Hilleños prize our historic character, viewing it as a cultural resource well worth caring for. Like art or music, being able to experience the historic form of our neighborhood and its original architecture enhances our quality of life.
One of the purposes of Nob Hill Neighborhood Association is to preserve Nob Hill’s historic character and landmarks. We do this through efforts to uphold beneficial community planning and by educational outreaches like our annual architectural walks. We help Hilleños learn about NM 50% tax credits that can help them renovate their houses.
The 1926 Monte Vista and College View Historic District was listed in the NM Register of Cultural Places in 1998. In 2020 we reached out to Steven Moffson, State and National Register Coordinator for New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, to explore whether additional neighborhoods in Nob Hill might qualify for listing. With assistance from students in his class at UNM School of Architecture+Planning he determined that additional parts of Nob Hill qualify for listing.
He presented these findings to the community in January 2022 where they were well received. On February 11, 2022 he presented the nomination of 1925 Granada Heights and 1945 Broadmoor Addition for listing to the Historic Preservation Division’s Cultural Properties Review Committee. On June 6,2025 he presented the University Heights to the committee. On those dates the committee voted unanimously to list all three districts in the NM Register of Cultural Places and to forward them to the National Park Service for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Many homeowners have purchased New Mexico Register plaques for their contributing houses and started using the 50% tax credit for renovation of contributing houses.
Albuquerque’s zoning ordinances, first enacted in 1955, were amended piecemeal over the years. In 2015 CABQ undertook an effort to update its planning ordinances in a comprehensive way. With public input the Planning Department and the Council restated ABQ’s Comprehensive Plan and restated its zoning code as the Integrated Development Ordinance which now governs land use. This ordinance contains the information needed for successful remodeling and landscaping of houses and front yards.
If you have questions or ideas about this work, please come express them at our Nob Hill Neighborhood Association board meetings or email theboard@nobhill-nm.com
