Plenty of people in housing complexes blend into the background - sometimes for years - and leave without making much of an impression on the place. But usually, there is one person who acts as an unofficial superintendent, taking care of the building and grounds, noticing things, and racking up the seniority. At the old Orpheum Theater building at 2nd and Coal, that friend-to-all character comes with the most unusual of resumes. He is a 92-year-old retired tradesman who makes his own beef jerky. He takes several hours worth of walks per day while wearing impeccable suits. And he prefers his chile raw and his showers cold.
Read moreSuddenly, everyone is talking about Homewise. Here's why.
Sometimes, new neighbors move in quietly, perhaps shake a few hands, and then pretty much keep to themselves for years on end. Others invite the entire block over for parties, make a point of learning everybody's name, show up at the door with banana bread just because, and quickly wind up serving on five different neighborhood association subcommittees.
Read moreMural gives new life to historic Albuquerque building
The mural is on the old Orpheum building at Coal and Second Street. It aims to represent the vibrant community it serves by depicting traditional weddings, scenes from the local film industry, and the famous Rail Yards.
Read moreMural aims to beautify, revitalize Barelas neighborhood →
“I think the Barelas neighborhood was the original colonel of Albuquerque,” local artist Denise Weaver Ross said. “A lot of our culture got born out of that area, so I think it is good that as we grow and get bigger, it remains to be recognized.”
Read moreArtist painting new mural at Albuquerque’s Orpheum Theater building →
A historic downtown building is becoming the canvas for a local artist.
The side of the Orpheum Theater building at Second Street and Coal is being transformed into a giant mural. The 120-year-old building once housed one of New Mexico’s first movie theaters.
It was recently transformed into a community hub featuring a classroom, performance space, art studios, apartments, and gallery space. The idea is to use it to help revitalize the surrounding Barelas and downtown neighborhoods.
Artist Denise Weaver Ross is behind the new mural. Ross is behind a number of murals around the city.
Century-old building makes debut as new headquarters →
The historic Orpheum Building reopened its doors earlier in May. The building will serve as Homewise’s Albuquerque headquarters, while providing a hub for classes and other community events. (Courtesy of Homewise)
The Orpheum Building in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood has served many functions since being built to house a furniture store more than a century ago. It’s been a hotel, a dance hall and even a vaudeville theater.
Read morePeek inside Homewise's new ABQ office (Video)
Santa Fe's Homewise, a nonprofit offering services including financial education and coaching, real estate services, affordable mortgage lending and down payment assistance, has completed the move into the Orpheum Theater Building.
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