An effort is underway to secure a $1.2 million grant to rebuild and remodel one of the sleekly modern mid-20th century iconic Central Avenue motels in Albuquerque.
The Imperial Inn project will see the both the preservation of a main building at 701 Central Avenue NE, as well as the construction of two new structures.
A swimming pool and events center will also be a permanent part of the Imperial Inn site.
As developed by Palindrome Communities, the project will see the creation of a mixed-use property that will include both retail space as well as a micro restaurant.
Palindrome earlier spearheaded the redevelopment of the well-known El Vado Motel at 2500 Central Avenue SW, which was completed in 2018.
It is thought that it will cost just under $7.7 million to complete the project.
The $1.2 million in funding would come from the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency. If all goes as planned, work on the project could begin early next year with an anticipated completion date of December 2021.
Dating to the 1960s, the motel was formerly called the Imperial 400 Motel and was originally a part of a national chain of more than 100 motels primarily located in the West that subsequently went bankrupt.
By Garry Boulard
