El Vado Auto Court

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = El Vado Auto Court

| nrhp_type =

| designated_other1 = New Mexico State Register

| designated_other1_date = September 17, 1993{{cite web | title=State and National Register Spreadsheet | url=http://www.nmhistoricpreservation.org/assets/files/registers/SR%20NR%20Excel%20Database.xlsx | publisher=New Mexico Department of Historic Preservation | accessdate=February 19, 2018 | format=Excel | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210732/http://www.nmhistoricpreservation.org/assets/files/registers/SR%20NR%20Excel%20Database.xlsx | archive-date=February 18, 2018 | url-status=dead }}

| designated_other1_number = 1570

| designated_other1_num_position = bottom

| designated_other2 = Albuquerque Historic Landmark

| designated_other2_date =

| designated_other2_number =

| image = El Vado Auto Court.jpg

| caption = The motel in 2012, before renovations

| location= 2500 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico

| coordinates = {{coord|35|05|39|N|106|40|36|W|source:NRIS2013a|name=El Vado Auto Court|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = New Mexico

| built = 1937

| architect =

| architecture = Pueblo Revival

| added = November 22, 1993

| area = less than one acre

| mpsub = [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/64500432.pdf Route 66 through New Mexico MPS]

| refnum = 93001214{{NRISref|version=2013a}}

}}

The El Vado Auto Court is a historic motel in Albuquerque, New Mexico, located along former

U.S. Route 66. Built in 1937, it operated until 2005 and reopened in 2018 after renovations.{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Kassi |title=El Vado Motel prepares for grand opening |url=https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/el-vado-motel-prepares-for-grand-opening/4988697/ |accessdate=August 23, 2018 |work=KOB-TV |date=July 13, 2018}} The motel was listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and National Register of Historic Places in 1993, and was also designated an Albuquerque city landmark in 2008.{{cite news |last1=McKay |first1=Dan |title=El Vado Becomes Landmark |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23066673/albuquerque_journal/ |accessdate=August 23, 2018 |work=Albuquerque Journal |date=January 8, 2008 |via=Newspapers.com}}

After nearly 70 years in business, El Vado was purchased in 2005 by a new owner who intended to clear the site for redevelopment. After a lengthy legal battle, the motel was designated a landmark by the Albuquerque City Council, granting it a measure of protection. Ultimately the property was sold to the city in 2010, launching the renovation efforts.{{cite news |last1=Sandlin |first1=Scott |title=City Finally Acquires El Vado |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23066363/albuquerque_journal/ |accessdate=August 23, 2018 |work=Albuquerque Journal |date=August 7, 2010 |via=Newspapers.com}}

The motel consists of a pair of long, one-story buildings separated by a landscaped courtyard (originally a parking lot). It is an example of Pueblo Revival architecture, with stepped massing, irregular parapets, vigas, and buttressed, stuccoed walls.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=93001214}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: El Vado Auto Court / El Vado Motel |publisher=National Park Service|author=David J. Kammer |date=August 1993 |accessdate=July 31, 2018}} With {{NRHP url|id=93001214|photos=y|title=accompanying two photos}} The 2016–18 renovations added a new swimming pool as well as several small retail spaces and a tap room.{{cite news |last1=Sinovic |first1=Steve |title=Obstacles surmounted: El Vado renovation nears completion after unforeseen setbacks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21887862/albuquerque_journal/ |accessdate=August 23, 2018 |work=Albuquerque Journal |date=March 2, 2018 |via=Newspapers.com}}