Santa Fe H-Board Approves La Fonda Changes

Santa Fe’s Historic Districts Review Board has green-lighted several minor exterior changes to La Fonda, the City Different’s famed downtown hotel.

That includes the addition of a small staircase on the southwest corner of the building, the opening of an exit door on Water Street that was closed off years ago, repair and replacement of woodwork, re-stuccoing and reconfiguring the bell tower to create better access.

It’s just a taste of La Fonda’s planned renovation, which includes a makeover for 164 of the hotel’s 178 guest rooms and the hotel corridors.

The renovation is inspired by the Southwestern style of architects Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and John Gaw Meem, who designed the southwest corner of the hotel with its bell tower in 1929.

The H-Board doesn’t have jurisdiction over interior changes, but members applauded La Fonda’s exterior plans on Tuesday night.

Cecilia Rios commended planners for “trying to keep the building as historic as possible.”

“I want to wish you good luck and I think your approach is very good,” Rios said.

Barbara Felix Architect and Design of Santa Fe and Bradbury Stamm Construction of Albuquerque have been hired for the project.

Felix said Tuesday that work should start in January and – “fingers crossed” – will be completed by next August.

The interior changes involve improving the guest rooms with hardwood flooring, new and restored handcrafted headboards, renovated bathrooms and modern touches such as flat panel televisions hung in wooden frames.