Albuquerque Jane’s Walk 2025
Highland points of interest
1 Ancora Café | 148 Quincy St NE
Ancora Café provides paid job-skills training to individuals in recovery through its non-profit cafe and bakery. Note the coffeeshop daydreamer mural on the front and the iguana mural in the enclosed patio to the east. Ancora Café is a project of Perfectly Imperfect which houses several outpatient programs in this complex.
2 812 Retro | 145 Jackson St NE
Award-winning vintage store, one of several in the Highland district. Admire ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Hoarding’ on the front and the organic network mural on the south side. Also note the Star Wars-themed mural emerging across the street (Jackson).
https://www.facebook.com/812Retro/
3 Bank of the West tower | 5301 Central Ave. NE
(View from Jackson and most locations in Highland)
This seventeen-story landmark was designed by Flatow and Moore and constructed in 1963. It was the tallest building in New Mexico at that time and remains the tallest outside of downtown Albuquerque. There once were fifteen large-scale murals by Alice Garver in the elevator lobbies. The exterior is faced with approximately 2.5 million gold ceramic tiles. This building and the smaller one to the north recently have been sold to a developer who intends to convert them to housing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_the_West_Tower_(Albuquerque)
4 PAH! Hiland Plaza | 5000 Central Ave SE
(View from north side of Central)
A multi-family development built in partnership for the Deaf community by the Deaf community, PAH! Hiland Plaza is one of less than 5 communities like it in the nation. It opened in 2023 on the site of the former Desert Sands Motor Hotel (1953) which burned down in 2016. The Desert Sands was a film location for many movies, including ‘No Country for Old Men’ in 2007.
5 Bank of Albuquerque | 4901 Central Ave NE
This circular Expressionist style bank building was built in 1972 for Albuquerque Federal Savings and Loan. It has two spiral staircases, one of which is easily viewed from the southwest side of the building, along with a mosaic tile wall.
6 Hiland Theater / NDI New Mexico | 4800 Central Ave SE
(View from north side of Central)
An iconic landmark, the Hiland Theater opened in 1950 as Albuquerque’s premier movie house with space to park over 300 cars, an important and novel detail at the time. Today, it is owned by Bernalillo County and has housed the National Dance Institute of New Mexico since 2012. The storefronts on the east and west sides of the theater were once retail businesses including Walgreens, Payless, and Margo’s LaMode. Triva note: the spelling “Hiland” on the landmark neon sign was due to space!
https://ndi-nm.org/hiland-theater/history-of-the-hiland-theater/
7 Reels & Hot Wheels Bus Stop, Rt. 66 | 4800 Central Ave SE
(View from north side of Central)
In front of the Hiland Theater sits a bus shelter fashioned as an old movie reel. Next to the bus shelter is a stand-alone sculpture of two Red Hot Wheels designed as sixes, with illuminated flames shooting out the end. Both works were designed by Howard Meehan and installed in 2017.
https://archive.org/details/bconm-Reels_Wheels_-_The_Making_of_a_Public_Art_Project
8 Zia Motor Lodge sign | 4611 Central Ave NE
The Zia Motor Lodge opened in 1938 and operated until 2002. It was since demolished after a fire; the sign is all that remains. The starburst at the top of the sign flashed at night. A 2003 photo of this sign by John Margolies is in the Library of Congress. The sign appears in Breaking Bad when Saul Goodman makes a call to Skyler White from a phone booth.
https://albloggerque.blogspot.com/2005/03/life-and-death-of-zia-motor-lodge-in.html
9 Classic Century Square | 4616 Central Ave SE
(View from north side of Central)
This three-story classic International Style building, built by R.P. Tinnin in 1956 for White’s Department Store, features a glass curtain wall on the north side and a unique set of diagonal intersecting staircases in the center of the interior. White’s was converted into the antiques and collectibles retail mall housed there today. Architects: Flatow and Moore.
https://alibi.com/business/this-is-albuquerque-classic-century-square/
10 Quirky Used Books & More | 120 Jefferson St NE
Located in a converted eyeglass factory, the 4000-square-foot store features colorful mural on its south wall designed by Michelle Perez Fuentes and painted by students at Working Classroom, a youth-centered arts education and cultural organizing non-profit in New Mexico. The mural, titled Jardin de Historias [Garden of Stories], features an elder reading to a group of children, surrounded by butterflies and roses in a garden setting.
https://www.quirkyusedbooks.com/
11 Orphan Sign – American Inn | 4501 Central Ave NE (east)
An ‘Orphan Sign’ with a theme of community across cultures. For 7 weeks in the spring of 2024, artist and photography professor Sara Abbaspour worked with Gloria Valderrama’s Newcomer Supports class at Highland High School. Sara taught the students many forms of exposure photography, including cyanotypes, disposable cameras, Polaroid Film, large-format film cameras and B&W single-lens reflex photograph.
The final banners Sara created with the class emphasize their interconnectedness, the strong bond they made through these art exercises, and their ability to communicate across the many languages spoken in one class.
(Friends of the Orphan Signs brings together artist-educators and community members to creatively and collaboratively revitalize abandoned or unused road signs with artwork and poetry.)
12 Orphan sign – NMAMA | 4501 Central Ave NE (west)
An ‘Orphan Sign’ with a theme of sibling love. This work started as an arts education integration in the APS Newcomer Summer Program at Highland High School. Teaching Artists Ameerah Bad’r and Lindsey Fromm worked with summer school students in 2022 to create personal, self-expressive artworks. In January of 2023, Lindsey Fromm met with a group of students at Highland to learn more about their Photo Voices project, which paired their personal photos with thoughts and feelings about newcomer life.
After going through a curatorial process, Lindsey presented a selection of these photos to the Youth Community Advisory Council (newcomer students from Del Norte HS, McKinley Middle School, Cleveland Middle School, and Highland HS) to choose images for this sign. Two images by young women, speaking about the powerful and supportive relationships they have with their brothers, were resoundingly chosen by their peers. These banners were installed in April of 2023, and the students had an opportunity to celebrate this work with their families.
(Friends of the Orphan Signs brings together artist-educators and community members to creatively and collaboratively revitalize abandoned or unused road signs with artwork and poetry.)
13 Loyola’s | 4500 Central Ave SE
(View from north side of Central)
Built in 1958 as Sherm’s Coffee Shop, this spot has been occupied by Loyola’s Family Restaurant since 1990. A Highland institution, Loyola’s has made many appearances in film, especially throughout the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul runs. Note the coffee cup neon sign out front and the mural of an old-timey police officer on the east side.
http://www.loyolasfamilyrestaurant.com/
14 Kei & Molly Textiles | 4400 Silver Ave SE
(This is not on the Walk; if you have time and energy, cross Central to visit this site.)
Founded by Kei Tsuzuki and Molly Luethi in 2010, this textile studio is a vehicle to create meaningful jobs for immigrants and refugees in our community. Their textiles are stocked in over 400 retail stores throughout the country. “Today, our staff consists of trained artisans, immigrants, and refugees from around the world, working together in craft and production, screen-printing each design by hand…. Through Kei & Molly Textiles, they find a secure job, paying good wages, with support in health and education, and opportunities for leadership and personal development. Working together, regardless of our nationality, religion, or spoken language, we are reminded daily how we are connected in our humanity.”
The large mural on the studio’s west side honors the immigrant journey to America and depicts immigrant women and their children traveling to their new country, which is symbolized by a welcoming Native American mother and her child. The backdrop stitches together six different colorful textiles from around the world: African ankara cloth, Japanese indigo fabric, Suzani embroidery from Central Asia, a South American weave, a Caribbean print, and a Navajo rug.
https://murosabq.com/kei-tsuzuki-and-molly-luethi-kei-and-molly-textiles/
15 Nob Hill Gateway | Central and Washington
(View from Central and Adams)
This is one of two abstract sculptural archways (the other one is at Girard and Central) that celebrate this portion of the legendary Route 66. Plans for a full restoration are underway to meet the timing of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. Constructed in 1993, the gateways were designed by Terry Conrad and Joan Weissman and consist of steel, concrete, white stucco with numerous colored tiles, and neon elements.
16 ART – Highland Station | Central and Washington
(View from Central and Adams)
The Highland Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) station sits just outside of Highland on the west side of Washington!
17 The De Anza | 4301 Central Ave NE
(View sign from Central and Adams)
The De Anza apartments were completed in 2020 on the site of the historic De Anza Motor Lodge. The original sign remains. In addition, there are important murals on the property. According to their website, “The De Anza Motor Lodge was built in 1939 by CG Wallace and served as lodging and trading post for travelers along the famous Route 66. The most extraordinary feature of this property is the sacred Zuni Shalako Ceremonial Procession Murals located in the basement of the Community Amenity Building. Hand painted in the 1950’s by Anthony “Tony” Edaakie, Sr. of the Zuni Pueblo, the Murals are a unique cultural patrimony of Route 66 and the residents of Albuquerque.” This site is an Albuquerque Historic Landmark.
https://www.nps.gov/places/de-anza-motor-lodge.htm
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-de-anza-motor-lodge-albuquerque-new-mexico
https://www.thedeanza.com/history-the-deanza
18 New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts | 4401 Central Ave NE
The New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts (f.k.a. Media Arts Collaborative Charter School) offers secondary students a comprehensive, project-based, cross-curricular education centered in the media arts. They prepare graduates for positions in the media industries and for post-secondary education.
19 Community Garden Sundial | Copper at Adams (southeast corner)
Formerly located in a Nob Hill community garden at Morningside and Silver, this sundial was designed by Mike Heighway and Mira Rose as an interactive gardener’s guide. The metal, rust-colored gnomon is missing.
https://sundials.org/index.php/component/sundials/onedial/854
20 Learners Chess Academy | 532 Adams St NE
Learners is a non-profit educational program with the mission to enhance child development by using the game of chess to promote and stimulate intellectual maturity, social skills, and leadership development. They offer camps and tournaments for kids. Note the mural on the south side of the building.
https://learnerschess.org/our-coaches/
21 High and Dry Brewing | 529 Adams St NE
High and Dry Brewing was founded by a tight-knit group of family and friends looking to bring a small batch brewery experience to Albuquerque centered around their passion for Community and Culture. There is usually a food truck on site, and regular community events such as the Irish folk music jam are on the schedule.
https://highanddrybrewing.com/about /
22 Mural: Well Behaved Women Never Make History | 529 Adams St NE
On the north side of High and Dry, in the alley, this mural was painted by Pandr Design Co. in 2018.
https://www.pandrdesignco.com/murals/albuquerque-well-behaved-women
23 Residence | 430 Washington St NE
Please respect the residents of this beautiful home.
This residence was designed by Architect Max Flatow (see also #3 Bank of the West tower and #9 Classic Century Square) in 1950. This was the Flatow family residence. The sculpture in the residence’s front yard on Washington is by Ali Gallo. Facing the north wall, the mural on the right is called “Minotaur Makes a Friend” and is by local artist Thomas Christopher Haag. To the left, there is a mural featuring a bird and bee, artist unknown. In the alley, there is a lovely mural of waves. The current residents designed the yellow gates in front and added the teal gate on the alley side.
https://medium.com/@MetroABQ/a-new-year-what-would-architect-max-flatow-do-37a816fc01ae
https://www.thomaschristopherhaag.com
24 Zia Elementary School | 440 Jefferson St NE
Opened in 1950, Zia Elementary is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary. The original brick-faced entrance is on Jefferson. There is a lovely outdoor classroom area on the east side of the original building. Graduates go on to Jefferson Middle School (on Girard at Lomas) and Highland High School (on Coal at Quincy).
https://www.aps.edu/news/news-from-2024-2025/from-a-to-zia-a-hidden-gem2019
25 Zia Park | 440 Jefferson St NE
This park is Albuquerque Public School (APS) property, maintained by the City parks department and accessible to the public outside of school hours. Beloved by the surrounding community, the west side of this this shady park features a mosaiced sandbox called Full Circle by Beverly Magennis. Nearby is a small labyrinth surrounded by concrete “dinosaur bones” emerging from the soil. There is a basketball court. The remainder of the Zia Elementary School playground equipment is no longer accessible to the public due to campus hardening policies.
26 Zia Family Focus Center | 441 Monroe St NE
On the east side of the Zia Elementary campus, the Zia Family Focus Center is a non-profit after school program specializing in enrichment classes for elementary school students. A joint effort by the Junior League of Albuquerque and Albuquerque Public Schools, the multi-purpose building was completed in November of 1995. Summer and day camps are available. There is a series of murals on the north wall of this building, currently inaccessible to the public. However, on the east wall, there is a wonderful “generations” family tree mural out of clay and tile created by the Zia students and staff, led by local artist Lark Lucas.
https://www.ziafamilyfocuscenter.org/history
27 The Q @ Nob Hill | 4805 Marquette Ave. NE
This apartment complex was renovated about a decade ago. Although it is gated, the gentle sound of flowing water from the courtyard is a lovely addition to the neighborhood. This isn’t Nob Hill, however!
https://www.theqdifference.com/albuquerque-apartments-nob-hill
28 Saint Timothy’s Lutheran Church | 211 Jefferson St NE
This church was built in a series, with the first chapel on the north side designed by George Pearl in 1951. Note the cross-shaped void in the brick wall at the northeast corner. In 1968, a Modernist chapel designed by John Reed was built on the south side of the complex. According to William A. Dodge, “This chapel is formed at the east and west ends by pre-cast concrete with Y-roof members set at different heights. These are supported by pre-cast end panels which have a slight outward curve. The panels are staggered in plan allowing for tall stacked stained-glass windows facing north and south.”
https://sainttimothyslutheranchurch.wordpress.com/
29 Wat Buddhasothorn (Buddhist Center of New Mexico) | 143 Madison St. NE
The Buddhist Center of New Mexico was founded in 1994 by Thai immigrants. They opened the temple on this site in 2003 and completed the spire on the temple more recently.
https://www.facebook.com/WatBuddhasothornUSA
https://thaitempleusa.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_21.html
https://www.facebook.com/WatBuddhasothornUSA/videos/
30 Highland Senior Center | 131 Monroe NE
(Can cross through parking lot south of building if center is open)
The Highland Senior Center amenities include a computer lab, game room, social hall, fitness room, classrooms, programs and events, and very economical breakfasts and lunches.
https://www.cabq.gov/seniors/senior-multigenerational-centers/highland-senior-center
31 Kadampa Meditation Center New Mexico | 142 Monroe St NE
Established over 20 years ago, the Kadampa Meditation Center moved to this site in 2016. They offer classes focused on learning practical meditation tools guided by qualified Buddhist teachers that can be easily applied to everyday living.
https://meditationinnewmexico.org/
32 Mural by David Santiago | 201 Monroe St NE
This mural on the south side of the building (facing Copper) was painted by local artist David Santiago in 2024.
https://stjameart.com/pages/murals
33 Whale mural | 146 Quincy St NE
Mural painted on the south wall of Perfectly Imperfect.
34 Solar building | 213 Truman St NE
(This is not on the Walk; if you have time and energy, continue east on Copper to Truman.)
Built in 1956, the Solar Building was the first active solar heated commercial building in the world. Architects Stanley and Wright designed the building for their engineer clients Bridgers and Paxton, who designed the solar mechanical system for their office at this site. The design provides high southern exposure, allowing 56 solar thermal collectors to deliver heated water to a 6,000-gallon insulated underground tank. This water was used when needed to heat the building. The Solar Building is on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties.
https://albuquerquemodernism.unm.edu/posts/cs23_solar_building.html