city landmark in 2008, and the city acquired it in 2010. A comprehensive restoration led by developer Chad Rennaker of Palindrome Communities and Design Plus Architects culminated in its reopening in 2018, transforming the historic site into a boutique motel and community gathering space.
Today, the property features 22 guest rooms and minisuites configured around a central courtyard, which now hosts a seasonal saltwater swimming pool, a sun terrace, and an outdoor fireplace area. The guest rooms seamlessly blend historic character with modern amenities, showcasing original wood vigas alongside mid-century modern furniture and framed historical photographs from Albuquerque's Route 66 era. Full-length glass front walls allow natural light to flood the interiors while providing views of the pool and courtyard. Modern upgrades include memory-foam beds, high-definition televisions, and organic bath products. The layout retains the spatial arrangement of the original 1937 design, balancing the preservation of character-defining historic features with contemporary comforts.
The eastern perimeter of the property features a series of micro-retail and food pods housed in the motel's former carports. These small spaces serve as incubators for local businesses, including Buen Provecho, which serves Costa Rican dishes prepared by Kattia Rojas, and Ah's Stir Fry, alongside various local boutiques selling New Mexico crafts and goods. Guests and locals gather at the El Vado Taproom, which features a historic kiva fireplace preserved from the original 1937 construction. The taproom serves craft beer brewed at its sister location, Ponderosa Brewing Company. Located at 2500 Central Avenue SW, El Vado sits directly across the street from the ABQ BioPark Aquarium and Botanic Garden, positioning it within walking distance of Albuquerque's historic Old Town.
Grab a Costa Rican empanada from Buen Provecho, order a pint of craft beer at the taproom, and pull up a chair near the historic kiva fireplace. Be sure to catch the restored 1937 neon sign glowing against the Albuquerque twilight.
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