Boutique Marriott Coming to Nob Hill, ART Signs, Rude Boy Cookies Replacement, Runway Repair Update and More...
$34 Million Nob Hill Hotel Could Open By Mid-2027
Boutique Marriott brand to rise at former Hiway House site
By Damon Scott
It’s no secret that the Nob Hill core draws scores of visitors to its coffee shops, restaurants, stores, nightlife and Route 66 vibes, but hotel options are almost nowhere to be found. An exception is Hotel Zazz just east of Carlisle Boulevard; however, its 48 rooms aren’t nearly enough to meet the demand.
Another option is on the horizon with the forthcoming opening of a 112-room Marriott Tribute — the company’s boutique hotel brand — as early as mid-2027. The hotel will also mark an end to one of Nob Hill’s most significant vacancies and eyesores — the former Hiway House Motel at 3200 Central Ave. SE. The 1959-built motel had become dilapidated and a magnet for graffiti, vandalism and other unwanted behavior after it closed in 2022 following a fire.
The new hotel is the brainchild of Titan Development’s Josh Rogers, who’s been with the Albuquerque-based firm since 2012. He said the Hiway House caught his attention in late 2023 when it first hit the market for sale.
“I woke up in the middle of the night because I wanted this site so bad,” Rogers said. “It’s a dream project.”
Rogers said he considered pitching a multifamily development, but the area’s three-story height limit made a hotel option more economically viable and enticing to investors. He has experience getting hotels built. Rogers spearheaded Titan’s Marriott SpringHill Suites development near Presbyterian Hospital east of I-25 (among others) with more hospitality projects in the pipeline.
‘Going to be spectacular’
After acquiring Hiway House from owner David Vilar about a year ago, Titan oversaw its demolition last November after extensive asbestos abatement. The only remnant of the motel is a large neon sign that rises over the site’s 1-acre plot. Rogers said he expects to incorporate the sign into the design of the new hotel.
Chatter about the Marriott Tribute includes what could end up being its most buzzy feature — a rooftop bar with views of Central Avenue and the Sandia Mountains. Rogers said rooftop bar patrons will be able to order food from a ground floor restaurant.
“The rooftop bar is going to be spectacular,” he said.
The 65,000 square foot hotel will also include a lobby bar, fitness center and private guest courtyard.
“I think it’s the catalytic project that Nob Hill needs,” Rogers said. “If you get 100 people traveling and spending money on a nightly basis — I think it’s going to change the area; it’ll make a difference.”
Parking will be limited (75 spaces in all, 62 underground) but Rogers said it’s one of the advantages of hotels — many guests use rideshare options (Uber, Lyft) to and from the airport and don’t need a parking space.
“We might have a few guests that have to park in some public spaces. We’re also thinking about doing a comprehensive valet service,” he said. “That would help the businesses in the area.”
Titan hopes to break ground by the end of the year with a construction timeline of about 18 months for the $34 million project. Rogers said renderings would likely be completed sometime in May. It was too early to speculate on room rates, he said.
“People are looking for experiences and the Tribute provides the capability for a unique local hotel that caters to the local demographics, history, character — so that’s what we locked in on,” Rogers said.
The most common feedback so far from Nob Hill business owners and residents, according to Rogers: “When can you open it?”
“We’re plowing ahead and trying to get this thing out of the ground as quickly as we can,” he said.
City Working to Restore “Lollipop” ART Signs
The distinctive ART signs, reminiscent of vintage typewriter keys, are on the city's short list of repairs. According to city spokesperson Madeline Skrak, ABQ RIDE is “working to identify a vendor to retrofit and restore” the signs. They aim to “complete the bidding process and signage repair at all 20 ART stations by the end of the year.”
The city blames “heat and sun,” not people, for the damage.
El Palenque Moves Into Former Rude Boy Cookies Building
If you’ve been in Albuquerque long enough, you may remember El Palenque Authentic Mexican Restaurant at its original location on Isleta Boulevard near Rio Bravo Boulevard from 1987 to 2002. Well, it’s being brought back to life — same menu, same recipes — but now across from UNM.
Owner Erika Holguin, daughter of the original owners Estela and Salvador Holguin, has taken over the former Rude Boy Cookies at 1916 Central Avenue SE and replaced it with the family tradition. The expected opening is May 10. Her parents are supportive and are excited to see their old restaurant reach new customers.
Disruptive Runway Repairs Coming to an End?
Residents in parts of Nob Hill, Parkland Hills, Victory Hills, Southeast Heights and other neighborhoods have, since October, been dealing with unusual amounts of air traffic overhead as repairs on the main Sunport runway continue, detouring planes above the city.
Runway 8-26, the primary commercial service runway, is expected to reopen on or around May 16, according to Manny Manriquez, deputy director of innovation and commercial development at the Sunport. This good news comes with the slight caveat that they may need to close it again for another two weeks in mid-June to wrap up any outstanding issues after the final inspection.
However, once completed, Runway 8-26 should not need major repairs for another 20 years.
Tickets Available for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Popejoy Hall will host six performances of the jukebox musical, which is devoted to the “pulse-pounding soundtrack” of Tina Turner’s hits, from May 15-18. Click here to buy tickets ($63-$133).
In Other News
Local bookstore may be fined for letting unhoused people sleep in parking lot - ABQ Journal (Story about Quirky Books near Central and Washington - paywall)
The founding of the Daily Lobo, the University of New Mexico’s student newspaper - Daily Lobo