June--Barelas in the Heart of MetroABQ

MetroABQ Real Estate Newsletter
Including Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Placitas, and the East Mountains.
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June 2016
Welcome to Barelas, the city's most authentic community,
sitting in the heart of the MetroABQ!
The National Parks Service Barelas site describes the area as having three differing historic
influences: "The Barelas-South Fourth Street Historic District near downtown Albuquerque is a
linear corridor running along South Fourth Street-Historic Route 66-through the heart of one of the
city's oldest areas, the Barelas residential neighborhood, which tell three interrelated stories. The
Hispanic farming village of the early 19th and 20th centuries was modernized when the Atchinson,
Topeka, and Santa Fe (AT&SF) Railroad built tracks through the Middle Rio Grande Valley. The
railroad arrived in Albuquerque in 1880, and the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe located its repair
shops and a roundhouse in the Barelas neighborhood stimulating the local economy and urban
development. In 1926, Fourth Street, the main north-south corridor through the area, became
U.S.Route 66, giving rise to automobile-oriented development.
"Revitalization efforts began in the mid-1990s when the New Mexico Legislature appropriated
$12 million to construct a Hispanic cultural center at the southern end of the Barelas-South Fourth
Street Historic District. In 1999, dignitaries from Spain, Mexico, and the United States attended
groundbreaking ceremonies for the National Hispanic Cultural Center. This major public investment
was an impetus for additional revitalization projects in the Barelas neighborhood, including façade
improvements and business renovations. Now rejuvenated, the corridor today is home to popular
shops and restaurants like the Red Ball Café and Barelas Coffee House. The district was listed in the
National Register of Historic Places in 1997."
Above left and right, an event at the
Barelas Rail Yards; to the right is the
National Hispanic Cultural Center, on the
southern edge of the Barelas Community.
Chris Lucas
www.ChrisLucasABQ.com
Chris@chrislucasabq.com
c. 505.463.5317
Barelas--with the Rio Grande river access to the west, Bridge Blvd to the south, the Rail Runner
train tracks to the east, and Iron Ave to the north--sits literally in the heart of the MetroABQ.
The community of Barelas packs quite a lot of important places, great activities, sights and
sounds into a nicely compact area of the MetroABQ. The ABQ BioPark Zoo (1) is a
prominent destination, encompassing 64 acres along the Rio Grande. During special times,
from the zoo one can hear the howl of the coyotes, the cackling of the monkeys, and the
singing of dozens of varieties of birds. Just south is an entrance to the Rio Grande river
system (5) bike paths that stretch the length of the city, with Tingley Beach as one of the
first stops. Large, lush Tingley Field (2), just east of the BioPark Zoo, used to be a
baseball stadium from 1937-1968, but is now the largest public greenspace in Barelas.
Parts of the newly-rediscovered Barelas Rail Yards are now open, with a fantastic
Growers' Market and Craft Fair open Sundays. The Rail Yards (4) are architecturally
amazing...you'll have to see it to fully grasp what's going on there. The Alvarado Train
Station sits just north of that (8). Nicely centrally located is the Barelas Community
Center (3), with tennis courts, smaller greenspaces and indoor spaces for clubs, sporting
events and other community activities. Also in Barelas we have two elementary schools,
Dolores Gonzales (7) and Coronado Elementary (6). The wall mural below right, is outside
Coronado Elementary, and to the left adorns the Barelas Community Center.
Chris Lucas, Century 21 Unica Realty c. 505.463.5317 o. 505.293.8400
If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
I am proud to be representing 818 Santa Fe Ave SW for sale. In the heart of Barelas,
818 Santa Fe Ave SW sits on a large lot of over a quarter acre greenspace, surrounded by
mature shade trees, fruit trees, numerous gardens and private shaded sitting areas. And
that's just the outside...come on in! Click on any image below to view the Visual Tour for
818 Santa Fe Ave SW.
Extraordinary Barelas all adobe home sits upon
1/4+acres of mature tree surrounded by garden
greenbelt; this place is amazing! Just 2 min walk to
the river, home has legal In-Law Suite--live in the
front & rent the back, or live in the whole house.
Total of ~2132sqft: Main house is: 1193sqft w/2
bedrooms & full bath. A 12x12' bonus room
separates the private 1 bed/1 bath 637sqft guest
quarters, w/ it's own entrance. Plus: private
detached 20x14' artist studio sits across lush
property & has electric & water stubbed-out. Main
house has new engineered wood floors in
light/bright livingroom, Talavera kitchen & bath,
Saltillo elsewhere & especially unique shower
ceiling! Fully landscaped corner lot: big shade
trees, fruit trees, gardens, huge west-facing
covered patio, storage shed. Come see!
Unless otherwise indicated, all photos and text are by Chris Lucas. 505.463.5317
Chris Lucas, c. 505.463.5317 o. 505.293.8400