Alvarado Transportation Center

Alvarado Transportation Center | New Mexico Rail Runner Commuter Rail

The City of Albuquerque’s Alvarado Transportation Center (ATC) occupies the site of the former Alvarado Hotel complex, which was operated by the Fred Harvey Company for the Santa Fe Railroad from 1902 to 1970.  From its initial opening, the hotel was the social center for events in Albuquerque.  The Alvarado hosted the Montezuma Ball, among other social events in its beautiful dining room.  Dozens of trains stopped at the depot every day, bringing everyone from average citizens, to celebrities, to presidents on the campaign trail.  Unfortunately, with the decline of rail passenger service following World War II, the hotel became a financial burden to the railroad and it was torn down in 1970.

Air quality issues and energy shortages in the late 1970 have created the need for viable public transportation options for commuters.   The site of the Old Alvarado was perfectly suited for an intermodal center because of its proximity to rail and interstate and City bus operations, and it was designated as such in the City’s long-range plan developed in the 1980’s.

The site’s strong history greatly influenced the exterior appearance of the ATC.  All of the buildings are designed utilizing architectural details and expressions from the Old Alvarado complex, including massive stucco walls, clay tile roofs, open arcades, and brick paved promenades.

Phase One houses a City transit transfer facility, transit offices, a customer service center, and transit oriented retail spaces.  Phase Two provided a combined rail and interstate bus depot to complete the intermodal concept.  Three historic buildings from the original complex are slated to be revitalized for supporting office, retail and restaurant uses.

Project Information
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Size: 56,000sf
Completion: 2001

Awards
The Albuquerque Conservation Association (TACA), 2002

National Association of Industrial Office Properties (NAIOP,) Award of Excellence, "Civic/Public Project" Category, 2001

Associated General Contractors Best Buildings, Alvarado Transportation Center, Phase II, 2006