Route 66 motels, once bustling with travelers, have fallen into disuse as tourism declined, leaving many abandoned. A New Mexico investor is now transforming some of these historic structures into modern apartment buildings, aiming to revitalize the area by expanding its housing supply. The project repurposes vacant properties while preserving a piece of America’s roadside heritage. Whether this approach can breathe new life into struggling communities remains to be seen.
As tourism waned along Route 66, many motels closed. A New Mexico investor is renovating some of the old structures into apartments that can increase housing stock.
