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Architectural Feature: El Vado
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Published by New Mexico Architectural Foundation
September 27, 2019 in New Mexico Architectural Foundation..
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The El Vado Motor Court was built in 1937 to cater to visitors traveling through Albuquerque on Route 66. The motel, designed in the Spanish Revival style, housed 32 motel units with adjoining carports and a gas station. El Vado has been designated a City Landmark and is listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, after years of work, a variety of approval processes, exceptional preservation efforts and exciting design elements, El Vado is full of life and activity – attracting patrons and guests from not only Albuquerque and New Mexico, but nationally and internationally. The old motel that had become dilapidated and blighted is now a focal point for the area bringing excitement and reinvestment. The redevelopment of El Vado successfully pays homage to Route 66 and the growth of Albuquerque – thus reactivating what was once a wildly popular hospitality destination. The character-defining exterior design features such as undulating parapets, garage portals and blue steel windows are carefully preserved while the interior spaces are elegantly transformed to accommodate contemporary uses. Continue reading…
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El Vado Motel Restoration Underway
Morgan Aguilar, KOB
March 30, 2017
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Developers hope construction on the motel — located at the intersection of Central and New York avenues, near Albuquerque’s BioPark — will be finished by Aug. 1. They’re turning the old motel into a “boutique motel.” That means it will be small and unique, unlike the more well-known hotel chains.
City leaders hope it will become a popular tourist destination…
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KRQE 13 News Stories
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The Other Brick House
The art and function of adobe homes
Albuquerque Journal
9 Feb 2018
By GLEN ROSALES
Adobe bricks have superior insulating factors because of their mass. It’s a pretty simple recipe: take some of New Mexico’s finest dirt/clay, mix in some straw for authenticity and strength, pour into a mold and add water and plenty of sunshine.
That’s how adobe bricks are formed, and this time-honored and highly efficient method of construction has been a staple in these parts for centuries.
Matt Pacheco of “Lizard King” LLC Design Construction, known as the Lizard King for the prominent lizard he created crawling across an adobe wall off of Rio Grande Boulevard, is one of those who prefer to build with mother earth.
“I’ve been in it forever,” Matt says. “I’ve seen it forever. Our family house is adobe. I just love it.”
Continue reading the article…
Old Town Treasure
For the Abq Journal – January 10, 2010
ADOBE REMODEL
When the sun rises over Old Town, the soft morning light trickles through a narrow bank of glass-block windows set high in the east-facing adobe wall that defines the bedroom of Lloyd and Jan Garcia. “You wake up a little easier,” said Lloyd Garcia.
The slowed rhythm of a bygone era seems to come naturally in this meticulously remodeled adobe home, an Old Town residence that’s come close to facing the wrecking ball a few times in a life that dates back 130 or more years.
The remodeled adobe home, with nearly 3-foot-thick walls of terrones and adobe bricks, is getting another go-around thanks to the Garcias and the restorative talents of builder Matteo Pacheco, owner of “Lizard King” Design and Construction. Pacheco is a self-professed adobe aficionado who found a way to save the old walls and beams.
Continue Reading…
Copyright (c) 2010 Albuquerque Journal, Edition 1/10/2010
Homes of Enchantment Parade
October, 2009
A GREAT EXPERIENCE ALL AROUND
We are excited to announce that one of our homes at Diamond Tail Ranch was in the Albuquerque 2009 ‘Homes of Enchantment Parade’. The selected house owned by Ed and Ana Tilton, is an extraordinary example of Southwestern adobe-style elegance set in a private landscape surrounded by extensive views.
It was designed by Levi Romero and built by Matt Pacheco of “Lizard King” LLC Design and Construction. Matt and his business are known as ‘Lizard King’ because he includes a fabulous lizard sculpture in every one of his completed projects. Pacheco considered the environment when constructing this energy efficient and livable authentic adobe home on our ranch full of history, wildlife and starry nights.
Pacheco explained that working at Diamond Tail Ranch was easy and enjoyable. He loved coming to work every day to the peaceful and calm area encircled by mountains.
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