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By Fallon Fischer, Junko Featherston Source: KRQE (Copyright Nexstar Media Inc.) A 1950s-era motel on historic Route 66 in Albuquerque is set to get a new lease on life. El Don Motel is now owned by Albuquerque native Randy Bowen, who plans to completely renovate the 24-unit property into a boutique motel. "So the plan for it right now is to have 20 high-end, kind of like chic boutique hotel rooms. And then the two-story section that’s behind us here with the deck is hopefully going to be a cocktail lounge," Bowen said. Bowen purchased the property in October and plans to bring an operating partner on board. He is currently working with an architect on the design and the city to get everything up to code. "So currently, right now, it’s being used as an apartment. The initial pitch when it was brought to me was to try to keep it as an apartment. But unfortunately, with the amount of money that has to go in to get it to being safe and functional, it doesn’t pencil out with making it affordable housing,” Bowen explained. The U-shaped motel needs a lot of work, according to Bowen. The 1950s-era plumbing will need to be updated along with the electrical wiring; the building also needs a new roof, HVAC system, windows, stucco, flooring, and more. The property’s iconic neon sign, which features a cowboy lassoing the motel's name, will be redone too. Despite the extensive repairs and new additions planned for the motel, Bowen said he is eager to work on what he calls a passion project. "I just, I like the idea of the history of this. I like the idea of preserving this rather than just scraping it and starting over with something new," he said. Bowen hopes to get started on the project in about two months. He previously has worked on residential projects, including multi-family developments. Read full story: https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/1950s-era-route-66-motel-in-albuquerque-to-undergo-major-renovation/  El Don Motel on Route 66 in Albuquerque. Photo courtesy Tadson Bussey.
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