Nob Hill Historic Districts

Today: Listed Historic Districts

By 1995 City of Albuquerque planners had identified Nob Hill as a significant historic resource and hired UNM architecture professor Chris Wilson to inventory its buildings and evaluate potential historic districts. His survey found that:

  • Over 90% of homes were built before WWII.
  • Most houses had not been significantly remodeled, preserving original character.
  • Incremental remodeling was beginning to erode historic qualities in both residential and commercial areas.
  • More sympathetic design choices could easily preserve neighborhood character.
  • Public education, including architectural walking tours, would support preservation.
  • Monte Vista and College View Additions should be nominated for state and national historic registers.
 
CABQ planner Edgar Boles and Hilleño David Kammer (pictured here) produced a National Register nomination for the Monte Vista and College View Historic District, and it was listed in the NM Register of Cultural Places in 1998. Listing in the National Register followed in 2001.
 
This qualified contributing properties in the district boundaries to participate in the NM 50% tax credit program for renovation of historic properties and to display a NM Register plaque. Nearly 100 homeowners have done so.

Additional District Listed

Members and leaders of our association wanted to extend recognition and benefits to other Nob Hill additions and undertook this work with Steven Moffson, State and National Register Coordinator with the NM Historic Preservation Division (HPD). In 2021, he was teaching a course in National Register Nominations at the UNM  School of Architecture and Planning. He used Nob Hill’s 1925 Granada Heights and its 1945 Broadmoor Addition as subject areas for the work. His students produced the nominations and on:

  • October 12, 2023: he presented Granada Heights and Broadmoor Addition to the NM HPD Cultural Properties Review Committee. Both were unanimously approved for the NM Register and forwarded to the National Park Service.
  • June 6, 2025: He presented 1906 University Heights, which was also unanimously approved and forwarded for national listing.
  • All three districts were subsequently listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

 

What Register Listing Means

  • A district is professionally evaluated and recognized as worthy of preservation.
  • Listing does not regulate private property—owners may modify their homes as they choose.
  • NM Register listing provides a 50% state tax credit for renovation of contributing properties.
  • Owners may purchase and display NM Register plaques identifying contributing historic homes.

Many Nob Hill homeowners have begun using the tax credit and displaying plaques.

Is my house contributing? Consult these nominations to see which houses were determined to contribute.

1906 University Heights Historic District

1925 Granada Heights Historic District

1926 Monte Vista and College View Historic District

1947 Broadmoor Addition Historic District

See all the structures in Nob Hill with NM Register plaques

See lots more about Nob Hill and its fascinating story at reDiscoverNobHill.com

Nob Hill Neighborhood Association’s Role in Preservation

Nob Hill residents value historic character as a cultural resource that enriches daily life—much like art or music. Preserving our historic character helps maintain our neighborhood’s identity.

We support this through:

  • Community planning advocacy
  • Educational outreach, including annual architectural walks
  • Helping residents understand and use NM’s 50% tax credit
  • Sharing updates via the neighborhood email list

Zoning & Planning Context

Albuquerque’s zoning ordinances, first enacted in 1955, were amended piecemeal for decades. In 2015, the City undertook a comprehensive update, resulting in the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), which now governs land use citywide.

The IDO provides guidance for:

  • Remodeling
  • Landscaping
  • Front‑yard design
  • Compatible development within historic neighborhoods

An Interactive Zoning Map is also available for residents

Stay Involved

NHNA welcomes questions, ideas, and participation. Residents can attend board meetings or email theboard@nobhill-nm.com to engage with ongoing preservation and planning work.