Aztec Motel

The Aztec Motel was a hotel on Route 66 in Albuquerque with stucco walls, flat-roofed porches, and wrought iron support posts arranged around a linear courtyard between two parallel building units. It originally had 13 rooms, expanded to 17 in the 1950s when existing carports were converted into guest rooms.

The building was constructed in 1933 as Aztec Auto Court, representing early motor court architecture along Route 66. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 for its pre-World War II design.

During the 1990s, residents decorated the exterior with paintings and various art pieces, turning it into a display of local creative expression. This transformation made the place a gathering spot where artists and neighbors could share their work.

The property had a straightforward layout with clear pathways through the courtyard, making it easy for visitors to navigate between the two building sections. The open yard design allowed guests to see and access all areas without confusion.

The motel remained the oldest continuously operating hotel in Albuquerque until its demolition in 2011 after nearly eight decades of service. Its long history as a working establishment made it an important landmark for Route 66 travelers over multiple generations.