Lodging to Affordable Living 🏡: Motel Conversions in the Four Corners Region
The following working list identifies those motels and hotels that have been converted into dwellings for the unhoused, those with special needs, and/or to provide affordable housing options in cities across the Four Corners Region of the southwestern United States (the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah). These housing options may include, but not be limited to:
- Income-based housing;
- Section 8 housing;
- Housing for those with special needs
- Housing for needy seniors;
- Housing for young adults and/or women;
- Housing for those returning to society from recovery programs or incarceration;
- Inexpensive housing/studios for artists;
- Veterans housing; as well as
- Transitional/interim housing for unhoused individuals or families.
Motel conversions provide another tool for municipalities for combating homelessness, gentrification, and rising housing costs. It also helps revitalize and reinvigorate older highway commercial districts such as Historic U.S. 66 in New Mexico and Arizona or Old U.S. 40 in Colorado. In some cases, such a conversion from lodging to affordable living quarters may require amendments to local zoning codes to allow such housing options in commercial zoning districts.
Peace!
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Albuquerque, New Mexico: Adobe Manor Motel to Adobe Manor (2023) = 16 units
Albuquerque, New Mexico: SureStay by Best Western (1999) to Los Altos Lofts (2024) = 90 units
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Luna Lodge (1949) to Luna Lodge Apartments (2013) = 14 units + 16 new units
Luna Lodge Apartments in Albuquerque, NM – Source:route66news.com
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Sundowner Motel (1960) to Sundowner Apartments (2014) = 71 units
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Comfort Inn to not yet named (2026) = 82 units- added 11/17/25
Colorado Springs, Colorado: 4U Court/Motel (1955) to The Studios (2024) = 12 units
The Studios in Colorado Springs, CO – Source: springsrescuemission.org
Denver, Colorado: Quality Inn & Suites to Fusion Studios (2020) = 139 units
Denver Colorado: Best Western Hotel to New Directions = ?
Denver, Colorado: 7 Star Motel to Night Windows (2020) = 25 units
Denver, Colorado: Best Western to Stone Creek (2023) = 194 units
Denver, Colorado: DoubleTree Hotel to The Aspen (2023) = 289 units
Denver, Colorado: La Quinta Inn to Park Avenue Inn = 103 units
Denver, Colorado: Clarion Hotel (mid-late 1980s) to Renewal Village (2024) = 215 units
Denver, Colorado: Embassy Suites (1985) to Tamarac Family Shelter (2023) = 205 units
Durango, Colorado: Best Western to The Residences (2025) = 72 units + 48 new units
Flagstaff, Arizona: Crown Motel (1966)/Howard Johnson’s (1991) to The Crown (2022) = 58 units
Source: flagshelter.org
Flagstaff, Arizona: Motel 6 (1962) to The Lantern (2025) = 103 units
Kingman, Arizona: Pony Soldier (1963)/Route 66 Motel to Joshua Tree Apartments (2025) = 20 units
Joshua Tree in Kingman, AZ – Source: housingforhopeaz.org
Page, Arizona: Antelope Canyon Motel (1960s) to Pinyon Pointe Apartments (2024) = 20 units
Pinyon Pointe in Page, AZ – Source: housingforhopeaz.org
Phoenix, Arizona: Days Inn (?) to 2900 E. Van Buren (2025) = 50 units
Phoenix, Arizona: Super 8 Motel (?) to not yet named (2026) = 126 units
Phoenix, Arizona: Phoenix Inn (1983) to The Haven (2025) = 130 units
Phoenix (Mesa): Arizona: Grand Hotel (1973) to Sunaire (2026) = 70 units
Phoenix (Mesa), Arizona: Windermere Motel (1950s) partially converted for the Off the Streets Program (2023) = 85 units, but will be moving to the Sunaire site.
Phoenix (Tempe), Arizona: Howard Johnsons (1970)/Motel 6 (1994) to not yet named (under development) = 60 units
Phoenix (Tempe), Arizona: Rodeway Inn to Sue’s Espacio = 40 units
Salt Lake City, Utah: Airport Inn (?) to The Point = 100 units
Salt Lake City, Utah: ? to The Point Fairpark = 94 units
Salt Lake City (Sandy), Utah: EconoLodge to Medically Vulnerable People (MVP) Shelter (2024) ~ 97 units
Salt Lake City (South Salt Lake), Utah: Motel 6 to FINCH – Families In Need Congregate Housing (2025) = 85 units
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Lamplighter Inn (1962) to Lamplighter Apartments (in progress) = 58 units
Lamplighter Apartments in Santa Fe, NM – Source: s3santafe.org
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Santa Fe Suites (1999) to Santa Fe Suites Apartments (2022) = 120 units
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Stage Coach Motor Inn (1940s) to Stage Coach Apartments (2013) = 66 units + 44 new units
Tucson, Arizona: Amazon Motel (1950s) to Amazon Flats (2025) = 30 units + 59 new units under development
Tucson, Arizona: De Anza Motel (1940) to Milagro on Oracle (2025) = 63 units
SOURCES:
#affordableHousing #cities #conversions #gentrification #geography #highwayDistricts #history #homelessness #hotels #housing #landUse #lodging #motels #planning #studios #travel
