ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One of Albuquerque’s tallest buildings outside of downtown, which has also been a hotspot for problems, is finally on its way to a new chapter. More than two years in the making, work on the shorter of the two “San Mateo Towers” is now starting. The empty office tower will eventually be more than a hundred apartments; they hope it can catalyze more growth. “This is the poster child of both the past, the present, and future, and is a shining example, hopefully, now in terms of what we’re starting,” said Mayor Tim Keller, City of Albuquerque.
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That start is redeveloping the ten-floor tower near San Mateo and Central, one of two tall buildings in the International District. More than 40 years old, the property has been empty for years with shattered windows and boarded-up doors. Renaming it “Serenade at Park Central,” developers are planning for the whole property to eventually become affordable housing.
“This is a really challenging project, taking an office building and converting it into a residential use is tough, and it’s a high profile building so we applaud the courage of the developer in taking this on and we’ll be monitoring it along the way but it is a tough project,” said Terry Brunner, Agency Director for CABQ Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency…