
EL VADO MOTEL
The El Vado Motel project was a partnership with the City of Albuquerque, bringing new life to a Route 66 icon. In 2014, PacifiCap was selected to restore the long-abandoned motel, known for its historic Spanish-Pueblo Revival architecture, and turn it into a vibrant, mixed-use destination.
The motel rooms were restored to their classic mid-century charm with help from local artisans and traditional adobe materials. A soaking pool was added between guest rooms, and a new events center on the eastern edge of the courtyard now serves as a lobby and flexible meeting space. Rooms near Central Avenue were converted into food pods and micro-retail spaces, giving small local businesses a low-barrier path to a brick-and-mortar presence. The shared courtyard, anchored by the El Vado Taproom, has become a favorite gathering spot for locals and travelers alike.





