Highland Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Highland Hotel
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The building in 2017
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 Location in New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Location | 200-206 Central Ave. SE Albuquerque, New Mexico |
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| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | Francis W. Spencer |
| Architectural style | Chicago School |
| Part of | Huning Highlands Historic District (ID78001804) |
The Highland Hotel, also known as the Hudson Hotel, is a cool old building in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's part of the Huning Highlands neighborhood and has a lot of history! Built in 1906, it was a busy hotel for many years. Later, it was carefully fixed up and turned into office spaces. This building is special because it's one of the few examples left of a popular building style from the early 1900s called the Commercial Style. It's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an Albuquerque historic landmark.
Contents
A Look Back: The Hotel's Story
Building a New Hotel
The first Highland Hotel sadly burned down in 1903. But don't worry, a new one was built! In 1906, a man named Joshua Raynolds decided to replace it. He wanted a new, strong building made of brick and stone. Construction started quickly, and soon the new hotel was ready.
Raynolds also built another similar building nearby. This one was for the Occidental Life Insurance Company. It was a bit taller than the Highland Hotel, but it was taken down in 1978.
What Was Inside?
The new Highland Hotel was a busy place. The first floor had shops and businesses. The second and third floors were filled with hotel rooms for travelers. In 1922, the hotel changed its name to the Hudson Hotel. It kept welcoming guests under that name for many decades.
From Hotel to Offices
By the early 1980s, the building was empty and needed a lot of work. But people saw its potential! In 1983 and 1984, the old hotel was completely restored. It was given a new life and turned into modern office spaces. This project was part of a bigger plan to improve the area.
Building Style: What It Looks Like
The Highland Hotel is a three-story building made of brick. It shows off a simple but strong style called Chicago School or Commercial style architecture. This style was popular for business buildings back then.
Cool Features to Spot
- Symmetrical Front: The front of the building is very balanced. It has 12 sections, or "bays," that look the same on both sides.
- Arches: Most of the bays on the second and third floors have a rounded arch at the top. These are called Romanesque arches. The two middle sections share one larger arch.
- Windows and Walls: The second and third floors are separated by special panels called spandrels. These panels are set back a bit, adding to the building's look.
- Ground Floor: The first floor has a balanced glass storefront with three entrances. This is where the shops used to be.
- Top Details: The very top of the building has a decorative edge called a cornice. Above that is a low wall, or parapet, with some simple brick designs.
