Sunshine Building

The Sunshine Building is a six-story complex in downtown Albuquerque with a distinctive yellow brick facade, marble and ornamental details, and a balustraded parapet. The space now houses a music venue with stage and balcony areas, plus office spaces in the upper floors.

The building was completed in 1924 by architect Henry Charles Trost, replacing the White Elephant structure that housed gambling rooms since 1881. The original movie house with its large auditorium defined its function for decades before its purpose transformed.

The building displays Art Deco design elements with ornamental brickwork and original materials that reflect its role in Albuquerque's architectural evolution. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship from this era in the spaces that remain in active use.

The building on Central Avenue in the heart of the city is easily accessible and offers different levels for spectators and visitors. The interior has varied areas with views from the floor level and from the raised balcony sections.

The office spaces in the upper floors housed a manually operated elevator until 1989, the last of its kind in New Mexico. A dedicated elevator operator was required to transport visitors between levels, preserving this technology that had been automated elsewhere.

Location: Albuquerque

Inception: May 1, 1924

Architects: Henry Charles Trost

Address: 120 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

GPS coordinates: 35.08420,-106.64900

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:08