Gold Building

The Gold Building is a 14-story modern office structure in downtown Albuquerque with distinctive facade treatments on all sides. Black tinted glass curtain walls face north and south, while brick-faced walls without windows face east and west.

Completed in 1961, the structure held the distinction of being the tallest building in New Mexico for many years before the Bank of the West Tower eventually surpassed it. The January dedication ceremony that year marked a significant moment for the growing city.

The building takes its name from Gold Avenue, the street where it stands, marking an important commercial corridor in downtown Albuquerque. Its design reflects the modernist construction boom that reshaped the city during the 1960s.

The building sits on Gold Avenue SW in the downtown area, accessible on foot with nearby parking and good street access. Since it functions as an office building, visitor access inside is limited, but the exterior facade can be viewed from the street.

The structure sits atop a larger one-story base with a recessed second floor that exposes the supporting columns in an unconcealed way. This architectural detail creates a distinctive visual effect that becomes apparent when viewing the building from street level.

Location: New Mexico

Inception: 1961

Architects: Willard C. Kruger

Architectural style: modern architecture

Floors above the ground: 14

GPS coordinates: 35.08320,-106.65100

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:42