No Shortage of Food

A project under development near the Lowe’s Home Improvement store on Alameda is bringing in a handful of new businesses, including two restaurants, to the bustling area just west of Coors.

Ground preparation began in March for the Project 528 commercial development that will feature a Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Supercuts and Pacific Dental Services, said Brett Hills of Maestas & Ward, the leasing agent.

Five Guys has leased a 2,500-square-foot space in the Project 528 development. The Virginia-based Five Guys franchise chain opened its first New Mexico restaurant in Holly Plaza off Paseo del Norte and added a second location near the Premiere Cinema off Unser in Rio Rancho last summer. Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill will have a 2,250-square-foot restaurant in a free-standing building on the northwest corner of the site.

Chipotle, which has more than 1,250 restaurants nationwide, opened its first New Mexico location at Louisiana and Menaul in Albuquerque in December. In addition to the Alameda location, the chain plans to open a restaurant at Paseo del Norte and San Pedro in the near future.

“Our first restaurant in Albuquerque was very well received. We always build based on demand for our food,” said Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold.

He expects the restaurant to open in the fall.

The three-acre Project 528 site is a short distance west of the intersection of Coors and Alameda, which is formally part of N.M. 528.

“We’re real excited to deliver an all-star lineup of retailers to the West Side,” Hills said.

He said the building was 50 percent pre-leased before construction activity began and at least one more lease is pending. He expects it to be complete leased before construction is complete.

“That says a lot about the area,” Hills said.

The Alameda area between Coors and Ellison saw the opening of Dick’s Sporting Goods in March in a 50,000-square-foot space at 3550 N.M. 528 in Cottonwood Commons previously occupied by Walmart and American Home. Dick’s has more than 450 stores in 42 states.