Albuquerque Development Thread

[ABQalex]

The affordable housing community near Louisiana and Central NE had its groundbreaking ceremony this past weekend. Below is a story from KRQE which includes an updated aerial rendering of the project. It looks like they've added some color to the walls.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...breaks-ground/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A multi-million dollar affordable housing project has officially broken ground in one of Albuquerque’s most populated areas. The Cottages at 161 Chama near Central and Chama Street will serve people making 50% of the area’s median income and include single-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

The Center for Housing Economics says lawmakers secured more than $2 million for the project last year. Then, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham added the last $1.8 million. “It’s an opportunity for people who are employed, have a job, but they might be struggling coming out of recovery or out of homelessness or out of poverty, and you know, and having rent that is very cheap or affordable will enable them to stay housed,” said Roger Valdez, director with the Center for Housing Economics.

They expect to welcome families next summer.

Here also is a construction pic of the nearby SOMOS Apartments on Central Avenue. It was posted on LinkedIn last week by HB Construction.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...4143175897088/

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque Business First is reporting that Whole Foods will indeed be the new grocery store anchor at Cottonwood Corners on the Westside. They apparently have gleaned some information from Bernalillo County Clerk records which confirm the plans. This will be the third Whole Foods location in the city. The store will occupy nearly 40,000 sq ft of renovated space. It will join new-to-market retailer Sierra Trading Post in filling empty space at the center.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...d-corners.html

Whole Foods has leased space at the Cottonwood Corners shopping center, according to the Bernalillo County Clerk's office.

Modulus Architects & Land Use Planning, on behalf of SimonCRE, submitted a minor amendment request to the site plan for 3731 Ellison Blvd. NW to accommodate a new grocery store user.

This would be Whole Foods' third Albuquerque location and fourth in New Mexico. The grocer currently operates two Albuquerque stores and one in Santa Fe.

The listing for the property shows that a "national specialty grocer" will occupy an approximately 39,546-square-foot space between Best Buy and Michaels.

The listing also shows the specialty grocer will open in 2027. The listing brokers for the property are David Chavez and Kino James of Base5.

The Whole Foods will go in an old furniture store. Its site plan will require reconfiguration and a slight reduction in overall parking space, the proposed site plan shows.

SimonCRE re-entered the Albuquerque market for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic when it acquired the Cottonwood Corners property in late 2024, according to previous Albuquerque Business First reporting.

Since that time, the Scottsdale-based commercial real estate group has been busy bringing in new tenants to the shopping center, including Sierra, Dave’s Hot Chicken and now Whole Foods.

SimonCRE has been active elsewhere in the Albuquerque market, too. It plans to build a new 363,000-square-foot open-air shopping center on UNM’s South Campus TIDD. The shopping center, dubbed Lobo Crossing. Target will serve as the anchor tenant.

SimonCRE declined to comment for this story, and Whole Foods did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque Business First also has an update about the apartment project at Paseo del Norte and Kimmick Drive NW. It began site work about three years ago but area NIMBYs and local tribes sued to stop it from going further. They succeeded on technical and procedural grounds. The project was forced to go through the city's approval process again.

It was approved again late last year by the Environmental Planning Commission but the NIMBYs and tribes appealed that approval earlier this year as well. The Land Use Hearing Officer recently denied their appeal and it will now go before the city council again to either accept the LUHO's decision or hear and decide the appeal themselves.

Note that the LUHO in his decision also found that the neighborhood groups didn't have the required support of a majority of people living nearby to even file the appeal. These people really are something else.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...nt-appeal.html

A Westside apartment project received support from a major hearing officer amid opposition.

On Feb. 25, Albuquerque’s Land Use Hearing Officer Steven Chavez recommended the city reject an appeal of the Environmental Planning Commission’s Dec. 18 decision to approve the development’s site plan.

The EPC approved the site plan after a nearly five-hour discussion. It would bring 238 apartment units to the intersection of Kimmick Drive NW and Rosa Parks Road NW.

During the discussion, many spoke in support of the project, citing the need for more housing, and others raised concerns.

After the site plan approval, the Pueblo of Santa Clara, the Pueblo of Laguna and the West Side Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (WSCONA) appealed the decision on Jan. 21.

In their appeal, they raised the following issues:

• The application was based on an invalid platting action.
• The EPC did not receive comments from the Pueblos.
• They claimed inadequate Tribal referrals.

In his letter, Chavez wrote that WSCONA did not show sufficient evidence that it has standing to appeal the decision.

He wrote, “There is substantial evidence in the record that the petition the WSCONA appellants submitted as required by (the IDO) was not signed by a majority of all property owners or tenants located within 660 feet of the application site.”

But the Pueblo appellants did show sufficient evidence that they have standing to appeal the EPC’s decision.

Chavez said they did not meet their burden of proof to show that the plat is void. He noted substantial evidence in the record that the plat is not void.

He added that substantial evidence shows the referral notices sent to the Pueblo appellants satisfied IDO requirements. Their claim that the EPC did not receive their comments is inaccurate. The Pueblo appellants submitted comments to the EPC as oral testimony and argument at the Dec. 18 hearing.

Chavez recommended the Albuquerque City Council reject the appeal.

The city council will consider the appeal at a meeting and will make a decision to accept or reject Chavez's recommendation.

If the City Council accepts the recommendation, the matter is closed under the LUHO's guidance. If it rejects the recommendation, it will hold a hearing on the matter.

Here are some pics of The Dillon apartments on the Westside that are nearing completion. Leasing began last year on the completed portions of the project. The pics were recently added to its listing on the Apartments.com website. There are more pics and a short aerial drone video to be found at the link.

(Click the links directly beneath the embedded images to see them full size)

https://www.apartments.com/the-dillo...ue-nm/yv35s9t/


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/Sx...rial-photo.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/PB...mary-photo.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/9f...ding-image.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/tv...m-entrance.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/r6...-mail-room.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/vS...ding-photo.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/cG...obby-photo.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/-N...nm-kitchen.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/q-...iving-room.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/1I...ding-photo.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/tu...m-bathroom.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/yA...ess-center.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/i9...l-spa-area.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/b7...de-cabanas.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/yM...de-cabanas.jpg


https://images1.apartments.com/i2/hq...m-entrance.jpg

[ABQalex]

Another great economic development announcement today in Albuquerque. AV (AeroVironment) will invest $30 million to expand and improve its existing manufacturing facilities in Albuquerque. They say it will create over 450 permanent advanced manufacturing jobs in the city. AV acquired and is the successor company to BlueHalo, which set up shop a few years ago in three separate buildings in the Sandia Science & Technology Park in southeast Albuquerque. They say they currently employ more than 400 people in Albuquerque, a figure which has doubled since 2023. With this expansion and new round of hiring they will be approaching a workforce of 1,000 people locally.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...n-albuquerque/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) announced Tuesday that it plans to invest more than $30 million to significantly expand its defense manufacturing operations in Albuquerque. The project is expected to create more than 450 jobs and generate more than $670 million in economic impact over the next 10 years, according to the company.

“The growth we’re driving in Albuquerque goes beyond our own business,” Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV, stated in a press release. “It’s about strengthening the domestic defense industrial base, creating high-quality American jobs, and partnering with New Mexico to continue to develop a durable innovation and manufacturing hub that can deliver when it matters most.”

AV’s expansion will take place at its three existing manufacturing sites in the Sandia Science & Technology Park and will significantly increase its production capacity for laser systems, space payloads, and advanced defense electronics. The expansion is supported by an initial $5 million from the State of New Mexico and $1 million from the City of Albuquerque through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA).

“When America needs to strengthen its national security, it turns to New Mexico. This investment reinforces our state’s role as a national leader in advanced defense and space manufacturing — strengthening U.S. security while creating high-wage opportunities for New Mexicans,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in a press release. “We’re proud to reinvest in a proven operation that delivers returns for our workers, our economy and our future.”

The project builds on the growth of BlueHalo, which received state and local support in 2022 and was acquired by AV in 2025. Following the acquisition, the company rebranded as AV and has more than doubled its Albuquerque workforce since 2023, employing over 400 people, according to the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

“Albuquerque is where defense innovation becomes advanced manufacturing,” stated Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. “With LEDA support, AV Defense is expanding here, bringing hundreds of good-paying jobs and strengthening our local economy.”

[ABQalex]

Here are a few pics of Array Technologies' new headquarters and manufacturing facility that's nearing completion on the Westside. They were posted earlier this week on Facebook by the electrical and wiring contractor for the project.

https://www.facebook.com/dkdenterpri...ubkxWCUsxCt3bl

[ABQalex]

Albuquerque Business First has a story about the Aloft Hotel at the Sunport which says that it's actually under construction and broke ground in December. They give a few more details about the project, including a price tag of $22 million and a room count of 109. Unfortunately, they don't have any renderings of the project. I've included a screenshot of Google streetview showing the eastern edge of the airport shuttle parking lot along University Boulevard where it is being built.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...t-sunport.html

A developer is bringing a new-to-market hotel to the Sunport area.

Samir Patel is the developer behind the state’s first Aloft Hotel, which is under construction beside the airport park-and-ride lot at 1515 Aircraft Ave. SE.

Aloft Hotel is a modern, tech-forward hotel brand by Marriott. This will be its first location in New Mexico. The brand has locations in Phoenix, Denver and El Paso, its website shows.

Prime Hospitality Consulting is responsible for the vertical construction of the project, which broke ground Dec. 1, 2025. Patel anticipates construction of the new hotel will be complete by late 2026.

The cost of construction is $22 million, according to Patel, and is being financed by Sunward Federal Credit Union, a sign outside the property shows.

The four-story, 57,952-square-foot hotel will sit on a 1.5-acre site and have 109 rooms. Amenities and features will include a WXYZ bar, an outdoor soak pool with a large patio and a free 24/7 shuttle to the Sunport, according to an email from Patel.

The nightly rates for hotel rooms will range from $149 to $199. The hotel will create between 20 and 25 jobs, Patel said.

Patel’s Aloft Hotel joins another new hotel planned for the Sunport area.

Ambica Hospitality President Sean Jariwala plans to construct a new 92-room, 43,165-square-foot Tru Hotel at 1321 Flightway Ave. SE, according to previous Albuquerque Business First reporting.

He plans to break ground on the project in the second or third quarter of 2026.

When asked why he thought there would be demand for the new Aloft Hotel, Patel said, “(because) we have a superior hotel product.”

[ABQalex]

Here are a couple of nice aerial construction pics showing the progress of the Woodbury apartments on Mesa del Sol. They were posted by Pavilion Construction today on their Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/pavilioncon...F9GhpvB8xMw8Ll

[ABQalex]

Here's the Albuquerque Journal's story about the new Whole Foods store on the Westside. They also seem to have confirmed the project from Bernalillo County Clerk records. It seems Whole Foods has signed a 20-year lease for the space. Their story includes a few pics of the shopping center and the space that was most recently a furniture store.

Work has apparently begun to renovate and transform the space for Whole Foods, according to the caption for one of the photos below. The story also says that they've carved out another nearly 8,000 sq ft space in the existing Michaels store where they've added a storefront and are looking to lease and are in negotiations with a prospective tenant.

A store known for its selection of natural and organic foods is coming to Albuquerque’s West Side.

Whole Foods Market is set to occupy a 39,546-square-foot space at Cottonwood Corners shopping center, according to a memorandum of lease document filed with the Bernalillo County Clerk’s office and reviewed by the Journal on Tuesday.

The space, formerly occupied by a Legacy Furniture store that closed in January, sits in between Best Buy and Michaels. Whole Foods, which is owned by Amazon, did not respond to the Journal’s requests for comment but a Commercial Association of Realtors New Mexico listing indicates the store is expected to open in 2027.

The listing, updated late last year, was the first to signal that a national specialty store would be joining the center, but it didn’t state what store. In October, Josh Simon — CEO of SimonCRE, the property’s owner — said there was “some big stuff” coming to the center, but also didn’t name the store, citing confidentiality agreements.

The lease agreement with Whole Foods is for 20 years, according to the memorandum of lease, dated effective as of Dec. 11.

In addition to Best Buy and Michaels, the Whole Foods will join a lineup of retail offerings that includes Barnes & Noble, Ross Dress for Less and Sierra Trading — the last of which is an outdoor and adventure merchandiser slated to open in 2026.

The Whole Foods is a key piece to SimonCRE’s broader redevelopment plan for Cottonwood Corners, which the developer acquired in 2024. Simon previously told the Journal that the plan includes renovating the center and bringing in new tenants.

When SimonCRE purchased the property, it had been owned by the same entity that built it — Coldwell Banker Commercial — in the 1990s. The developer made the acquisition hoping to “reimagine” the center by moving away from traditional big box store offerings, like Toys “R” Us, and ushering in lifestyle retailers that “bring in value” for the community, Simon said in October.

Simon declined to comment on the addition of Whole Foods but said more is coming, as the developer is currently in negotiations with another tenant for a roughly 7,899-square-foot space in between Michaels and Ross. The space — once a hidden, vacant part of Michaels — was reconfigured to maximize the shopping center’s space by adding a new storefront.

Cottonwood Corners’ Whole Foods marks the chain’s first venture onto the West Side. Albuquerque currently has two Whole Foods on the eastern side of the city, and there is one location in Santa Fe.

The store’s West Side expansion is long overdue, according to Greg Foltz, a commercial broker and president of Coldwell Banker Commercial.

“I think it's going to be a tremendous benefit, both to the center and to the West Side,” Foltz said. “I know a lot of customers that live on the West Side have been asking Whole Foods for years to place a store over there, so it's nice to see.”

The entrance and interior of a former furniture store slated to welcome a Whole Foods Market. A worker from engineering firm Terracon Consultants Inc. was seen starting preliminary assessments of the space on Tuesday.

[ABQalex]

Here's another retail/commercial project on the Westside that recently got underway. The Glyphs at Volcano Mesa is a planned commercial center at Paseo del Norte and Kimmick Drive NW, directly north of the apartments that I recently posted about. It was also delayed, threatened and opposed by neighborhood opposition but it looks like it overcame that. They had a groundbreaking ceremony where they literally broke some of the volcanic rock that covers the site.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1604620230741545



Here's a quote from a story by Albuquerque Business First a little over a year ago updating the project which had missed its original timeline for beginning construction and was in jeopardy because of neighborhood opposition.

Note the description where they say it will have 65,000 sq ft of space and will include a "boutique grocery store" as its anchor tenant. I wondered at the time whether it could be Whole Foods, but I'm now wondering whether it could be Trader Joe's. That's if it's still planned to be built the way it was shown in these renderings, of course.

https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer...-mid-2025.html

Modulus Architects & Land Use Planning provided an update on their plans for a new retail hub near Petroglyph National Monument.

The 65,000-square-foot Glyphs at Volcano Mesa project on the southwest corner of Paseo del Norte Boulevard and Kimmick Drive, west of Golf Course Boulevard, is primed to host retail, medical, restaurant, grocery and early childhood learning tenants.

Angela Piarowski, CEO of Modulus Architects, declined to share the name of the developer involved in the project.

The project was originally anticipated to break ground in mid-2025, but Piarowski said it is no longer on schedule to do so.

Modulus filed for final plat approval in August, which the West Side Coalition of Neighborhood Associations [WSCONA] appealed, Piarowski said.

For now, the project is delayed until the City schedules an appeals hearing and the Land Use Hearing Officer recommends either approving, denying, or sending the project back to the development hearing officer for platting action, Piarowski said.

She hopes this happens within the next few months, but her concern is that the appeals process will be extended even further.

“If they [WSCONA] continue to appeal this, it could be tied up for years,” Piarowski said. “It depends on how far they take it.”

A project appealed by WSCONA just south of the Glyphs at Volcano Mesa project “has been in limbo for years” with appeals and is now in the District Court of Appeals, Piarowski said.

The Glyphs at Volcano Mesa project is in jeopardy of losing its anchor tenant, a boutique grocery store, and several other tenants because those tenants can’t wait more than six months to a year for groundbreaking, Piarowski said.

The renderings and plans released so far show a nicely designed and landscaped project with quality finishes and nice amenities. Time will tell whether it turns out that way. I'm certainly not encouraged with the lots and pad sites that they are currently advertising for space at the project. I'm hoping the neighborhood opposition didn't degrade the design of the project and make it worse. Although, NIMBYs certainly do have a knack for doing such a thing, ironically.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...0239510732801/







I wonder if perhaps this project lost Whole Foods to Cottonwood Corners because of the delay due to the neighbors' opposition.

[ABQalex]

Sunward Credit Union recently announced plans for a new branch on the Westside at Coors and St. Joseph's NW. This is another project going on what was once the site of a planned large shopping/commercial center but which eventually turned to selling off pad sites and developing smaller parcels in a piecemeal fashion after losing its anchor tenant. Remember that a new Smith's grocery store was going to be built at this site but eventually dropped out. A new Target location is still planned on the north side of St. Joseph's, however.

https://www.abqjournal.com/business/...t-side/2990265

One of New Mexico’s largest credit unions has a new location in the works.

Sunward Federal Credit Union is planning to open a new branch on Albuquerque’s West Side, it said in a Thursday news release. The nearly 3,500-square-foot branch, currently under construction at 5760 St. Josephs NW, is slated to open in the fall.

“With the West Side of town expanding at such an incredible rate, we want to keep pace and make sure we’re accessible to everyone who can benefit from what we have to offer,” said Brenda Arroyo, the future location’s branch manager, in a statement.

The branch will be the latest to join Sunward’s growing footprint, marking the credit union’s 11th branch in Albuquerque and 17th overall. Sunward also has locations in California and Colorado. The company’s most recent openings include branches in Durango, Colorado, and Albuquerque’s South Valley.

Sandia National Laboratories employees formed the credit union, formerly Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union, in 1948. The company, which rebranded to Sunward in 2024, now serves more than 173,000 members and manages more than $4.6 billion in assets.

The company’s new West Side branch will feature an open, modern layout while also offering spaces catering to privacy — a design also found at the Durango and South Valley branches. Construction will reach completion in late summer, with operations expected to launch in September.

The branch joins several other new construction projects in Oxbow Center, a commercial development near St. Pius X High School. Its neighbors include 7 Brew, Olive Garden and Raising Cane’s.

A sit-down Mexican concept and a new-to-market burger concept — thought to be an In-N-Out Burger — are also planned for the site, according to a Commercial Association of Realtors New Mexico listing.

The area’s quickly expanding housing and retail developments were a draw for Sunward, which aims to bring a greater level of banking convenience to the West Side — the “fastest growing sector of the city,” according to NAI SunVista’s Oxbow Center listing fact sheet.

“This branch, like everything we do at Sunward, is built to meet members where they are,” Arroyo said.

As the story above mentions, among the recent tenants and projects at this site are a new Olive Garden, 7 Brew coffee and a Raising Cane's, which just had its grand opening last week.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...15955700559942



https://www.abqjournal.com/business/...st-side/674219



https://www.abqjournal.com/business/...ocation/492261





An In-N-Out location is also being planned here, the third location identified so far in Albuquerque. It's identified as the "new to market burger concept" next to Olive Garden in the site layout below. The large parcel to the left is where the city is planning to build an indoor recreation center.



Below is a pic posted on Facebook back in January showing the Oxbow Center site where you can see the steel going up for the new Sunward branch in the left background. The poster also comments about the planned In-N-Out location.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...56272529148743

[ABQalex]

Here's another story about the new food hall and extended-stay hotel at The Highlands from KRQE yesterday. It has views of the steel portion of the structure as well. They also get into why it took so long to finally go vertical in the construction.

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerqu...f-albuquerque/

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Months after breaking ground, a project along Central Ave. in the heart of Albuquerque is finally showing signs of taking shape. “The site oddly has a lot of slope to it, so one of the significant pieces there was a lot of retaining wall work on the west end of the site,” said Titan Development VP of Development and Asset Management, Matt Lammers.

The project broke ground in August last year, but for those driving by, there hasn’t been much to see at the future site of a new hotel and food hall across from Presbyterian downtown since underground work has taken priority. “So retaining wall, footings, foundation, underground utilities, that’s all been happening to this point,” said Lammers.

More recently, a skeleton of the building is beginning to appear. “The wood framing that you have in front of you, that’s the hotel piece. This steel structure will span across to the food hall. The food hall is the one that still has dirt; work doesn’t have the slab down yet,” said Lammers.

Titan Development’s five-story, 126-room Residence Inn and 15,000 square foot Highlands Central Market food hall was originally reported to be completed in 2026, but that’s since been pushed. “I think that was an optimistic hope; the construction schedule has always shown a Q2 2027 completion date,” said Lammers, adding they are on track to meet that.

“From this point forward, the framing will go up very quickly, and that makes it look like things are progressing very nicely,” said Lammers.

Titan spearheads a handful of projects in Albuquerque, including what was once the Hi-way House Motel, but Lammers said this project includes a first for Titan, a food hall. “We’ve engaged with multiple consultants that have run other food halls. The group that we’ve engaged to operate it certainly has extensive food hall experience, but this will be a first for us,” said Lammers.

They’re hoping to get up and running before the hotel opens. “The shell building should be done sooner, and if we can expedite that, that’s our goal,” said Lammers.

Titan Development said a formal announcement on potential food vendors is coming in the near future.

[ABQalex]

Nob Hill News had a story this morning about the vegan restaurant Lucky Goose closing in Nob Hill to move to another location about two miles away. At the time they wrote the story they said it wasn't known where they would be relocating. The restaurant has since announced on its social media that they will be relocating to the former Milton's/Gravy/Whole Hog Cafe location in East Downtown. The mid-century modern/googie-style landmark has been empty for quite a few years. It's great to see it finally being revived and occupied again!

https://www.albuquerquenobhillnews.com/

Lucky Goose On the Move

Popular Nob Hill vegan eatery Lucky Goose announced on their Instagram page this week plans to move to a new location that’s “1.9 miles” from their current spot. The Instagram post mentioned reasons for the move include more space to grow, better parking options and freeway access. The restaurant also plans on expanded breakfast options and hours.

While the new location hasn’t been announced yet, employees said that the move is tentatively scheduled for May.

https://www.instagram.com/luckygoose...l/DVgqpsyF-DY/



Here are the renderings of what the location is supposed to look like after the renovation and when they open in the summer. They are from the end of the video in the Instagram post above. I went looking for the original, uncropped and larger versions but couldn't find them.

[ABQalex]

La Montañita Co-op announced yesterday that they will be having their grand opening ceremony at Avanyu Plaza next week. The new store has been open since last month in a soft opening phase.

https://www.instagram.com/lamontanit...l/DVh53i4AFmn/



Here are few more pics of the store that have been posted on LinkedIn and Facebook over the past few weeks that it's been open.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...5584745734144/



https://www.facebook.com/tim.domini....dAQvhCrn7HzH3l

[ABQalex]

Here are some pics of the Gizmo Arts project in Downtown Albuquerque. Scaffolding recently went up on Central Avenue to repair and resurface the facade.

https://www.facebook.com/SanitaryTor...zovThBjJnS1Dvl











Here's a new rendering posted on the Gizmo Arts website showing how the completed facade and project will look like from Central Avenue.

https://sanitarytortillafactory.org/about/

[ABQalex]

In some of those pics of the Gizmo Arts project above you can catch a glimpse of part of the new sign for UMB Bank on the Gold Building. The permanent signs recently were installed on the north and east sides of the building. Remember that UMB Bank took over New Mexico Bank & Trust and its parent company last year. The old NMB-T signs came down back in October.

Below are some pics showing the new signs, including two from Downtown Albuquerque News, which has a nice nighttime view of the signs. The first pic is a great bonus aerial view of Downtown Albuquerque from the Rainbow Ryders pilot. You can spot the new signs on the building, even if it's not the clearest view. Click the link directly below the embedded aerial pic to see it full size and be sure to zoom in to get a better look!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...16.-2207520000


https://images2.imgbox.com/d8/14/FzY64ShM_o.jpg

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...3702384717824/



https://downtownalbuquerquenews.com/

[ABQalex]

Here's a pic of the Central Crossing construction. Len Romano recently posted it on his LinkedIn account along with a few pics of the unveiling ceremony for the Neon Tumbleweed at the Rail Yards. I've included one of those pics along with a couple of others with nice views of the art piece that were recently posted as well.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...5619924746240/



https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...4035427708928/





https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...38696415736487



Here also are some pics of the overall Rail Yards and the progress on the new state film school in the old Boiler Shop structure. They were posted by the head of the local Colliers office this past week on his LinkedIn account. They were taken during a tour that the local chapter of the Urban Land Institute hosted of the site.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...9647900688384/

[ABQalex]

Here are some great pics of the skyline that were posted on Facebook last month. They were taken while driving down Lomas Boulevard coming west from I-25. This has always been one of my favorite experiences and views of the skyline. It's an exhilarating feeling and beautiful sight to drive down into the valley from the mesa and see the skyline and Downtown Albuquerque come closer into view. I can't wait 'til we have a nice mixed-use development at Broadway and Lomas to welcome us into Downtown proper from this vantage point!

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...61566412753405

[ABQalex]

Here are some pics of the UNM Cancer Center expansion that is nearing completion. This has been one of the stealthiest projects ever. It's been utterly impossible to find any good pics of it while it was under construction. It's a 50,000 sq ft, 3-story addition to the north (back) side of the existing structure. The cancer center will now have almost 260,000 sq ft of space. You can see that it included improvements and expansion of their infrastructure and plant systems as well. The first pic is an especially great aerial view with the skyline beyond. I've included one of the renderings from a similar perspective to compare with the built result. The pics were posted to LinkedIn on Friday by a vice president of Bradbury Stamm Construction.

https://hscnews.unm.edu/news/unmccc-...ansion-project



https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...3049232666624/

[ABQalex]

Here are some pics of the UNM College of Pharmacy renovation that were posted this past week on the CoP's Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/unmcop/post...u75pk3tjBn2tfl











Here's a link to the project page on the architect's website, which has two short animated rendering videos showing the plans for both the exterior and interior renovations.

https://www.va-architects.com/projec...ge-of-pharmacy

[ABQalex]

Below are some pics of the new Touro College of Dental Medicine which occupies renovated space on Ridgecrest Drive SE near the VA Hospital. This is the first comprehensive dental school in New Mexico. UNM does have a dental school/program but it apparently only offers certain kinds of training and certificates.

The new school had its ribbon-cutting ceremony back in September but it has only recently been totally completed. The pics were posted this past week on LinkedIn by an employee of Bradbury Stamm Construction. I've also included a pic of the exterior and of the ribbon-cutting ceremony from last year.



https://dental.touro.edu/news--event...lbuquerque.php



https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...6790371328001/